Measure the dimensions of the room to be painted, and make sure to note the ceiling height. Don’t get too fancy and start subtracting windows or door frames (unless, of course, you’re planning to paint just one wall in a room. Remember: On average, gallon covers about 400 square feet and a quart covers about 100 square feet. Deep colors, especially those in the red and yellow families, usually require multiple coats.

What is it with those reds and yellows?

Several years ago, environmental regulations forced paint manufacturers to get the lead out, literally, of all paint. Lead is what helped those deep colors cover. Thus, without the lead, these colors tend to be clearer and require more coats. A great way to avoid painting five coats of a deep color is to prepare the surface first with a deep-based primer. This is basically primer with tinting colors added to approximate the color you choose. It will never be the exact same color, but it’s not supposed to be. A deep-based primer can reduce the number of coats to one or two.

While primers are not always required, using one is always a good idea to prepare the surface for the final coat. Primers should be used when painting over a glossy surface, whether it is paint or simply a shiny surface. If you’re putting a light color over a dark color, a primer is highly recommended. Raw wood, new plaster or unpainted drywall also requires a primer. There are also primers made to cover stubborn stains. Deep colors require a deep-based primer because they do not cover well.

Both will do an excellent job under most circumstances. Water-based paints have a number of advantages. They clean up with soap and water and give off fewer odors. There are even specially-formulated low-odor paints (Benjamin Moore’s Eco-Spec, for instance). Top-quality latex paints generally have excellent adhesion to most surfaces and exhibit superior resistance to bleaching and fading when compared to oil-based paints. Water-based paint also dries much faster than oil-based paint. There are other differences, but generally speaking, today’s latex paints are as good as most alkyd paints. Another Benjamin Moore product, Satin Impervo – an oil-based low-luster paint – is now available in a water-based formula. Sometimes, using alkyd paint is unavoidable or recommended.

Yes, you can paint any kind paint over any other kind of paint. The surface might need to be primed, but otherwise, you’re fine.

In general, many people prefer flats and eggshell finishes in living rooms, bedrooms and foyers. Pearl and semi-gloss finishes, and occasionally high gloss, tends to be used to kitchens and bathrooms. However, with the variety and performance of the different finishes these days, it’s possible to defy the conventional wisdom and use one finish throughout a residence. For instance, one of Benjamin Moore’s newest products is called Regal Matte. It is just as washable and scrubbable as eggshell, but it has no shine. Then there is pearl finish, which is also washable and scrubbable, but more lustrous than eggshell. Flat, eggshell, semi-gloss, satin and high gloss refer to the sheen or gloss level of the paint. It does make a difference which one you use. The sheen or gloss level simply means the degree of light reflectance of the paint. Here is a brief summary of sheen levels:

• Flat: A soft, non-reflective finish which helps hide minor surface imperfections. Flat is a traditional finish for interior walls and exterior siding.
• Eggshell: A subtle, low-sheen finish that hides surface imperfections like a flat, but with increased durability and washability compared to traditional flat finishes.
• Pearl or Satin: A rich, velvety all-surface finish which is scuff and stain resistant on walls, siding and trim. Perfect for any room or style. Improved exterior durability compared to flat or eggshell finishes.
• Semi-Gloss: A shiny finish which provides a decorative contrast with flat, eggshell or satin. Highly resistant to wear from washing or weathering.
• High Gloss: A very shiny and reflective finish for bold, decorative accents or where maximum durability is desired.

“

You get what you pay for” is an accurate statement. Price differences usually reflect a difference in the quality or the amount of the key ingredients. Since it's the ingredients that affect such important qualities as durability, flow, hide and leveling, the better the quality of the paint the easier it will be to apply and the longer it will normally last. In fact, a top-quality paint can last as much as twice as long as a low-end paint. This lowers the cost per year of service which saves you not only money, but also sweat if you do your own painting. If you use a professional painter, you save even more by insisting on a top-quality paint. That's because the paint represents only a fraction of the cost of repainting; most of the expense is for the contractor's labor.

Yes, you can paint any kind paint over any other kind of paint. The surface might need to be primed, but otherwise, you’re fine.