Gen/X Painting
Our Painting Blog
At Gen/X Painting in the Okanagan, we value transparency in all facets!
Here on our blog, our intention is to educate potential customers and our community about painting products, and practices. The more information you possess, the more equipped you are to make the best decisions for yourself, and your home!
Whether you are looking to have an exterior painting job, an interior paint job, a cabinet re-finishing job, or if you are just curious and wanting to know more about the residential painting industry, you have come to the right place!
GenX Painting’s Favourite Products
If you’re considering painting your house – you may be wondering which paint products are best for the job! There are so many different options on the market, that it can be overwhelming narrow down what will be the best fit for painting your home. At Gen/X painting we aim to use products that will leave the smoothest finish, while providing the best longevity and protection. We want you to get the most out of your paint job for years to come! In this blog we will share our go-to favourite paint products, and why we think they are the best options compared to others on the market!
Cabinets
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Lenmar Lacquer:
(sheen – pearl – lower sheen hides imperfections)
This is hands down our favourite paint for refinishing your cabinets! Firstly because when lacquer is sprayed, it creates the smoothest finish and lays down like glass. It makes the cabinets look like brand new – like they were bought with this finish on them! The second reason we love lacquer is because it is also known for its extreme durability and longevity. Giving your cabinets 10-15 years of new life! Your cabinets are cleanable with this product on them. This product also has extreme resistance to moisture. The only downfall with lacquer is that it smells strong during the application process. However – at Gen/X we take extreme care to preserve the air quality inside your home! We do this by creating a spray booth inside your house, and using a fan to vent the toxic air outside during the spraying process.
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Advance – Water based:
This paint is the option we recommend for people who are more sensitive to the strong smell of the lacquer – and not able to leave their house during the application process when the smell is strongest! This would be good for you if you have asthma, allergies, or sensitivities to scent. Although – we recommend using Lacquer whenever possible, because it is the same price as water based, and it triples the life of the cabinetry compared to a water based paint! The scent of the lacquer only lasts during the painting process. Once dry, your home will no longer smell!
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Pro Lacquer PX Primer:
A good primer increases durability and adhesion for the top coat! This primer is designed to increase surface adhesions (which will increase the durability). We also love this stuff for its quick drying time! Making the overall process of refinishing the cabinets much quicker.
Interior
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Ceiling – Coronado PVA:
(Primer and top coat in one) sheen: matte / flat
We spray ceilings for the most consistent silky smooth finish. The matte sheen combined with the spray finish creates the most uniform coat. You won’t be seeing any blemishes, even in the most dynamic lighting.
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Walls – Regal Matte:
We love this paint product because of the protection it offers the walls. It hides imperfections, and is fingerprint resistant! Also this brand and sheen is great for touch ups. Other paints may have ‘flashing’ meaning you will be able to see where any touch ups are done – they will appear shiny. However – this paint hides touch ups really well. So if you get a blemish on your wall down the line, you can fix it easily yourself!
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Trim –Scuff X:
(sheen: pearl)
This paint is scuff resistant, and lays out very smoothly whether it is rolled or sprayed! Perfect for baseboards and trim. It is also washable, and great for touch ups! This paint is perfect to use in high traffic areas due to its strength and anti scuff properties.
Exterior
Siding: (sheen: matte) – Trim (sheen: low lustre / pearl)
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(High end option) Aura, low lustre:
This is an elite quality of paint! It runs about $10-15 more per gallon compared to the mid grade option. It is thicker, which causes it to fill cracks and imperfections in the wall. Due to the thickness it may also require less coats to complete the job. It also contains the highest available UV protection, which is great for preventing fading from the sun during the intense Okanagan summers (dark colours are espe
cially vulnerable to fading from sun damage)! Whether it is applied with a roller or sprayer, this paint blends really nicely and leads to a smooth finish.
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(Mid Grade option) Regal Exterior:
Still a great option when compared to the high-end paint, but more affordable! It has all of the same benefits just of slightly less caliber. Still providing adequate UV protection, and protection against wood rot!
