Whether you would like to paint a decorative screen yourself or have it finished in the color of your choice, there are several options as to how to get the screen in the color that best suits your home decorative needs. Here is a run-down of which materials QAQ offers to get you started with making the best choice for your color, budget, and practical requirements.
This is the least expensive option for a decorative screen that can be finished in a color. Though another material, compressed hardwood, is cheaper, it is both an indoor and outdoor material with a surface that is not near as smooth, whereas MDF, an indoor only material, has no recognizable surface grain as it is made up of fine particles, so the resulting surface is extremely smooth and lends itself to being satin painted quite beautifully. MDF can be purchased raw so that you may paint it yourself, or for a bit extra it can be ordered in any color from the Dulux paint brand range. Orders for QAQ painted screens take on average 14 days and are finished with a smooth and glossy satin finish.
If you choose to paint the MDF yourself, we advise that before commencing you make sure the raw screen is free of dirt or debris, then, following the manufacturer’s directions, apply a coat of quality external primer to the surfaces. Once the primer has been allowed to dry, apply two coats of an exterior grade 100% acrylic or solvent-based paint. For acrylic and solvent-based finishes we recommend you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, or consult a painting professional.
2. Aluminum or Mild Steel
Another two material options for a colored screen are aluminium and mild steel. Both of these materials can be installed indoor or outdoors and can come in any of the Dulux paint range color choices in a powder coating. Though both materials can also be purchased raw, the powder coating must be done professionally as an additional service at extra cost, with a processing time of 14 days. Powder coating aluminium is slightly less costly than the mild steel.
3. Aluminium Composite Material (ACM)
Not to be confused with aluminium, ACM is a lightweight material consisting of two pre-finished, heat-bonded sheets of aluminium that typically has a gloss color on one side and a matte color of the same shade on the other. Here is a color chart showing all the two sides of colors available for this type of material:
As with aluminium and mild steel, QAQ’s ACM screens take 14 days to process.
If you are interested to learn more about colored decorative screens, email our screen guru Sam at sam@qaq.com.au or give us a ring. We are always happy to help you in getting just the right screen to make your dream home a reality!
~Christine