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House Painter Exterior Painting
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!

Exterior Painting, Home Painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

What Does an Exterior Home Painting Cost Estimate Include?

home Exterior painting, House PaintersHardly anyone questions the reality that painting the exterior of your home increases its value – sometimes exponentially. Most will also agree that painting your home’s exterior is a tedious, labor-laden job that can quickly become overwhelming. The job requires a large amount of preparation and may include a variety of complex nuances that lead the homeowner to abandon any thought of undertaking the process themselves, and instead place the job in the trusted hands of professionals. What factors are involved in painting the exterior of your home? The most common points are listed below.

  • Labor costs compromise the bulk of the price. Of course, there are dozens of resources that will purport to give you the average cost of hiring a painter. One source says $50 per hour per painter with a bottom line of $2400 – $7000 for an entire exterior of a home. Another resource estimates exterior painting costs of $30.00 to $35.00 per hour with commercial jobs priced at $25.00 to $45.00. Still another source says painting an average home between 500 and 1,500 square feet can cost between $1,000 and $3,000

You can see there is no single price for labor. Other factors that must be taken into consideration include the number of stories of your house and ease of accessibility to reach all areas.

  • Paint is going to be the next big expense. If you purchase paint that runs between $25 – $40 per gallon with an average home exterior of 3000 sq. ft., the paint will run anywhere from $375 – $600. However, if you purchase more expensive paint, the price will go up. For the record, research shows that most homes need to be painted every 5 to 7 years and the better paints offer you better protection against the ravages of the weather.
  • Other costs include power washing the exterior surfaces prior to painting, which can run $75 per day rental fee; there’s no reason to purchase a power washer unless you will be doing long-term power washing on a patio or other surfaces. Ladders and scaffolding can run up to $75 a day as well, and then there are the variety of tapes, sponges, brushes or power sprayer equipment to apply the paint.

Then there is the homeowner’s time and frustration. Exterior home painting is an exacting job. Hire the professionals at University Painters, Inc. Your home is our business.

Interior Painters Exterior Painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

The Right Paint Will Help to Prevent Mildew & Mold on Your Home’s Exterior

Interior Painters Exterior PaintersMildew is a thin whitish-colored coating that is found on a variety of indoor and outdoor surfaces. Everything from plants to paper and leather can invite mildew. However, it is more commonly found in areas that have humid summer weather. So, in areas of the country that are prone to humidity, homeowners should make it a habit to routinely inspect their home by doing a monthly ‘walk-around’.

If you do discover mildew don’t be too disturbed. Chances are with monthly inspections you have caught it early. Why is it important to remove mildew (and mold) from your home’s exterior? There are several reasons. First, mildew can cause the exterior to discolor and may lead to wood rot. Too, mildew can aggravate any existing allergies.

Mildew and mold are both potential problems for home exteriors although they look and act differently. Mildew presents as an almost chalky white or gray or tan substance. It is usually easy to spot. Mold, on the other hand, is fuzzy-looking. It often is first noticeable by its sour smell rather than appearance.

Both are removable but must be done with caution. No matter which you are trying to destroy, the first thing to remember is you should wear protective clothing. That includes the use of gloves and goggles. It is best to ensure you have covered all parts of your body as well. There are commercial mildew removers available at most stores. If you are an environmentalist who does not like using chemicals, then you can make your own mildew-remover solution.

Removing mold from your home may require the intervention of a specialist who is knowledgeable in this area. Mold can creep into cracks and hidden places in your home which makes it difficult to ensure that it is completely eliminated.

It is always a good idea to purchase mildew-resistant paint the next time you want to freshen the exterior of your home. Examples of these are enamel-based and linseed oil-based paints. They may be a bit more expensive but if you live in an area that is prone to humidity, you will likely save yourself money in the long run.

If you want to know more about keeping up your home’s exterior, contact the experts at University Painters, Inc. Your home is our business.

Home Painter , Painting ,Carpentry,
Written by Josh Jablon

Home Maintenance Tips For Spring!

Home Maintenance Spring Checklist

Your home is one of your greatest investments and it is extremely important to properly maintain it!  Winter weather can be rough on your homes exterior, see below for some helpful home maintenance tips to keep everything in tip top shape!
  • Check the exterior of your homes foundation as well as windows and door frames for cracks that may need to be caulked or weather stripping needs to be replaced. Caulking and sealing these areas will help keep the summer heat outside and keep those air conditioning bills lower!
  • Remove storm window and doors and replace with screen windows and doors. If you did not wash your screens in the fall, wash them with a mild detergent before replacing.
  • Check the exterior of your home for any areas of paint failure including cracking, peeling or bubbling paint. Look closely under eaves and gutter downspouts for any water stains or damage to indicate improper drainage.
  • Perform a ground inspection of your roof and if you feel there are any issues be sure to call a professional for further inspection. Also check for any paint failure on fascia as well as damaged flashing. Lastly be sure to inspect your gutters and downspouts for any damage.
  • Is the interior of your home insulated? This can cut back on heating and air conditioning bills greatly!
  • It’s time to change the direction of your ceiling fans!
  • Change or clean your air conditioner filter and check all hose connections and drain pans. It will definitely be put to work this summer! Any questions or concerns be sure to call a professional.
  • Vacuum out dust from the vents around your house and air returns.
  • Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are in proper working order.
  • Check your deck for any warped, loose or splintered boards. Experts say decks should be cleaned at least once a year to help extend their life

Thanks to Bob Vila at www.bobvilla.com for the inspiration for these great home maintenance tips.