Tag Archive for: Paint Colors

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Oil-based paints have excellent qualities of adherence, which is essential for a durable outdoor paint product.  Their main disadvantage is brittleness that can lead to cracking.

Even with this drawback, oil-based outdoor paint is the desired formulation under two circumstances.  The first has to do with an exterior surface that is heavy with chalking.  The second issue crops up when the new oil-based paint is being applied over four or more layers of old oil-based paint.  In both instances, only the oil-based paint should be used.

Oil-based paints should never be applied directly to unpainted masonry or galvanized iron.  The paint fails rapidly on these surfaces.

Any messes incurred with oil-based paints demand that they be cleaned up with paint thinner and rags.  The brushes and rollers must also be soaked in thinner until completely free of paint in order to be reused.  Unlike water, paint thinner has a very strong odor and the thinner-soaked rags used for cleanup must be properly disposed of as paint thinner is highly flammable.

Repainting an exterior requires much research into the outdoor paint type and color as the project will make asherwinwilliamspaintbrushca significant dent in the budget.  The results must not only be visually appealing, but that visual appeal must last a long time so the process does not have to be repeated in a few years.  Choosing the right type of paint for the job may be the most important consideration of all in terms of durability.

The New England states are fortunate to have a rich mix of historical homes, traditional homes and homes featuring the most modern designs and amenities.  Homeowners there need professional advice before considering repainting their exterior.  Here at United Home Experts, our team can advise you on the nature of their existing surface and how to properly deal with it.

For more detailed information and free estimates, contact the United Home Experts. For our main painting page, click here!

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Is It Time to Repaint the Outside of The House?

The outside of a home is one of the first things guests see when they come for a visit, and it might be the only part of the home that people passing on the street might see. As they say, first impressions are everything, so homeowners will most certainly want to make sure that their homes look their best from the outside.

Repainting outdoors can have a very dramatic effect on a home’s curb appeal. Many people live in a house for years without ever refreshing the paint on the outside – either because they don’t think it needs it, or because they don’t know the best way to go about it. The fact is, though, that there are some times when the outside of a house really needs to be repainted.

If the exterior paint is stained, chipped or fading, paint repair is definitely in order. Exterior paint damage can lead 2to further damage to the home’s wood structure, and even internal damage to the home itself. Faulty paint can ultimately lead to a number of more serious issues for homeowners. Anyone who is unsure of whether the outside of their house needs to be repainted or not should consult with the professionals at United Home Experts.

Tips for Repainting the Home’s Exterior

After the decision is made to repaint the exterior of the home, the first thing many homeowners will want to do is pick a color for the exterior. Sherwin-Williams has a wide variety of outdoor paints that come in a number of different colors. All these color choices can be daunting for the inexperienced home remodeler. Again, a meeting with the United Home Experts should help any homeowner clarify their home’s needs.

Before repainting, the surface will need to be brushed free of dirt and debris, smoothed, and primed. In addition to paint colors, Sherwin-Williams has a good selection of exterior paint primers that can be tinted to match whatever shade is chosen for the job. Before priming is done, however, it will be necessary to remove any existing paint on the exterior surface of the house.

The homeowner will also need to make determinations regarding how they want to be apply the paint. Brushes are better for small detail work, while sprayers are obviously better for larger surfaces.  Rollers can also be useful for outdoor painting because they come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

There are many more things that need to be taken into consideration before a repainting effort is made. Somepaintrollerwhite-resized-600 seasons of the year are better than others for painting outdoors. Fall, for example, is a great time for painting outside because the paint needs outside dry time to cure. Rain and humidity should be avoided at all costs. Also, there is the issue of whether or not the homeowner knows how to add aluminum wedges to improve air circulation to prevent moisture problems.

First-time homeowners should not attempt to paint the exterior of their homes by themselves. For more detailed information and free estimates, contact the United Home Experts. For our main painting page,click here!

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Is It Time to Repaint?

