Why hire a Professional Painter?

Painting a home is among the most common of ‘Do It Yourself’ (DIY) projects. After all, what you need is just the paint, brushes and rollers to do the job yourself. Why should you pay a professional for doing something you can manage yourself? While that is partially true, there are other factors that you need to consider.

It may not be rocket science, but …

Will you be able to mix shades correctly to get the color you want? Do you know what type of paint is right for the surface you want to paint? Are you sure that you have prepared the wall correctly? Are you certain that you want to take on the physical stress and strain of doing the job? Have you kept the post-painting cleanup hassles in mind? Is your answer to any of these questions “No” or “Maybe”? Then think twice about doing the job yourself.

The finish is everything

The final look of the finished surface determines how good the painting is. Using the best quality paints is good. Having the right tools is essential. But nothing can replace the experience and expertise of a professional painter when it comes to quality. That’s the difference between a “Nice” wall and a “Wow” wall. You are not going to paint your home every year. So why should you settle for a ‘nice’ job when you can get a greater one?

It’s not the tools; it’s how you use them

Painting requires ladders, scaffolds, brushes, rollers and other tools. You can rent them when you do painting on your own. But are you sure you know how to use them correctly? Will you be safe on the ladder or scaffold? Painting is like driving a car – the more you do it, the better you are. Only a professional painter who does the job everyday will have the skills to ensure that the quality of the painting is what it should be.

Preparation is critical

The quality of the final finish depends as much, if not more, on the preparation of the surface. A professional knows well how to scrape the walls, remove spots and stains and get a completely smooth surface that will ensure a perfect finish.

DIY is not cheap

A professional painter will be able to do a job that will last for years. That means the repainting costs over time is reduced. They also know exactly how to mix paints to get the maximum coverage from each can.  Professionals will do a great job using much less paint than you would. Don’t forget to add the cost of equipment rental to your DIY budget. Painters have their own equipment. Put all these factors together, and you will realize that the real cost of using a professional painting company is not as high as you may think.

Cleaning up is a real pain

Post-painting cleaning is indeed an irksome hassle. The professionals will make less of a mess, as complete cleanup is part of their job. Besides the actual labor of the cleanup, your time has value. Have you factored this in when thinking of doing painting on your own?

Think about it

You want your home to look its best, don’t you? Then you have to consider seriously all these issues. Don’t you feel hiring a professional painting and finishing company to do the job does make a lot of sense, in many ways? Contact a company with the skill, experience and ability to paint your home the way you want it to be painted. All you need to do then is just to sit back and enjoy the new look.

What You Need to Know about Venetian Plaster

Venetian plaster is a finish that is becoming increasingly popular among Bay Area homeowners. If you fancy this finish for your home, some myths about it in the air should be dispelled first, to ensure that you make your decision for the right reasons.

Myth 1:  It is a faux finish

It is not a faux finish. It is quite the opposite. Venetian plaster is among the most authentic wall veneers available. It is also very strong. Natural lime based Venetian plaster will, in time, return to its original state of marble and lime. In other words, it sets like and has the strength of stone.

Myth 2 – It cannot be applied on surfaces that get wet

Venetian plaster is called so, because it derives from Venice and there are very few places in the world that have more surfaces exposed to water than this ancient Italian city.  Venetian plaster remains unaffected by the rising damp caused by the canals and lagoons of the city. In such conditions, acrylic and cement plaster will usually fail, but  Venetian plaster does not. The reason for the strength of the latter is its lime base. Plasters like this allow water that is absorbed to evaporate rapidly and leave the surface. Lime based plasters have been used in wet conditions for centuries. Traditional Moroccan lime plaster is used in the traditional steam baths,  which have one of the most humid conditions imaginable.

Myth 3 – It is very shiny

This is partly true. Venetian plaster can be finished to a high sheen. This is done by compressing the plaster as it dries. The greater the compression, the more the shine. However, it can also have a satin or matte finish. It depends on the mixture of the materials used to make the plaster and the application process. The look you get is up to you.

