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When it comes to kitchen paint, selecting the right type is crucial for durability
and appearance. Regardless of the type you choose, always opt for high-quality, scrubbable
paint to ensure longevity in this high-use area of your home.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss paint is the go-to option for many kitchens. Its benefits include:

• Resistance is high to moisture and grease
• Easy to clean and wipe down
• Reflects light, brightening the space

Satin Finish

Satin finish offers a happy medium between matte and glossy:

• Soft, pearl-like sheen
• Fairly easy to clean
• Hides wall imperfections better than glossier options

Eggshell

Eggshell finish is becoming increasingly popular:

• Low sheen, similar to a chicken eggshell
• Compared to flat paint, eggshell is more washable
• Good for low-traffic areas of the kitchen

Specialised Kitchen Paint

Some brands such as Resene and Dulux offer paints specifically formulated for kitchens:

• Enhanced durability against steam and grease
• Mould and mildew resistant
• Various sheens often available

Why Paint Selection Matters in the Kitchen

Choosing the right paint for your kitchen is crucial for several reasons:

1. Durability: Kitchens are high-traffic areas exposed to heat, steam, grease, and frequent
cleaning. The right paint will withstand these conditions without peeling, fading, or
absorbing odours.

2. Cleanability: Cooking splatters and spills are inevitable. Selecting a paint that’s easy to
clean without damaging the finish will keep your kitchen looking fresh for longer.

3. Moisture Resistance: Kitchens are prone to high humidity levels. Paint with good
moisture resistance prevents mould and mildew growth, protecting both the aesthetics
and your health.

4. Aesthetic Longevity: Quality kitchen paint maintains its colour and finish over time, even
with frequent exposure to sunlight and artificial lighting.

5. Health Considerations: Some paints are formulated with antimicrobial properties, which
can be beneficial in food preparation areas.

6. Impact on Lighting: The sheen of your paint affects how light is reflected in your kitchen,
influencing both the ambiance and the practical task lighting.

7. Cost-Effectiveness: While higher-quality kitchen paints may be more expensive initially,
their durability often makes them more cost-effective in the long run, reducing the
frequency of repainting.

By carefully considering these factors and choosing the appropriate paint, you can ensure that
your kitchen not only looks great but also remains functional and hygienic for years to come.

Mastering the art of gib plastering takes a lot of practice and as a homeowner, you might be tempted to tackle gib plastering yourself to save money. However, there are compelling reasons to consider hiring a professional. Here are five key reasons why enlisting the expertise of a gib plastering professional could be one of the best decisions you make when it comes to your renovation plans:

1. Superior Quality Finish

Pro: Professional plasterers have years of training and experience developing specialised skills to achieve a flawless finish. They know how to prepare surfaces properly, apply the right amount of plaster, and create perfectly smooth walls and ceilings. Plasterers understand the intricacies of different plastering techniques, such as skim coating, float and set, and textured finishes.

Hiring an expert helps identify and solve potential issues before they become major problems. For example, they can detect moisture damage, cracks, or structural issues that might require special attention. They also understand how the light falls in the room in the daylight vs night. 

Con: DIY plastering often results in visible imperfections, uneven surfaces, and a less durable finish that may need redoing sooner. There is nothing worse than thinking you have done an excellent job only to turn on the light in the evening and see imperfections such as uneven application, bubbles, or cracks.

2. Time and Efficiency

Pro: Professionals can complete the job much faster than a DIY enthusiast. They have the right tools, techniques, and manpower to efficiently plaster even large areas in a shorter amount of time than a newbie learning the skill. Professionals also have a streamlined process that minimises downtime. They’re efficient in prepping the area, applying plaster, and finishing the job. This ensures your project stays on schedule so you can continue on with your painting or wallpapering and towards your goal of finishing the project.

Con: DIY plastering can be time-consuming, especially for beginners. It might take days or even weeks to complete a job that professionals could finish in hours. If you decide to do it yourself, be prepared to invest a considerable amount of time. Without the necessary experience, the process can be time-consuming and frustrating, leading to delays in your project.

3. Gib plastering that is more cost effective in the long run 

Pro: While hiring a professional might seem more expensive initially, it can save money in the long term. Professionals have the right tools and materials to get it right the first time, reducing the need for repairs or redoing the work. 

Con: DIY attempts might seem cheaper at first, but the cost of materials, tools, and potential mistakes can add up quickly. You might end up spending more trying to fix errors or hiring a professional to correct the work.

