The Importance of Using Colour Paint Samples

Ensuring Perfect Results for Doors, Windows, Walls, Masonry, UPVC, and More

Choosing the right paint colour is a crucial step in any painting project, whether it’s for doors, windows, walls, masonry, or UPVC surfaces. In the UK, where weather conditions and lighting can vary significantly, using colour paint samples can make a substantial difference in achieving the desired outcome. This article explores the importance of using paint samples across various applications and how they help ensure the best results.

Samples come in different types. Colour paint samples are ideal for seeing colours and finishes in real-life, working out the best shade for the light in a space by testing it out before committing to buying a full tin. They should be used for testing the appearance only, helping guide colour selection. To test adhesion, durability, absorption rate, etc, then you should use a product sample. These are much smaller sizes of a full product, usually with a restriction on colours. They allow you to test its properties before ordering a larger product to start your project. Always ensure you know what you are buying before going through the checkout!

Where to use Paint Samples

Doors and Windows

Accurate Colour Representation

When choosing paint for doors and windows, using colour samples helps you see how the paint will look in natural light and against other exterior elements. Paint often appears different on colour charts in shops compared to how it looks on your actual surfaces due to variations in lighting. Shop lighting, especially strip lighting, can cast a yellow hue on any colour. When purchasing paint (either in-person or online), it’s essential to view a physical colour chart. Computer monitors, laptops, phones, and tablets all display colours differently. This can make the colour swatch on the screen appear several shades lighter or darker.

Testing Durability

Using a product sample on doors and windows can also help test the durability and finish of the paint. These areas are often subject to more wear and tear, such as knocking on doors or stretching keys trying to find the lock at night. It’s essential to see how the paint holds up to daily use before committing to a full application.

New Look

For commercial properties like office buildings, hotels, and large retail stores, the colour of doors and windows plays a significant role in the overall aesthetic and branding. Testing paint samples on these surfaces ensures that the chosen colour works well with the building’s architecture and the company’s brand identity. For example, a corporate office may choose to test various shades of grey to find the one that best reflects their modern, professional image.

Walls

Understanding Undertones

Interior and exterior walls can greatly benefit from using paint samples. Walls are the largest visual area in a space, and the undertones of paint can be more noticeable. Applying colour samples helps identify any unexpected undertones that might clash with your existing décor or desired look.

Adjusting for Lighting

The way light hits walls can change the perception of colour throughout the day. By using colour samples, you can observe how the colour changes in different lighting conditions—morning sunlight, afternoon shade, and artificial evening light—ensuring it meets your expectations at all times. The same shade, painted onto all 4 walls of a room, can appear different on each surface, therefore it may be beneficial to have colour samples several shades lighter and darker to compensate.

Atmospheric

In environments like factories or warehouses where walls are exposed to extreme conditions, selecting the right weatherproof paint is crucial. Paint samples can help you assess the durability of different options before committing to a large-scale purchase. For instance, an automotive plant might test samples to find a paint that withstands heat and chemicals.

Adjusting for Lighting

The lighting in office spaces can vary greatly, affecting how paint colours appear. By using paint samples, businesses can observe how different shades look throughout the day. This helps in creating a consistent and appealing environment that enhances employee productivity.

Masonry

Weather Resistance

Masonry surfaces, such as brick or stone, require paints that can withstand harsh weather conditions. Testing a sample of a product on these surfaces allows you to assess not only the colour but also the paint’s adherence and performance under various weather conditions typical in the UK, such as surfaces in direct sunlight or that face the direction of driving rain. Commercial buildings often have external walls made of stone, brick, or other masonry materials. Testing a sample of masonry paint can reveal how it stands up to various weather conditions. For example, a hotel chain might test different samples to ensure their chosen colour maintains its appearance despite harsh seaside weather.

Surface Texture

Masonry has a different texture compared to other surfaces, which can affect how paint looks once applied. Using a product sample helps you see the actual finish and coverage, ensuring the paint complements the masonry’s natural texture.

UPVC Surfaces

Adhesion Testing

UPVC doors and windows, as well as composite doors and conservatories, require paints specifically formulated to adhere to plastic surfaces. Applying a product sample allows you to test the adhesion properties of the paint, ensuring it won’t peel or chip easily over time.

Colour Compatibility

When updating UPVC elements, it’s essential to ensure the chosen colour harmonises with other exterior or interior features. Colour samples provide a visual representation, helping you choose a colour that complements the overall aesthetic. In retail environments, ensuring that uPVC window frames and doors match the brand’s colour scheme is essential. Paint samples allow retailers to experiment with different colours before fully committing, ensuring a cohesive look that enhances the customer experience.

Wood and Timber

Absorption Rates

Substrates such as timber and masonry can be more absorbent. This can result in a lower coverage rate than what the manufacturer states on the tin. Product samples are perfect for testing how well coatings such as paints and oils will cover wood surfaces, helping you determine the right amount of materials needed for the job.

