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professioanl painting, University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Painting Older Homes

Whether you have just purchased an older home or are updating one, there are some things to consider when beginning your painting project. Older homes quite often have peeling, yellowing paint and possibly lead paint with many blemishes that will need to be removed. You may also be dealing with wallpaper that is old and peeling that needs to be stripped before you refinish the walls and apply new paint. If you are concerned about the lead-based paint being an issue, you can go to Lowes or Home Depot and purchase a test kit.  You can of course hire a professional painting team that will be equipped for a project of this undertaking. While you are there be sure to bring a list of the items you will need for the project; there is nothing worse than starting a project and having to stop and go to the store in mid-process.

Once the walls have been prepped for painting the next step is choosing a color palette you would like for your home.  When making this decision try to accompany the actual style of the home itself. Is it more earth tones or is it more rustic? What was the style of homes from that period? A lot of older homes used wainscoting which protected the lower part of walls from scuffing and dirt marks.  If you want to modernize the home, then use the colors that suit your taste and are trending currently. Whether your goal is to restore a historic home back to its original beauty or just make necessary repairs, there will be a lot of work involved but the reward should be well worth it.

Please feel free to contact us at University Painters for tips or a free estimate. We may be able to help you save money and headaches in the long run. e 7 Co

Blog, Creative, Maintenance, Paint Colors
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interior painting, home painting, University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Interior Painting through History

Throughout the ages, humans have wanted the interior of their homes to be beautiful. Dating clear back to the cave man days over 40,000 years ago, history has shown, through artifact and drawings on the interior walls of caves, that men (and women) liked to decorate their dwellings. Of course, the paints would have used all-natural ingredients like berries, clay and plant materials. Most likely they would have bound it all together using fatty oils. The original paint brushes were believed to have been made from stone and animal hair bound together with straps. The walls were mainly decorated with pictures of animals that were hunted or part of their everyday life. There were at rare times, human representations of handprints and other items.

As you progress forward in history you can see influences of the styles of the regions, not only in what was painted but also the different color schemes in use. There were many regions where darker images were more often portrayed. As far back as 32,000 years ago paintings were drawn on interior cave walls in France and other countries that showed the history of earlier times, displaying horses, lions, buffalo, bison, and mankind.

As you travel through time, the type of artwork in homes changed from drawings on the interior walls to walls being painted one solid color and then paintings added to the walls, giving much more flexibility for enhancing the home’s beauty. There was also the additional choice of wall paper which could add depth as well as create unique looks. Most of the homes were painted or papered by professional painters, which is still a practice today.

If you would like to beautify your home, please contact us at University Painters for ideas or a free quote. We will gladly share our knowledge with you.

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Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Award Winning Painters

There are a number of different ways to judge the quality of a business.  Many times the work speaks for itself, but what about when you don’t have the ability to see the work first hand?  How can you be sure that you are selecting the best company to provide the service you need when you can’t see the quality of their work in person?  Angie’s List is an online directory of different home services that exists for exactly this purpose.  They are a crowd-sourced review site of local businesses and contractors that specializes in rating companies based on customer feedback.  When you can’t see the results first-hand, word of mouth is a very good way to determine the quality of work a business provides.  In addition to listing businesses based on customer satisfaction, Angie’s List uses those same customer reviews to hand out awards.  Awards that are based on the satisfaction of customers are awards that are truly earned and deserved.  The Lancaster, Pennsylvania branch of University Painters won Angie’s List’s Super Service Award in 2018, making them the best option for all of your painting needs, as decided by the consumer.

University Painters are professional painting contractors who have been in business since 1986.  Since then they have built the business based on exemplary customer service and satisfaction, which is what earned Jonathan Frank and his team at the Lancaster, Pennsylvania location the Superior Service Award.

Whether you are in need of an interior painting spruce-up, or a fresh coat of paint on the exterior of your house, Jonathan Frank’s crew at University Painters in Lancaster, Pennsylvania are up to the challenge of providing the best quality and customer service in the industry.  University Painters pride themselves on understanding the best way to beautify and protect your most valuable asset, your home.  The folks at University Painters Lancaster are trained and skilled professional craftsmen, who combine their expertise with the highest quality products to ensure that you are beyond satisfied with the job.

University Painters commitment to customer satisfaction and quality service has earned Jonathan Franks and his team in Lancaster the trust of their clientele, so you know you can trust them with your next paint job.  If you are looking for professional commercial and residential painting services, contact University Painters. They are environmentally responsible and offer outstanding work.

Angie's List, Awards, Blog, Creative, Maintenance, Paint Colors
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Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Updating your kitchen cabinets

The kitchen has become the gathering place in many homes, whether for parties, families, homework or just a cup of coffee or to relax. Old outdated cabinets can make the room feel dull and dismal. Why not update those cabinets with a new coat of paint and possibly even replace some of the doors with glass inserts?