4. Access to Professional-Grade Materials and Tools

Pro: Professional plasterers have access to high-quality materials and specialised tools that may not typically be available to the general public. Because plasterers work in the environment constantly, they also know which approach is best to use as different houses built in different eras.. Another point to consider is that some trade professionals use large mobile scaffolds that are much easier and faster than moving a ladder every 2 seconds. They will take care of assembling and disassembling these large items. 

Con: DIY plastering often relies on consumer-grade materials and basic tools, which may not produce the same level of quality or durability. If you want to use a mobile scaffold and don’t have one already, you’ll need to hire one, get it to site, assemble it, disassemble it and return it. 

5. Peace of Mind and Guaranteed Results

Pro: Reputable Gib plastering professionals often provide guarantees for their work. You can rest easy knowing that any issues will be addressed promptly and professionally.

Con: DIY work doesn’t come with guarantees. If something goes wrong, you’re on your own to fix it or potentially hire a professional to correct the mistakes.

While DIY gib plastering might seem appealing, the expertise, efficiency, and quality assurance offered by professionals often outweigh the perceived cost savings of doing it yourself.

If you’re looking to add the skill to your own toolbox and have the time and patience to perfect it, why not go ahead and give it a go. If you’re looking for a smooth, durable, and professional finish in a timely manner that adds value to your home, consider hiring a gib plastering expert such as Kurts Quality Decorating for your next project.

Wallpaper might not be as popular as it once was, but it’s still a great option for covering walls. It has some advantages to paint alone in certain situations, especially when you want a cool pattern for a feature wall. There are several different types of wallpaper to choose from including paper-backed, bamboo, and vinyl. If you’re considering putting up new wallpaper, you might be wondering what’s the best type of wallpaper. 

Overall, we think that you’ll get the best value from vinyl wallpaper. However, each type has its own pros and cons and we’ll cover some of them in this article. 

Paper wallpapers

It may seem strange that “paper” wallpaper is only one category. But that’s due to changes in wallpaper material over the years. Paper is still a popular option as it’s inexpensive and easy to find. 

Paper-backed wallpaper

Paper-backed wallpaper means that the back of the surface that goes against the wall is made from paper. It has a paper substrate on the back that is glued to the wall. On the other side, it may have different material such as decorative vinyl or it could have paper as well. Paper-backed wallpaper is peelable, but it doesn’t always come off easy. Take a look at our article How to Remove Wallpaper for an easier way to remove paper-backed wallpaper. 

Paper-faced wallpaper

Opposite to paper-backed wallpaper, paper-faced wallpaper means that the front of the surface is made from paper. The design will be printed directly on this paper on the visible side. The side connecting to the wall could be made from a different material such as vinyl. Paper-faced wallpaper is typically washable–you can use a light cleaner and wipe it occasionally–but may not be scrubbable for heavy-duty scrub cleaning without tearing. 

Vinyl wallpapers

Vinyl is a versatile material for wall coverings and many people choose to use vinyl these days instead of paper. The entire wallpaper can be made from vinyl, or one side can have a viny coating. 

Advantages of vinyl wallpapers

Vinyl has replaced paper wall coverings in many situations because it offers a number of advantages compared to traditional paper. Some of these include: 

• Easier to remove. Vinyl wallpaper is much easier to remove than paper or other options. A solid sheet of vinyl will peel off without much trouble if you start from the corner. 
• More Durable. Vinyl is more durable than paper. It’s thicker and more robust, so you won’t damage it easily.
• Washable and scrubbable. Because it’s more durable, vinyl can be scrubbed without tearing. Most stronger cleaners aren’t an issue either. It is naturally water-resistant as well. 
• More texture options. Since vinyl is thicker than paper, it has more options for texture like embossments. There are also different finish options like matte and glossy. 

Disadvantages of vinyl wallpapers

If vinyl is the best type of wallpaper with so many advantages, why doesn’t everyone use it? The main reason comes down to price. It’s not uncommon for vinyl coverings to cost twice as much as paper. Many older homes had wallpaper from before vinyl was widespread. Sometimes it’s easier to repair small sections in existing wallpaper than replace the whole thing too. 

