Categories Exterior Painting, Ideas For Interior Painting, News, Painting Ideas, Painting Techniques

How Color Can Affect Your Mood

Choosing colors to improve your mood.

It’s obvious to all that we have entered a very difficult time in the history of our nation. With the covid 19 resulting in a major economic downturn and job losses, we are all finding ways to conserve money. However, this does not mean that we need to ignore the maintenance and improvements that we have been planning for our homes even if it just maintaining through home painting.

Although many homeowners have recoiled from their home improvement plans. Many are now rethinking their decisions. As homeowners respond to their mood shifts for a less extravagant lifestyle, many are deciding to stay where they are and fix up their existing homes.

Being Critical Of Change Is Now Dissolving Into A Renewed Desire For Simple Changes.

As the economy slid into a recession this year (2020) and money became tight, many became critical at the suggestion that now is the time to spend money for major home improvement projects? Many of us were at the threshold of selling our homes and moving into something bigger, nicer, or newer. Suddenly the stark reality set in and is it wise to buy a new home now?

In The Present Economic Climate, Moving Every 5 to 7 Years Has Certainly Lost Its Luster.

Many are turning to fixing up their current home instead of moving. Homeowners are now evaluating the new economic playing field and have decided that it makes economic sense to stay where they are and fix up.

Some figure that since they are tired of the old place and are longing for something new, why not add some of the new features that you were planning for the new house.

They also know that any improvements that they do to their house now will pay off later. The economy will not stay in the doldrums forever. Home improvements will mean more to a prospective buyer when the economy turns the corner to more prosperous times.

The Benefits Are Obvious.

Many are finding some very important benefits for repainting and repairing their home during this economic climate.

1. A well maintained home increases the value of the home. Appraisers will tell you that per dollars spent, painting and repair will bring the largest return on your money

2. Painting the exterior of your home will reduce future repair cost. Paint stands as the sole protector between your house and the harsh environment.

3. Home painting and repair is much less expensive.

4. Home Painting can bring the biggest feeling of change at a very reasonable cost. When you compare the cost of painting to moving or making major renovations, painting can make the biggest impact on your homes environment per dollar spent.

5. House painting can dramatically improve the look and feel of the environment you live in. This environmental change can improve your mood, reduce stress, lessen depression, improves ones overall outlook of life during these difficult times.

6. Most folks are finding it therapeutic and fun to play with and plan a new look and feel for their home. Changing the look and feel of your environment will take your mind off tough times. It gives you an outlet.

Although moving to a bigger, nicer house has lost its luster for many people, planning a beautiful home doesn’t necessarily depend on securing financing or a rising stock market.

Sometimes you just have to start where you’re at and adjust your thinking a little. Become imaginative and dream a little. Good planning and a bit of imagination can make a big difference in a drab looking house. Make your home painting project an exciting time of change in your life and environment. It can definitely make you feel better.

Nicky Taylor is CEO of Painters Flair and offers an invitation to the above website for additional articles and resources. Nicky has operated a painting company, Painters Flair and home improvement company for 34 years in Atlanta.

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Categories News, Painting Techniques, Painting Tips

A Painters Nightmare And Solution

Hardie Plank Siding, Painting and Repairs
A Painter’s Nightmare
By Nicky Taylor
Expert Author Nicky Taylor

As with many things in life, often there is a silver lining in the cloud that’s raining on your parade. Many homeowners suffered loss during the 90s from having to replace the faulty Louisiana Pacific wafer board siding on their homes. While some homeowners were rewarded money for their losses some unfortunate homeowners who arrived late were rewarded noting. As frustrations rose to a deafening level during the nineties, most barely noticed the new product that was just entering the market.

During this period of time a new type of siding entered the market that offered the durability that most homeowners demanded. It was perfect timing for a cement based siding to enter the market. Many homeowners and builders rushed to buy Hardie Plank to replace the decaying siding that plagued the housing industry. Finally a siding existed that would probably outlast the owner. Most folks viewed this siding as an answer to prayer.

