Tag Archive for: Painting
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.
Monochromatic Combinations
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.
Fabric-Inspired Combinations
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.
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.
The Flow Of Color
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.
There are many interior painting problems in the Boston area. Two of the more common ones are sagging (also called “running”) and peeling. Here are some of the reasons why they occur and a few simple solutions on how to solve them.
Sagging
Sagging can easily be seen as a drooping or dripping look in the paint. This is often the result of paint being applied too heavily. In 
some cases, it may be because the paint was thinned too much before it was applied. The environment during the application may also be too humid. The simplest cause is the presence of dirt during the time of application.
Based on the causes mentioned, one can conclude that this problem is basically due to a lack of experience on the part of the painter. This can often be seen in do-it-yourself paint jobs where the one applying the paint did not do enough research or have enough expertise. If the paint is still wet, a brush or roller can easily even out the sagging paint. If the paint has dried, light sanding may be necessary and an additional coat applied.
Peeling
Interior moisture can also cause paint to peel. This can be seen as cracks or a gentle peeling of the paint from the material beneath
it. This problem is most often found in bathrooms, bath tubs, kitchens, and wet basements. These area are generally humid so large amounts of moisture is present in the air and affects the paint.
Peeling paint can also be caused by poor adhesion. This means that the outer paint coat peels off from the inner coat. The inner coat then becomes visible. This can be the result of using oil-based paint on a surface that is still wet. Lower quality paint may also be a possible cause of this.
This problem can be prevented by properly ventilating areas where moisture or humidity may build up. If there are already peeling areas due to moisture, the old paint should first be removed before new paint is applied. High quality acrylic latex may be a good paint to opt for if the humidity in the area cannot be lowered. If the humidity problem is not addressed, either through better ventilation or more appropriate paint, the problem will recur.
Expertise
These two common paint problems occur because of a lack of knowledge and expertise on the part of the painter. Those who do not have the time to learn how to do interior painting properly may turn to experts such United Home Experts for this type of job. They are a reputable company with extensive experience and many satisfied customers in the Boston area.
Many people choose to be the interior painters of their own houses because they are leery of the expense of hiring a professional to do the job. Unfortunately, they make unsightly painting errors. When they can no longer tolerate looking at their mistakes, they get a professional to do a repaint. Here are some of the errors that amateurs commit.
When Choosing Paint Implements
A common error among do-it-yourself painters is picking just any paintbrush for the job. The type of paint often dictates the type of paintbrush to use. For instance, paintbrushes made of a combination of nylon and polyester are best for latex-based types of paint. The area to be painted will also indicate whether a brush or roller should be used. Unfortunately, there are those who use brushes instead of rollers for large areas.
Estimating the amount of paint to use is also very important. Those who lack prior interior painting experience often underestimate the amount needed. This often leads to paying more or having too much wasted paint in the end.
When Preparing The Work Area
Amateurs often miss things when preparing the work area. Some furniture or portions of the floor are left uncovered. It is surprising the places paint can drop onto. For example, paint can splash on doorknobs that are not covered, leaving unsightly splotches or stains. Sometimes paint cans are opened without being placed on top of a drop cloth to protect the floor.
Sufficient taping is often neglected as well. Amateurs try to paint around the various woodwork, such as the windowsill and the doorframe, instead of taping these to produce straight lines. They also forget to remove wall plates and light switches or to tape their edges.
Before painting, amateurs skip things like surface preparation. The wall needs to be dry, free of imperfections, and primed. When the painter is impatient and tries to finish the job quickly by making shortcuts the end result is an unsatisfactory paint job.
The inexperienced assume that the area to be painted on is already clean and do not go to the trouble of actually cleaning it to be sure. Small imperfections are not patched prior to sanding and primer application. At times, the patch is not allowed to dry sufficiently. Even worse, some decide to paint without applying a primer first, a substance that helps paint adhere to the wall as well as bring out its color.
When Applying Paint
The proper way of using a paintbrush is not followed. For instance, when applying latex-based paint, the brush should first be wet with water and shaken dry before being dipped in paint. This step allows the brush to hold more paint.
Sometimes paint is also inadvertently allowed to build up on edge pads on the ceiling or corners. If paint is not wiped off frequently from these, excess paint may accidentally mark the wrong surface.
Knowing when one should not paint is also essential. If it is too humid, there is too much moisture in the air. This moisture will prevent the paint from adhering properly to the surface being painted and result in problems later on, like sagging or blistering.
When Someone Else Does The Job
Knowing the mistakes amateurs commit will help one spot those pretending to be experienced professionals. The expertise of those who know their trade is evident from the very start. They make the proper preparations, they carefully execute the paint job, and they care for the objects in the work area.