Stains
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Sikkens Stain:
Staining breathes new life into your wood, emphasizing it’s beauty by bringing out the natural tones. Stained wood also holds up better against UV rays and wood rot, compared to a bare wood! There are various sheen options with these stains, from flat, to pearl to gloss! Although – flat is not recommended because it provides less protection. After staining wood, its important to maintain your stain, to increase the longevity of the wood. You can do this by applying a clear gloss coat every 3-5 years!
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Clear Coat:
(sheen – pearl)
Important for maintenance of a stain job, provides protection from UV rays and wood rot. Will also revive the appearance of stain a few years down the line, so you’re not darkening the wood every time by layering the stain!
All of the products we like to use are from Benjamin Moore! Find out more about each individual product here on the Ben Moore website.
Replacing / Refacing or Refinishing your Cabinets
When it comes to updating your cabinets, how do you know if you should replace them entirely, reface them, or refinish your cabinets? While giving your kitchen a makeover, updating your cabinets can make a huge impact on the overall look and feel of the space! All these options have their pros and cons, and it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences, budget, and the condition of your existing cabinets. In this blog post, we’ll explore the differences between replacing, refinishing, and refacing cabinets to help you make an informed choice.
Replacing Cabinets
(Service NOT offered by Gen/X Painting)
Replacing your cabinets involves completely removing your existing cabinets and installing new ones. This is a more expensive and time-consuming option, but it does have its benefits. For one, it allows you to completely change the layout and design of your kitchen – if you desire. It also gives you the opportunity to choose cabinets that are customized to your specific needs and preferences. New cabinets are often made of high quality materials and come with some modern features, such as soft-close hinges and pull-out shelves.
Some downsides to replacing your cabinets are that it can be a disruptive and messy process. You may need to make temporary arrangements for your kitchen. Such as setting up a temporary cooking area for while the work is being done. Additionally, depending on the size of the project, it can take several weeks or even months to complete. When replacing cabinets, you will likely have to factor in the cost of having a plumber come in and redo the plumbing in the kitchen.
(For cabinet replacing services, try this local business!)
Refacing Cabinets
(Service NOT offered by Gen/X Painting)
Refacing cabinets involves replacing the doors, drawer fronts, and hardware while keeping the existing cabinet boxes intact. The new doors and drawer fronts can be made of a variety of materials, such as wood, laminate, or veneer. The cabinets themselves may also be covered with a new veneer or laminate. This option is often chosen when the existing cabinets are in good structural condition but the appearance is outdated. This option is not suitable for all cabinets as they should not be refaced if the cabinet boxes are in poor condition, or have water damage.
Refacing is more cost effective than completely replacing the cabinets. However, it is more expensive than refinishing because it involves more material and labor costs. Also refacing is less durable than refinishing cabinets. The new Lacquer coating on cabinets that have been refinished by Gen/X can protect against moisture and ware – causing them to last much longer!
Refinishing Cabinets
(This service is offered by Gen/X Painting. See more about this service by clicking here.)
Refinishing your cabinets involves sanding down the existing finish, and applying a new stain or paint. At Gen/X Painting, we complete all of our cabinet refinishing jobs by spraying with lacquer paint! Which has a gorgeous ‘new cabinet’ finish that lasts 10+ years. Refinishing is a more budget-friendly option that can give your kitchen a fresh new look without the cost and hassle of completely replacing or refacing your cabinets. Refinishing is also an environmentally conscious option, as it reduces waste by reusing the existing cabinets.
One of the benefits of refinishing your cabinets is that it is a relatively quick process, often taking only a couple of days – weeks to complete (depending on the size of the job). It also allows you to keep the same layout and design of your cabinets if you’re happy with it. Refinishing can be done in a variety of colors and finishes, from a natural wood look to a bold paint color.
However, there are some potential downsides to refinishing your cabinets. For one, the final result will depend on the quality of the existing cabinets. If your cabinets are in poor condition or have significant damage, refinishing may not be the best option. Additionally, refinishing may not offer as many customization options as completely replacing your cabinets would. At Gen/X, one option we recommend if you’re looking for some extra customization, is changing out the hardware on the cabinets!