Most painters in our industry welcomed the siding. Not having to deal with swelling siding that wouldn’t hold paint, certainly made our job easier. While most homeowners and painters were excited about this new long lasting siding, most weren’t aware that keeping it caulked would become the new problem that everyone would talk about. The problem was and still is: How do you keep Hardie Plank caulked?

For homes that have exposure to sunlight and widely varying temperatures, keeping Hardie Plank properly caulked is a challenge. Hardie Plank expands and contracts a lot under these conditions. Most caulks simply do not have the elasticity to handle the expansion and contraction.

I have seen the expansion and contraction of Hardie Plank siding pull fresh caulk apart within 24 hours after application. It’s great siding to have on your home, but you better know what you’re doing when it comes to caulking all the joints.

You certainly can’t be economy minded with your purchase of caulk when Hardie Plank is involved, or you will be doing the job over again. Many painters and homeowners alike seem confused when selecting caulk for this siding. It has been my experience that you should be using caulks that comply with either ASTM C 834 or ASTM C 920. Applying a caulk that falls in this category is doing so within the manufacturers written instructions.

I personally prefer using an elastomeric caulk on my customer’s homes. Elastomeric caulks are made for masonry substrate surfaces. Sherwin Williams carries a product called Shermax Super Stretch Elastomeric Caulk that I find works well with Hardie Plank Siding. It has the elasticity to handle the constant expanding and contracting of Hardie Plank. All my crews are required to use this product and I see few problems with caulk separation.

One common problem that many homeowners find is the Hardie Plank itself was installed improperly. At least a 1/8 inch gap between siding and trim should be left by the installer to allow for a proper amount of caulk to be applied. The 1/8 inch gap is in accordance with caulking manufacturers written instructions. (leave 1/8″ gap between siding, trim and butt joints so adequate caulk can be applied.)

If less than 1/8 inch gap is available to apply caulk, then the caulk is too thin to handle the amount of stretching it must endure. I have seen Elastomeric Caulk separate where less than a 1/8 inch of a gap existed in the siding joints. Owens Corning also sells a very good caulk for this type application.

The last point I want to make is there are solutions to this common annoyance. As a painter it is your responsibility to deliver a product and service that will last. As a homeowner make sure you discuss your painter’s plans on how he is going to solve this common problem with Hardie Plank. This action will go a long way toward avoiding loss of time and money.

Nicky Taylor CEO of Painters Flair. Our web site is loaded with info and links. We have information for both homeowners and house painters.

 

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Categories News, Painting Ideas, Painting Techniques, Painting Tips

How To Choose Colors With Confidence

Interior painting project details.

House painting is made way to complicated for many homeowners and the sad thing is, it doesn’t have to be. Choosing colors for your next house painting plan doesn’t have to be complicated and stressful. For starters, most homeowners are flooded by the number of colors to choose from. Then there is the fear that they will make a mistake in color choice and have to live with it. Having your home painted twice is not an disbursal most homeowners want to undertake. Besides, what will the Jones Think about the new colors. Below is some house painting tips that will help you feel more confident with your color choice.

1. The first thing to consider is what colors are permanent on your home. Roofs typically last from 30 years to lifetime. Roofs are generally considered a permanent color since they last 30 years to life. Bricks are permanent and aren’t going to change. Stones are also permanent. Stones are also permanent. Be sure and coordinate any color change with these permanent colors. You will want your new color scheme to be in harmony with the permanent colors. Avoid conflict with colors you can’t change This should guide you to the right color family.

2. Another consideration should be the landscape and the neighborhood. The colors surrounding the house as well as the geographic location. The type of building materials used on the house.

3. Study the architectural style of your home and research colors that are commonly used for the style. For example, a French Victorian home needs a different color than an English tutor style home. Planning a color strategy around a traditional home typically will be different than modern architecture.