The interior painters at United Home Experts embody the characteristics mentioned. The amateurish mistakes indicated above are unheard of in jobs that they take. The many successful jobs and satisfied customers they have, not just in the Boston area but in all the other places they serve, make the company an excellent choice.
Some of the common interior and exterior painting problems faced by people in the New England, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island areas are blistering, mildew, and chalking. Here are some of the reasons why they occur and what may be done in these instances.
Blistering
When medium-sized bubbles are found under the paint, these are called blisters. This is often found in trim or sidings made of wood. Sunlight sometimes causes the surface being painted to heat up. Vapor that rises becomes trapped during the painting process and results in these blisters. This is often the case when wood is being painted on because it absorbs moisture easily.
To solve this, the paint has to be scraped away. The wood or surface to be painted on should be allowed to dry so that no moisture remains. Painting is then done in non-direct sunlight, so choosing when to paint is important. The air should also be non-humid.
Mildew
Fungus that feeds and grows on paint is called mildew. It can be seen as spots that are black, green, brown, or grey in color. They are found under eaves and soffits. These are areas that have lesser ventilation. There is also little or no direct sunlight, so growth of this fungus becomes possible. It may also be caused by not priming the wood prior to painting it.
The mildewed areas should be cleaned using trisodium sulphate solution. A bleach and water solution may also be used instead. The ration is three parts water to one part bleach. It is important to wear rubber gloves and proper eye protection when doing this. After removing the mildew, the solution should be left for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse the area then wash again with a detergent solution.
Chalking
When a powdery substance is found on the paint’s surface, this is called chalking. This normally occurs when paint is exposed to sunlight. If this occurs in the exterior of the house, the rain usually washes it away. Chalking may get out of hand at times. It then constitutes a problem if it affects the surrounding construction or people.
Excessive chalking is often caused by having too much thinner in the paint mix, using interior paint on the exterior, or not sealing porous surfaces before painting. Chalking can be removed easily, however, by power washing. Using the right paint and painting procedures is also important to prevent excessive chalking.
United Home Experts
These problems are rather straightforward to solve. Some of them can be prevented with the right knowledge and expertise. Those who do not have the time or inclination to do so may contact experts like United Home Experts to address their interior and exterior painting problems. This way they can be sure of a lasting and effective solution.
Cracked and peeling paint can become a real eyesore, leaving the outside of your home with noticeable blemishes which can make it look worn down. If you have peeling paint on the outside of your home it should be dealt with it right away, as it’s a problem which is only going to get worse with time. Once paint starts peeling it becomes a much faster process and can lead to other issues.
It is recommended that you have a professional to take care of prepping paint, especially for homes older than 1978, when lead paint was discontinued. 
First, you have to get rid of the problem areas. Chip the peeling paint away lightly, and test as you go to see if the paint is ready to begin peeling in other places. If it seems like a problem might come up, better now than later, so chip that peeling paint away and rid the wall of its flaws.
The second step is to sand around the areas where you have chipped away the paint, to leave a smooth surface which will take well to being painted, without beginning to peel again. Try to make it smooth enough that you won’t see a line under your new coat of exterior home paint.
The final step is simply to repaint the wall. You may spot treat the affected areas, or prime and repaint the entire wall, which I think 
is the better option. It may be more effort now, but will save you having to deal with peeling paint again later. Make sure the wall is clean and dry before you start.
This is one thing you should definitely not be frugal about. Use the highest quality exterior home paint you can afford, because inexpensive paint is very likely to crack and peel again, forcing you to start all over and costing you more money in the long run.
Rather than trying to take care of the project yourself, we are happy to help and offer a free quote and recommendations in regards to painting your home and any exterior home projects you have. Click here for the home page, where you can contact us for a free quote!
Author: Emilio Bonilla
I recently responded to an email from a homeowner in Massachusetts (not a customer or ours) who was inquiring about “what 
causes paint to peel on his house?”
I thought this would be an excellent topic to address in a blog post:
My response was the following:
Mr. Homeowner,
It’s likely that you have 1 of 3 conditions:
- A really old paint job: Even an excellent paint job will eventually peel in the moist New England climate. In this case, my recommendation would be to not wait so long next time. People often try to “stretch” the life of their paint job an extra year or 4, only to pay twice as much the next go-around.
- A moisture problem: moisture escaping from the wood and causing loss of paint adhesion. Sometimes there are ways to correct or minimize this. The question is, what’s the source of the moisture? Is it condensation from winter heat escaping through the walls? is it a leak? is it a moist climate?
- Mill-glaze: When wood clapboard is installed smooth-side out, the glazed surface of the wood will often reject adhesion from paint. This problem will never be solved with paint and usually requires replacement of the affected areas. Some painters will try to sand down the surface and re-paint, but our experience has been, this might help but the problem will persist.
