Monthly Archives: August 2014
House Painting San Ramon – Reasons to Not Settle for Non-Insured Painters
Whenever you do house painting in San Ramon, or another Bay Area city, it’s important to choose licensed painting contractors to paint your home or business. You will receive many benefits from hiring a licensed painter over a non-licensed one. This is because a licensed painter affords you, as the property owner, protection that you won’t have if you hire a painter with little or no legitimate license. Below are several reasons why it’s important not to settle for non-insured painters.
Protection against property damage
When you hire a licensed and insured painter to do house painting in San Ramon, their insurance provides your property protection against possible damage. For instance, if a painter accidentally damages the house while he’s painting it, his company’s insurance will cover the cost of repairing the damages. It would be a great inconvenience if the homeowner had to shoulder the expenses for the damages incurred by someone who was hired to make the home beautiful. Hiring an unlicensed and uninsured painter may be cheaper, but in the long run a poor quality job will result in your having to spend more to correct these errors. It is best to choose a professional painting company that is insured and licensed, even if the upfront costs are more expensive. You could consider paying a licensed and insured painter paying for security and peace of mind.
Protection against injuries
When painting a home, injuries may happen, especially on larger homes where it becomes necessary to use ladders and other tools. Many homeowners have home insurance. However, making a claim can increase premiums and if a person is seriously injured, he or she may not be covered for medical care. This is a perfect reason why it is important to hire a licensed painter who’s also insured when choosing someone to paint your home.
Professionalism
When hiring a painting contractor who is licensed and insured, it means you’re hiring a professional company. A company with professionalism takes pride in its business that’s why it makes every effort to obtain all the necessary licenses and insurance. Licensed and insured painting contractors are also legally able to paint your home, where a non-insured or non-licensed painter is not.
When hiring a painter for your home or office, choose professional painting contractors that are licensed and insured. Benefits you receive include security for you and your property as well as peace of mind. Painting contractors that are licensed and insured also tend to be much more professional, which is attractive for potential clients who are want to have house painting in San Ramon done.
House Painting San Ramon – Knowing Which Interior Paint Colors to Use
When you begin house painting in San Ramon, deciding on which paint you’re going to use is not just based on a hunch. It’s not just about putting on a fresh coat of paint. A little bit of research as well as studying your room and planning wouldn’t hurt as these steps will ensure you of a more beautiful looking interior.
First, you may want to study the size of your room. If your room has a small space, apply paint of a lighter color such as white, beige, or various shades of yellow. This will give an illusion of size and height. Otherwise, if you feel that your room is too spacious, apply more subdued paint colors such as darker shades of blue and green. These colors will make your spacious room appear more snug and comfortable. You may also consider the other elements of your room such as molding, trim, banisters, and frames. If you want to make them stand out apply more vibrant colors or just blend with in with the wall paint, it’s your preference.
The function of the room is also an important deciding factor on buying paint colors for house painting in San Ramon. If you had to paint a bedroom, choose relaxing colors such as shades of blue, green and purple. For the kitchen, the usual paint colors applied are shades of red and yellow, as well as white, and even green.
Prepping your surface is important because a clean surface will help the paint to adhere better. After you’ve cleaned and primed your surface, it’s time to choose for a color palette. Remember that you’re the homeowner, so you should have a say on which color combinations are applied to your interior walls.
Paints have several kinds of finish, so you may want to take into consideration the function of your room before choosing a certain type of paint. Paint finishes may be flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss or glossy. Paints with a flat (or matte) finish are excellent for ceilings and walls in almost every room, but they’re susceptible to stains and marks. However, flat paints are excellent in covering surface flaws. They are mostly used in bedrooms and living rooms.
Semi-gloss or glossy paints have a higher degree of sheen. Surfaces coated with such paint finishes are easy to clean as they’re resistant to scratches, marks and stains. However, they’re not good at covering surface flaws. Examples of rooms that should be painted with semi-gloss or glossy paints are the kitchen and the bathroom.
Do you want water or oil-based paints? Both of them have its own advantages and disadvantages (see the related article about the pros and cons of latex and oil-based paints). However, people usually choose water-based (or latex) paints as they tend to dry more quickly, are more flexible and less odorous than oil-based paints.
If you want to start a house painting project, you may want to do it yourself. Or better yet, hire a professional, licensed and insured house painting contractor such as Custom Painting Inc. You will see high-quality painting results when house painting in San Ramon.
