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house painting jobs,exterior painting
Written by Colleen Kalil

Tips For Perfect Exterior Paint Jobs

The first thing that guests notice when they arrive at your house is the appearance of your home. They may notice if the structure is leaning or if the yard is unkempt. One thing that most people will notice, however, is the paint job. They can easily see the color of your house and notice if the paint has chipped. People can also tell whether or not the paint job was handled by a professional. These are some of the reasons why homeowners should take the exterior paint job on their home seriously. Here are some tips that can guarantee perfect exterior paint jobs:

Clean And Prepare The Surface

Paint will not adhere well to dirty surfaces so all walls and surfaces must be cleaned before coating them with paint. To ensure that the new paint job will last long, give your house a good power wash prior to the arrival of the painting contractor.

Choose A Neutral Color

Most professional exterior painters recommend that you choose neutral colors for your home. Neutral colors are easy on the eyes and if you’re planning to put your house up for sale or rent it out, a neutral color makes it less likely that buyers and renters will complain about your color choice.

Don’t Forget To Paint The Trims And Doors

Do not forget to include the trims and doors in your home’s paint makeover. If you are hiring a professional painter, ask if painting the trims and doors is included in their painting service.

Hire A Professional Painter

You can paint your exterior yourself but hiring a professional painter gives you a hassle-free guarantee that your home will look its best once the job is done. Professionals know the best colors to use and already have the tools required for the job.

Be selective when it comes to hiring a painting contractor. Remember that you always get what you pay for. Hiring the cheapest painting contractor in town may initially save you money, but a bad painting job can end up costing more in the long run when hiring another contractor to fix the job.

Do a background check of the painting companies you consider for the job. The best way to do this is to ask for feedback from friends and family members who have hired them in the past. You can also ask the company for references you can contact.

University Painters has been providing professional painting services for more than three decades. Our experience and reputation in the industry can guarantee the quality of services we provide. Contact us now to get a free estimate.

painting contractor. house painting
Written by Colleen Kalil

Signs That Tell You It Is Time To Repaint Your Home

Painting your house goes beyond aesthetics. A good painting job can protect your home from outdoor elements, as well as preserve its value, but how do you know that your house needs a new coat of paint? Here are four signs that can tell you it is time to repaint your home:

Fading Color

A fading paint color, because of prolonged exposure to elements such as water and sunlight, indicates your house needs repainting. The loss of paint color does not only affect the paint pigments but also the molecular structure of the coatings. This means that when exterior surfaces start to look dull and washed out, the paint film is already deteriorating.

Colors fade progressively, so it may be difficult to identify how much fading has occurred. One way of determining the degree of fading is to compare the existing paint film against the original sample or leftover paint. Houses that use bold and darker shades tend to fade more quickly than those painted with light colors.

Chalky Residues

Color fading is sometimes caused by chalky residue. Excessive chalking can erode the paint film until it can no longer provide an effective barrier against harmful elements. If you find any chalky residue on the surface of your wall, consider it a sign that it is time to call a painting contractor to repaint your home.

Cracking And Peeling Paint

Areas where the paint has cracked or peeled off will continue to deteriorate if the problem is not addressed immediately. This results in the surface being exposed to potentially damaging water, moisture and heat.

Paint film that is flaking off can likewise no longer protect the structural elements of your home, resulting in the bare wood being exposed to wood-destroying fungi that can jeopardize the structure of your home.

Mold and Water Stains

Mold, mildew and water stains are not just unsightly. They are also symptoms of bigger issues and pose potential health hazards. You need to use the right chemicals to get rid of the mildew and mold. Painting over areas with mold spores will only make the problem worse. A professional painter will know how to address this issue. Make sure to contact an expert if your walls have unsightly molds.

University Painters can help you with home repainting. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

exterior painting, home painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

Preparing Your Home For An Exterior Paint Job

Nearly half of the painting process for painting the exterior of your home is preparation, so make sure to follow these steps to guarantee that the exterior paint will look great and last.

Wash Your Home’s Exterior

Wash your house’s exterior from top to bottom prior to having it painted. A thoroughly washed surface can maximize the adhesion of the new paint to the exterior surfaces. Consider renting a power pressure washer, which can save you hours of time and effort you would otherwise spend with hand washing. You can wash your exterior with regular tap water; use clean additives only when there is mold and heavy stains. Allow your home to dry for at least one day prior to having it painted.

Make Repairs

Paint isn’t the solution to damaged or rotten surfaces of your home. It will only cover the unsightly marks. Repair any damaged areas of your home first prior to painting it. You may do this on your own but there are instances when you have to seek help from a carpenter or a handyman. Get professional help when the job calls for replacement or repairs of crucial parts of your house, such as stairs or overhangs.

