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interior/exterior painting, painters,
Written by Colleen Kalil

A Consumer’s Guide to Trendy Paints

interior/exterior painting, painters,America is a country of choice. We like choice in everything we do – from our breakfast drinks to our appliances, our jobs and to our modes of transportation. In fact, we insist on it. Choice drives the economy! One can sometimes wonder if perhaps we don’t have too many choices on occasion. Take, for instance, paint. Those paint companies seem to never run out of subtle differences in shades that make it possible to offer a hundred variances on the simple color ‘white’ if we are so inclined to opt for them. But then try comparing them side by side. It can be overwhelming.

Indeed, the savvy consumer can quickly become bogged down with the intricacies of something as simple as picking out a paint color. There are dozens of brand names that all compete for the title of highest quality and most exclusive. Some paint companies prefer to market to the public as having the ‘greatest value’, ‘wear-ability’ or ‘durability’. So, you can see, that choosing paint is not nearly as simple as it might have been even twenty years ago. Is there anything out there that can help make the decision process easier?

Actually, there is. Consumer Reports, a magazine long respected for its thorough examination of many market niches, takes the time on occasion to test a wide variety of paints for multiple factors including, but not limited to, the very ones we spoke of in this blog. While we would not tout one paint over another for any reason in our blog – even if it has the Consumer Reports seal of approval – we would point you in their direction and advise you to take the time to read their research before making any final decisions. An educated consumer makes better choices.

However, we will second one of their most astute observations. As noted in a Consumer Reports study regarding paint options, it is a good idea to stay away from the cheapest brands. They will likely not provide the ‘wear-ability’, ‘durability’, or thorough covering you can expect from the more popular, and usually more expensive, brands.

It’s usually true what they say – you get what you pay for.

Need more hints about painting? Contact the experts at Universal Painters, Inc. Our goal is to provide the best service for your home.

exterior painting,house painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

Boost Your Home’s Value with These Update Tips

exterior painting,house paintersWhether you are in the market to sell your home or not there comes a time when you pull up in the driveway and the house – your pride and joy and probably largest investment – is looking rather worn. Well, in this blog we will give you some tips on how to freshen and modernize the presentation without ‘breaking the bank’. Even better – these ideas won’t take more than a weekend afternoon to complete.

Install a new mailbox! Who knew that the receptacle for bills and correspondence could add to or detract from the overlook of your home. If this is a project you choose to undertake put some fun into it. Go ‘mailbox’ shopping on line or at some of the fancy hardware stores. Consider your mailbox to be a fashion statement, a finishing touch that will make the house stand out. It’s true – sometime little changes can make the biggest differences.

Do you have railing or fencing along the front or sides of your house? Think about installing something new and different. Today’s fences run the gamut of wood to concrete in a wide variety of colors and styles. Again, something as simple as updated railings can give the house a whole new look.

While you’re at it – don’t forget the trim. Perhaps the idea of painting the whole exterior of your house seems all too daunting. Instead, consider freshening up the trim. Perhaps choose an alternate color that complements the home. Or, if you do not have trim you may want to add it as accent. Trim also comes in a number of colors and styles and it’s a great way to say ‘welcome home’.

Did you ever think about changing the style and look of the numbers you use on your house? They come in such a variety of sizes, fonts and colors you may have trouble narrowing down your final choice!

Don’t forget the door! A new door (with the addition of a screen door or not as a separate decision) can make a style statement about your home all by itself. Doors come in a variety of materials and may be with or without windows. If your house is very neutral in color a door can be all the more impressive.

So, there you have it. Although our business is exterior residential and commercial painting we here at University Painters, Inc. want you to know we are knowledgeable about all aspects of home and business presentation. Have a question? We’re here and waiting for your call.

preparation , paint job, painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

What Professional Painters Wish Their Clients Knew

preparation , paint job, paintersWhenever you spend money to improve or maintain your home, you’re making an investment in its value. When you hire professional service experts, you want their best work and it’s especially true with painters. Color is the first thing you notice when you step into a room followed by how well the paint was applied. Just as you want the best work from your painter, they’d like you to put forth your best efforts as well. Here are a few things the professionals wish their clients knew.

1. Back Seat Painters

You’ve hired an experienced professional so don’t look over their shoulder continuously. In addition to technical skills, a professional understands the product they’re using and its performance and properties. Asking endless questions and pointing out how you would do things differently isn’t just annoying, it’s rather insulting.

2. It Takes Time

If you want to end up with a spectacular paint job, you should expect about 30% of the time to be devoted to preparation work. There’s a distinct difference between a fast, slipshod job and a careful, painstaking process.