Consensus
Ultimately, whether you choose to replace, reface, or refinish your cabinets will depend on your personal preferences, budget, and the condition of your existing cabinets. All options have their pros and cons, and it’s important to carefully consider your needs and goals before making a decision. Regardless of which option you choose, updating your cabinets can make a huge difference in the overall look and feel of your kitchen, and can even increase the value of your home.
If you think refinishing is the option is best for you – don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Gen/X to get the job done for you!
How often should you paint your interior?
Typically, a well done interior paint job will last 5-10 years. However, there are many factors that could effect to the longevity of the paint job!
Here are some factors that can effect your interior paint job:
- Lifestyle – Households that are active, or bigger families tend to result in more wear and tear on the walls.
- Pets / children – tend to be rambunctious and damage walls. Whether that is throwing toys, sticky fingers, scratchy claws, or using the wall as their personal canvas!
- Preference / Renovations – Maybe your tastes have changed, or a renovation is taking place. This is a great time to paint!
- High traffic areas – Areas of the home that see more activity like the kitchens and hallways will need to be painted more frequently
Here are some signs that it is time to repaint your interior:
- The paint is fading
- Cracking, chipping, and peeling paint
- The walls are damaged
- You are about to move in or move out
- You’re bored of the colour and want to switch things up!
A general guide on how often you can expect to have to paint these areas of your house:
Hallway (every 3-5 years)
- Check the area for scuff marks, finger prints, dents, dings, holes, and worn corners.
- Hallways are one of the most high traffic areas in the house
Kitchen (3-5 years)
- Check for grease, food stains, smoke stains
- The kitchen is a hub where a lot of activity occurs! With all of the cooking that takes place here, you can expect a build up of mess and stains over time.
Bathrooms (3—5 years)
- Look for moisture and humidity damage.
- Note: Some paints are designed to hold up better in moist environments, such as Benjamin Moore’s ‘Aura Bath and Spa’ line. Therefore, you should opt for this kind of paint in high humidity areas.
Kids room / playroom (3-5 years)
- Rooms that kids play in typically build up more damage to the walls quickly!
- As they grow, their preferences may change quickly – leading them to wanting to switch up the colour on the walls more frequently.
Dining rooms, adult bedrooms, and spare bedrooms (5-10 years)
These areas tend to need less frequent painting.
Ceiling (10 years)
Re-painting the ceiling can brighten up any room!Ceilings will naturally discolour over time. Sun and moisture cause a yellow tinge or spots to appear. Furthermore, ceiling paint lasts twice as long as wall paint, so you can expect to redo your ceiling every decade or so.
Trim / baseboards (varying)
In high traffic areas you can expect the baseboards or trim to become scuffed and scratched up more quickly than other areas.
Tips for increasing the longevity of your paint job!
- Hire professional painters – like Gen/X, if you’re in the Okanagan area!
- Proper preparation of the wall prior to painting
- Use higher quality of paint
- Use more than 1 coat of paint
- Use primer / top coat if neccessary
At Gen/X Painting in Kelowna, we take the utmost care to make sure your interior paint job is done to perfection! This is why our processes are designed to ensure the longevity of the paint job. We are so confident in our work that we always offer a 5 year warranty.
Contact Gen/X in Kelowna if you need to spruce up your interior! We would love to work together. Let’s refresh and revive your space!
6 reasons winter is the best time to paint the interior of your home!
Many think that summer is the best time to do home renovations. For some industries, this is true! Summer being the only time when some employees can work. However, this is not the case for painters. Exterior paint jobs can’t be completed during winter. Although, if an interior paint job is what you seek, winter may be the best time of year to start this project! There are a number of benefits to having your interior painted during the winter, including lower cost, better availability, and ideal working conditions. All of these benefits and more are detailed below!
1) Lower rates, and better availability!
Winter is typically a slower season for painters, so many paint companies offer discounted rates during winter and early spring. Take advantage of this to get a much cheaper price than if you were to book during the summer. Paint jobs can be up to a few thousand dollars, so these discounted rates can save you hundreds, even thousands, compared to paying the full price during peak season! At Gen/X Painting, we are currently offering a discount of up to 10% off of interior painting projects booked between the months of November 2022 – February 2023!