Do Painting Contractors Recommend Oil-Based or Latex When House Painting in San Ramon?
When people start a project doing house painting in San Ramon, they may want to know which type of paint is right for their home’s exterior. Should you choose latex (water-based) or oil-based (alkyd) paint? Homeowners, especially those who haven’t had the experience or painting their own house, may not be able to tell the difference. Professional painters will be able to help you decide.
The first step is to know which the previous layer of paint was before you begin painting with new paint. There is an easy way to find out for those who don’t know about the type of paint that was previously used on your exterior. Simply take a rag, moisten it with denatured alcohol, and rub the paint. If it gets clean, it is oil based. If it softens, it is latex.
Despite the name, latex paint actually contains no latex or rubber at all. Rather, latex paints are made of either acrylic or urethane. Latex paint is the more popular choice among many people, because they appreciate the many advantages. Latex paint is known for its flexibility, meaning that it moves with the natural expansion and contraction of the walls; it less likely to crack. Latex paint is also breathable, meaning an air can get through it. One famous advantage of latex paint is that it dries quickly. Since latex’s base is water, it needs no chemicals in cleaning it up; plain water and soap will do.
Alkyd, or oil-based, paints also have advantages. Although it dries slower compared to latex paint, it otherwise provides a smoother finish once it is completely dried. And when it’s dry, it will become resistant to scratches, fingerprints, scuffs and stains because of its smooth finish. An oil-based paint is definitely more durable and weather resistant. You won’t need the weather to be dry to cover your home’s surface using an oil-based paint, because it can be applied in moist weather or at temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. An oil-based paint has the ability to penetrate chalky surfaces, unlike latex. Oil-based paints can also be painted on metal, as the paint will protect it. However, it dries really slowly; it can take 12 to 24 hours or more before the paint is considered completely dried. An oil paint is not flexible nor breathable, as it doesn’t have to ability to contract and expand. Over time, any surface that has been coated with an oil-based paint will eventually show dullness, chalkiness and cracks. Cleaning a surface with an oil-based paint is difficult, because it requires chemicals to break it up.
Paint will adhere best if you prepare the surface by scraping off the peeling paint, and sanding the surface. If the previous paint being applied was latex, apply a new latex paint. It’s not recommended to use oil over a surface previously applied with latex paint. If you find the previous later of paint was oil-based, you can either use oil or latex for the new paint. Priming is not necessary, but it is strongly recommended, to help the paint adhere better to the surface.
If the last coat of paint was applied a long time ago, check if the paint was lead-based. You can have it tested by a professional to see if the paint contains lead. If it’s indeed confirmed that the paint has lead, you will want to use protective measures to keep the lead from affecting your family. To find out more about lead in old paint, call the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or visit epa.gov/lead for the EPA’s recommendations.
When doing house painting for your home’s exterior, painters should first determine what paint has been previously used. This will let them know what the right kind of new paint for your home’s exterior when house painting in San Ramon.
House Painting San Ramon – Use These Painting Techniques for Longer Lasting Paint
Nobody wants to have to repeat their house painting in San Ramon within a year or two. People prefer to have their paint job last the ten to twenty years that the paint companies tell you is possible. This is, indeed, possible, but certain requirements need to be met in order for it to happen.
The most important thing to consider is preparation. When you have properly prepared the walls, the paint will stick better and last longer. Preparation includes scraping off any old, peeling paint and smoothing the edges of any remaining paint, to keep the new paint from having areas that pop up too easily. Adding primer before you paint will also form a seal both to the underlying layer and to the new paint, helping it bond more tightly. If your primer is a color similar to your final coat, it is just as good as a first coat, allowing you to save money on paint, as well.
Before you apply the primer, be careful to make sure the wall is clean and dry, and the day is a neutral temperature. Wood is especially temperamental when it comes to weather – both rain and sun – and is best painted on a dry day when it is not too sunny (or if you have shade). Excess humidity will result in paint that does not set, reducing the time your house painting in San Ramon will last. This humidity can be outdoor humidity, or indoor, if the wall is not insulated properly.
Wood can also have a glaze that develops on it during processing. Sand or power wash to remove this “mill glaze” before attempting to prime or paint it. Failing to follow this step means the glaze will hinder the adherence of the paint or primer.
