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Interior Painters,University Painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

Winter Is A Great Time To Paint Your Home’s Interior

Fall is here and winter is just around the corner. If you didn’t get around to those home improvement projects you were planning, don’t despair—all is not lost. The professionals at University Painters believe winter is an ideal time to tackle interior painting. The colder months bring snow days and time off from work during the holidays, offering the perfect opportunity to embark on an indoor painting project.

Professional painters are typically less busy during the winter than during the warmer months. As a result, it may be easier for contractors to work the project around your schedule. Painting your home’s interior during the winter could potentially save you money, as costs are often lower than in the summer. This means that you’ll likely reap the benefits of hiring professional painters with less expense than if you hired them for the same project during the summer.

Surprisingly, paint actually dries faster in the wintertime than the rest of the year. While the weather is warmer in the summer, this warmth also comes with a higher average humidity, which slows down the drying process. Although colder, winter’s weather is also much less humid, allowing the paint to dry more quickly. Of course, you’ll still need to ventilate the room by opening a window to take advantage of that crisp air.

Lighting quality may also be more favorable during the winter months. As the sun rises earlier, painters will be able to get an earlier start and finish earlier in the day. Any snow on the ground will reflect the sun, enabling painters to work in an ideal natural light speeding up the process. The better light also helps painters notice and remedy any missed spots or uneven areas.

There are plenty of home improvement projects that should be saved for warmer weather, but indoor painting isn’t one of them. If you’re considering an indoor painting project this winter, please contact University Painters at (800) 390-4848 or visit our website at https://universitypainters.com.

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Repaint,University Painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

University Painters Keeps You In The Loop

At University Painters, we pride ourselves on not only our extensive experience and quality workmanship but also on maintaining clear lines of communication with our clients. Clients who entrust their homes to us deserve the highest level of service and should never be left in the dark about any aspect of their project.

We understand the importance of keeping you in the loop and are always available to answer your questions. If you have any of the following common client concerns, please contact us and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

How much will this project cost? University Painters provides a free written estimate before starting any project. Each bid describes in detail all of the tasks to be performed, including both the prep work and the painting itself.

How often will I be updated on the progress of my project and expected completion date? Your project is our priority. Unlike some contractors who try to squeeze you in between larger jobs or show up only when it’s convenient for them, University Painters provides you with a precise timeframe or specific date the work will be completed. We’ll tell you exactly which days we’ll be there and also give you specific daily start and end times so you’ll know when to expect us.

Do you clean up after yourselves at the end of each day? Regardless of how long your project lasts, you don’t want to end up living with a mess that sloppy painters leave behind. Our crews respect the home and possessions of our clients. When they’re done for the day, they’ll clean everything up and sweep or vacuum any dirt or dust that may be left behind.

At University Painters, our clients always know what to expect so there are no surprises. For more information on our services, or to schedule a consultation, please visit our website at https://universitypainters.com.

Annapolis,University Painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

How To Paint A Room… Perfectly!

Achieving painting perfection is often more about the preparation than the actual brush and roller work. When painting a room, the quality of the prep work can either make or break an entire paint job. Following these tips from University Painters will help ensure the best possible results on your painting project.

Before you begin, remove everything from the room. This includes anything on the floor or anything that’s attached to the wall, like outlet covers, switch plates, towel bars, and toilet paper holders. You can leave flush-mount sconces or light fixtures, but everything else needs to go.

Once the room has been stripped bare, cover up any exposed flooring with tarps, sheets, towels, newspaper, or plastic sheeting. Painters’ drop cloths are ideal, but they’re pretty pricey, and these alternatives work just as well. Put a folded towel in the doorway to wipe your feet so you don’t spread any drips— and there will be drips, no matter how careful you are.

Next, assess the condition of the walls. Are there any uneven spots or dimpling? Are there any nails protruding from the drywall? Are there holes from long-ago anchors? Hills and bumps need to be sanded down, and holes must be filled with spackle or joint compound. Once the spackle is dry, sand it until it is smooth. Lastly, remove any remaining dust with a damp sponge and a bucket of fresh water.

