Wednesday, October 21

Make a Statement with your Front Door!

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
A front door is a great place to
use color in order to complement
 features in your garden that
you really want to "pop."
Think about your favorite front doors. Perhaps a sunny yellow one at a friend's house makes you feel especially welcome at a cottage-style home. Or, that bright red front door on a neighbor's house lends trend-forward detail to an updated ranch.

Whatever the case, a well-chosen front door color makes an immediate impact, complementing a home's style and improving curb appeal.

Here are three tips on picking a perfect color for your front door:

  1. Start by understanding a few color principles: Color isn't as simple as picking a favorite shade or a lighter hue; there's logic and a bit of science to color selection. A good place to start when choosing the best color for your front door is the color wheel. General color schemes based on the color wheel include monochromatic (several shades of a single color), analogous (colors found side by side on the color wheel), contrast or triadic (three colors spaced evenly apart on the color wheel), and complementary (two hues opposite each other on the color wheel).
  2. Factor in your home's style and setting: Your home is also a good guide for what works and what doesn't when it comes to choosing front door colors. Take into account the materials, colors inherent in those materials, style, and surrounding landscape, among other factors. For example, a pastel hue might look out of place with the ornamentation on an English Tudor style house, while it may look charming with a simple brick ranch. Depending on its paint palette, a glossy black front door might not work when paired with a centuries-old Victorian home, while a Mediterranean-influenced design might feel perfectly in tune with a bright turquoise-color door.
  3. Use your front door to make an impact: Don't be shy or too conservative in this case. If you want to add charm and flavor, this is the place to do it. Remember also that your front door can be a tool that you can use to your advantage. Visitors use it for wayfinding. The color can help accent tones in the exterior or provide the finishing flourish to a design palette. The impact might be subtle or it might be more direct; it might also be formal or playful. Color also generates emotion, so think about how you want your guests to feel when they arrive. A brighter hue can offer energy to the front door, while a more subdued one plays up a traditional feel. A darker hue is more somber, a lighter one tends to be playful.

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READ MORE >> BetterHomesandGardens.com: Best Colors for Front Doors
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A.L. House Painting and Pressure Washing also offers staining services for decks, porches, patios, stairs and the house itself (interior and exterior).  All your home renovation needs.
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How to Decide Whether or Not to Hire Professional Painting Contractors to Paint Your Home

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Planning to repaint the exterior
of your home yourself? Learn
how to do a professional job.
There are many factors to consider when trying to decide whether painting your own home can be a DIY project. Try this as an initial guideline: Straight exteriors on a simple, box-shaped house make for easier work. Irregularly shaped homes of two stories or more with dormers, gingerbread, or turrets, for example, tend to make for a more time-consuming and complicated project that may suggest a professional is needed.

Next, look at the grade (the finished surface slant of ground) around the house for ladder positioning. It’s a plus if all sides have flat ground up to the house. Walkouts with slopes make it difficult to safely position ladders. Also check to see if obstacles like trees, shrubs, decks, fences, vines, or electric wires will be in the way.

Additionally, examine your house for potential problems that may require extensive prep work. Wood rot, mildew, severe peeling, or alligatoring are typical siding problems. Cracked window panes, crumbling glaze, and loose caulking around trim are other issues. If you’re familiar with solving these problems, just be prepared that you might need a few extra days to remedy the situations. Talk with an experienced paint retailer about the problem for some potential solutions. Another option might be to consider hiring a pro to fix any extensive issues before you get started.

Finally, assess the list of materials you will need and estimate their cost and your labor:

  • Lifts and Ladders. Do you need ladders, scaffolding, planks, or lifts? While a one-story home may only require a ladder, a multi-story house may need not only larger ladders but perhaps scaffolding and planks or a lift. While you may be able to rent needed equipment, consider if you will be comfortable working at heights.
  • Prep materials. Preparing the house is the first step. Basic cleaning supplies include scrub brushes, pails, bleach for mildew, a cleaning agent such as TSP (trisodium phosphate), and a hose with spray nozzle. Tip: Consider power washers to clean exterior surfaces. Check into hand and eye protection for this equipment and follow the guidelines. Have drop cloths, rags, and masking tape for around critical areas such as windows. Use canvas drop cloths instead of plastic so the grass or flowers underneath are not cooked in the sun.
  • Paint removers. If you have many areas of blistering or peeling paint, a good amount of scraping may be ahead. Carbide blade scrapers will be needed if a fair amount of scraping is involved. Also try using an old, dry paint brush to sweep dust away. Just be sure to use dust masks to protect your lungs. Chemical removers may be necessary if the paint has to be softened to be removed, as is the case with many older homes with coats of paint. After getting rid of the loose paint, sandpaper will feather the edges smooth.
  • Caulking. This is a must to seal up cracks around windows and doors and to maintain flexibility and adhesion over many years. There are many types of caulks available. Discuss your project with your paint retailer. Before purchasing any caulk, check the manufacturer’s instructions for recommended surfaces. Make sure the caulk you have selected is paintable and remains flexible to expand and contract with your home. Caulks that are 100% silicone, for example, are not paintable.
  • Paint applicators. Quality brushes are made for the latex, oil, or varnish paints you will apply. The brush hairs are typically of varying lengths and taper neatly. They have a ferrule, or band, that holds the bristles tightly to the handle. Quality brushes hold more paint, don’t lose bristles, paint more smoothly, and are easier to use than cheaper alternatives. Spray equipment is a possibility if the house has a lot of flat surfaces with few doors or windows. Remember that sprayers require extensive cleaning. Overspray can be a problem, so everything needs to be covered well and you will need to get familiar with the use of a sprayer. Rollers also can be a time saver.
  • Primer. You will need to prime any new, severely weathered, or problem areas to make sure there will be a proper seal of the surface and a smooth surface for the paint. A primer does not need to be used on a clean, dull, coated surface that is in good condition. Typically you will want to choose a primer geared specifically for your job. If your paint will be 100% acrylic latex, you will want to use a 100% acrylic resins primer. If there are problem areas, however, consult with your local paint retailer for the best choice.
  • Paint. For most jobs, you will want 100% acrylic latex paint. A quality acrylic paint adheres best and holds its color much better than less expensive paints. If doing it yourself, consult a knowledgeable retailer to get the right products for the project.
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READ MORE >> BobVila.com: "Painting the House: Should You Hire a Pro?"

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Wednesday, October 14

4 Things to Do in Prepping for Window Cleaning

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Let all the light shine
in with crystal clear
windows this year!
SAFETY,
TIME, &
QUALITY

 are the self-explanatory reasons not to mess around with DIY window cleaning for your home. Get professionals to do the high climbing they are used to doing, with the proper tools for this very time-consuming task.

There are just 4 simple tasks in order prepare the house for the window-washing team:


  1. Clean the blinds or have them cleaned: The dust from the blinds will get back onto the newly washed windows, so clean them first or ask if it's a service the company offers.
  2. Consider what else they can do: Look around and see if there are any tall light fixtures that need attention or fans that need to be cleaned and find out how much that will cost.
  3. Move your fragile items away from the windows: Just be on the safe side; do yourself a favor and prevent extra stress over worrying about possible accidents.
  4. Ask about screen cleaning: Finally, take note of your screens and realize the ones outside will need a much more thorough cleaning. Make sure the cleaners are mindful of this.
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Wednesday, September 16

How Often Should I Power-wash My Home?

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Keep your home pristine by
power-washing at least once
 yearly and enhance your curb
appeal for everyone around.
This is a common yet important question to answer. Part of owning any house is keeping it in good condition, meaning that a time will come when you will have to power-wash the house exterior.

Power-wash on a regular basis to keep the home clean. A good schedule will keep your home's value up and prevent damage from long-term dirt build-up, and also keep your neighbors happy with you!

To power-wash a house does as much for the look of a home exterior as gardening.

 Once you call around to a few professional power-washing companies, they will probably come up with an appropriate schedule for you and this is a good idea. There is no one general rule for frequency of power-washing, but a good general guideline is yearly. Many other factors will affect whether it should be more or less often than this, but some of the most common variables are what material the exterior is made of and the area the home is located in.