Myth 4 – It is very expensive

Again, this is only partly true. The advantage of Venetian plaster is that it lasts far longer than other finishes, which fade, crack and peel over time, requiring fresh coats to be applied every few years. Venetian plaster is self-healing, which makes it crack resistant. It has a natural mold resistant quality which gives it  a fresh and new look for many years. Besides the advantage of cost, there is another positive factor to be considered – the environmental advantage. Venetian plaster is a green product and is an integral part of modern green constructions.

The best way to ensure that your home looks the way you want it to is to consult a company that specializes in interior and exterior finishes. They will be able to guide you on the pros and cons of the various options. They will provide you with the advice you need to make decisions that will give you the home of your dreams. Look for a company that has the right track record and testimonials to back its claims of excellence and a reputation for building strong client relationships. You can always depend on such a company.

Choosing Wood Finishes for Your Home

The finish that is given to wood is as important as the wood itself in terms of how it looks and how durable it is.  Painting does the same thing viz., covering the wood, while finishing brings out its innate beauty. The type of wood you use in your home is a matter of personal taste. That being said, the type of finish that is applied can add to its luster and appeal.

There are two basic types of wood finishes – those that penetrate the wood and those that form a film over the surface. Here is a brief outline of the 

types of finishes you can consider.

Varnish

Varnish is a protective coating given to wood. It is tough and long lasting and can be either transparent or colored. Both high gloss and matte finishes are available. There are different types of varnishes for interior and exterior use. Depending on where it is used, multiple coats may be required.

Stain

Stain soaks into wood and bonds with it. It is generally used to give a decorative finish. Some stains, in addition, can preserve wood.  Stains are of two types – oil- or water- The choice depends on whether the finish is for an interior or exterior surface. It provides a true color only if it is applied to clean bare wood, with no other finish or paint. Stains can be used both indoors and outdoors. Several coats may be required to get the desired effect.

Dye

Dye is used to even out shade variations and give a more uniform look. Dyes can be mixed to match the existing wood color and to highlight shades. Dyes give a matte finish and, with some exceptions, are generally used only for interior woodwork. However, a coat of varnish can be applied to dyed wood to provide for extra protection if required. Here too, multiple coats may be required to get the right look.

Wax

Wax is a decorative finish which nourishes and protects wood. It cannot be applied to a sealed surface or where another finish has been used; the exception is a dye, where the wax will act to protect the colors. Because it is delicate, it can be used for interior surfaces only, and it needs regular maintenance. It can be polished to a high gloss. Multiple coats are required to get a smooth shiny surface.

Oil

Oil is a finish that nourishes and protects the wood it is applied to. It can not penetrate unsealed surfaces. However, the protection it can give lasts even after the surface sheen has worn away. A low to mid-level sheen can be achieved, depending on the amount of buffing done. Depending on where it is used, a yearly recoating may be required. Oil finishes are not recommended for places where there is any fire risk because they are highly inflammable.

Talk to a wood finishing professional about the wooden surfaces in your home that need to be coated wih wood finish and the type of look you love to achieve. You will be able to consider the best options available.

Paint Finishes: 5 Kinds and Their Uses You Should Know

Anyone can paint a wall. But painting a wall to give your home the finish you want is another matter – a cherished matter. The type of paint finish affects the way the color looks, how best it suits a background, how much maintenance it will need and how long it will last. Here are the main paint finish types and rules of thumb on their use in your home.

Flat 

Flat paint (also known as matte finish) does not reflect light and is the least shiny of all paints. The low reflectivity means that it is best used on walls that have defects like uneven surfaces and small cracks.  It will hide these imperfections. Because it can be applied smoothly on rough surfaces, it is a good option for textured walls. It suits Living room, Dining room, Bedrooms, Ceilings, Family room and Hallways. The downside of this finish is that it is more difficult to clean; so it should not be used in high traffic areas like bathrooms and kitchens where frequent cleaning is required.