The final step is to grab a roll of that blue masking tape and start taping! Begin with any light fixtures and then move on to the baseboards and trim around windows and doors. A neat and even tape job will result in crisp, clean lines and a professional-looking finish.

After completing your quality prep work, you’re ready to paint! For more painting tips and ideas, please be sure to visit our website at https:// universitypainters.com. Or call us at 1-800-390-4848.

Interior Painters,University Painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

Giving Your Home a New Look this Autumn

When a new season rolls around, it’s a great time to think about giving your home a makeover. In the chilly months ahead, you’ll no doubt be spending a lot of time indoors with friends and family, so why not change up your paint colors? With its diverse and vibrant hues, fall offers a lot of inspiration. Here are some tips to give your home a cozy new look for this autumn, and all year round.

One of the first things we think of at this time of year is the variety of colors we see decorating the trees around us. Combining warm shades such as orange, red, and brown mimics the colors of a vivid autumn forest, and helps bring the season to life inside your home. Deep, rich shades of green also evoke the feeling of the outdoors, and can add a touch of drama.

Earthy tones such as almond and chestnut not only create a cozy atmosphere for fall, but they’re also very versatile for all seasons. If you opt for a brown or tan backdrop, you might add splashes of color in accents such as pillows, rugs, and wall decor. For a toasty, rustic vibe, neutrals are a great place to start.   

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you might go for the bolder colors of the season. Orange is great for adding a bit of energetic flair to your home, and it’s also a staple color of autumn. Yellow keeps things cheery and bright as we go into the cold winter months. Paint is one of the easiest ways to update your home, so don’t be afraid to get creative.

For all of your painting needs, contact the experts at University Painters. We know that your home is one of the most important elements of your life, and that a great paint job is crucial to keeping it beautiful. We’ll work with you on your preferences and your budget to achieve your color scheme goals. Visit our website at universitypainters.com, or give us a call at 1-800-390-4848.

Painter,University Painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

Giving the Illusion of More Space

There’s no doubt that one of the primary goals of home decor is to make the most of your space. Whether you’d like to make a small room feel larger, or you just want to give your home a more open, welcoming vibe, paint is the best place to start. It’s also one of the easiest ways to make any room feel bigger and brighter.

Here are some tips on how to choose the right colors for your next home makeover. Of course, white is always a good option for creating an airy, spacious effect. It reflects light and provides a pure, simplistic backdrop for any home decor changes you might make in the future. The versatility and space-optimizing benefits of white make it a smart choice for pretty much any room you can imagine.

Another trick for alluding to more space is adding an accent wall. Painting one wall a bolder color than the remaining walls creates an optical illusion, as well as a strong focal point. Don’t be afraid to get creative! An accent color allows you to add a bright splash of color without committing to the shade for an entire room.

It’s also important to keep your ceiling lighter than your walls. Painting your ceilings a light color will instantly give the appearance of higher ceilings, making the room seem more open and spacious. You might also consider adding some stripes. Vertical stripes are a timeless trick for streamlining silhouettes, but have you ever thought of horizontal stripes for elongating walls? You can even experiment with contrasting colors to create depth.

Lastly, another useful tip for optimizing the space of a room is doing some color coordination. Keeping decor and accessories in the same color family as your walls gives the space a cohesive feel. Try matching rugs, furniture, lamps, and other accents to your wall color.

For all of your painting needs, trust the experts at University Painters to get the job done right. We’ll work with you on your color preferences to help you reach your home makeover goals. Call us at 1-800-390-4848, or visit us at universitypainters.com.

Annapolis Painter,University Painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

Do I Need To Stay Home When My House Is Painted?

Many home improvement projects are a big disruption to our daily schedules, and painting is no exception. At University Painters, we do our best to keep the disruption to a minimum. Generally, there is no need for you to remain in your home while the interior is being painted, unless of course that’s your preference.