You must decide whether to hire a professional to do the job or try to do it yourself.  Below are some things to consider:

  1. Do you have the time it will take to degrease, putty sand, and prime the cabinets for painting?  This of course is all before you even begin to paint. A reputable local painting contractor like University Painters will be able to do the job quickly and professionally.
  2. Which paint sheen or stain will you be going with? Do you prefer the more traditional wooden cabinets stained appearance or do you prefer to update to a new trendy color?  Speaking with a professional will help you know the current trends. Adding glass inserts helps make a kitchen look more modern, while going without knobs or using knobs that match the paint can help make the kitchen feel more streamlined.
  3. As with any painting project you must have the correct tools to do the job right the first time. If you don’t, the cost of purchasing or renting the equipment can be prohibitive. University Painters prides itself on only using high quality equipment and the finest quality paints.
  4. Now to the most important part of the decision – what painting experience do you have? Do you have what it takes to be sure there are no brushstrokes showing or paint applied too thick that runs and leaves an un-even texture? If you decide to take the cabinets down and paint them, have you arranged for the help to re-install them so they get hung evenly?

 As you can see, the best choice comes down to contacting University Painters for changing the look of your outdated cabinets.  Not only will you add value to your kitchen but you’ll make it a more inviting place to entertain family and friends.  We’re here for you at University Painters!

Angie's List, Awards, Blog, Creative, Design, Maintenance, Paint Colors
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interior painting, home painters,paints
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

When to Repaint Your Home’s Interior

For many people, painting is a thankless chore. It is a lot of work and all too often the amateur painter does not realize the magnitude of the undertaking. People tend to think repainting your home’s exterior is a do-it-yourselfer weekend job. Unfortunately, that is how it usually looks in the end – just a bit unprofessional. Now this is not to take away from the intent of the painter and their earnest desire to be involved in their home’s upkeep. Most times however, it’s best to put your trust in the hands of professionals!

Having said all that, the interior of your home is subject to the wear and tear of daily life just as your home’s exterior is to the elements. Everything from sprays, smoke, kitchen odors and pet odors can cling to your walls and cause them to look faded and worn. If you live there everyday, you may even have a tendency not to notice the way a room begins to look faded and worn.

One hint would be to schedule a time each year (perhaps even every six months), when you walk the interior and exterior of your home looking for necessary repairs and upgrades. This should be a habit whether you intend to put your home on the market or continue to live there for years to come.

As you do your room by room inspection, look at the interior as if you are seeing it for the first time – like through the eyes of a stranger. Do the colors seem faded? Are there areas within rooms that appear to have a fresher presentation than others? For example, in the bathroom the paint may appear faded or peeling nearer the steamy shower or tub than in other areas.

Also, consider how often the room is used. Do you entertain frequently in the kitchen or family room but hardly use the guest bathroom? Prioritize areas that get the most traffic, but remember, your bedrooms are sanctuaries and a fresh coat of paint can make them more warm and welcoming as well.

Finally, get an estimate for the cost of painting your home’s interior room by room and in its entirety. Sometimes, it’s best to redo the interior all at once, giving your entire house an updated feel to be enjoyed by the whole family.
Whatever your painting needs, contact the professionals at University Painters. We treat your home like it’s our own.

Blog, Creative, Design, Maintenance, News, Paint Colors
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Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Making wall life easier with pets and kids

As pet owners and parents of small children we know the struggle of keeping the walls clean. Do you remember the last time you applied fresh paint to the walls and your dog came flying around the corner and scuffed up the whole wall with his collar? Or your kids decided to put dirty hand prints all over the wall you had just finished painting? It makes you ask whether there’s a paint that will stand up to the daily wear. Here are some suggestions to make that happen.

The first task is determining the paint color that you want. Using a painting professional will help with picking the right paint as well as the colors that are appropriate in your current market. Also, you may want to use an eco-safe paint for your home. Now that the dirt marks have gotten out of hand and the dog has severely scuffed up the paint on the walls, let’s look at some options that will help prevent this from happening in the future.

  1. Go with high quality paint!

If you’ve picked your favorite color but prefer it in a flat finish, then you’ll have to make sure you get a very high-quality paint. The higher the quality of paint the more washable the paint will be. Flat paints are commonly not washable but have recently improved. Most professionals will still not recommend a flat paint in high traffic areas. There are some paints though such as Flat/Matte, ceramic sheens, and eggshells that may give you the look you desire as well as still being washable. Ask your professional.

  • The use of a gloss paint or semi-gloss paint, which are better engineered for areas needing more cleaning, is a better option. There are many choices that will add charm and beauty to your home.
  • A recent trend with painting manufacturers is to add Teflon into the paint, making the finished surface easier to clean and less likely for foreign objects to stick to the paint.  It is more expensive but another option you can discuss with your professional when choosing the best recommendations for your home.

Painting with the correct kind of paint for your home and family and using the right painting company to do the job assures you a quick and efficient painting experience.  University Painters understands the dynamics behind getting the right color and textures for what you need. We are here to help you with all your interior and exterior painting needs. We give free home estimates and warranty all our work. Call us today for a free estimate!

Creative, Design, Maintenance, Paint Colors
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painter, exterior painting
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

An End of the Year Review of the Most Valuable Exterior Home Painting Tips

The end of the year is a good time to look back and think about what you’ve done and what you’ve learned. Exterior home painters are no different. It is our business to sift through the good and the bad – what worked and what should be discarded as we get ready to take on a new year with the same high expectations that others have! So, this year we have decided that all of the following are great ‘exterior home painting tips’ that we can use well into the future.