Eggshell

Eggshell finish offers more luster than a flat finish, without looking shiny. It is best used in rooms that require a light open look without being too bright. It is also easier to clean: most stains can be removed by wiping with a wet cloth. This finish is often used in low traffic areas like Living room, Dining room, Bedrooms, Foyer, Family room, Hallways and Kitchen Trim.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss finish is what the name suggests, paint with a medium shine. The higher reflectivity means that any imperfections in the wall will stand out; so a smooth flat surface has to be prepared before it is applied. This finish is reasonably tough and will stand up to a lot of wear and is easy to clean. It is commonly used for children’s rooms and kitchens. It is also a popular choice for Bathrooms, Cabinets, Molding, Hallway, Doors and Trims.

Gloss

Highly reflective gloss paint is mostly used for door and window trim. The hard and shiny finish adds to the look of the wood. These are areas that need frequent cleaning. The toughness and stain resistant nature of this finish makes it easy to maintain. It can be used for walls in a room that need a glamorous modern look and for Trim, Woodwork, Molding, Doors, Cabinets, Kitchen and Bathrooms.

Satin

As it can be wiped clean, it provides an elegant finish. It is best suited for more active rooms. It can be used indoors or outdoors. Suggested areas include Family room, Playroom, Laundry room, Kitchen, Guest bathroom, Dining room, and Children’s bedroom, Trim, Shutters and Doors.

There are no set rules about what type of paint finish should be used where. It’s your home and the choice is yours. Keep in mind that the size and shape of a room, the furniture in it, the amount of natural light and type of artificial light all affect the final look of the colors. A professional paint finishing company will be able to help you get the look you want for your home.

Did you find these ideas useful? Leave a comment. Tell us what you would like to read further.

More in our next post.

Choosing Colors: 5 Common Pitfalls You Should Avoid

Choosing colors for your home is not easy. Matching colors and finishes with use and aesthetics is indeed a challenge. Everyone in the family may have conflicting individual opinions and preferences. The best way to begin a painting project may perhaps be to ask first ‘How NOT to choose?’, rather than ‘How to choose?’  Such a question brings into focus the common mistakes people often make when painting homes. Here are 5 Common Pitfalls which are avoidable and which you should avoid.

Ignore NOT the effect of light

The amount of natural light differs from room to room. So too do shadows and artificial light. Get applied to a wall a brush stroke of the paint you think would be good. See how it looks during the day and at night. If the effect is not what you wanted, tell the professional painter why you don’t like it. Ask for expert suggestion, apply a brush stroke of the new paint and see whether you like it now.

Choose NOT the paint color first

The second common pitfall to avoid is to paint a room first, and then go for matching fabrics and furnishings. The right way would just be the opposite. Choose first the fabrics and furnishings you love. Then choose from myriad paint colors, shades and finishes to make alive the fabrics and furnishings, walls, ceiling and the floors.

Attempt NOT a medley of colors

We expect a home painted in different bright colors to be dazzling. But in reality it can turn out to be gaudy, and give a bizarre look. The more the colors used, the greater the possibility of their mismatch with spaces, furnishings and fabrics. Generally, no more than one or two primary colors along with a couple of secondary accents would just be fine.

Curb NOT experimentation

It is not safe to be too safe either. It’s your home: it should be painted the way you want it, not the way others want it. Don’t be afraid to be unconventional; experimentation leading to elation should be given due weight. Blue walls with bright red drapes may appear horrible, but not monotonous. Try out samples of fabrics and furnishings against samples of wall colors and finishes to see what pleases your eyes and what doesn’t.

Neglect NOT the focus of use

The prime use of a room dictates its color choice. A teenager’s room should reflect buoyant dynamism. It demands brighter and more colors than in other rooms. But those colors will not go with the unostentatious ambience of a study, library or home office.

In a word, the paint colors and finishes you choose for your home should reflect your family’s style.  They should promote your emotional well-being. Your likes and preferences dictate your choices; coupled with the expertise of a professional painting company, your dream of a snug, cozy home comes true.

Did you find these tips useful? Leave a comment. Tell us what you would like to read further.

More in our next post.