Similarly, another benefit of booking during slow season is that painters have a more open availability. Which means more flexibility to fit your schedule! Most reputable paint companies get booked up quickly during the summer months – leading to longer wait times. Booking during winter you can expect wait times of weeks instead of months.
2) Brighten up your interior during darker times of year.
The sun starts going down earlier, and rising later. The days are shorter, and darker. In the Okanagan, the sun disappears behind the mountains very early, and typically we are covered in a grey cloud throughout the winter! One way to bring some more brightness into your life is to have your space painted in a light colour. Light paints create the illusion of more space in a room, and work wonders at brightening up an area. Even though the sun may not be shining as much, or as bright, you can still create the illusion of brightness within your home through a new paint job. This new inviting vibe will be a great backdrop for family Christmas photos, and will create the perfect ambiance for get togethers with friends and family during the holiday season.
3) Winter air is ideal for curing paint due to low humidity.
Humidity is higher during summer months, especially in Kelowna and the surrounding area – which actually slows drying times. During the winter months, the cool air combined with the heating system being turned on, is the perfect combination for quick drying times!
Also don’t worry – you will not need to open all of your windows to escape the paint fumes! At Gen/X painting we use the highest quality low VOC paints – which have minimal fumes. All that will be required is a small crack of the window to ventilate the space for an hour or two, and you will not be stuck with a headache due to the paint fumes, or a boost in your heating bill.
4) Have more time to enjoy your summer!
Get your painting project done during the winter months, and you have more free time in the summer to focus on YOU. Spend more time with friends and family, go on vacation, or even take on another home renovation project! The options are endless.
5) Maximize home value for spring / summer – which are best times to list home for sale.
According to REMAX and other real estate websites, the best months to list your home for sale are April, May, June and July. These months have shown to be most lucrative for sellers, if you are wanting to make more than the asking price. The worst times to sell are in the fall, when families are settling down for the start of school and getting ready for the holidays. If you are planning on selling, painting your home in the winter will raise the value just in time to list your property on the market during the peak times with the highest demand!
6) Painting during winter is a unique gift opportunity!
Has your loved one been hinting at wanting one of the rooms in the house re-done? Surprising them with a paint job in their favourite colour might just be the perfect grand gesture! Or if you think they would enjoy being more involved in the project – try booking a free colour consultation for them, or gift them with a signed paint contract that they can do with as they please. A gift such as this can be enjoyed for years to come.
Overall… it’s never a bad time of year to paint.
As you can see, there are many benefits to painting the interior of your home during the winter months! For many homeowners, painting their interior during this time is actually superior to waiting for the summer. With a professional and knowledgable painting company in your corner, you are sure to have a positive experience. You will have more time in the summer to do as you please. OR maybe you’re looking to get your place on the market right when the spring hits – in which case, good luck! Many buyers will love to see a freshly painted home on the market.
Whichever you choose – the crew at Gen/X painting will make sure you are in good hands! We wish you a happy fall, winter and holiday season.
Contact us today to get started on your painting project! We would love to help.
Tips for choosing the right paint colour!
How to Choose the perfect Paint Colours for Your Home…
Choosing the right paint colours for your Okanagan home can seem like a daunting task. There are so many paint colours to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one would look best in your space.
Luckily, there are a few things you can consider to make the process easier.
1) Get a free colour consultation!
At Gen/X painting we offer free colour consultations with a professional. This is probably the easiest way to get a customized colour recommendation that will fit your home, and your personality. Our colour consultant will consider your current decor, your personal style, the other colours in your home, and the natural lighting, in order to determine the colour options that are best suited for your space! We leave colour samples with you for a few days, so that you can really think over your colour options, without feeling pressured. We know this is a big decision, and want you to feel 100% confident in your choice.
2) Consider the mood you want your room to convey!
