Guides
Painting guides for homeowners
Plain answers to the questions people ask before a painting project: finishes, preparation, colours, timing and what an estimate should cover.
Ceiling Painting: What Is Involved
Why ceilings are harder to paint than walls, which finish and colour to use, how stains and textured ceilings are handled, and how to plan the job.
Choosing Paint Colours: Samples, Light and Undertones
How to choose paint colours that work in your home: testing samples, reading undertones, judging light and building a colour plan from room to room.
How Exterior Surfaces Are Prepared for Paint
Washing, scraping, sanding, caulking and priming: what each preparation step does before exterior paint goes on, and why it decides how long the job lasts.
How Long Does Interior Paint Last? Signs It Is Time
What decides how long interior paint keeps looking good, the signs that a room needs repainting, and how to make a fresh coat last longer.
How to Prepare a Room Before the Painters Arrive
A practical checklist for painting day: what to move, what to tell your painter, what the painting crew handles, and how to plan around pets and family.
Low-VOC Paint: What It Is and When It Matters
What VOCs are, what low-VOC and zero-VOC labels mean, how they affect odour and drying, and when a low-VOC paint makes sense in an occupied home.
Paint Finishes Explained: Matte to Semi-Gloss
Matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss or gloss? How each paint finish looks, cleans and hides flaws, and which rooms each one suits in a home.
Painting a Condo: Building Rules and Scheduling
What to sort out before painting a condo or apartment: building rules, elevator and parking bookings, working hours, neighbours, ventilation and timing.
Painting Stucco and Brick: What to Know
Should you paint stucco or brick? Moisture, breathable coatings, cracks, efflorescence and upkeep: what to consider before painting masonry outside.
Signs Your Siding Needs Repainting
Chalking, fading, peeling, cracked caulk, bare wood and mildew: how to tell when siding and trim need repainting, and what each sign means for the job.
What a Painting Estimate Should Include
How to read a painting estimate: scope, surfaces, preparation, products, number of coats, repairs, timing and clean-up, and how to compare quotes fairly.
When to Paint Your Home's Exterior in Ottawa
How Ottawa's seasons, temperature, rain and morning dew affect exterior painting, when the painting season runs, and how to plan your project ahead.
Free Estimate
Ready for a professional finish?
Tell us about your project and pick a time for a free on-site estimate.