4. One of the simplest ways to freshen up the look of your home without a major change, is to change the door and shutter colors.

5. Sometimes I am asked if the interior color scheme should reflect the exterior color theme. It really is a matter of personal preference. If you own a historic home you may want to keep the authenticity of that time period by keeping a connection between interior and exterior colors, but again it is a personal preference. Many homeowners consider the interior a place where there are no limitations for color.

6. Many homeowners have trouble coordinating colors. Spend some time in a paint store. Most major paint stores have pre-selected color schemes. Most offer palette collections that provide accurate historical reference along with collections of colors that work well together. This is a great place to start your color selections.

7. Most major paint stores offer an online color visualizer. Call your store for the web address and you can go online with your computer and play around with a lot of different colors for both exterior and interior house painting. Different Scenes are available for you to drag and drop colors for both interior and exterior planning.

8. One of the most important things I recommend is, buy a quart of the colors you plan to use and apply it to the wall in a 4ft by 4ft area next to the trim color you plan to use. The small paint chips supplied by the paint stores are too small to make a determination. (Caution: If the siding is textured, or you have stucco, do not apply paint on a large area with a brush or roller. When the house is painted by the contractor, you will be able to see where you put the test sample underneath the paint they apply. Paint fills the pores of textured surfaces so you have an uneven distribution of paint where you applied the sample causing it to be visible. Instead, apply the test sample on a piece of plywood and hold up to the trim to test your color samples.)

Make sure you have made a decision on your paint colors before you hire your contractor. Too often homeowners make the mistake of rushing into painting their home without giving adequate time to the color decision process. Suddenly, they feel rushed to decide on colors and end up not confident with their choice of colors. House painting doesn’t have to be stressful. Just give a little time to planning.

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Categories News, Painting Ideas, Painting Techniques

Commercial Painting Services

Well our painting services Marietta do commercial painting service for offices too. Looks great. My painting company offers painting services not just for Marietta. but all North Metro Atlanta.

Commercial and industrial painting requires a very specific approach, at Painters Flair we understand the importance of providing professional results. Whether its commercial or industrial painting services  you need, our team manages your project with care so that there is as little disruption to your business as possible.

  • Commercial office space
  • Commercial warehouse space
  • We also do some exterior painting of commercial buildings that are 1 to 2 stories high.

Our commercial painting contractors understand what is important to property managers. You will find that Painters Flair is the best option for your office or warehouse painting needs. We are careful to limit the disruption of your activities as much as possible.

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Categories Ideas For Interior Painting, News, Painting Ideas, Painting Techniques

Plan Ahead for Interior Painting

Painting services Marietta Area being provided by painter

Painter painting interior of room and touching up ceiling.

Thinking of painting rooms in your home can be exciting!  Planning to update your colors is exciting and can effect your mood. New colors can give you a fresh feel when you arrive home from a hard days work.  Painters Flair team is here to help you with the whole process from start to finish!

In our experience, the first thing to think of when reviewing your plans for your painting project is to determine which rooms are considered a ‘priority.’  Rooms in which you spend the most time enjoying your home or that are high traffic/use such as a kitchen or bathroom.  These should be considered a higher priority than others such as a laundry room or formal dining room that hosts meals around holidays or special occasions only.

The next thing to think of is your project budget.  During the estimating process, Painters Flair is able to provide a detailed proposal of your project. This will include an estimate room by room and surfaces and items to be painted.  This allows for us to work with you to help keep your budget and priorities on track.

Finally, think of your home’s schedule and the needs of those living under its roof.  Look back at the rooms you are thinking to have painted.  Ask yourself: “Can we go without using this room for a day or two?  And how would we plan around the work?”  Painters Flair can help you with this part of the project. Additionally, we are willing to work with your calendar and your home’s daily schedule to minimize disruptions.  Besides we can still do this while producing quality results for your home’s interior.

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