Tag Archives: House Painters

Some professional paint companies specialize in only one type of painting. They may tailor their services and expertise to home painting – both indoors and out – or they may cater to the ‘business crowd’. Now, this could include any type of commercial property that is not limited only to companies but other areas such as government buildings or establishments. Hotels, hospitals, theaters and other forms of public structures may all fall under the heading of commercial painting.

But, is there a difference between residential and commercial painting and painters? There are a few and it helps to understand them before hiring a paint company!

• Residential painters generally focus on smaller structures. That may be the indoors or outdoors of a single-family home or buildings on the grounds – such as a garage or a shed. These painters are usually well-versed in the amount of paint that will be needed to complete the covering of a single room or the entire surface of the indoors of a home. They will be equally knowledgeable about what is needed to cover the home’s exterior.

Residential painters should also have an expertise in paint-prepping the interior and/or exterior surfaces of the house as well. For example, residential painters will suggest the best times to paint, the types of coverings required to ensure the paint does not damage any of the interior parts of the home such as the floors or furniture – and the exterior – such as shrubs or driveway.

• Commercial paint companies also understand scale – but to a much greater degree. Commercial paint jobs fall under the category of ‘projects’ or ‘project management’ and the commercial painter may be working in collaboration or coordination with other building professionals such as plumbers, electricians or architects.

So, before making a decision about the type of painter you require for your particular job – look at the job and ask yourself what type of painter you think you would need knowing the expertise of each?

You should understand that commercial painters may very well be willing to work on a residential job. If this is the road you decide to travel in painting your home, you should be confident they understand ‘scalability’ is the key to its completion. You do not want to hire a company that is used to thinking in such large quantities they are not able to tailor it to a small scale…and vice versa!

Ultimately, you want the best paint company for the job so do your homework! Interview, review and then hire! For more information on residential and commercial painting contact the experts at University Painters, Inc.

There are many differences between staining an item or painting it. First, the chemical makeup of paint and wood stains is distinctly different as are the circumstances of their use. The choice of either for interior and exterior use will depend on the type of wood it is intended to cover. Rough surfaces will look better with stain while smooth surfaces will look better with paint.

There are similarities in paint and wood stains. For instance, both can be either oil or water-based. Stains also come in gel form as well. Oil based stains are less environmentally friendly but if you are staining indoors it is important to ensure you have ample ventilation (which, of course, is important when painting indoors also).

Relatively new to the marketplace are gel stains. This type of stain is the consistency of a thick paste, so it does not penetrate into the wood like thinner stains or paint. The advantage of this stain type is that the natural wood grain tends to shine through more clearly and without blotches – which often occurs with oil and water-based stains. Finally, stains enhance a wood-look where paints can change the mood and color completely.

Paint is mostly oil-based or latex. Oil-based paints are most often used for interior paintings while latex is the preferred type of paint for a home’s exterior. The reason for this is that latex paint resists fading and is also weather-resistant in all types of climates.

There are other differences in paint and stain as well. Stain soaks into the wood while paint acts as a film that lays atop it. Too, paint is much more expensive than a stain. Surfaces that are going to be painted generally need to be primed in advance which is extra time and effort. Staining a surface requires little to no preparation. Stains also act to enhance the substrate (surface) and accent the fact that it is a wood surface. Paint provides an altogether different outcome.

Finally, stains are easier to maintain. That does not mean they last any longer because there is no evidence of that. Stained exteriors, fences, furniture or other materials will require regular maintenance the same as if an item has been painted. Latex is generally preferred for exterior painting because it weathers better than oil-based paint and is more resistant to fading and chalking.  Latex paint is preferred for all climates, but particularly for harsh climates found in all parts of the country. 

Keep these things in mind when you begin to plan upgrades to the interior or exterior of your home. Don’t hesitate to contact the experts at University Painters, Inc. for all your painting needs!

Today’s consumers are more aware than ever of the impact their decisions have on the environment. For decades, Americans have been painting the interiors and exteriors of their homes with ‘abandon’ and frankly little thought about how that excess paint will affect everything from landfills to the water table. In this blog we will offer some brief insight into the subject and hopefully leave the discerning homeowner better prepared to make ecologically sound decisions!

It should come as no surprise that the ingredients in most interior and exterior paints are toxic. Paints and stains may contain lead, petroleum and a variety of other unhealthy materials that can have long-lasting and unexpected outcomes. Science has labeled these paint ingredients as VOCs or volatile organic compounds. This means the chemicals evaporate fairly quickly at room temperature. While this is advantageous in the short term, anyone who has been around a freshly painted indoor or outdoor area can attest to the fact that the ‘fresh paint’ smell lasts for a few weeks. It can have negative short and long-term health impacts. Water-based paints will have a significantly less negative impact, but they are not entirely environmentally safe.

All types of paint are classified as ‘chemical waste’ and must be disposed of accordingly. It is important to take the time to understand the various types of paint and their chemical makeup in advance of its purchase. The best advice is to buy paints with the lowest VOC possible – there are even paint companies that claim to make 100% eco-friendly indoor and outdoor paints.

If you want to be environmentally aware then another suggestion is to buy only the amount of paint you need. Often people overbuy and then are left with the decision of what to do with the excess paint. Unfortunately, the decisions they make are generally not supportive of the environment.

Other ways to minimize your impact on the environment when painting or staining your home is to properly store the paint then reuse or recycle it in the future. By placing plastic wrap securely over the top of the paint can before tightly securing the lid, you are creating a seal that will keep the paint fresh and usable.

Finally, if you are unsure of what to do with excess paint or stain, contact your industrial waste specialists in the area. They will be happy to help.

Want a fresh and environmentally sound look to your home? Contact University Painters, Inc.