There is nothing quite as important to a home’s interior decorating scheme as indoor paint. Repainting a room can have a dramatic effect on the overall appearance and feel of a home. Many people live in a house for years without ever repainting indoors  –  either because they just don’t think it needs it, or because they don’t know the best way to do it.

When is the best time to repaint? It really depends on the individual and the situation. If interior paint is stained, chipped or fading, it is definitely time to consider a change. But what if the interior paint isn’t damaged in some way? How can the informed homeowner know when it is time (and when it is not) to repaint?

Quite simply, if the paint color on the walls is beginning to look dull or boring or (even worse) is getting on the PeelingPainthomeowner’s last nerve, this is a very good indication that a change in color is in order. If the home is going to put on the market in the very near future, a fresh coat of paint can enhance the presentation of the house and make it that much easier to sell. Basically, the decision for such a change in the event that no actual paint damage has occurred is up to the individual homeowner. Anyone who is unsure of whether they need to repaint their home would do well to consult with the professionals at United Home Experts.

How to Repaint

After the decision is made to repaint indoors, the first thing that will need to be decided upon is the color of the room or the section to be painted. Many people stick with either white or off-white because they become too nervous about painting their space a color they will end up hating. This is really an unnecessary worry because repainting is not a very difficult task. Again, speaking with the United Home Experts should put any fears to rest.

Paint texture should also be taken into consideration. For example, flat paints work best on ceilings where there is gallery01-resized-600not as much risk of staining and less gloss is desired. High gloss paints work best in children’s rooms and other high traffic areas because they are easier to clean and more stain-resistant. Sherwin-Williams has an amazing selection of paints of various styles in many different shades, and most of these can be custom made according to the homeowners’ desires.

Before repainting, the surface will need to be sanded, smoothed, and primed. Sherwin-Williams also has a variety of indoor primers that can be tinted to match whatever shade is chosen for the job.  The homeowner will also need to make determinations regarding how they want the paint to be applied. Brushes are better for small detail work, while rollers and sprayers are obviously better for larger surfaces.

There are several other things that need to be taken into consideration before a repainting effort is made. Some PaintPreparationseasons of the years are better than others. Also, homeowners will have to make determinations as to whether they want to remove furniture completely (if repainting whole rooms) or just shift it from one part of the room to another (if repainting only a section). These questions and many more can be answered by the United Home Experts. For our main painting page, click here!

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No industry, including the painting trade, can afford to stand still for long. One of the few constants is that everything changes. While many factors, some seemingly obscure, affect the public’s color choices and painting trends in indoor paint for the year, the one thing that most painting experts agree on is that for the next twelve months the growing strength of the economy and a generally hopeful outlook on the world will spark a resurgence of positivity and forward thinking when it comes to painting trends for 2013. Optimism will be the driving force behind interior color trends in the coming year.

According to Dee Schlotter, national color brand manager of Pittsburgh Paints, 2013 will see a move away from the grays and “depression era” colors of the last few years and into a more open, colorful and vibrant range of indoor paint colors.

So what colors speak of optimism and the search for new horizons? The painting experts at Sherwin Williams, one of the top brands of paint in this country, see pastels as the new trend for 2013. When companies and decorators bspeak of today’s pastels, they are not referring to the ghastly pastels of the 1980s. The pastels for 2013 will be a lot creamier, a lot softer. Lighthearted colors, open and free, are all the rage, reflecting a new sense of calm and innocence.

According to Heartland Bold, the trend for the coming year is “big, bold, bright colors!” For example, a clean blue color with no green is one of the colors that is expected to be big in 2013.

Not every room needs to reflect this new bright and bold outlook. Some muted colors such as creams, beiges and similar introspective colors, and combinations reflecting a desire to gather the family around a safe and comfortable environment, are likely to continue for the next few years. However, the long-term trend in color is toward the brighter, more outgoing shades that reflect a new boldness, an optimistic outlook on life and the world in general.