Any damaged areas should be repaired or replaced before painting because the paint will not stick properly to these areas. Damage is also likely to spread if it is not handled quickly.
Ventilation is very important. This is not going to be an issue for exterior house painting in San Ramon, but interior painting is much more prone to poor ventilation. Fans and open windows can help. Proper ventilation will also speed the drying process, helping to form a smooth surface.
Old paint is a bad idea. The longer paint is stored the less quality it is likely to have. Before using paint that has been stored, check its smell, viscosity, and drying time (on a test board or area). If any of these are wrong, dispose of the paint. If the results are appropriate for fresh paint, then it is usable. Keep in mind that colors can be difficult to match, so you should purchase all you need at the same time, if at all possible.
Talking to a professional about your house painting in San Ramon is also often a wise idea. Custom Painting, Inc. has employees willing to answer any questions you have.
House Painting In San Ramon – Interior Painting Tips
If you are ready for house painting in San Ramon, check out these great tips and tricks if you want to end up with a smooth, professional-looking finish. After you have done all the prepping and priming work, then you’re ready to start painting.
Painting in San Ramon is one of the most popular DIY activities. Just applying a fresh coat of paint will give a big transformation in your rooms. For a relatively easy, quick and professional-looking finish in your paint job consider these invaluable tips:
- Do you know how much paint will be required for your room? First, determine the square footage of your interiors. According to the professional housepainters, they recommend one gallon of paint per 400 sq. ft. It also depends what kind of walls you have before it is covered with paint. For instance, a rough, textured wall or a wall that has not been primed will require much more paint. Otherwise, if you have a cleaned, sanded and primed surface, it will be smoother and therefore a smooth surface will need less paint.
- You may use paper or plastic drop cloths, but we recommend that you use canvas which is the best material for drop cloths. Plastic may a less expensive option, but canvas has many benefits as a drop cloth and is a better investment of the two. First of all, canvas is definitely more durable. With plastic, it may be prone to rips and there is a hazard of slipping and tripping. Canvas lays flat on the surface and doesn’t have the same hazards as plastic has. Canvas is easily rolled or folded around the wall corners when plastic can’t. And canvas can be re-used, unlike plastic which you’ll throw away after using it, therefore creating more waste.
- Ceiling painting is always the most challenging part of the project. Instead of stepping up a ladder (which poses more hazards), use an extension pole instead. You can use poles of various lengths depending on how tall your ceilings are. Poles are available in a variety of lengths ranging from 36 inches to 18 feet. You can buy those poles if your room measures about 8 or 9 feet tall. Buying a good extension pole can be considered an investment indeed, so choose a pole that has a rigid metal core instead of a pole with a plastic handle. A pole with a plastic handle may have the tendency to bend, but a metal-reinforced pole gives you more control painting your ceiling.
- Instead of using a paint tray, try using a paint grid for quicker painting. A paint grid is a rectangular plastic or metal screen that latches onto the rim of the bucket. The recommended size of the bucket is five gallons so that the paint grid will fit into it quite well. Fill the five-gallon bucket halfway with paint, and then hang the paint grid inside the bucket. Dip your paint roller into the bucket. Drain your roller against the grid to squeeze and remove excess paint. Then you can paint your walls and ceilings quickly. A grid is a better option than a paint tray because it also gives you less chance of creating a mess. Buying a paint grid is a good investment. If you dread spending long hours painting, a paint grid is a relatively quick way to finish the job.
- House painting professionals recommended painting the trims first before painting the ceilings and walls. For a more flawless edge, allow your paint to completely dry first before applying painter’s masking tape to protect the trim while painting the walls or ceilings.
- Maintain a consistent color scheme by mixing several cans of paint into one large paint bucket.
Do you want to end up with a smooth, professional-looking painting job finish? House Painting in San Ramon has never been easier and quicker when you follow these steps.
Five Steps To Achieve Great House Painting In San Ramon
Do you want an excellent, professional-looking finish on your exterior when house painting in San Ramon? Read the preparations which can be made in five easy steps.
- Wash the exterior of your entire house. You may want to wash it with a regular brush, and for high-reaching areas, you may want to use a pressure washer. A pressure washer will speed up the cleaning process and more likely your house will end up with a good, clean surface. Use a cleaning solution such as a mixture of bleach and TSP (trisodium phosphate) to get your house clean by killing mold and mildew present on the walls. This mixture will also help prevent mold and mildew from growing back in the future. It is alright to take your time doing this step to ensure that you get rid all mold and mildew, as well as dirt, grease, and other elements.