Temperature Matters

Most paint manufacturers recommend applying paint in temperatures between 15°C and 30°C. Warmer days can cause paint to dry quickly, potentially leaving brush marks. Colder days can slow down drying, causing the paint to run. Testing a paint sample in various climates allows you to see how it reacts, helping you adjust your application or choose a different type of paint, such as solvent-based or water-based, for better results.

Preservation

For public buildings like schools, libraries, or community centres, it’s important to select a paint that not only looks good but also protects the timber from wear and tear. Using samples helps in choosing a paint that offers durability while meeting aesthetic expectations.

Metal

Fire Resistance

One of the hottest trends on social media is painting exposed steel beams. These beams, whether vertical or horizontal, are commonly found in kitchens, home extensions, and repurposed industrial spaces like cafes or open offices. Using colour paint samples, you can preview colours before committing to fire-resistant coatings for steel, which are essential for safety. These coatings come in thousands of colours and shades, allowing you to either blend steel beams seamlessly with your existing décor or stand out as a striking feature.

Heat Resistance

In industrial settings, paints need to withstand high temperatures and potential exposure to chemicals. Testing paint samples on HVAC units before full application ensures the chosen product provides the necessary protection and longevity.

Additional Considerations

Consistency Across Different Materials

Using paint samples on various materials within the same project—such as metal railings, wooden doors, and masonry walls—ensures consistent colour and finish. This cohesive look enhances the overall appearance and value of the property. For example, a university campus looking to repaint its buildings can use samples to ensure that the chosen colours are consistent across all surfaces, providing a cohesive look. Always test your chosen colour directly on the actual surfaces, rather than on a piece of cardboard. Ensure the final result will be as intended on materials like brick, timber, and uPVC.

Branding

For businesses, maintaining brand colours across all touchpoints is crucial. Testing paint samples allows companies to find the perfect shade that matches their branding guidelines, ensuring a consistent appearance across all locations.

Experimenting with Finishes

Different finishes (matt, satin, gloss) can drastically alter the look and feel of a colour. Applying samples allows you to compare finishes side-by-side on your actual surfaces, helping you choose the one that best suits your style and functional needs. For instance, glossy finishes reflect more light than matte paints, which can sometimes make a room feel brighter and more spacious. Before redecorating a kitchen or bathroom, it’s advisable to test the paint’s cleaning or scrubbing capabilities.

Use Codes, Not Names

Popular colours like Postbox Red, Racing Green, Anthracite Grey, and Chartwell Green can vary between paint brands. Matching paints based solely on their names can result in costly mistakes. By using codes from established systems such as RAL, NCS, or British Standard, you can ensure that you or your client’s project gets the exact shade needed, no matter which store mixes it. This is especially crucial when matching corporate colour schemes, such as painting fleet vehicles or shop fronts.

Test On Small Areas

Before committing to painting a space, always test the paint in an inconspicuous area, such as a hidden spot or an edge of a surface. This allows you to check if the sample reacts with the material, adheres properly, or needs an additional cleaner or primer. If covering an existing painted surface such as gloss, be sure to use the same preparation techniques before applying your paint sample, including sanding the surface lightly.

Batch Numbers

It may be tempting to purchase multiple samples of the same colour to take advantage of an offer or free shipping. However, because samples are often mixed in different batches, you might encounter slight colour variations between sachets. By purchasing the correct-sized tin, you ensure that all chemicals and materials come from the same batch, providing consistent colour.

Dry, Not Wet

Some paints can dry several shades lighter or darker. Samples should be left to dry before judging the colour, especially when matching existing surfaces, as the wet colour in the tin may well be slightly different.

How To Colourmatch

On older surfaces it may not be possible to determine which colour or code was originally used. In these situations you can take a sample from the existing coating for analysis, where close matches will be suggested. It is recommended to take a sample from an inconspicuous spot on the surface, such as behind a radiator if matching a wall coating, the edges of steps, underside of a steel beam, etc.

Practical Benefits of Paint Samples

Cost-Effective Decision Making

Investing in paint samples is a cost-effective way to avoid expensive mistakes. Rather than purchasing large quantities of paint only to find the colour isn’t right, samples allow you to make informed decisions without significant financial risk.

Compliment and Contrast

By painting several sample shades on surfaces, you can discover colours that complement each other and truly make a space stand out. They might be vastly different or just a few shades apart. That’s the advantage of sampling paint colours before committing to a full purchase.

Enhanced Client Satisfaction

For professional painters and decorators, using paint samples ensures that clients are fully satisfied with the chosen colours and finishes. This transparency builds trust and enhances the overall customer experience, leading to positive referrals and repeat business.

Minimising Environmental Impact

By choosing the right colour and finish the first time around, you reduce waste from unused paint and multiple applications. This not only saves money but also minimises the environmental impact of your painting projects.