Many color design specialists see a mixing of light and dark colors in the same room, or in adjoining living spaces cas a possible trend. Such eclectic mixing of colors and moods is emblematic of new-thinking ideas. Combined with paint color trends away from the somber, accent colors will also be much more lively and upbeat in the coming year. Look for trim colors to be lighter and more bold, and look for fabric designers to follow suit, creating pillows and other accent pieces that scream out for attention.

Homeowners who want to take advantage of this new thinking in terms of interior paint should consult the painting experts at United Home Experts. The color experts at UHE are well-versed in all of the latest trends and they carry only the best paints with long-term guarantees. Homeowners in the New England area can count on UHE for free, expert painting advice with no obligation to purchase.

As our country lifts itself out of its economic woes and shakes off the old ways of thinking to embrace a new and brighter future, so, too, is the collective American psyche gearing up for a brighter and more colorful future, a future bright with hope and dreams and – above all – a new optimism that will be reflected in its choice of paint for its living area. Welcome to the optimistic – and bright blue – new world of 2013. For more information about interior painting, visit our main painting page!

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When it comes to decorating a room, everyone wants it to reflect their personality and taste. The color scheme will also make a very noticeable impact on the ambience and feel of the room. There are some design tips for interior painting that are very important and should be followed without fail.When picking out a color, keeping in mind the decor and furniture that will occupy the room surely helps. If the furniture is large and loud, there is a great need to downplay the colors of the wall. If the furniture is simple and sleek, going for classic color schemes like the monochromatic is helpful.

When picking paint samples and deciding on a color scheme, thinking about the color that is one’s favorite andsw-levelbprocolorcollection-resized-600 one that is liked most can be a great start. Seeing the samples and swatches for that color will definitely be the first step in deciding a color. If a blue, green or purple color is chosen, in order to reduce the monotony, the walls can have a graduated tint and each wall can have a different shade of the same color. The colors on the walls can be arranged in descending or ascending order of their intensities and brightness.

Another great color scheme is to pick any two walls or just a single wall and paint it a different color than the rest. When doing this, keeping in mind that the odd color should complement or contrast the colors on the rest of the walls and there should be perfect harmony among the chosen colors.

When picking out paint samples, choosing to make one wall as the focal point. Adding decorative wallpaper, wall decoration or some such accentuating highlight is another way to go. In such a case, making sure that the wallpaper that is chosen complements the patterns on the upholstery and goes perfectly with the color scheme is another of the rules that will make the decor all the more delectable. A section of a single wall is also being painted a different color to demarcate functional boundaries.

A monochromatic color scheme gives a very clean, suave and sophisticated look to the room. When it is coupled with white colored furniture, the pristine look is indeed breathtaking. Adding colorful partitions, paintings and furniture can make the room look lively without having to paint the walls a bright color. If one is not too comfortable with coupling black and white, picking other neutral shades like beige, navy and grey is another great alternative. If only one color is favored, making sure to accentuate key aspects of the room by adding some contrasting and quirky decor is another doable interior painting design.

Choosing paint samples and interior painting can be a walk in a park with friends or family who have excellent tastes and advise nicely about choosing a great color scheme. Also, painting a home and taking the help of family to get the job done will only be a great way to bond, interact and have fun.

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Indoor painting is a job that many homeowners can do themselves, especially if they have at least some painting experience.  Regardless of experience level, it is a good idea for homeowners to consult one of the painting experts at United Home Experts before embarking on a painting project.

Here in the Northeast, United Home Experts is the recognized leader in interior home painting; they can get the job done professionally, or they can provide the homeowner with invaluable indoor painting tips and tools the homeowner needs to do the job him- or herself.

Homeowners are faced with a choice between oil-based paints and latex paints, which are water-based.  In the old days, everyone used oil-based paints for everything, and oil-based paints are certainly an excellent choice.  However, clean-up requires paint thinner or some other solvent and can be time-consuming and messy.

