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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.

Creative, Design, Maintenance, Paint Colors
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Interior Painting Home Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

It’s the Little Things!

Interior Painting Home PaintersWhile we focus mainly on exterior painting, we are experienced in all aspects of the painting process, inside and out! For instance, we have some great advice for the weekend handyman or handywoman who is going to tackle an indoor painting project. You’ve decided to paint the wall (or walls). People tend to think that it’s an elementary task. However, there are little things you should think of and attend to before actually popping open the paint can. In other words, a few moments of pre-preparation will make the job go much faster and more smoothly. Then you really will be able to pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

Clear the walls. Take down any hangings or fixtures even if they don’t appear to be near the area to be painted. Accidents happen all too often and are more likely to when you are not prepared!

Inspect the wall for nicks and imperfections. Now is the time to make repairs prior to beginning the painting process. If there are cracks in the paint or you have mold and mildew, attending to these issues before dipping the brush in paint will make the job go more quickly and result in a nicer presentation.

Now wash the walls. That’s right, walls get dirty just like floors and windows. Think about the variety of cooking smells that waft through the house, or odors that are not that enticing. Some of them leave a residue that dulls the color of the walls and makes them look and feel dirty. If you are not one to wash the walls, there are service companies available to do it for you.

Tape, tape, tape. One thing is true about paint – it drips. When you dip the brush in the paint, there’s always a chance that paint splatter can happen. If you want to avoid leaving a paint job on your woodwork, window panes, cupboards or other trim, take the time to buy and use tape that will not allow paint to seep.

The experts at University Painters, Inc. take pride in offering superior exterior painting services to homes and businesses. But that’s not all we know! If you have any paint questions, we will be happy to speak with you.

Creative, Maintenance, Paint Colors
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Exterior Painting, Home Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Freshen Your Outdoor Look for the Holidays

exterior painting, home paintersThe time is almost upon us. You know what I mean. The whirlwind of holidays that trip over each other from October to the beginning of the new year! Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas,

Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s run into each other with hardly a moment to take a breath! Homeowners are advised to look over their property now with a critical eye for upgrades that will help give their home that festive look.

Even though in many parts of the country the weather is taking a turn for the worse, there’s still time to put a fresh coat of paint on the exterior of your home. In fact, painting the outside of your home may be the simplest way to give your home curb appeal even if you have no intention of selling. When those trick-or-treaters come knocking at your door or the family shows up en masse with a fruitcake in one hand and gifts in the other, you will be able to feel an extra sense of pride knowing your home is ‘showcase ready’ for everyone to enjoy.

Remember, paint fades over time and the process is accelerated by the affects of sun, snow, wind and rain. When you look at your house day after day you may not notice that the exterior is waning and perhaps even a bit shabby. As September melts into October there is still time to have your home painted before winter sets in. Although each house is a unique circumstance, the average time frame for painting the outside of a house is roughly four days.

So, in the time span of a little more than a weekend you can have a whole new look to your home. We hope this blog has given you the push you need to arrange for a professional paint company to provide an estimate and time frame to update your home’s exterior. If you are in the market for an exceptional painting company, please give the experts at University Painters, Inc. a call. We provide superior customer service and our goal is your satisfaction.

Creative, Design, Maintenance, Paint Colors
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exterior painting,painters, residential painting job
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Updating Your Home’s Look for Less

exterior painting,painters, residential painting jobDoes your home seem to look duller these days? You can’t put your finger on it, but it needs to be updated. The whole house is not in need of a paint job. It’s only the shutters that could use a fresh coat. Shutters are a common addition to many homes. They serve many purposes. They can be a decorative addition or may be used to keep harsh sunlight out. If it’s the shutters that you want painted, here are some hints to tackling this job properly.

Choose a complementary or contrasting color that you are going to enjoy. Many people don’t realize just what an important role shutters play in the overall look of the house until they are painted a color that doesn’t look right. Try to find pictures of homes that are similar to yours and are sporting shutters in a color you are considering as a precursor to making the decision.

Clean the shutters thoroughly prior to the painting process. You may need to use a little bleach to rid them of mold and stains. Allow them to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Just as you would when painting a house, the next step is to scrape off any paint chips or flakes. Otherwise they become part of the new paint job.

Now, prime the shutters just as you would the house. This helps to ensure they are ready to bond with the paint and allows the paint to adhere more thoroughly. A good priming job prior to painting also helps to guarantee a cleaner, brighter look that will last longer!

When you begin the actual painting process, start at the top of the shutter and work your way down. Apply the paint with a lighter stroke so the painted areas do not have tell-tale signs of paint brush marks.

Finally, apply two coats of paint. One will simply not give you the long-lasting paint job you are looking for.

Sound like a lot of work? Too busy to do the job yourself? Then turn to the professionals at University Painters. We have been in the interior, exterior and commercial painting business for  32 years. We will treat your home as if it’s our own.

Creative, Maintenance, Paint Colors
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exterior painting, home painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Choosing an Appropriate Color for the Exterior of Your Home

Home Painter , Painting ,Carpentry,Have you ever driven up and down the streets of your city or town and noticed the occasional ‘sore-thumb’ sticking out? By that I mean a home painted bright pink, lavender, yellow or green in the midst of a perfect blend of homes that are stately without being too loud? There always seem to be mavericks out there that use the exterior of their homes to make a statement for them. If this is not your intent then perhaps you will appreciate the following advice on how best to choose an appropriate color for the exterior of your home.