  • The materials your home's exterior are made with is important because, for example, one made of stone or concrete will be able to withstand much more often power-washing than say, one that features a lot of wood.
  • The environmental setting around your home is important because those who live in area where there are a lot of trees or that is prone to lots of dust and mold may need to power-wash the house twice a year or more.
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READ MORE>> slideshare.net: How Often Should you Power Wash House?
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A.L. House Painting and Pressure Washing also offers staining services for decks, porches, patios, stairs and the house itself (interior and exterior).  All your home renovation needs.




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Hire a Professional Pressure Washing Service and Make Sure the Job is Done.

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
It's time to clean up
your outdoor look
this Spring season!
You can buy a pressure washer just about anywhere. Walmart even sells them. But just because they’re available doesn’t necessarily mean you have to get one.

 Besides, when you hire a pro, that expert already comes with his own toys.

Finding the Goldilocks spot is a balancing act. Too little pressure and you’re only going compact the grime deeper into the grains of wood. Too much pressure causes etching in the surface. A pro knows when it’s not too hot and not too cold. They know when everything’s just right.

When you hire a professional, they come equipped with the latest gizmos and gadgets to do the job. When you rent a power washer, you have one project in mind. Hiring a contractor means they’re ready to handle any unexpected developments.

Remember, when professional improvements are made, property values rise, neighbors are happy that your house isn’t owned by a slob and, frankly, if it’s your business that’s getting a cleaning, you might be inviting more customers to your store. They will, in the long-run, help pay for the pro.

READ MORE>> Redbeacon.com: Advantages of Hiring a Professional Pressure Washer

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A.L. House Painting and Pressure Washing also offers staining services for decks, porches, patios, stairs and the house itself (interior and exterior).  All your home renovation needs.

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Wednesday, September 2

Educate Yourself on Painting Prep Before Hiring

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Try to make sure decorative
removable pieces are painted
separately, then replaced.
When hiring a professional team to re-paint your house this Spring, there are a number of steps to go through before the actual painting can start.

It is wise to know some of the process yourself. 

This way you can assess how well the job is being done as a client and rest assured that it will be done properly and no corners are being cut.

So that nothing gets damaged, surrounding landscape plantings, air conditioning units, BBQ grills and the like will need to be protected from cleaning agents, paint chips, paint splatters and other debris.

 You will want to make sure that they:

  • Turn off power to the air conditioner condensing unit.
  • Turn off gas to the BBQ grill and other appliances.
  • Use canvas drop cloths cover the exterior appliances, foundation plantings and other delicate plants that could be damaged. (Not plastic tarps since they do not breathe like canvas and the plantings will swelter under the plastic sheets.)
  • You also may want to tie a cord around tall bushes near the house and pull the bush away from the home and stake it in the ground so the bush does not interfere with painting if you think the drop cloths are not quite protecting everything.
After these steps, things affixed to the house should all be removed and patched or painted, to be replaced after the exterior painting is completed.

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Consider a Triad Color Scheme for Your Home Decor in 2015

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
A softened version of the
red, yellow and blue triadic
colors is just one of the
many ways to execute this
design plan elegantly.
For a fresh new way of coming up with an exciting and pleasing color scheme for your interior paint job, consider a triadic theme.

This interior color scheme uses 3 colors evenly spaced around the color wheel; in other words, if you combine every fourth color on the color wheel, you will get a Triadic combination. For example, yellow, red and blue, or orange, green and violet make up a Triad.

Triadic interior paint color schemes are very popular among artists, because they offer strong visual contrast while still looking balanced and rich when composed properly.

Similar to Complementary interior color schemes, a Triad color scheme is intrinsically vibrant and very contrasting. The possibilities it offers are nearly infinite. But since the colors in the scheme are placed so far apart from one another and are not connected by a common denominator, they tend to compete for attention.

Truth be told, this interior home color scheme is probably the most difficult one to get right. The diversity of colors within the scheme does not guarantee harmony - in fact, this palette can look really discordant when its colors are used at or close to their full intensity. The end result can range from subtle to lively to gaudy, so the success of this scheme will really depend on your ability to carefully balance and subdue this bold and colorful mix of hues.

