More than a wall
It might seem that once the walls of a house or flat are erected, they do not require much care for years. In fact, their surface is a constant training ground for our daily activities and periodic treatments. What to pay attention to when refreshing or preparing a new wall for use?
1. Strengthen, align
Walls must be properly prepared for the expected exploitation. Therefore, before applying paint or plaster, we use primers and primers. They reduce the dustiness of the substrate, reduce and unify its absorbency, protect against moisture, improve the adhesion of finishing materials, avoid the need for multiple application, and eliminate the risk of stains. In a word - they provide a solid basis for applying the final decorative layer and subsequent arrangement treatments (hanging shelves, etc.). When we are dealing with a damaged, cracked surface, we also use a putty that fills the cavities, leveling the whole thing. And finally, if we build completely new walls, e.g. by dividing a selected room, let's not forget about embedding such reinforcing elements as special meshes into the ground.
2. Details
Small thing - big importance. When planning a new interior arrangement, you should always take into account the details that will affect the comfort of life of users in the future. You can even replace sockets and light switches here. Especially in rooms where furniture is permanently installed (kitchens, bathrooms), the location of these elements becomes of great importance. When changing the decor, we often come across the remains of previous decorations in the form of holes left by nails, screws or pegs. Let's fill them with the appropriate mortar before we start painting.
3. Location
Finishing materials should be adapted to the specificity of the renovated place. - Vapor permeability, resistance to the harmful effects of moisture, abrasion and washing with some chemicals are properties that are worth paying attention to when choosing paint coatings for kitchens, bathrooms or dining rooms - says Marek Zając from Bolix, a manufacturer of building materials - Thanks to them, even increased use of such rooms does not threaten, for example, micro-damages on the painted surface or destruction of its structure as a result of cleaning the dirt. Also remember to pay attention to the color and gloss of the paint. In well-lit rooms, the use of a high-gloss coating may result in reflections highlighting the imperfections of the substrate.
4. Not just paint
We are more and more willing to go beyond the sphere of classic forms of decoration, using structural paints, additives to preparations, decorative plasters imitating natural materials, stone or wooden cladding, panels, glass panels, wainscoting, wallpapers. – Each time they require the use of preparations adapted to the application of coatings with specific properties. For example, the choice of tile adhesive should take into account their type, size, as well as the type of substrate or the degree of use of the room itself - adds Marek Zając from Bolix.
5. Care
– It is also worth taking care of painted or clad walls after the renovation is completed. Also in this case, cleaning and impregnating agents should be adapted to the surfaces on which they will be used. It is impossible to lead to a situation where an effective washing liquid will cause damage or discoloration on wood or stone as effectively.
6. On trial
If possible, use available product samples. What looks great in the store and in the catalog photo does not have to match our home. Checking the actual visual effect on a small, barely visible fragment of the wall does not cost much, and it can verify our initial ideas. Let's not be afraid to look for ideal solutions for us.