Other types of wallpaper

There are some other types of wallpaper you may come across such as: 

• Fabric coated wallpaper – This kind has a fabric substrate that is coated with acrylic or liquid vinyl. 
• Grasscloth wallpaper – A category of wallpaper that relates to natural fibres instead of synthetic fibres. Bamboo and hemp are some examples. 
• Foil wallpaper – Wallpaper that’s similar to aluminium foil on an industrial level. 

Which wallpaper is best for me? 

If it’s within your budget, we recommend getting decent vinyl wallpaper. We think it’s the best type of wallpaper overall. Your next best option is vinyl-backed or vinyl-faced, depending on if it’s more important to install or to clean. If both are out of your price range, go with one of the paper options. 

No matter which kind of wallpaper you have or want, our team can help you out. We can do wallpaper removal, installation, and minor repairs when possible of any kind of wallpaper. We can also help you pick out the best option for your property. Get in touch with us to find out more or to get a free quote. 

Wondering how to remove wall paper? If you’ve ever tried to remove the existing wallpaper in your home, you will know that it isn’t as straightforward as simply tearing it off in one fell swoop. When done properly, removing wallpaper is a simple job. However, old or obsolete techniques can make it pretty difficult. And make it much harder than it needs to be.

We’ve been removing wallpaper for decades, and we have tried and true methods that works almost every time. Doing it right involves a little more prep work and patience upfront, but it will save you time and effort in the long run.

Identify your type of wallpaper

The process is slightly different depending on what type of wallpaper you have. The three common types of wallpaper we see are paper-faced, paper-backed, and solid vinyl wallpaper. If you have an older house, chances are that you have paper-backed or paper-faced.

Our article What is the best kind of wallpaper goes over the differences in more detail.

Beware of this common wallpaper removal advice

Many websites and guides recommend using a wallpaper steamer to make the wallpaper easier to remove. This is an older method that isn’t recommended these days. The heat from the steamer tends to be too high which can damage the wall and make painting and adding new wallpaper more difficult.

Removing vinyl wallpaper

Solid vinyl is easy to install, clean, and remove and is a good choice if you’re replacing existing wallpaper with new wallpaper.

If you have vinyl wallpaper, you may be able to strip it by using a flat blade at the corner and peeling the wallpaper off. It tends to come off easily in large sheets. If it rips along the way, loosen it on a new spot and repeat. Sometimes removing vinyl wallpaper is that easy!

Removing paper-backed or paper-faced wallpaper

Other wallpapers are more complicated to remove. They won’t strip off in sheets like vinyl so the process is more involved.

1. Clear out the room as much as you can. Remove any furniture that you can and move it into another room.
2. Cut the power to the room. Water is involved in the process so turning off the power is a safety precaution. Cover any electrical outlets with painters tape and ensure they are tightly and completely covered.
3. Create a mixture of water and sugar soap. The sugar soap is very important. Many people who have problems removing the paper leave out this key ingredient and use water alone. That’s asking for trouble.
4. Spray the mixture all over the wall thoroughly. The sugar soap helps to reduce the amount of water that drips, which also helps it soak in better.
5. Wait at least 15 minutes. Half an hour is better. This is another very important step that people tend to skip over. If you don’t wait long enough, the paper will come off in small patches and you’ll also damage the substrate.
6. Scrape off the wallpaper with a wide blade starting at the corner. If you’ve done everything right, it should come off easily.

Need help removing wallpaper?

If removing wallpaper yourself isn’t high on your list of priorities due to not having the time, or if it’s just not your thing, you could end up with more problems than you started with. If you want to make sure the job’s done right, we can help. We’ve removed wallpaper from hundreds of properties and can do it quickly, cleanly, and with minimal mess. Contact us today for a free quote for wallpaper removal.

If you’re looking to get a house painted by a professional, ideally you probably want to have an idea of how much the house painting project is going to cost. Pinpointing the exact price is nearly impossible without looking at the house as there are a lot of factors that go into the price. The age of the house, the material that it’s made from, the current paint condition and of course, the size, all go into the cost.

However, the rough cost to paint an average house in New Zealand is around the $12,000 mark.

What is included in a house painting quote?

This cost includes the cost of the materials such as paints and prep material as well as labour. If you get a quote to paint an average house and it’s notably different–50% higher or lower for instance–you probably aren’t getting the best value. If the price seems far off the mark, try getting a quote from another painter and see if they estimate it will be about the same.

