Regardless of how you’re getting the job done, there’s a whole lot of terminology and processes that can feel overwhelming when it comes to painting and home improvement projects. There are so many different brands and types of paint, not to mention all the different tools for different surfaces, and the different types of services that each painting company you interact with might provide. So we’re breaking it down and sharing a glossary of house painting terms you’ll want to know before beginning your next paint project.

Have questions on other terms that you don’t see here? Reach out to us through our Contact form or our ProTek Facebook page! 

21 Common Painting Terms

1. Acrylic

Acrylic is a type of paint that you will find at most all hardware and home improvement stores. These paints are water-based and water-resistant. They can be used for interior and exterior jobs.

2 Adhesion

If you hear painters talk about adhesion, they’re referring to how well the dried paint stays on the surface without cracking, blistering, etc. This is probably the most important attribute when looking for great paint because you want your paint job to stand the test of time! It’s also particularly important when researching exterior paints because of the weather and changing seasons.

3. Basecoat

You’ve probably heard this one before. Your basement will be the highly pigmented color on your paint job. Basecoats just about always require a finishing coat of clear protection/gloss to ensure that your paint job lasts.

4. Blistering

Have you ever had bubbles or moisture form in your finished paint job? This can be extremely frustrating, and it usually means your surface was not clean before applying paint. This can also be caused when you paint over a previous coat before it finishes drying. Remember – be patient between coats!

5. Brush Types

There are so many types of paint brushes out there, we thought we’d quickly breakdown a few of the most common for you.

a. Natural-bristle brushes – These are made with animal hair and are great for paints with an oil base finish. The tips on these brushes of these brushes hold a lot of paint and help you have a smooth paint release and finish.

b. Nylon/polyester blend brushes – These common brushes are easy to clean and work great with latex paints. If you’re looking for a high-quality paint finish, get yourself a great nylon/polyester brush. Don’t be afraid to invest a few bucks on it! With proper care, they can handle quite a few projects and last long term.

c. Polyester brushes – These also work best for latex paints. They hold their shape and will help you to apply paint smoothly and evenly.

6. Caulking

You may have heard of caulking in terms of plumbing, but it’s an important part of your paint projects too! Caulking is when you waterproof the gaps around or between building materials using a flexible filler.

7. Eggshell

Have you seen eggshell paints on the shelf at your local home improvement store? Eggshell paints have a finish with very low shine, but they’re much more durable than flat or matte finish paints. This makes them great for interior walls in your home or office building.

8. Elasticity

Elasticity is all about how much your paint can expand and contract with showing any damage or changes to its appearance. The elasticity of your paint plays a huge part in its durability when it comes to things like indoor and outdoor temperature changes.

9. Enamel

Enamel paint produces a smooth and hard finish. While you don’t want to use this everywhere, enamel paint is great for trim, windows, and doors.

10. Exterior paint

Exterior paints are specifically created for outdoor usage and standing up to the elements. For most brands and colors, these are self-priming. A good one will all mention that it’s UV and weather-resistant.

11. Flat paint

Notice the word “flat” on your paint can? Although these paints are typically the most affordable, flat means that it has no gloss finish. Flat paints typically scuff or get dirty easily and may lack washability as well. For most home paint jobs, these are to be avoided.

12. Gloss

You’ll notice varying levels of gloss mentioned on different paints throughout your hardware store. Whether it’s a low gloss, semi-gloss or high gloss, this simply refers to the amount of light that a paint reflects.

13. Lead-based paint

Lead-based paints can be a major health hazard. If you’re living in an older home, it may contain paint with a high level of lead. To work with or remove this type of paint, you’ll need the help of a specialist. If you’re in the Middle Tennessee/Nashville area, feel free to reach out to our ProTek team!

14. Masking

Masking is an important part of your painting process. This is when you use tape or other coverings to prevent paint from ending up on your floors, windows, light fixtures, etc. Always be sure to prep your space with masking!

15. Matte paint

Similar to flat paints, matte paint is flat and void of shine. These are most often used for things like painting ceilings.

16. Nap

We’re not referring to a mid-day snooze. Nap refers to the length of the fibers on your paint roller. Short nap rollers work best for gloss finishes; medium naps are for lower sheen or matte paints, and long naps should be used for textured surfaces.

17. Pressure Washing

Before painting an exterior surface it’s important to do a cleaning to ensure that your paint sticks well. This is where pressure washing comes in. Using high pressure and hot water equipment and cleaners, it’s the most optimal way to prepare your outdoor surfaces for a fresh coat. You can find out more about our pressure washing services right here.

18. Rollers

When buying supplies for your paint job, you’ll find many options when it comes to paint rollers. But many of the ones on the shelf won’t be worth your time. Polyester rollers, for instance, don’t hold paint well and you’ll spent a good amount of time reloading them. Although these come at a low price, we don’t recommend them. Instead, look for a good quality blend or lambskin cover. Both hold more paint and are less likely to leave marks in your paint.

19. Satin

When you see paint that mentions a smooth finish with some gloss, it’s most likely a satin paint. These can be a great choice for interior paint projects because they have an increased washability over flat, matte or eggshell paints.

20. Sealer

A paint sealer is a special type of paint used to prevent interactions between coats. They can also cover things like knots in your paint surface to ensure they don’t show through your finished coat. They’re useful on new plaster and drywall, bare wood, and surfaces like brick and concrete.

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Do you have questions about other paint terms we haven’t mentioned here? Reach out to our team!

The post 20 House Painting Terms You Need To Know appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

Have you been needing to clean or pressure wash your Nashville-area home? Are you ready to hire a local painter to paint and redesign your home or office space? This just might be the perfect time of year to finally gather some inspiration and tackle that big undertaking. 

If your project at hand is an interior or exterior paint job, our ProTek Painting team can always help! We’ve gathered up some design inspiration from around our hometown of Franklin, TN – Williamson County, to inspire your upcoming project. Which of these Tennessee-inspired design looks are your favorites? 

Moody Hues at Biscuit Love

If you’re looking for some color inspiration for your home, look no further than the Biscuit Love location in Downtown Franklin! This restaurant has been painted with inspiring, cool tones throughout that would also work great anywhere from a bedroom, to a living room or bathroom in your home.

Wood and Brick Tones at Honest Coffee

If you live in Williamson County and you love coffee, then you’ve probably made a stop here. Honest Coffee mixes simple white paint with brick and wood details that bring a moody yet inviting vibe to the overall space. We love this as inspiration for a family room or man cave in any home!

Painted brick in Downtown Franklin

Downtown Franklin brings all the old charm of days gone by into the 21st century. We especially love the mix of painted and neutral bricks you’ll find throughout the strip, bringing visual interest and richness to the area.

Funky tile and textures at Mojos Tacos

Have you stopped in to visit Mojo Tacos? Not only is the food excellent, but the restaurant itself is also very inspiring if you enjoy design. From vibrant Mexican inspired paint colors to unique tile details, there are endless amounts of inspiration to be found in this space.

All White with Rustic Details at White’s Mercantile

White on white isn’t always a bad thing! At White’s Mercantile, crisp white tones and eclectic details create an overall feeling that is warm and inviting in their storefront. Want to bring a bit of this design style into your own home? Look for warm white tones and unique pieces that work together to create an overall charming effect.

Which of these Williamson County design looks do you love? Let us know in the comments below!

And when you’re ready to start your next painting project, be sure to reach out and get your personalized consultation from our ProTek Painting Services team right here.

The post Williamson County Paint & Design Inspiration appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.