Trim Nearby Plants And Trees

Be sure to trim the trees, plants and bushes close to your home before getting your exterior painted. This will provide enough space to work outside around the house without the painters having to brush off branches and thorns that can potentially injure them. Trimming plants that are in close contact to your home can also prevent foliage from hitting the wet paint once applied.

Scrape Away Flaking Paint

After washing your home’s exterior, you need to scrap and sand away any loose paint. Taking off this old flaking paint may involve a lot of work but this is a crucial step. The condition of the surface that needs to be painted will determine the success of the project.

Houses built before 1978 may also have lead paint, so scraping and sanding the exteriors of these homes need to be done with care.

Prepping your home prior to a painting job will require a lot of work. Fortunately, these tasks can be included in your painting project when you hire a professional. This can help you save a great deal of time, effort and money. Contact us here at University Painters for professional painting services.

interior painting,House Painting Pressure Washing
Written by Colleen Kalil

How To Prepare Your Home For An Interior Paint Job

Hiring a professional can save you the hassles of painting the interior of your home yourself.  All you have to do is sit back and relax while the painter does the hard work for you. If you want things to get done faster, however, here are some things you can do prior to the arrival of the painting service contractor:

Remove Hangings On The Wall

If you have framed wall decorations, pictures and mirrors hanging on the wall, take them down before the painter arrives. This will not only expedite the painting process but moving these valuables out of the way can also protect them from accidental damage. 

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House Painter Exterior Painting
Written by Colleen Kalil

Benefits Of Exterior Painting You May Not Be Aware Of

People paint the exterior of their house primarily for aesthetic purposes and to increase the value of their home but there is more to giving your house a colorful touch-up. Here are some other benefits of exterior painting:

Protects Your Home From Harsh Weather

Your home is constantly exposed to extreme temperatures and the damaging elements that they bring. A fresh protective coating serves as a barrier that can protect your residence from an extremely cold winter and a hot summer. 

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painters, painting interior, services
Written by Colleen Kalil

Avoid These Mistakes People Make When Choosing Paint Colors

It is crucial to make an educated choice when selecting paint colors for your home. You do not want to live in a home with colors that are either too boring or too overwhelming. Make sure to avoid the following mistakes people often make when choosing paint colors:

Failing To Take The Furniture And Decor Into Consideration

It isn’t a good idea to choose a paint color simply because it is your favorite hue. Consider all the elements in a room or your house when choosing a paint color. You do not want a paint color that clashes with your couch or favorite painting.

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Interior painting, Home painters,, repairs
Written by Colleen Kalil

Most Common Causes Of Peeling Paint

Paint may start to peel off of interior walls or exterior surfaces of your home regardless of when it was applied. Here are some possible causes and how you can fix the problem:

Poor Adhesion

Paint will start to peel off when it does not adhere properly to the surface underneath it. This happens when the wall was not cleaned and primed correctly.

Mildew, oil, dirt and dust need to be thoroughly removed before painting. If you are painting a wall covered in old paint with a glossy finish, you must use an abrasive cleanser to clean and dull the wall to improve adhesion. If you are painting over a wall with an existing paint type, you need to choose the same type of paint. Oil, latex and water-based paints do not mix well together.

Moisture

The paint will not dry correctly if it is applied to a damp surface. This can lead to premature peeling of paint.

Paint That Has Gone Bad

Peeling can happen if the paint used has already gone bad. Latex paints may no longer be usable when they are left stored in open containers in the garage. They start to develop a strong odor and leave a rough finish on the surfaces that can cause peeling. Cheap paints may also fail and peel sooner compared with higher-end paints.

New Wood

New wood has natural oils that can cause paint to peel off regardless if the wood appears dry when you paint it. Cedar is particularly susceptible to this. Wood that was not properly cured may contain too much moisture.

A wall with peeling paint is an eyesore, as well as a health risk, since areas in your home with flaking paints can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mildew. Ensure you make the necessary repairs as soon as possible.

Fixing peeling paint requires removal of the chipped paint, use of a patching compound, sanding, then use of an oil-based primer.  An easier option to repairing peeling paint is to entrust the job to an experienced professional.

University Painters can help fix peeling paint in your home. Our expert painters can remove old and peeling paint layers then repaint the surfaces using tried and tested techniques that can prevent peeling from happening again. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you repair peeling paints in your home.

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Painting Jobs, Home painters
Written by Colleen Kalil

Choosing The Right Paint Colors For Your Home

People often have a hard time picking out paint colors. Colors can transform your house into a home but the challenge for most homeowners is having to choose from thousands of available colors and picking the perfect one. Should you choose a dark or light color? Cool or warm? Neutral or bold? Here are some tips to help you pick out the perfect paint color:

Consider The Location Of The Room

There are several questions that you need to answer when choosing colors for particular spaces in your home. What is the purpose of the room you want to paint? Will the room serve as a dining area where you plan to entertain guests and spend time with your family every night for dinner? Will it be a laundry room, or will it be the master bedroom that will serve as your sanctuary after a busy day at work?