Vastly different prices mean that at least one of the painters isn’t charging the right amount. And the less expensive option isn’t always the best. If a painter is able to charge far lower than the typical rates, they are likely cutting corners in one way or another. The most common place is the quality of the paint. Low-quality paints can be quite a bit cheaper than better brands. However, they won’t last nearly as long. The colours fade faster, they’re more prone to chipping and aren’t as vibrant. If you’re looking to paint a house because it looks like it’s in poor shape, you’ll have to repaint it much sooner if your painter uses cheap paint – costing you more in the long run.

What makes the cost vary?

The two biggest factors for how much it costs to paint a house are the condition of the house and the size of the house being painted.

A house with the exterior and cladding in good condition is easier to paint. The paint will go on smoothly with minimal extra effort. If there’s, old, chipped paint from a previous job (or in some cases, several layers), part of the extra cost will go into removing that paint. With exterior painting, simply painting over the old paint job isn’t enough as the new paint won’t look any better if the bad paint isn’t stripped away and the new paint will start falling away soon enough. Getting the surface ready for paint takes longer if it’s in worse shape, which adds to the total cost.

As for size, a smaller house will cost less than a larger house, all else being equal. This is simply because a smaller house needs less paint to cover it.

Is a smaller house always less expensive to paint?

Not necessarily. Besides the condition, the materials and the shape of the structure make a difference in cost too. A simpler, flat surface doesn’t require as much prep as one that juts out with bay windows. But in general, a smaller house will be cheaper than a larger one and a newer house will cost less than an older one.

Do I need my whole house painted?

Sometimes, you don’t need the entire house painted. You might only need retouching on a single section. A common job we do here at Kurt’s Quality Decorating is painting only the soffits and fascias. Since these are higher up and tricky to paint because of the gutters, even a lot of DIYers can use a little help for these sections. We can paint them starting at $1200.

How much do you charge for house painting?

Our average house painting project costs about $12,000 when all is said and done. Usually, the cost to paint a house wouldn’t be cheaper than $8,000 or any more than $17,000. The factors above all influence the price and we need to look at the property in person to give a more accurate estimate. If you’re interested in having us paint your house, give us a call and we’ll set up a time to come by and do a free quote.

Updated 13 June 2024

Look down the street, and you’ll probably notice that most houses are the same few colours. These tend to be muted, neutral tones that don’t stand out too much. In some neighbourhoods, you won’t see much variety in house colour. So maybe you’ve asked before, “Can I paint my house any colour that I want?”

This is actually a complicated topic, especially with rentals. In some places, there’s nothing legally stopping you from painting a home you own whatever colour you want. But it’s not always the best idea. In other places, colours of a certain colour are brightness is actually illegal.

How do I know if it’s illegal to paint my house a certain colour in my region?

The best way to make sure that you can paint your house the colour you want is to check in with your regional council if you aren’t sure. In some regions, you can’t paint in certain colours, and each council will have their own reasons why if they have such a rule in place. One reason that’s common is that the colour will take away from the beauty of the environment. Some councils don’t like if a house stands out too much and contrasts with the natural landscape. Depending on where you live, this can even include houses in a private area off the road. Make sure to double-check before committing to a paint job you might have to change later on.

House painting for rentals

With the legislation that took effect on 11 February 2021, tenants can make “minor changes” to a property. And they can do so without the landlord’s consent. For larger changes, they can submit a request to the landlord that must be responded to within 21 days.

So where does that leave painting? Interior painting is one of the projects that is right on the borderline between being minor and major; it’s one of those areas that hasn’t been clearly defined yet. Some landlords have outright come out saying they won’t allow painting and will build a clause forbidding it into their tenancy agreements.

If not explicitly stated anywhere, be cautious about painting the walls in a different colour even if it is legal. The law says that any changes made to the property have to be able to be restored to their original condition at the tenant’s cost; so if you paint a wall and a professional painter has to fix it, it could be a huge expense for you!

House painting for owned homes

If you own a home and no rules explicitly forbid you from painting any colour you want, that doesn’t mean you should.  Keep in mind that you typically see the same colours for good reason.

Certain colours last longer and hold their vibrancy better than others when it comes to paint. Over time, the paint on the house will start to fade. When it does, the colour could look quite different, meaning you’ll have to choose between repainting or dealing with the new colour. The reason that colours fade is because the product is starting to break down.