READ MORE AND SEE EXAMPLES HERE>> HousePaintingTutorials.com: "Triadic Interior Paint Color Schemes: Simple Interior Color Schemes"

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When you choose A. L. Painting House Painting Services, you’ll see why we’ve grown to become a trusted name in the house painting contractor business.  


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Wednesday, August 19

Things to Consider Before Power Washing

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Power washing a home can
 cost from 12 to 20 cents per
square foot, depending
on location and surface.
You need to be careful when considering pressure washing or power washing your home. Experts liken the experience of using a power washer for the first time to switching from a hand lawnmower to a self-propelled gasoline mower. Basically, it’s kind of a momentous thing; you can’t say the same thing about most tools.

 There is a lot of prep work involved in a successful pressure washing job, and the finished product will only be as good as the preparation you did.

 People unaccustomed to such work might be advised against trying it themselves.

 When cleaning your home’s exterior, window and door seals need to be protected to prevent leaks. Windows could break if you inadvertently hit them with the same pressure you’re using for the rest of the house. Also, the amount of pressure is important. Too much pressure on vinyl siding or stucco or even concrete can cause damage. Similarly, to clean a deck it needs to be low pressure.

So, before hiring a professional company to pressure wash your home, ask some questions:

  • Insurance. Is the contractor insured to cover any damage or injury that might occur when cleaning? Don’t be afraid to ask for a copy of their insurance-certificate binder.
  • Methods. Talk to them about how they’re going to clean it, what kind of process they’re going to use, down to the products they’re using.
  • Landscape. What will they do to protect trees, shrubs or other plants around the house or property? Wetting down plants and keeping them watered is important. If you cover them, it should only be for minutes at a time.

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A.L. House Painting and Pressure Washing also offers staining services for decks, porches, patios, stairs and the house itself (interior and exterior).  All your home renovation needs.
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Cost and Tips on Hiring Painters for the Exterior of Your Home

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Get a free estimate.
When hiring a painting contractor, paint and supplies make up about 15-25 percent of the cost, while 75-85 percent goes for labor. Costs typically average $1,500-$3,000 for an average single-story, three-bedroom home, but easily run $3,000-$5,500 or more for a multi-story or multi-level larger house.

Fresh paint not only brightens and updates a home's exterior, it also provides a protective seal against weather damage.

 Get estimates from several contractors, request and contact references, search for complaints at the Better Business Bureau and check that the company is properly bonded and insured, as well as licensed in your state. Only pay a small deposit, and don't pay the entire amount until the job is finished to your complete satisfaction (both painting and cleanup).

 Contractors' prices are sometimes lower in early spring or late fall--the off-season, when fewer people want their houses painted--than in peak summer months. Or ask about a lower price if the job is done as a fill-in, with the work done in-between other projects.

 Additional Costs:

  • Rotted wood or siding should be replaced, and all loose boards or trim fixed; if extensive repairs are needed, that adds to the cost of the project. Prices will vary depending on the type and extent of the damage.
  • Changing from a light to a dark color or vice versa means more coats of paint and can add up to 25 percent or more contractors' estimates.

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Wednesday, August 12

How to do a Stellar Paint Job in Your Home!

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Paint will refresh everything!
Your home is the place you go to get away from the stress of work and traffic, and it gives you a sense of security and comfort, so why not use one of the best and least expensive home interior decorating techniques to help create the sanctuary you want. Getting rid of the stark white walls and having the home painted is about the most basic thing you can do for a fairly quick dramatic difference.

To start with, narrow your selection to a few colors that seem to complement, rather than compete with, your furniture and furnishings.

Don't select very bright colors unless you are certain that you want your walls to be the focal point in the room.

Your best bet is to find the most neutral shades for the colors that you have in mind. For example, if there are seven shades of red paint, the most neutral shade will be the one in the middle of the bunch.