Different colors have different impacts. A pale blue, for instance, helps you feel relaxed so it is often painted in the bedroom. A bright color, on the other hand, can make you feel more active so you can use it in a work area.

Pick A Color Palette

Once you know the purpose of the space and what you want yourself and others to feel in this particular room, it is time to pick a color palette. Look around you. You should pick a color that goes well with everything in your room, You can also choose the color first then work around this color by accessorizing with curtains, decors and painted furniture.

See The Colors In Action

It is a good idea to give your colors a test before you proceed with the painting job. Paint the colors you’re considering onto white poster boards and place these next to your furniture, carpet and cabinets. Move the poster boards to different places in the room and look for color undertones at night in artificial lighting, during the day with natural lighting, and during rainy days.

Once you have chosen the colors for your home, be sure to choose a professional to perform the paint job for you. Feel free to contact us at University Painters to learn more about the house painting jobs we provide.

Home painter, interior painting
Written by Josh Jablon

How To Change The Size And Shape Of A Room Using Paint Colors

Paint colors can affect the way we see a particular space. Wall colors, for instance, can change how we perceive a room’s size and shape; how should you choose and use colors to achieve the effect you want for your home?

Lighter and cooler colors generally tend to recede so they appear farther away. Darker and warmer colors, on the other hand, advance so they appear to move towards us. This basic color concept can be used to paint rooms so they appear larger or smaller, change the room’s shape, and hide the ugly features of the home.

Make A Room Appear Larger Or Smaller

The eyes stop at lines where the color changes and this makes the edges and size of the room more apparent.  Lighter colors allow your eyes to travel continuously around the space so this gives the effect of a room appearing larger.

Using different colors make it easier to see boundaries and this can make small rooms appear smaller. You cannot easily see boundaries when the same color is used creating an illusion that the space continues.

Make The Room Feel More Spacious

If the room is very large, a ceiling with a darker color than the walls can make it appear lower and thus make the room feel cozier. If a space makes you claustrophobic, then paint the ceiling a lighter color to raise its apparent height and make the room feel more spacious.

Alter The Shape Of The Room

Painting the two short walls in a long room with a shade darker than the main wall color will make the room appear more of a square shape. For those with large, bare walls, you can break up the space with molding above and below. Paint the bottom with a darker color than the one above to ground the space.

Disguise Unattractive Items

If you have features in the room that you do not want to look at, have these “eyesores” painted in the same color as the walls. This would make them blend in and become less noticeable.

For rooms with lots of angles and architectural features that you want to downplay, try painting all the surfaces the same color.

University Painting can provide you with the house painting services you need to change the size, shape and appearance of your space. Contact us to set an appointment for a free estimate.

Exterior Painting, Carpentry ,Deck Staining
Written by Josh Jablon

5 Ways To Add Color To Your Landscape

Colors that can make your boring outdoor space look extraordinary can come from many sources. Here are some simple ways you can add beautiful hues outside:

Grow Flowering Plants In Containers

A very easy way of adding color to the outdoors is to incorporate flowering plants in containers. The miniature gardens that you make can be easily moved. Hanging flower baskets can also add color outdoors.

Bring In Colorful Pots

You can create a more colorful garden by using plant containers in shades of magenta, blue, orange, purple and red. Pots offer you an opportunity to bring in striking color variations to your outdoor space. You can pair colorful containers with plants that are prized for their foliage such as succulents, hostas and herbs. Using colorful containers can also incorporate colors to shady areas where flowers do not usually grow.

Use Colorful Outdoor Furniture

Tables and sitting areas often serve as the focal point in the landscape, making them an ideal place to add color. One way to do this inexpensively is to trade in the tan and brown cushions for ones with eye-catching colors. You may also consider adding colorful pillows to your seat cushions.

Use Garden Art

Outdoor decors such as mosaic art, colorful stepping stones and Talavera pottery can handle weather extremes outside of your home while adding interest to your landscape. A mural can also brighten up a bare outdoor wall. You may also want to add some decorative tiles. Tiles come in different colors and designs so they make a great material for adding color to outdoor structures such as kitchen countertops, stairs and water features.

Paint A Wall With An Eye-Catching Color

Painting a wall is a fun way of infusing rich hues into your landscape. Some homeowners’ associations may not allow brightly colored walls on building exteriors but you can opt for painting parts of the landscape that are not visible from the road.

When selecting a paint color, go for one that complements the surrounding area, which includes the plants and the outdoor furniture. You can use a color wheel if you need help deciding between a complementary or analogous color.

An experienced painting service contractor can give your wall a new color with a smooth finish, as well as provide you with inputs when it comes to choosing the right hues for your landscape. University Painters will be happy to provide you with professional painting services. Contact us today to get a free estimate.

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