LRV Values and paint colours

Why do certain colours fade faster than others? A lot of this has to do with the LRV (Light Reflective value), something professional painters keep in mind when giving you options for colour. The LRV value indicates how much light, and consequently, heat is reflected. Pure black would have a 0% LVR because it aborbs the most while pure white has 100%. This is important for several reasons. One is that for UV protection. Another is because paints below a certain LRV level won’t adhere properly to certain substrates. Why this is important is because some darker colours can be an issue on certain surfaces because the heat causes it to warp over time. They can also fade faster; if they adhere properly at all.

If you want to paint these surfaces with a dark colour, you need a specific kind of paint that limits the effect, but that paint comes a higher price. Resene’s Cool Colour range is a high-quality option for to do this. It also won’t work for every type of substrate, so double-check that you can paint your surface the colour you want before trying to start the job. Some construction companies simply won’t allow certain colours on some surfaces such as linear weatherboard. With others you can actually void your guarantee by going under the recommended LVR value. Often the best choice is to stick to the recommendations to maximise the life of your new paint job.

How long will you live in the house?

Another thing to think about when deciding what colour to paint your house is how long you plan on living in it. A brightly-painted house with clashing colours might appeal to you, but will it to a buyer later on?

Some colours can directly affect the value of the house.  The exterior colour may affect the sale of your home. If you want to make a little more out of your house when it’s time to sell, then sticking to more neutral colours is your best bet. But if it’s your forever home, have at it!

Ready for your next paint job?

Are you ready to get your house painted? If you want some tips on what colours would be good for your next repaint, or already have exactly what you want in mind and want a professional team to make it happen, get in touch with us today.

Can I use Exterior Paints indoors?

If you’ve been shopping for paint before, you may have noticed that paints tend to be split into Interior and Exterior options. You might be wondering why they’re separated this way. Or you may have asked if you can use exterior paints indoors or vice versa.

The short answer is yes, you can use exterior paints inside. But we wouldn’t recommend doing that because of interior and exterior paints have different properties that make them ideal for specific uses. So what are the differences, and how much of a difference does it make?

Characteristics of both kinds of paint

All paints are comprised of the same basic ingredients:

• Pigments are the actual colouring of the paint. This is what a lot of people think of first about paint since this is where the colour comes from but the other parts are just as important.
• Resins hold the particles together and make the paint stick to the surface. Resins are why paint stays where you put it (when applied properly) instead of dripping to the floor.
• Solvent. A solvent is a liquid that other substances dissolve into. Water is the most common solvent and many paints have water as a main ingredient. Oil-based paints use oil as the solvent instead.
• Additives. These are the different “special characteristics” that can be added in. Things like resistance to mould, UV sunlight, chipping, and things like fast-drying plasticisers for flexibility.

The difference between Interior and Exterior paints is due to a difference in the amount and proportion of each of these ingredients that they use.

Interior Paints

Interior paints are designed to hold up against anything that happens in the indoors. While it might not seem like that’s much compared to dealing with the weather, a lot can happen inside.

With interior paints, you get paint that won’t smear or scuff easily. Since the paint doesn’t need to hold up against intense rain or wind battering, interior paint can use a different resin. This resin is resistant to things like scuff marks and scrubbing and intense sunlight. The adhesion is also designed so that it will stick to indoor surfaces

Exterior Paints

Exterior paints are meant to be used in the outdoors. This means they need to withstand everything the weather can throw at them. They also need to be resistant to different elements outdoors. Some of these include mould and mildew, and some even contain a mildewcide to kill off said mildew.

The adhesion in exterior paints is made to stick on outdoor substrates. It binds better to these surfaces, meaning that is will last longer in this environment. If the adhesion were to weaken, the product begins to break down, causing the colour to fade faster.

Does that mean exterior paints last longer indoors?

Not necessarily. Since exterior paint is designed for outside, its properties are too. This also means that some aspects are meant for an open space instead of an enclosed area. There are reports of people having problems when using exterior paints indoors like minor health concerns from breathing in more chemicals or even persisting odours that don’t seem to disappear.

Because of the different additives that are used in exterior paints, we don’t recommend using them indoors. Some people have used exterior paints indoors without any issues. However, the extra “protection” like UV protection won’t be of much use, and there is the chance of dealing with unpleasant issues that aren’t worth the risk.

We can help you pick the right paint for any project

As professional painters, we know all about paint and what kind will work best in different situations. Whether you need your home interior painted, the outside of your house, or even a project like a fence our sleepout, we have the right team, skills and tools for the job. Get in touch with us today to get a quote for your next project.

Updated 14 June 2024