  • Paint from the top down. That may seem like an obvious piece of advice but for the amateur house painter it is anything but! During the busiest exterior painting seasons of the year, you would be surprised how many DIY house painters make this mistake! Remember – top down painting – and any professional painting company whose services you retain should already know this!
  • Wear protective clothing and eyewear when painting. Most professional exterior painting companies have a uniform for employees. While many people believe it is meant to be a form of advertising – which, of course, it is to a certain extent – the ensemble is usually of materials that have been found to be the most easily washed to maintain a look of professionalism while also warding of common problems for the exterior painter such as the relentless sunshine. If you are a DIY home painter, slather on a good amount of hand lotion across all exposed skin areas; it will make it easier to wash off paint when you are done.
  • Wash out your brushes regularly throughout the day. Otherwise, the bristles become dry and heavy with hardened paint and each time you dip the brush into the paint it will only make the brushstrokes more evident and the spread of the paint across the surface less even. Professional painters know that soaking your brushes in vinegar overnight will help loosen the dried paint and freshen them up for the next day of painting.
  • If you are a DIY painter, use the sun’s movement across the home as your guide for painting. Wherever the shade is hitting the house is the best place to begin. Paint that is applied in the shade simply adheres better! It’s also more comfortable as a painter to be out of the relentless rays of the sun!

Contact the professionals at University Painters, Inc. to ensure a quality exterior commercial or residential paint outcome!

Creative, Design, Maintenance, Paint Colors
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House Painter Exterior Painting
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Sprucing Up Your Home’s Exterior for the Holidays

One of the busiest times of the year for socializing are the final two months of the year. They tend to pass in a whirlwind of dinners and parties, and people coming and going from your home. Now, you may not be able to totally redo your home’s exterior but there are some tips that will make your home shine for those guests who come knocking at your door.

  • Start by doing an entire walk around the house. Consider areas that you want to be highlighted when people drive by or stop in to visit. The entry way is often the introduction to your home and as such it should be a reflection of how you want to greet people. It’s the proverbial ‘first impression’, where you never get a chance to make a second one? Even in those climates most inclined to inclement weather there is usually a window of time where you can add a fresh coat of paint that will dry before the next storm. A freshly painted door is a great way to say Welcome!
  • Be sure to include planters, window boxes and other trims in the quick exterior paint touch ups. They can be contrasting in color, carry a theme across the home or be accented in a way that is decorative, fun and unique. Think about what you want your home to say to others and invite the expertise of a professional exterior home painter in the process. Use greenery such as pine boughs or holly to emphasize the holiday theme in the north and be inventive if you live in a warmer, winter climate.
  • Clear your sidewalks, gutters and shrubbery. Give everything a fresh, clean look and then decide the extent and type of lighting you might use. There are many types of exterior lighting fixtures that require little or no electrical cords or other extensive supports to keep them illuminated.

The intent is to brighten up and show off your home’s exterior. Everyone loves to put their best foot forward at the holidays. Be a part of the festivity – plan ahead and invite the expertise and professionalism of the trusted exterior home painting company, University Painters, Inc. to be a part of the planning and execution!

Creative, Design, Maintenance, Paint Colors
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Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

The Cons of an Amateur Painting Your Business Exterior

Perhaps you have noticed that the outside of your business is looking a little run-down…nothing that a fresh coat of paint slapped on the walls won’t help. Or will it? All too often small business owners look to cut corners and save money by taking on the monumental task of painting their business’s exterior by themselves. This tends to be problematic in the end because painting is a more complex undertaking than most people realize. In this blog the goal will be to give you some valuable reasons NOT to take on painting your commercial property all by yourself but to rely on the professionalism of a commercial painting service instead.

    1. Commercial painting companies are knowledgeable and trained in the health and safety practices required by OSHA to receive and maintain licensure in your state. This covers a variety of important procedures that include (but are not limited to) handling paint in its various forms (aerosol, canned, etc.), utilizing associated painting tools such as compressed air & sand and water blasting appliances, and even such seemingly elementary items as paint mixers and ladders. OSHA certification can be a cost-saver in the end because accidents that occur due to a lack of this knowledge can put the business at risk of liability.
    2. Hiring a commercial paint company will save time in the end. You should be spending your best working hours chasing new business or meeting client expectations instead of taking off time to tediously spruce up the place. It is unlikely you will be able to devote the same high quality time and attention to the task that you give during your peak hours and the thought of single-handedly updating the exterior is a more momentous task than most realize until they are in the middle of it! In the end, ‘many hands make light work’ is the motto that commercial paint companies live by!
    3. Commercial painters are able to assess and identify building issues that may be important to attend to prior to the beginning of any exterior painting. Part of an assessment by the professional painting company would include an itemization of issues such as mold on the building or similar problems.

Everyone likes to think of themselves as DIY’ers. But in many cases, it is better to leave the real work to the professionals. If you are in need of commercial exterior painting, contact the experts at University Painters, Inc.

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