Today’s painter generally opts for water-based latex paints.  As long as walls are thoroughly cleaned before application, latex paints work wonderfully and even have a few other advantages over oil-based options, especially if children are in the house.  For one thing, latex paint cleans up with soap and water.  This is much easier and safer than using a solvent cleaner.  Plus, latex paints (when dry) are much more easily cleaned with a damp cloth, or with just a touch of mild soap.  This can come in especially handy when sticky little hands have made a mess around light switches and door knobs!

One of the first things a homeowner must do is decide approximately how much paint is needed for a job.  Multiply the height of a wall by the length of a wall to get the square feet.  Add all the walls together to determine the total number of square feet that need paint.  Then look on a can of paint to see how many square feet a gallon of paint can cover.  Divide the total number of square feet by the number of square feet covered by each gallon to determine the total number of gallons needed.sherwinwilliamspaintbrushca

If it will take more than a gallon or two to finish painting, get a large bucket  –  say a five-gallon bucket  –  and pour several gallons at a time into the larger bucket and mix thoroughly.  This will help maintain the exact same color throughout the project.  As paint is used, additional gallons are poured into the five gallon bucket and mixed in.  It is an unfortunate truth that blue is not always blue and green is not the exact same shade of green from one can of paint to the next.  They may be close, but not exact.  That might not seem to make a huge difference until the homeowner ends up with a wall with one half painted using one can of robin’s egg sky blue and the other half painted using a can of the same color…only the two colors are just slightly off from each other.  Save the headache  –  mix cans from the beginning.

Wash the walls with a mixture of water and TSP or a mild detergent.  All grease, grime and dirt must be removed in order for the new paint to form a lasting bond with the wall.  Rinse TSP or detergent from the wall with a cloth dipped in clean water (changing the water as often as necessary to keep it clean) and then allow the wall to dry thoroughly before beginning the paint job.

Cut in (that is, paint out four inches from a corner) on one wall at a time and as soon as one wall is cut roll the wall using long strokes, rolling from one side of the wall to the next.  The idea is to avoid lap marks, which are caused when cut-in paint is allowed to fully dry before the rest of the wall is rolled.  Prevent lap marks by always rolling onto a wet edge.

To prevent one color of paint from going to an area where it is not wanted, tape the area using blue painter’s tape.  The real secret to using painter’s tape correctly is to let the paint dry fully before removing the tape.  That should produce a straight and clean painted edge and the blue tape will not leave any adhesive behind, as can happen with other tapes.

Patches in walls need special attention.  Most walls are textured and it is important to texture the patch before painting so that the texture of the patch matches the texture of the surrounding wall.  Cans of spray-on texture can be purchased at paint, hardware stores and home centers. Use sparingly; add more texture as needed until the patch matches the rest of the wall.  Then, because patches absorb paint far more than the rest of the wall will, the patch needs to be primed once the spray-on texture is dry.  Allow the primer to dry fully before painting the wall with the final color.PaintRollerWhite-resized-600

To keep the texture even, it is advisable to roll paint as close to the edge of a wall as possible.  Often this means taping the adjoining wall at a right-angle corner to prevent the edge of the roller from putting paint on the other wall as the roller is brought as close to the cut-in corner as possible.  The reason for this is because a roller adds texture to paint and because the cut-in corner has been painted with a brush, there is no roller-texture next to the wall.  Rolling up close solves this problem.

Cotton makes a better drop cloth than plastic.  While it is true that thin plastic drop cloths are cheaper than cotton, they also do not work nearly as well.  Plastic sticks to shoes and gets twisted and tangles easily, often depositing paint onto carpets or furniture.  Plastic drop cloths are not reusable and cotton ones are.  No need to wash cotton drop cloths; just allow them to dry and use over and over, from one day to the next, one painting project to the next.