To add further interest, here are some things you can do after the initial paint job:

  1. Faux painting - (pronounced "foe") means "false". To faux paint is to paint one object to resemble another. With this interior painting idea, you can use paint to create the illusion of natural materials such as wood, marble, granite, etc. One easy faux painting technique is called Rag Painting. It can really provide an elegant look to your walls. This technique first requires you to add a a coat of satin finish paint (in your desired color) to the walls. When this coat is dry, you will then apply a glaze in a lighter or darker color. As the glaze is being applied, you'll gently press a bunched up rag against the wall to achieve the desired affect.
  2. Wall Stenciling - this interior painting idea involves applying color to a wall, floor, or ceiling through cutout areas of a template that create a design. When the cutout template or stencil is removed, the pattern remains. The pattern can be of anything you like including animals, stars, geometric patterns, flowers, the alphabet, etc. The process is very easy and it will add texture to your room. Also, a stencil design can be used over and over again anywhere in your home.
  3. Rubber Stamping - This is super fast and easy, and will give you unbelievable results! You may be familiar with using rubber stamping techniques to create greeting cards and other small handmade gifts. Now you can use those techniques on your walls.


READ MORE>> HomeDecoratingMadeEasy.com: Interior Painting Ideas
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When you choose A. L. Painting House Painting Services, you’ll see why we’ve grown to become a trusted name in the house painting contractor business.  

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Wednesday, July 22

A Selection of Wall Color Combination Ideas from Today's Designers

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Skip white trim...
Everyone knows how to do a standard color on a wall with painted white trim, and that usually looks beautiful, but sometimes the same tried and true methods can get a bit boring.

Spice it up! Don't be afraid to use more tones of color...

Here are some interesting color combination ideas from top designers that are fresh and exciting for inspiration as you prepare to have your interior painted:


  • Red on Red! Imagine a red on red library or even a bedroom with a bold Chinese red in a high gloss painted over several times for added depth, and then a slightly browner subdued red on the mouldings to create a shadow line and add contrast. This example is bold and intense but you can see how it would pull you in...
  • Baby Grey with Mahogany: For a very soothing yet sophisticated and understated "earth and sky look", in a room with lots of dark wood, try a baby blue-grey with a lot more grey in it, so it doesn't look blue but just has a touch, and paint all the trim a dark chocolate brown. This looks beautiful with glass lighting to warm up the space.
  • Grey and Lavender: Another fun thing to do with the versatility of the grey neutral is to pick a medium shade with an earthy hue that can span from green to straight grey to bluish depending on the light and time of day (yes, this works best in a room with lots of natural light, maybe a kitchen?) and then sweeten it up with some very pale lavender trim.


READ MORE>> HouseBeautiful.com: Wall Color Combinations
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Wednesday, July 15

Avoid a Huge Headache and Hire Professionals to Paint Your Home Exterior

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Paint your home this Spring.
Preparing to paint the exterior of a home is a long and detailed process, involving many arduous steps starting with repairing and replacing any damaged surfaces, to looking for and patching all nail holes and cracks, to major sanding and scraping, caulking, epoxy fillers, and the correct primers, just to name a fraction of what is involved. Also, Removing or covering all light fixtures, plumbing outlets, electrical covers and house numbers, removing all screens, and using dropcloths are all necessary. There are many materials to purchase aside from the paint, and a lot of research must be done accurately.

This may be the most important painting (and preparation) you do and unless you have experience with painting you might want to consider leaving this for the pros, because if you make a mistake everybody will see it.

Paint and preparation vary with the type of surface: wood, stucco, metal, masonry. Check with your paint store to ensure you've got the right products. In addition, here are three final tips:
  1. You can't paint vinyl or plastic. If there's a problem with any of these surfaces, you'll probably have to replace them.
  2. If the exterior was painted before the 1980s, you may be dealing with lead-based paint, which is extremely hazardous, especially for kids and pregnant women. Call the National Safety Council's Lead Information Center at (800) LEADFYI for instructions on how to deal with it safely.
  3. If you're using anything other than water-based latex, never put paint-soaked or cleaner-soaked tools or rags in an enclosed area of any kind - even a trash can with a lid. This is a recipe for spontaneous combustion.
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Wednesday, July 1

This Spring 2015: Have Your Home Exterior Painted By a Professional Team!

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
It is better for both the
painters and the paint itself to
not paint on a super hot
summer day; pick Spring!
As the weather switches from messy to mild in much of the country, every homeowner’s attention turns to the out of doors. It’s time to clean things up, tend to the garden, and make needed changes to both the home and its surroundings. Where to start? Assuming that your exterior paint is failing, it’s best to focus on that first.

