Interior Painting near you

Paint shows every flaw beneath it, and a satin or semi-gloss finish shows them more than a flat one. Good prep starts with raking light, a lamp held along the wall, to reveal dents, nail pops and old roller ridges that are invisible head-on.

Sheen is how much light the dried paint reflects. The flatter the finish, the better it hides imperfections; the glossier it is, the easier it is to wash and the more it shows every bump. The same sheen name can look different from one product line to another, so compare finishes on painted samples rather than by name.

A colour that looks right on a chip in the store can look very different across four walls. Light changes it most: north-facing rooms get cooler daylight that can make greys look cold, south-facing rooms warm colours up, and warm or cool bulbs shift everything again in the evening. Paint large samples on more than one wall and look at them morning, afternoon and evening, and compare whites and neutrals side by side to spot their yellow, pink, green or blue undertones against flooring, counters and wood trim that won't change.

Health Canada says a home built before 1960 probably contains lead-based paint, often buried under newer layers on walls, windows, doors, trim and stair railings. During a paint job, the concern is disturbing it: Health Canada warns against using sanders, heat guns or blowlamps to remove lead-based paint, because they create toxic dust and fumes containing lead.

Before prep starts in an older home, have the paint tested, either by sending chips to a lab or by hiring someone with the equipment to detect lead on painted surfaces. If lead is present, the painter should use methods that keep dust down, contain the work area and clean up thoroughly, and children and pregnant women should stay away from the work. Flaking old paint on window sills or in a child's room deserves attention even when no painting is planned.

Paints and varnishes give off volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Health Canada lists paint among the indoor sources of VOCs and notes that exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. It recommends increasing ventilation when using paints and varnishes, and points out that some products emit fewer VOCs than others.

In practice, ask for low-emission products, especially for bedrooms and a nursery, and plan airflow before the first can is opened: windows open when the weather allows, a fan pushing air outdoors, and bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans running. In winter, when windows stay shut, keep freshly painted rooms aired out longer and avoid sleeping in them while the smell lingers. Keep lids on cans between coats and don't store leftovers in living spaces.

Paint that's dry to the touch isn't finished. Drying is the water or solvent leaving the film; curing is the film hardening all the way through, which takes much longer and depends on the product, the thickness of the coats, temperature and humidity. The label gives the recoat time and often the time the surface needs to reach full hardness.

Until then, treat the paint gently. Pushing furniture against walls, hanging pictures, applying tape or scrubbing can mark or lift the finish, and doors and windows closed too soon can stick to their frames. Once cured, most walls can be cleaned with a soft cloth and mild soapy water, and touch-ups blend best when done with the same product and sheen.