3. Do Your Part of the Prep

Your painter will expect to do the majority of the prep work as part of the project, but you can save around 10% on your project if you do your part preparing for the painter. Remove all pictures from the walls, put away knick-knacks or other valuable objects, and make sure the room is clutter-free. For example, if you’re painting your family room, make sure toys, clothes, and other items are put away and there’s ample room to work in. The painter is there to paint, not clean house.

4. Pets and Little People

Keep pets and children out of the rooms to be painted. It’s easy to imagine paint being knocked over, brushes on surfaces other than walls, and paint tracked all over the house. Besides the obvious, it’s a distraction to answer questions, pet the dog or cat, and it slows down the pace of the work. Remember, the painter should be able to focus on painting.

University Painters are experienced professionals and are not only good at our jobs, we’re good with our customers. Contact us today to meet with one of our experts and begin your project.

interior painting,painters,home,commercial
Written by Colleen Kalil

Preparing to Paint

interior painting,painters,home,commercialFall is a great time to refresh your home’s interior. The weather is cooler and it’s an opportunity to get ready for the upcoming holiday season. The time it takes to prepare properly is well worth it when you see the results.

Furniture

If at all possible, remove the furniture from the room and cover the floor with a drop cloth. If you can’t take all the furniture out, push everything into the middle of the room and cover with plastic or another drop cloth.

Cleaning

Before you paint, clean your windows inside and out. It isn’t necessary for painting, but it will add to the freshness of the room. You can also check the frames and glass for any signs of wear or damage. When the windows are done, cover the glass with plastic using painter’s tape to protect them from drips and splatters.

Repair any cracks, chips, or other damage to your walls. If you have to use putty to fill holes, make sure you sand it smooth. If you don’t, you’ll see the outline under the paint. Dust the walls and ceiling if you plan to paint it. Wash the walls with warm water and a little mild cleaner. By removing the dust first, you avoid creating dirty streaks when you wash the walls. Vacuum any vents in the ceiling or in the floor.

Taping

The best order for painting is trim, ceiling, and walls. Tape around the trim and around the ceiling, then paint. Let the ceiling paint dry completely before taping the top of the walls. Some people hate taking the time to tape, but it saves time and creates a finished look.

Painting

If the current wall color is very dark and you’re applying a lighter color, prime the walls first. However, some brands of paint include primer or the texture makes primer unnecessary. Using a small brush, cut into the corners of the room, where the ceiling and wall meet, and around the trim. Do this for any place your roller won’t be able to reach. Paint the walls using a “W” pattern starting in one corner and covering a 3′ x 3′ area. This reduces visible seams where the paint overlaps.

Drying

Most latex paint dries to the touch in a few hours, but you shouldn’t let anything rest against the wall or wash it for at least 48 hours.

The professionals at University Painters take the time to prepare every surface in your home to achieve the best results. Call us today and schedule your fall refresh today.

house painter, exterior painter
Written by Colleen Kalil

Paint that Sells the Home

house painter, exterior painterHave you ever gone house hunting and were totally put off by an exterior or interior color that was off-putting, if not downright ugly? You’ve seen those houses painted bubble gum pink or candy cane red on the outside. It’s probably going to be the same house that has interior walls the color of a forest with neon baseboards for added interest.

Believe me when I tell you that the color of your home both inside and out can either draw prospective customers to your home if you are getting ready to sell or repel them. All indications are that if you are getting ready to sell your house, it has a better chance of moving on the market if you keep these things in mind.

Choose a color that blends well with your natural surroundings and the larger neighborhood. For example, if you live in Arizona, the overwhelming majority of homes are a shade of taupe on the outside with subtle trim and an arid, clean color on the inside. Conversely, homes in New England look better and are more likely to sell if they are a shade of white or gray with neutral trims. These colors give off a stately vibe that the potential buyer feels without having to say anything.

Blue is another popular choice for a home’s exterior, but this should be done with the same caution as choosing any other color palette. Again, a blue house would be out of place in many areas of the country. But, it would be just as much at home near a beach, especially with white trim and particularly if the color of blue is muted.

Occasionally, accent walls on the exterior of the home can provide a bold statement. It can make your house stand out while still blending into the overall neighborhood. For example, you might try a charcoal colored or indigo blue accent wall against a cream-colored house.

It’s a good idea to put some thought into the color you choose to paint your house long before you begin the process. Remember, color can draw buyers to you or send them fleeing in the other direction, even if the location is good and the price is right.