Room colour has shown to have an effect on people’s emotions and moods. Choose a colour that represents your personality, and how you want to feel inside your space! Typically, you are going to want cooler colours (blues, greens, purples) in areas that you want to feel calm and zen. Such as bedrooms, living rooms and yoga/meditation rooms. While ‘warmer’ colours should be saved for areas that promote activity! Such as the kitchen, office, or home gym.
Here are some bold color options, and the moods they convey:
- Red – represents intensity. Raises the rooms energy level. Stimulates passion, love, and power.
(Ben Moore – Heritage Red HC-181, Ben Moore – Exotic Red)
- Orange – High energy colour. Promotes excitement, enthusiasm, and activity.
(Ben Moore – Tangy Orange, Ben Moore – Rumba Orange)
- Yellow – Color representing happiness! Captures the essence of sunshine.
(Ben Moore – Banana Yellow, Ben Moore – Golden Orchards)
- Green – Has a calming, restful effect. Shown to relieve stress.
(Ben Moore – Webster green, Ben Moore – October Mist)
- Blue – Invokes calming / soothing energies. Has been shown to reduce heart rate!
(Ben Moore – Iced Slate, Ben Moore – Hale Navy)
- Purple – Lighter purples promote relaxation, while deep rich purples convey sophistication, royalty, and drama.
(Ben Moore – Purple Lace, Ben Moore – Your Majesty, Ben Moore – Purple Heart)
Here is the break down of popular neutral colours, and their associated moods:
- White – Timeless, classic. Makes rooms look bigger, brighter, and more open. ****Can cost more when covering darker walls, because white typically requires more coats to achieve full coverage****
(Ben Moore – White Dove, Ben Moore – Chantilly Lace)
- Grey – The trendy ‘in’ colour right now. Creates a modern vibe, brings in comfort and slight warmth. Lighter greys are more classy and timeless, while darker greys can add some edge and boldness to the room.
(Ben Moore – Graytint, Ben Moore – Slate)
- Black – Adds some edge, and depth to the room. Ties colour scheme together. Best used in small amounts or as a feature wall!
3) Look at popular paint colour trends of the year!
At Gen/X painting in the Okanagan, we use Benjamin Moore paints. Check out this link to see their popular colours this year! Shades of green are very trendy in 2022.
https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-ca/colour-overview/colour-palettes/colour-of-the-year-2022
4.) Consider a feature wall!
A feature wall creates a focal point in the room, the eye is immediately drawn to the pop of colour! This is an effective way to add some style, flare, and personalization to a room.
A dark feature wall will add some edge. Maybe in a black, or dark grey.
Try a jewel toned feature wall for a rich pop of colour! Deep purples, emerald greens, navy blues, or burgundies are great options.
Specialty paint colours are another amazing way to add some uniqueness and character to a space.
- Metallic paints
- Chalk board paint
- A custom mural piece
As you can see, there are many things to consider when choosing a new colour for your home. What mood or style are you trying to convey? What would match the current colour scheme? How does the lighting effect the colour? Do you want a feature wall?
We want to make the process painless for you by offering our expertise! If you want to take the next step in figuring out the paint colour you are seeking, book a free colour consultation with Gen/X Painting! We will help you narrow down what colour will be perfect for your interior or exterior paint job.
The next generation of quality, in service to our community!
When it comes to painting, your home is the canvas. Our professional painters in Kelowna offer high-quality painting services tailored to your needs.
Next Generation of Services
We offer:
- Residential Interior Painting
- Residential Exterior Painting
- Cabinet Refinishing in Kelowna, BC
Phone: 778-392-7430
Email: info@genx.services
Address:
749 Cornish Road,
Kelowna, BC V1X 4R4
Servicing the Okanagan with professional residential painting projects for the last decade. We value transparency, honesty, and integrity. We are a service company, that happens to paint. Contact us today to get started on your painting project in the Okanagan! Gen/X is happy to provide our workmanship to clients throughout the Okanagan - helping people make their house feel like a home, through custom painting services.
We offer Residential Interior/Exterior Painting & Cabinet Refinishing services in and around the following locations: Kelowna, Lake Country, West Kelowna, Vernon, Peachland, Penticton, Summerland
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