If it is not possible to paint into a wet edge for one reason or another, feather the paint out into the wall by several inches to hide the fact that there is a line where the wet paint was placed over dry paint.  By feathering the paint out, using lighter pressure on the roller as the roller moves away from the wall until the roller is lifted off the wall, the line can be hidden to the point that it will go unnoticed.vinyl9500-series_room-scene_interior_4

When painting trim or other wooden surfaces, lightly sand the surface with a fine-grit paper or rub with steel wool between coats of paint.  This will make for a smoother, more professional-looking finish.  Wait until the first coat of paint has thoroughly dried before sanding, then paint with long, smooth strokes, putting an even final coat of paint on the wood.

As with most things, painting technique improves the more one practices it, but even a poor technique can be vastly improved by following the tips in this article.  Before tackling any interior painting job, the homeowner should contact the experts at United Home Experts for professional help and advice.

Choosing the right painting contractors for the job is an extremely important decision for a homeowner. A number of factors must be taken into account, including overall job quality, the time it takes to complete the job, the contractor’s painting experience, past work, and level of professionalism.ujwkmam6

United Home Experts has earned an excellent reputation. To become one of the top quality painters in MA is to combine skill with speed in the most effective way of completing the job. A job should not take so long that it seems the painters will never leave or be completed so quickly the work appears shoddy. These problems can be prevented by setting both the start dates and completion dates in the beginning of the project, based on accurate estimates. Saving time and making accurate time estimates also ensures the project does not cost more money.

The painting contractors must understand the homeowner’s unique needs and job requirements. The main objective is to hire a company with years of experience and plenty of different kinds of clients. The painting company should also have the necessary knowledge, equipment and training needed for the project’s completion according to a customer’s requirements and specifications.

The right painting contractor for the job must have a wide breadth of knowledge for painting many different types of projects, whether the job requires interior painting or exterior painting. Selecting the painting company should not only be based on price, but on experience, knowledge and excellent references.

United Home Experts, one of the top quality painters in MA, will offer plenty of advantages not only to save time and money, but also to create amazing results that go above and beyond the homeowner’s expectations.

There are many reasons to choose a contractor for a painting job. Exterior paint customers require professional help for a variety of reasons, including peeling exterior paint, painting new siding or simply being tired of painting a home’s exterior every few years. An example of an extensive interior painting job for United Home Experts involved painting an entire WCVB TV Channel 5 Concept Home. The bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, living and dining rooms were painted, in addition to the ceilings, woodwork and trim. Great care was taken, down to every last detail.

In addition, years of field experience give the professional painters at United Home Experts the instinctive knowledge for making the right decisions on the job regarding paint color, paint selection and paint quality. sw-levelbprocolorcollection-resized-600

A quality painting contractor understands the importance of an excellent first impression. The colors chosen to paint a home or property have quite an influence over both the homeowners and visitors. Color can be a subtle but immediate way of evoking an emotional reaction. Different spaces require different emotions, such as peaceful in a master bedroom, energetic in a kitchen, or friendly and welcoming as an exterior house color. A professional painter’s excellent eye for detail helps the homeowner choose the best color options for each room or location.

Color is not the only aspect of painting. Paint quality also matters, since it must have a durable and beautiful finish that will last for years. The Sherwin-Williams brand is one of the best. Sherwin-Williams is a trusted name in painting, and the company has been around since the mid-1800s, with millions of satisfied customers.

Plenty of United Home Experts’ testimonials come from past customers in New England states, including Massachusetts, Rhode Island, southern New Hampshire and northern Connecticut. An A+ BBB rating and 5000 satisfied customers can attest to a high level of professionalism. After comparing services with local competitors, the homeowner can make an excellent decision in choosing United Home Experts.

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Discussing with the house painters what color combinations to use in various areas of the house is no easy task.  The number of possibilities is quite daunting that many feel at a loss.  They often wonder where they should start, what works, and whether the completed project will be something they will like.

There are three traditional ways of combining and matching color that has remained effective even in this modern era.  These are monochromatic, analogous, and complementary.  For the latter two, a color wheel is needed.  Aside from these, there is a new way to choose paint color combinations by using fabric one likes as inspiration.