If you need some expert advice on painting your house, we here at University Painters pride ourselves on our long-standing professional service. Before you buy that first gallon of paint, give us a call. We would be delighted to work with you!

painting contractor. house painting
Written by Colleen Kalil

Mixing Brick and Exterior Color

painting contractor. house paintingA brick home offers a unique presentation. To the passerby, it can look stately. To the homeowner, it can feel like a combination of old-world charm and comfort. There was a time when the choice of brick exteriors extended only to what shade of red or chartreuse you liked. Today however, a brick home still offers the owner a variety of options to make their house look unique and stand out from the rest. This can involve either changing the color of the brick itself or the trim in complementing or contrasting pigments.

The easiest way to make a change is to paint the brick itself. This opens up a variety of choices for the homeowner. Some may prefer a muted or neutral color of paint while others may make more bold choices such as painting the brick white. The exterior of a brick home painted in white offers an entirely new and updated look. It can feel modern and chic. At the same time it opens up further options. The home’s trim can be a color that contrasts, thereby accenting and highlighting the white brick or it can remain a neutral, muted tone, such as a gray or brownish tint on the framing and door.

If you do choose to paint the brick white, take the time to look at the breadth of shades in that color. There are many toned-down whites that are not as stark, such as creams and even light beige. Some homeowners have even used a whitewash or translucent color that offers a more aged look. There are those who swear this route offers easier upkeep and a more classic appearance.

Whatever color you choose, take the extra step of painting a small portion of the house in that color prior to ‘taking the plunge’. This will help to ensure you can live with your decision before you come home to a totally new look you did not expect. Still another color that is a common choice for painting brick homes is a shade of gray. This can be equally as stunning, particularly when paired with white or charcoal trim.

Other colors that harmonize are yellow and cream, and green or black and gray. It’s up to you. And remember, if you want to keep your brick home its original color, painting the trim in a beautiful accent color can make it stand out just as much.

Whatever you choose, first choose University Painters. We are experienced in painting all types of exterior and interior surfaces and will treat your home like it’s our own!

interior painting, painters, paint colors
Written by Colleen Kalil

Color Trends for 2018-2019

interior painting, painters, paint colorsHave you ever walked into someone’s house and thought, “That color is so 1970s?” It’s easy to tell the last time a home was painted based on the color palette. While some colors are timeless, there are definite trends in color families, hue, and tone. Read on for the hottest colors for 2018 and 2019.

In House Beautiful’s May 2018 issue, the top five color trends for interiors were Sage, Gold, Ultra Violet, Crimson, and Teal. Bold colors are in, and it’s your chance to experiment. If you’ve never had anything except white walls, try something new. Select one, two, or more colors you’d like to try and paint a 2′ x 2′ area on the wall. Paint color often dries darker than it appears in the can. You’ll also want to see it at different times of the day.

Trends for 2019 are a bit more subtle, but they’re still not typical. Hazelnut, Lilac, Gray, Dark Green, and pastels are at the top of the list for color choices. The choices you make will depend on the style of your home, the room’s purpose, and your personal taste. Color psychology is a great way to guide your choice.

Colors in the red-orange family are warm and stimulate Purple your senses. While reds are associated with danger or caution, they convey power and energy. Orange is also energetic but in a lighter way than red. Yellow has a feeling of joy, brightness, and happiness. Children whose favorite color is yellow tend to be happier and more positive.

Blue and green represent nature, freshness, and growth, but also stability and safety. Most shades of green are calming colors, good choices for bedrooms or the living room. The lighter the colors in this palette, the more soothing the effect.

The color of royalty, purple has gained in popularity over the last few years. Purple represents wealth, luxury, and creativity.

White is a timeless classic and ranges from bright white to eggshell. White symbolizes purity, goodness, and cleanliness. It’s an excellent neutral if your furnishings have busy patterns or bold colors. Be careful when choosing bright whites. Depending on the light source and lighting in your home, it can appear harsh.

No matter what your color preferences are, the experts at University Painters can help you select the right color for you and apply it to perfection. Call us or go online for an appointment.

Exterior Painting, Painters, Painting Job
Written by Colleen Kalil

Professional Paint Companies Offer More than Just Painting

exterior painters, painting jobMore and more people are joining the DIY revolution sweeping the nation. While that is all well and good, in general there are times when it is better to rely on experienced professionals in a field. While trying to decide which painting route is best for you, here are some reasons that it may be better to choose a professional paint company to redo the exterior of your home instead of attempting to tackle the job yourself.