In some cases these problems can be remedied, but there’s no way of telling without analyzing the specific situation. What many homeowners in this situation like about working with United is “one-stop-shopping”. If they need spot carpentry – we can do it. If they need painting – we can do it. If they need heavy prep work done – we can do it. If they need sectional or full siding replacement – we can do it.
If you’d like an evaluation on your peeling paint issue visit our house painting page. Or if your interested in knowing how much does it cost to paint a house, you may request a free quote below.
Nothing gets your house looking nicer than a fresh coat of paint, but how do you make sure your paint will keep looking great for years to come?
Easy. Just follow these simple – but very important – tips to painting your house properly. You’ll be left with a great looking home that shines for years!
Step 1: Inspect The Exterior Of Your Home
This is a fundamental, and often overlooked, step. Before you start painting your house, it’s very important to take a good look at the exterior for signs of wear and tear, like water damage, mildew or mold, and popped nails.
Step 2: Repair Any Issues Seen In Initial Inspection
Once you’ve reviewed the exterior of your house, it’s time to take action! Remember, if you don’t fix the issues that you see now, a new coat of paint will only mask them temporarily – water damage, mold and other issues will continue to rear their ugly heads until they’ve been fully fixed.
Step 3: Clean The Exterior Of Your Home
Now that you’ve thoroughly inspected the outside of your home, it’s time to clean everything and get ready for the painting!
You can approach the cleaning of your home in a variety of ways. For smaller homes, a simple hose can suffice. For areas where there is pretty heavy dirt, you can use a scrub brush and soapy water.
For larger homes, you’ll need a bit of extra power to get the job done efficiently, so we’d recommend a power washer.
If your inspection turned up any mildew, a mixture of bleach and water will deal with that efficiently.
Step 4: Remove Obstacles
The exterior of the home has many obstacles that can get in the way of painting. For instance: mailboxes, street address numbers, light fixtures and shutters all should be removed prior to beginning the painting.
In addition to the above, keep an eye out for trees scraping up against your home or greenery that could get in the way of painting. Prune or cover any problem trees.
Step 5: Choose Your Primer
Now that your home is ready for painting, it’s time to choose your primer. Primer is a very important step in the painting of your home – many DIY’ers neglect it, leading to an unsatisfying final look.
Think of Primer as the “glue” that holds the paint to your home. Without it, your paint job can run into real problems!
Step 6: Choose Your Paint
Finally, it’s time to choose your paint. First off, make sure your paint is designed for exterior use. You’ll have two options: latex and oil-based paint. Latex tends to be the easiest for the DIY’er – it
‘s easy to clean up, and stands up to the elements well. Oil-based paints also stand up to the elements well, but have an issue with how they’re applied – the paint never completely dries, and is prone to issues like curing.
Not sure how long your paint job should last?
Step 7: You’re All Set!
You’ve now taken all of the steps for the perfect exterior painting. Your last step is to paint away!
Thanks so much for reading.
If your interested in knowing how much does it cost to paint a house, you may request a free quote below.
The news these days speaks mostly of recession, the suffering economy, struggling industries and individual businesses. Given the state of our country’s economy one would expect that the Home Improvement Industry will also suffer. However, that may not be the case.
In New England and other parts of the country, new construction housing has all but come to a halt, and housing sales in general are down significantly from the first half of this decade. In the past most families occupied a residence for an average of 5-7 years. But in a difficult economy that number is rising. Many homeowners are choosing to sit tight in the house they currently reside. This is great news for the Home Improvement Industry.
This phenomenon should positively affect established and professional remodeling and replacement contractors in 2 significant ways. The first way is that essential systems that tend to break down over time such as roofing, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, windows, and appliances, still need to be replaced. In the past some homeowners may have passed the cost and duty of replacing these systems to the next owner. But in many cases that is no longer an option.
The second way home improvement companies in New England may reap some benefits is the “don’t move improve” mentality. Instead of upgrading to a newer larger home many people are opting to add on or remodel their existing home to suit their families needs. These types of projects often include additions, finished basements and attics, low-maintenance siding upgrades, garages, and kitchen and bathroom remodels.
Homeowners still need to do their homework and consider carefully who they hire.
Although well established companies will survive this tough season, less professionally run businesses and “fly-by-night” contractors most likely will not. If you are interviewing a contractor and they seem desperate to have your business and do not have a list of recent references to provide, consider this; There’s a high likelihood that contractor will not be around for the long run. Do you want someone handling a project for you that will not be able to honor any warranty or service any issues that might arise it the future? Furthermore, consider the low level of workmanship you will receive from someone who is barely making money, if any, on your project. They will cut any corner possible.
