Podcast Summary
Find top talent on LinkedIn: LinkedIn is the best platform for hiring professionals, even those not actively seeking new jobs. Eco-friendly paints offer healthier options with no VOCs, better finish, and breathability, but the cost may be a concern.
When it comes to hiring for your small business, LinkedIn is the place to be. It's where you can find professionals who aren't even actively looking for a new job but might be open to the perfect role. With over 70% of LinkedIn users not visiting other leading job sites in a given month, it's the most effective place to find top talent. Additionally, when it comes to making home improvements, the environmental impact and potential health risks of paints are valid concerns. Many eco-friendly paints claim to have no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them healthier options. They also boast a better finish, breathability, and the ability to wipe them clean. However, the price point can be a concern, and it's essential to consider if the benefits outweigh the cost for your specific situation. Overall, whether you're hiring or painting, it's important to make informed decisions based on accurate information.
Understanding Paint's Main Components: Choose water-based paints for domestic interiors, consider low-VOC or eco-friendly options for health and environmental benefits.
When it comes to choosing paint for your home, understanding the basics such as its constituents and properties can help make an informed decision. Paint is made up of four main components: pigment, binder, solvent, and additives. The type of binder used determines the paint's classification. For domestic interior walls, water-based paints, also known as latex paints, are commonly preferred due to their ease of application and ability to cover cracks. They may have a low odor but the curing process can cause discomfort for individuals with asthma. Environmentally friendly paint refers to options that have minimal impact on the environment during production, application, and disposal. These paints may contain low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and use renewable resources. It's important to consider these factors when selecting paint for your home, especially if you have specific needs or sensitivities.
Choosing Eco-Friendly Paints: Considerations for Hide Quality, Coverage, and Finish: When selecting eco-friendly paints, prioritize those with low VOCs, good hide quality, coverage ability, and a wipeable, durable finish, especially for families with young children and pets.
When it comes to choosing paint for your home, prioritizing environmentally friendly options with low or no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) is important for both the environment and your family's health. Water-based paints are a popular choice for this reason. While all manufacturers use similar materials, more expensive paints tend to use less solvent, resulting in better hide quality and less need for multiple coats. Coverage ability is also a factor to consider, especially for those doing the painting themselves. A one-coat system or paint with good hideability would be ideal. For families with young children and pets, a satin finish paint with good wipeability and durability is recommended. The best way to test paints for quality and worthiness of the extra cost is to consult with a painter and decorator and paint samples using different points of application.
Pricier Paints Offer Superior Finish, Coverage, and Durability: Expensive paints provide a better finish, better coverage, and are more durable compared to cheaper options, making them a wise investment for those prioritizing these qualities.
The difference in price points for white matte emulsion paint can significantly impact the paint's finish, coverage, and durability. During a paint test conducted with the help of a professional painter and decorator, it was observed that the more expensive paints, despite having less solvent, provided a better finish and better coverage. The cheaper paint, while not bad, did not offer the same level of quality and required more effort to apply evenly. The test also revealed that the more expensive paints were more durable and wipeable, making them a worthwhile investment for those prioritizing these qualities.
Comparing Different Types of Paint: Coverage, Price, and Performance: Understanding paint's formulation, coverage, and price can help choose the right one for projects. Normal retail paints may require more coats, trade paints offer better coverage, high-end paints have ultra-low VOCs, and water-based paints have similar coverage but are more expensive.
There are different types of paint, each with unique properties and price points. The discussion focused on comparing five paints from different price brackets, with the first two being normal retail paints, the third being a trade paint from the same brand, the fourth being a high-end paint, and the fifth being an expensive, water-based paint. The normal retail paints felt similar, but the first one had less pigment and required more coats for coverage. The second one, a trade paint, had more pigment, making it more coverable and suitable for professionals looking to minimize labor costs. The high-end paint was significantly more expensive, with a thicker consistency and good coverage. It also had ultra-low levels of VOCs and was breathable, making it suitable for specific applications like historic houses or damp surfaces. The last paint tested was a water-based, expensive option that was not readily available in DIY stores. It had a consistency and coverage similar to the trade paint but was more expensive. Overall, understanding the differences in formulation, coverage, and price points can help individuals make informed decisions when choosing the right paint for their projects.
Considering a paint's environmental practices and personal preference for coverage and finish: Choose trade or high-quality designer paints for better coverage and finish, prioritizing personal preference and potential environmental benefits from the company's practices.
While all the paints discussed claim to be environmentally friendly due to their lower VOCs, the true environmental friendliness may extend beyond just the paint itself and include the company's practices. During the testing, it was observed that the paints had varying degrees of coverage and finish, with trade paints requiring more brushstrokes and a slightly rougher finish, while retail paints resulted in a smoother finish but required more coats. The testers personally preferred using paints number 3 and 5 in their homes, despite their lower durability, for the finish they provided. The paints were tested for wipeability by applying hand prints and attempting to wipe them off. The results showed that all the paints came off easily, with no significant difference in performance. However, the phrase "wipeable" may not add much value as all the paints tested met this standard. Based on the test results and personal experience, it is recommended to consider a trade or high-quality designer paint for better coverage and finish.
Pricier Paints Offer Superior Finish: Investing in mid to high range paints can result in a better finish for DIY painters, while professionals can use lower cost paints due to their expertise.
While more expensive paint may not necessarily be better for the environment, human health, or ease of cleaning, it can offer a superior finish. The difference in price often comes from smaller manufacturers paying more for their ingredients or using a more skilled workforce for application. For DIY painters, mid to high range paints may be worth the investment for a better finish, while professionals can get away with lower cost paints due to their skill set. Additionally, all water-based domestic paints have very low or no VOCs, and the smell of drying paint is not harmful to humans once it has cured.
Impact of paint quality and hideability on painting outcome: Consider personal preference, skill level, and ethical factors when choosing paint. Cheaper paint may have less coverage and hideability, while mid-range and high-end paints offer similar consistency. Confident painters may prefer mid-range or high-end options for hideability.
The quality of paint and its hideability can impact the painting outcome, but the best option may depend on who is doing the painting. In our test, the cheaper paint seemed to have more water and less coverage, while the mid-range and high-end paints had similar consistency. However, if the person painting is confident in their abilities, a mid-range or high-end paint might be a good choice due to its hideability. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and skill level. It's also important to consider ethical and environmental factors when making a purchase. Additionally, there's a new series from BBC Radio 4 called Ladykillers that mixes true crime with history through the lens of 21st century feminists. And for those looking to save money on high-end essentials, Quinn's offers discounted prices on cashmere sweaters, leather jackets, and more while partnering with factories committed to safe, ethical, and responsible manufacturing. Finally, 1800 Flowers is a one-stop-shop for all special occasion gift giving, with a focus on love and care put into every product.