While we leave the ultimate decision up to you, many of our clients prefer to vacate their homes during the project. Painting the entire interior is likely to take several days. Before we begin, we’ll prep all our work areas in order to protect your furniture and possessions from any accidental paint drips or splatters. This allows us to work more quickly and efficiently than if we focused on individual rooms. We’ll carefully cover all the beds, furniture, and appliances for the entirety of the project, so it’s up to you if you’d like to live in the home during this process. If you wish to stay or have no other alternative, we can accommodate you by either completing one bedroom first or saving it for last so you’ll be able to sleep at home.

University Painters uses high quality paints and the odor is generally not a problem. If we’re only painting walls and ceilings, for example, the odor may not be an issue for you. However, if you are sensitive to smells you may want to find alternative accommodations while the work is being done.

The painting of cabinets often has a more potent odor, as the prep process for these surfaces may require additional chemical agents. Since every client has a different tolerance level, we recommend leaving the home if possible.

Of course, for smaller projects, such as painting only a few rooms, it makes perfect sense to stay if that’s your preference. We pride ourselves on accommodating whichever choice you feel most comfortable with.

Should you decide to leave your home, you can feel confident that we hire only the most trustworthy crews, and have no reservations about leaving them unattended. For more information on our painting services, please visit our website at https://universitypainters.com.

Paint Colors,University Painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

2020’s Anticipated Color Trends

At University Painters, we understand the importance of designing a home environment that reflects your own personality and style. If you’re considering an interior color change, take a look at the contemporary paint palettes predicted to influence home decorating trends in the new decade.

Earlier this summer, Sherwin Williams released a color forecast of 45 hues the paint company expects will make waves in 2020. The colors are divided into 5 themes, all of which are intended to evoke tranquility and joy and serve as a counterbalance to the stresses in our modern lives.

Alive—The colors in the Alive palette are deep, rich jewel tones reminiscent of brightly colored fresh fruits and vegetables. The hues are inspired by mindful living and reflect the food we choose to put into our bodies. This palette celebrates thoughtfulness, time spent with our families, and peaceful hours spent at home. Ripe olives and fresh blues are some of the hallmarks of the Alive palette.

Mantra—Mantra is intended to conjure soothing images of Scandinavian design and Japanese minimalism. This palette draws its inspiration from natural materials and includes both cool and warm tones. They are versatile neutrals that complement a range of design styles.

Play—The Play palette is just what it suggests—fun, bold, and bright colors that add sudden bursts of color and interest to a room. It’s all about leaving cares and worries behind by releasing your inner child and embracing playfulness in everyday life. Aquas, bright pinks, and gold hues all play starring roles in this joyful palette.

Haven—Harkening back to last year’s nature-based palette, Haven is inspired by the gentle tones of the natural world. Its subtle shades reflect hues of the sea, forest, and sky. This palette soothes the senses and brings nature into your home.

Heart—The final palette in the 2020 forecast includes a selection of warm neutrals and brights such as clove and soft coral that complement popular mid-century furnishing styles. They also pair well with soft earth tones.

Whichever palette best suits your own personal decorating style, University Painters can help you bring your artistic vision to life. For more information on our services or to schedule an estimate, please visit our website at https://universitypainters.com.

Repaint, University Painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

Should I Worry About Lead Paint?

We’ve all heard about the dangers of lead paint, but is it really something we need to worry about? For most of us, the short answer is probably not. However, lead paint can pose a significant health risk, so it’s important to understand when it can potentially cause a problem.

Lead paint was used in homes built before 1978, when the federal government banned its use. Some states outlawed it even earlier, but all homes constructed prior to 1978 could potentially contain lead paint. It’s generally not a problem unless older layers of paint are chipping, flaking, or sanded into dust. It can be exposed through repairs, remodeling, or extensive wear and tear.

