PAINTS, STAINS AND VARNISHES

Were we to name a universal finish for habitable interior spaces, it would be paint, as nearly all the walls and ceilings in a building are painted. Surprisingly, painting is so common, yet so misunderstood.

There are two broad types of relative finishes, namely paints and varnishes. Paints can be water based or oil based. Varnishes on the other hand are primarily used on wood, have little or no color and are transparent. Like paints, there are various types of varnishes for different applications, primarily, interior, exterior, or where elasticity is required. Varnishes, have no pigment in contrast to paints and wood stains. We encounter varnishes on hardwood floors, although modern practice seems to prefer oil treatment with no sheen.

As far as application techniques are concerned, brush, roller or stencil are used, while lacquer may be sprayed on. The finish of a paint may be satin, glossy or semi-gloss; the designer and the client usually determine this. This does affect duration and maintenance. For example, a child’s room is best to be painted in a semi-gloss or glossy paint, which can usually be wiped clean with a wet sponge.

Insist on ecological paints as these are definitely healthier, although a bit more expensive. A little pointer: Paint high-use areas for example a Kitchen or a Child’s Room walls, in three coats of paint for additional protection. Normally two coats of paint over primer will suffice for most applications.

In order to decide on a color, examine paint samples from manufacturers’ books or color wheels, viewing preferably in northern (colorless) light. As far as actually painting, follow diligently the paint manufacturer’s specifications regarding dilution ratios, ambient humidity, application procedure, sanding and minimum drying times before an additional coat may be applied. Painters (like a fair number of other workers) tend to disregard the rules, insisting a few hours between coats are sufficient for water based paints (Ignorance or profit being possible motives).

There are various paint effects of finishes, such as Stucco Veneziano, a traditional Italian technique offering the illusion of depth and texture; a technique that was in high demand in Contract Design and upscale residences. Last, as a historical remark, in the Renaissance a guild of craftsmen specialized in expertly painting columns to appear as marble. They were in high demand; even today, samples of this technique may be found in some churches. 

 

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