Decide well in advance of the best painting season that this is the year you intend to have your home painted. (Many people will insist they can undertake the project themselves, and often do, but it should be acknowledged that house painting is a sophisticated and tedious project that requires time, patience and skill.)

Do your research. Investigate information on the pros and cons of various paints, when and under what conditions it is best to apply, and any other details that will be necessary to see this job through.

Look at your home’s exterior. Is it a combination of materials such as stone or brick and siding? Do the colors all blend together seamlessly and without contrast? Would you prefer greater contrast? Look at homes similar to your own that project contrast and a blended, more muted presentation.

Still another option is to go ‘monochromatic’ with contrasting trim. Some of the most common colors fall in the white or cream palette but can also be as bold as blue or charcoal with a creamy trim all around.

Many choose to go with a shade of all-white exterior. This gives a clean and eye-catching look. This can be especially attractive with contrasting shutters or trim in nearly any color.

While mulling over your decision for a choice of an exterior presentation, consider how a change in landscaping might also enhance the final outcome.

Who knew that so much thought and reflection went into choosing a color for your home’s exterior? Frankly, the professionals at University Painters, Inc. have been addressing these types of questions for years for our customers. We are experts in the field of home painting and would be happy to share our expertise with you! Please feel free to contact us with questions or an estimate.

Design, Maintenance, Paint Colors
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exterior painting, interior painting,painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Know Your Paint Properties

Summer is often the best time to rejuvenate your home. The process of revitalizing the look of your house usually begins with covering the outside with a fresh coat of paint. If you are a paint ‘neophyte’ and inclined to head to the hardware store to pick up your supplies, there is something you should know. There are two basic types of paint – indoor and outdoor and you don’t want to choose the wrong one for the job!

Interior and exterior paint are formulated to meet different expectations. Indoor paint is meant to take the assault of daily living – children and pets, sticky fingers and marks of all sorts. On the other hand, exterior paint is manufactured to withstand the elements including everything from sleet and snow to relentless sunshine and heat in the summer.

One of the main differences between interior and exterior paint is the resin with which it is manufactured. In the case of paint production, is it a highly viscous substance that binds the paint to the surface on which it is being applied. It allows exterior paint to resist chipping, peeling and fading. A stronger resin is used in the creation of indoor paint, so it is less inclined to show scuffs and smears.

Exterior paint goes through a process called ‘outgassing’ which means it lets the surfaces on which it is applied to ‘breathe’ and minute particles of moisture to escape. Interior paint does not need this type of outlet but in either case, with indoor and outdoor painting, be sure you have adequate ventilation.

If you are painting indoor surfaces, it is better to choose a glossy finish because they are easier to clean than a matte finish. When washing down a flat paint, it tends to smear, exacerbating fingerprints and scuff marks, while putting the homeowner in a position where they will need to repaint sooner to keep a clean, pristine look.

Painting is a much more sophisticated undertaking than many people realize. A lot of thought and pre-planning must go into the project before you begin. In other words, getting thunderstruck with the idea of painting your house inside and out should be followed with careful reflection before running to the paint store.

May we suggest hiring professionals as an alternative to taking on the task yourself? The paint experts at University Paints would be happy to meet with you at your convenience and discuss your paint project. We have been servicing this community for over a decade! Call us today.

Design, Maintenance, Paint Colors
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exterior painting, House Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

How to Know it’s Time to Paint Your House!

exterior painting, House PaintersHave you been pulling into the driveway lately and feeling that the house staring back at you seems a bit worn? Is it looking dull? Do the other homes in the neighborhood seem newer and more modern? Perhaps all that you really need is a fresh coat of paint to spruce up the place and make it feel new again – and the same is as true for the inside as outside! Putting a fresh coat of paint on the house or inside is like updating your wardrobe! Here are some sure-fire ways to know when it’s time to paint!

You know it’s time to paint when you see the paint cracking or bubbling. This could actually signal more significant problems underneath the paint such as dry rot or mold. Both of these are issues that will cause long-term and significant damage if they are not addressed.

Check the caulking on the windows outside (and inside). Dried and cracked caulking is also an indication you need to take a closer look at the condition of the home and spruce it up. Upkeep is often cheaper than letting things deteriorate so badly that they cause costly damage to the overall structure.

Is the color of the paint looking dingy? Faded? Perhaps one side of the house gets more sun than the other and that causes discoloration. Weather plays an important role in how the outside of your home holds up. Do a monthly or bimonthly walk around as a way to identify problems with the paint and/or structure.

Paint your home – just because. Because you have lived there for a few years and want a change. Because you found a color you like better and think it will give the home greater curb appeal (you want curb appeal even if you are not selling the home as it keeps its value elevated). Or because it hasn’t been painted in 7 years or more – the recommended amount of time between paint jobs.

While these are the main reasons for painting the exterior, you may decide to do it simply because you want a change. One sure way that can happen is by putting on a whole new color! Whatever your reason for choosing to paint, when the time comes we hope you will call the professionals at University Paint. We would be happy to provide a quote and provide the highest quality service. We look forward to speaking with you.

Maintenance, Paint Colors
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