Professional paint companies are not just familiar with painting but know about home structures as well. A professional painter will look over your home and notify you if there are any defects that may need to be repaired prior to painting. Even little things can become big problems over time and slapping paint over them does not make it disappear. Instead it may exacerbate the issue.

Professional painters are more attuned to approaching the job with greater safety. This is what they do for a living. They have a better understanding of ladder placement, balance and movement. They possess the required tools and accessories that would be an additional cost to the homeowner if they were to undertake painting the house themselves. If you choose to work with a painting company, ask for their service records and recommendations. Also find out what type of insurance and certifications they hold.

The most well-intentioned homeowner is usually adding ‘paint the house’ to their list of responsibilities. They probably work a full week and have decided to be a weekend warrior – going after the house painting project with verve. But, most homeowners have never painted an entire house and it usually doesn’t take long to realize it is a major commitment. Professional painters are trained to pace themselves on the job and complete it within a timely manner. No one wants paint tools and paraphernalia laying around the garage and home for weeks.

Professional painters also make it their business to stay abreast of the latest information on colors and/or patterns that are being embraced by designers. This knowledge can be invaluable when making decisions about how you want the exterior of your home to present.

The professionals at University Painters offer the previously mentioned advantages and much more to homeowners in search of a company to make their home exterior dreams come true. We look forward to working with you!

commercial painting services
Written by Colleen Kalil

Painting Services Not Just for the Home

commercial painting servicesWhile there are millions of homes in the United States for quality, professional painting companies to stay busy, there are as many businesses that can also use the services of professional painters. In other words, the large number of new business facades or existing, established businesses can provide an entirely new business stream for professional paint companies.

If you are a business owner in need of an updated look to your store front, the following advice is relevant to securing the services of a commercial paint company to meet your needs.

Research, research, research. The internet is a marvelous tool for finding out what paint companies work in commercial real estate. Take the time to find and read reviews by businesses that have already used their services.

Make tentative decisions about what painting you would like to have done. However, remember you are looking to hire a company that understands your needs from a professional painting perspective. The experience should be collaborative. Do not be averse to hearing their ideas about how to modernize your business’s façade.

Take the time to meet with your top 3 prospects. Have an idea of what you are interested in having done, then allow their input. Take notes and ask for references, even if there are positive reviews on the internet, after all, sometimes online reviews are less than credible.

Consider the businesses around you. Are you looking to blend in or stand out? Is there a retail or office theme? Are there contractual requirements that will limit your paint options? This should be determined prior to undertaking the painting process. It is your responsibility as a business owner to know the limitations of changes to the storefront you are permitted to perform.

And speaking of contracts, be sure you have one in place that outlines the exact parameters of the painting job that you hire out. Check into the company’s insurance and experience, the timeframe for completion, and responsibility for supplying materials.

There is a lot to consider when pursuing the update of a business store front. We have provided you with a skeletal checklist to work from. If you would like a more complete explanation, the professionals at University Painters are here to work with you! We look forward to hearing from you!

interior painting, home painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

Create a Kid-friendly Bedroom

interior painting, home paintersYour child’s bedroom is a great place for them to express their personality and create a space that’s all their own. Whether your child wants an unusual color combination or wants to design a whole new world, this is the place where the usual decorating rules don’t apply. However, to keep creativity from getting totally out of control, here are a few things you should consider.

A Child’s Point of View

Talk to your child about what they want and make them part of the decision-making process. You may have to reel in their imaginations from time-to-time, but take advantage of their creativity. Try to hone in on the aspects of the design which are the most important to your child. You can help them simplify an overly ambitious vision and still create the room of their dreams.

Today and Tomorrow

Design now with the future in mind. Your children will grow up faster than you think and their tastes will change frequently. Before you create a ceiling to floor jungle or fairyland, think about ways to decorate that will make it easy to transform the room as your child grows up. Pick a base color and layer on elements to create the theme your child wants. For example, if you’re trying to create an island theme, paint the walls a shade of blue or green which will transition well when your child decides to leave their  island home.

Keep It Simple

Keep structural changes and architectural features to a minimum. If you want to add a treehouse to the island theme, think about a raised bed draped with fabric, instead of drilling into studs and building a real one. Make it easy to change the room’s style and minimize expensive repairs or redesigns. Curtains, rugs, lighting, and other accessories are inexpensive ways to change a room’s décor.

Plan and Budget

Have a plan that includes a budget. Make rough drawings of the room, list the materials you need, and estimate the cost. The time you spend planning will be worth it and will keep your project on track.

The experts at University Painters can help you achieve just the right look to make the little people in your home happy. Call us or go online to schedule a free consultation today.

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