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A monochromatic combination utilizes two or three colors that are different shades of the same hue.  This means that a bold shade of green is combined with a lighter shade of the same color to achieve the monochromatic effect.  This combination gives the room a well-coordinated look and is a favorite among interior designers because of its polished feel.  It is also a nice choice if one is partial to a particular color.

Analogous Combinations

An analogous combination makes use of hues that are found side by side on the color wheel.  These colors are close enough that they create a certain balance between them.  A good example of this is painting one wall gray-green sage and the adjacent wall deep royal blue.  These colors produce a cool ambiance as well as a balanced feel to their pairing.  Analogous combinations that involve colors with red pigments produce a warm atmosphere.

Complementary Combinations

Utilizing hues on opposite sides of the color wheel is how one produces a complementary combination.  Examples of such pairings are yellow and violet, orange and blue, and red and green.  The contrast makes each hue appear more pure as a color.  Instead of clashing, these complementary colors highlight each other and make each other more vibrant.

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A novel way to achieve a more “unique” color combination is to base it on fabrics.  Fabrics that combine more than one hue are already color coordinated.  For instance, upholstery with a rustic color combination can produce the same effect when applied to a room.  What is important when choosing a fabric to use as inspiration is the sentiment it evokes from a person.  This will produce a paint scheme that has a unique and personal connection to those who live in the house.

Conversing With The Experts

Those in the Massachusetts area can contact United Home Experts to talk about their color combination options.  Their expert house painters can explain how well a possible combination will go with the room’s function, the furniture and fabrics that may be found in the room, and the overall impression desired by the client.  They are also excellent at making imagination reality when it comes to paint and its myriad of color combinations.

Generating ideas to paint your New England home is not an easy task.  Many people do not know where to start.  Others may have definite ideas but are unsure whether these ideas will actually be good when the paint has dried on their walls.  Because careful planning is important, here are some tips on how to pick the right colors and hopefully achieve satisfying results.

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Wall Paint Color

Deciding the color of the wall paint is not always easy.  If a new home is to be painted, one needs to imagine how well it will go with the wall’s color.  Repainting the wall with a different color scheme may be somewhat easier but still rather difficult.  This is where color boards come in.  Place the fabric or piece of furniture the room will contain against it and see whether it is pleasing to the eye.

The Color Wheel

Aside from color boards, the color wheel is another excellent aid when making color choices.  Varying shades of color are arranged in such a way that color complements sit on opposite ends of the wheel.  Colors that look warm are close to each other and arranged according to how warm they are.  Across these are those cool colors arranged in a similar manner.  This wheel helps one make color combination choices.

Lighting

Different lighting affects colors in different ways.  Light from an incandescent source will make the colors look warm.  Fluorescent lighting, on the other hand, will make it appear cool.  Natural light will bring out the color’s actual hue.  Thus, if the walls are painted with a strong color, light from the window might make them too bright to the eyes.

Monochrome And Finishes

Painting a room with only one hue does not make it boring.  There are many ways to make it interesting.  One of these is varying the finish.  Surfaces with a satin finish will look different from those with matte finishes.  Warmer shades of the same color can also be paired with those with cooler hues.  Warmer shades are those closer to red, while cooler ones appear to be closer to blue.

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Color in another room affects those in the rooms close to it.  It is important to think about how color flows from one room to another.  For instance, when one opens the door to another room, the color in the room he or she is in appears to be juxtaposed with those in the other room.  If this is not considered, the color may clash and have a jarring effect instead of a flowing one.

Purpose

Rooms have purpose, and the right paint scheme can aid in that purpose.  For instance, areas designed for relaxation can be given a calm and serene air if the colors used are soft, cool, and neutral.  These colors are not intense and contain more blue hues in them.

Talk To Professionals

There are people who are already familiar with how colors, finishes, and function go together.  In the New England area, the experienced professional painters at United Home Experts can provide helpful advice to homeowners’ ideas to paint your New England home.  They can also take these ideas and make them real by providing their clients with professionally painted interiors and exteriors.