Exposure to lead paint can cause serious health issues, especially in young children and pregnant women. High levels of lead can cause lead poisoning or brain or nervous system damage. In children, even low levels may cause behavioral problems or learning disabilities.

Because of their tendency to chew everything in sight, toddlers are most likely to ingest lead paint, especially if it is flaking or peeling off the walls in an older home. Children’s bodies absorb lead much more easily than adults; and even low levels of lead can harm a pregnant woman’s developing baby.

If you suspect lead paint in your home, you can send a paint sample to a certified laboratory, or use a home lead test kit. They are readily available at home improvement stores.

When lead paint is present in a home, leaving it undisturbed is sometimes better than removing it, as long as the paint is not chipping or disintegrating. The removal process is labor intensive and should ideally be done by a professional. If the surface is in good condition, you can minimize the chance of lead exposure by covering it with wallpaper, paneling, or a fresh coat of new paint.

If you are concerned about lead paint, please contact the paint professionals at University Painters. Visit our website at https://universitypainters.com.

Annapolis,University Painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

Simple Ways to Improve Your Curb Appeal With Paint

Your home’s curb appeal is the first thing visitors notice—and you want to make sure that initial impression is a positive one. As we live in our home day in and day out, it’s easy not to notice the little imperfections that can detract from its overall appearance. Fortunately, you can easily enhance your home’s curb appeal with a simple can of paint.

Picket fences are charming, and a well-maintained and crisply painted one is always attractive. However, if the paint on your picket fence is chipping or flaking, it will look a lot less appealing. Giving it a fresh coat of paint will bring new life to your fence.

Take a good, unbiased look at your front door. If it’s old and worn, consider replacing it. If that’s not in your budget, paint it! Look for a color that complements your home’s main hue and give that tired door an eye-catching makeover.

You might think of it as a mere mailbox, but if it’s ugly, it could very well be a big eyesore perched right in your front yard. A neatly painted mailbox, on the other hand, tells visitors that you take care of your home.

Although it’s often overlooked, your home’s front porch may benefit from some fresh paint as well. A new coat of paint on a concrete or wood porch can transform it into an inviting spot for relaxing and watching the world go by.

These may seem like little details, but they can mean the difference between having a home that looks neglected and one that appears well cared for. Call University Painters at (800) 390-4848 so we can spruce up your home’s exterior and make your home as inviting as possible. For more painting ideas, please visit our website at https://universitypainters.com.

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Exterior Painting,Universtiy Painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

Removing Lead-based Paint From Your Home

The test results from the do-it-yourself lead paint kit you sent off are back, and the news is not good—lead paint is present in your home. Removing lead paint is a big project, but taking these precautions during the renovation process will help protect your family’s health.

Ideally, your family should live somewhere else while the work is completed. Children and pregnant women are most at risk, so if you can’t relocate the whole family, this is the perfect opportunity for your kids to have a long visit with grandma.

The job requires protective clothing including goggles, gloves, and coveralls. The most important piece of equipment is a NIOSH-approved respirator to avoid inhaling fumes and lead-dust particles.

Before you begin, you’ll want to prepare your work area by making sure the dust and paint chips will be contained. Seal the area, close all heating vents, and cover the entrance with plastic sheeting. Remove all furnishings and window coverings. Heavy items that cannot be moved should be completely draped with thick plastic and tightly sealed with tape.

Even if you are working outdoors, be sure to place drop cloths on the ground to avoid soil contamination. Don’t work on windy days, and seal doors and windows to stop paint dust from entering your home.

Using chemical stripping techniques instead of sanding is less likely to spread lead dust. Stripping agents are also potentially harmful, so they must be used with care.

When you are done for the day, remove protective clothing and footwear and wash separately from household laundry. Using a spray bottle filled with water and a drop of dishwashing liquid when wiping down surfaces will prevent dust from spreading. Be sure to vacuum the area and put all waste into a sealed bag or container before disposal.

To have this work performed professionally, contact the painting experts at University Painters at (800) 390-4848 or visit their website at https://universitypainters.com.

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