- To remove old, peeling paint, the usual method is scraping and sanding. This step is crucial because painting over it will cause the new paint to peel off with the old. You may want to take your time to ensure you scrape all the peeling paint off and then sanding to achieve the smoothest surface possible to paint. The smoother the surface, the better the paint will adhere. Be sure to dust off the surface after you’re through with sanding.
- Repair any cracks, holes or edges using caulk (a waterproof filler and sealant). You may also want to check the trim, window frames, and door frames for possible cracks that have been unnoticeable. If any cracks are present, repair them with caulk, as well. Some brands of caulk may need to be sanded after it has been applied. Check the instructions on the caulk tube.
- Use a mask. There are two different types of mask. One is a face mask to protect your nose and your lungs from the dust and other elements while you’re doing the scraping and sanding work. Another mask is the one a tape mask, used to cover the trim, windows and other fixtures that you don’t want to paint.
- While using a primer is not really necessary, it is recommended. Using a good quality primer will help the topcoat paint hold more securely. A good primer will also help seal the walls, and facilitate the transition of changing the color of your home’s exterior.
Proper preparation work is the key to a great exterior when house painting in San Ramon. So if you follow these steps, more than likely you will end up with a house that is beautiful and professional-looking.
Choosing Interior Paint Colors for House Painting In San Ramon
Are you house painting in San Ramon? Choosing what paint colors to use for your interior requires more research than you would think. A fresh coat of interior paint color can make a difference in your room. This is just more than a matter of guesswork, as careful consideration and planning will directly affect the paints you purchase and how you apply it in your rooms.
First, study the size of your room, which help you decide when buying an interior paint color. If your room is small, a light-colored paint will give the illusion of being larger and adding height. A darker, more subdued paint color will make a spacious room seem more comfortable.
It is also important to take the elements of your house into account such as molding, trim and columns. If you want them to stand out, apply a different color than is used for the wall color. On the other hand, if you want these elements to blend with the rest of the room, apply the same paint color as with the color of your walls, or at least choose a paint color with a slightly different hue. This decision will lead you to the type of paint color you will buy and use.
You may also want to base your decisions by judging your room’s function. If you have to paint a bedroom, choose a color that is relaxing to the eyes, and conducive to sleeping. Examples of these colors are blue and green; some even apply deep purple or black to the bedrooms. For a kitchen and dining room, the ideal colors are the bright and vivid ones such as yellow and red, as both whet your appetite. White and beige are also ideal kitchen and dining room colors. A brighter kitchen and dining room also enables you to see spots, grime, spills, etc. while you’re cooking or cleaning.
After you’ve prepped your interior for the painting job, it’s time to choose a color palette. As you’re the owner of the house, you should also have a say in choosing the color scheme. If you still don’t have any ideas, you might want to choose the color scheme from your mood or personality, the color of your favorite dress or flower. You may also base your room’s color scheme from existing items in your home, such as your favorite art or piece of furniture. Apply this inspiration to the type of interior paint that you buy.
In regards to paint finish, choose the one that is ideal for your room. There are different kinds of paint finish such as flat, semi-gloss or glossy. Paints with a flat, solid finish are ideal for walls and especially ceilings. Paints with a flat finish will do excellently in covering surface flaws and cracks. Semi-gloss or glossy paints give off that shiny quality and are ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, although they can also be used in bedrooms and living rooms.
Since buying paint is also seen as an investment, you will want to purchase the best quality paint as possible. A good quality top coat paint may cost you more, but at least you won’t be bothered with applying another paint all over again. Better quality paints are easy to apply, offer protection, and have the ability to withstand age. Some excellent quality paints have primer in them, offering extra durability to the surface. Other good paints have the ability to dry quickly, are easy to clean, and are dirt- and dust-resistant. There are also environment-friendly paints, too.
In choosing between water- and oil-based paints, it’s your preference. Many people still use the conventional oil-based paints, but a water-based paint is more recommended as it has fewer odors and is easier to clean.
Turn to the experts at Custom Painting, Inc. if you need professional advice when it comes to house painting in San Ramon. Our painting contractors are fully licensed and insured, so you can be confident we will provide the best interior painting services.