Sustainable Painting for your Queenslander Home

 

Queenslander homes are both beautiful and steeped in history. Typical characteristics are a single-storey, high-set dwelling crafted from timber, featuring a corrugated iron roof and encircled by breezy and airy verandas. Preserving the integrity of these unique homes is paramount for Queenslander homeowners, heritage property enthusiasts and individuals interested in sustainable renovation practices. One way you can achieve this is with sustainable painting.

As you read on, you’ll understand the importance of choosing environmentally-friendly painting options and techniques that not only protect and preserve the unique architectural charm of these homes, but will also contribute to a healthier planet.

Benefits of low VOC and natural paints

When choosing just the right paint for your Queenslander home, you’ll need to consider more than just aesthetics. Some paints in the past were both bad for the environment and could even present a health hazard. These days, homeowners and DIY renovators are far more spoilt for choice when it comes to eco-friendly options.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were once a common factor of residential and commercial paints. Nowadays, low VOC paints are a much greener and environmentally-friendly paint option. VOCs permeate the air as gases and it’s these gases that can cause headaches, eye irritation and respiratory issues, as well as being harmful to the environment as they contribute to air pollution. Using low VOC paint when renovating your Queenslander will not only avoid health issues, but your newly-painted home won’t be an environmental hazard.

Compared to traditional paints, low VOC and very low VOC paints contain significantly fewer harmful chemicals and release fewer pollutants into the atmosphere. This means improved air quality and a healthier living environment.

Another key feature of low VOC and natural paints is their durability and longevity. These robust paints mean fewer repaints, which is great for your budget and for the planet.

When selecting paints for your Queenslander renovation project, look for “Low VOC” or “Very Low VOC” on the paint can label. By doing so, you’ll be contributing to the health of the planet and everyone who lives in or visits your home.

Preparation and application for longevity

Successful painting relies heavily on the right preparation prior to painting and the correct methods of application. Low VOC eco-friendly paints are naturally durable and with the right preparation and painting techniques, you’ll ensure the longevity of your Queenslander paint job.

To maintain their integrity while renovating and painting, you need to prepare Queenslanders in the proper fashion. This includes both the interior and exterior of the home. Internally, repair any ceiling roses before painting commences. The sanding of fretwork is also required. You’ll need to remove bubbling or flaking paint from walls, ceilings, architraves and window frames and then sand them. Fill any gaps between frames and walls with a caulking agent, and patch up any cracks or holes in the walls with Spakfilla or a similar product.

On the exterior, wash down the VJ panels so they are clean for the next step. Fill any noticeable gaps and then sand each panel to ensure the fresh coat of paint adheres correctly. This guarantees that your eco-friendly paint job will last considerably longer.

Before applying the top coat on timber frames, VJ panels and other timber elements such as ceiling roses, decorative gables and balustrades, first prime with an eco-friendly primer. When applying all coats of paint, both internally and externally, follow the grain of the wood and lightly feather off with a fairly dry brush to minimise brush strokes. You could even use a combination of a brush and a small roller to coat the VJ panels.

For the interior walls and ceiling, use a paint brush to cut in around edges and corners and then use a roller to coat the large surfaces. Apply two coats of paint for optimum results.

Of course, to achieve proper preparation and application, hiring professional painters like Kraudelt Painting, a team with experience in painting Queenslander homes, will guarantee an outcome that is aesthetically pleasing and results that last.

Maintaining the aesthetic integrity of Queenslander homes

Many homeowners and renovators decide to paint Queenslanders in either white or neutral colours to maintain tradition, although some decide to choose more contrasting colour schemes, such as white and dark green, for example. The trick is to devise a colour scheme that’s true to Queenslander tradition, while using modern and sustainable painting practices in the process.

You really can’t go wrong with painting the exterior all white for that traditional and timeless appeal. White creates a very bright appearance and also helps reflect much of the sun’s heat. As Queenslanders will know, this is very important during those hot summer months. The all white look works well on Queenslander homes with strong architectural lines.

Neutral colours such as muted greys, soft biscuits and colours with green undertones add to the traditional aesthetic of the classic Queenslander. A common trend these days is replacing cooler shades with warmer and softer ones.

The monochrome look is also gaining popularity in recent years. This includes black and white colour schemes and dark grey and white, creating a bold appearance that makes the home really stand out from everything else on the street. While the monochrome style may not be traditional, it’s an option to consider if you fancy a modern twist.