There are plenty of good reasons to paint pronto, some of which are simply a matter of common sense.

Here are briefly some of the reasons why exterior painting should be first on your "Spring To-do List":

  1. First, the weather is most comfortable now.
  2. Second, it’s smart to paint before putting down your mulch, which along with your plants, will just get trampled if you paint later on.
  3. Third, why not get your painting done before more pleasant “distractions” like vacations, sports, and barbecues begin?

Another reason to get to your painting first:
Exterior latex paint forms the toughest, most durable, protective finish when the weather is neither too cold, nor too hot, but just right. . .like it is in the Spring.

It’s always best to do exterior painting when temperatures are above 50 degrees F., but not too extreme. Very hot days can cause the paint to dry too quickly and impair good paint film formation. By painting in moderate temps, odds are you may get a longer-lasting paint job.

Pick a day that’s not windy to paint. Like the heat of the sun, wind can cause latex paint to dry too quickly and prevent optimal paint film formation. Plus, wind can stir up dust and other contaminants that can imbed in the paint to create an inviting surface for mildew, which feeds on such matter.

READ MORE>> blog.PaintQuality.com: Why Exterior Painting Should Be First On Your Spring To-Do List

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Wednesday, June 17

A Good Pressure Wash is Great for a Home

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Typically, homeowner-bought
power washers don't have a
 lot of  water flow, so they have
 to be very close to the object
 being power washed.
Spring is a perfect time of year for homeowners to consider pressure washing their property. A good cleaning will do more than improve the look of your house, driveway, fencing, pool, deck or patio; it will also preserve your home's value by ridding it of harmful mold, algae or other contaminates.

A pressure washing can also clear gutters and downspouts, minimizing the chance for water damage to the roof, windows or foundation. Homeowners should think twice before trying to tackle this job themselves, though, or hiring an amateur. A power washing done improperly could lead to costly damage. Vinyl siding, typically ends up with very obvious chalky marks on it, and it's hard to repair.

Professional power-washing companies often get calls from overambitious homeowners who started pressure washing their driveway and ended up trying to do the deck or house, only to splinter wood or damage siding.

 Hiring a professional company to pressure-wash your home is the best way to go and not that expensive. In addition to adding curb appeal and keeping its value high, there are other benefits such as the ability to have it painted after a good wash, and the fixing the common problem of roof algae. It grows in areas where moisture collects, often on the north side of the house, and is usually indicated by black streaks. Done well, a roof cleaning by an experienced pressure-washing company can rid it of the algae and drastically improve its appearance. Done incorrectly, though, it could also cause serious damage and void the roof's warranty. Homeowners need to find a qualified and reputable company before having their roof cleaned.

READ MORE>> creators.com: Pressure Washing Good for Home, if Done Correctly (by Angie Hicks)
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A.L. House Painting and Pressure Washing also offers staining services for decks, porches, patios, stairs and the house itself (interior and exterior).  All your home renovation needs.
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Wednesday, June 10

How to Hire a Painter in Four Easy Steps

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA


Get the paint job you need
checked off your to-do list.
Have you been putting off getting your home professionally painted? Maybe this Spring is a good time to finally get it done...
and here are simple instructions:

  1. Get Personal Referrals and References. Ask friends, neighbors and colleagues who have hired paint contractors in the past five years for referrals or recommendations based on their experiences. Online neighborhood groups can be a great way to do this efficiently. Once you have several referrals, call at least three paint contractors to get estimates.
  2. Get Onsite House-painting Estimates. Ask your narrowed pool of potential painters for an estimate. Be wary of any who offer estimates without visiting your home -- an experienced contractor must take measurements of the project space and inspect potentially problematic surfaces before estimating how much paint, time and repair work are needed to do the job correctly. Walk through the project area or show the contractor every area that requires painting so he can give an accurate estimate.
  3. Plan the Specifics of the Painting Job. Tell your potential painter as much as you can about your expectations ahead of time, including the color and sheen of the paint. Discuss the time frame for the entire project, as well as what hours and which days work will be done.
  4. Write it Down in Contract Form. Once you've chosen a paint contractor, ask for a written contract spelling out everything you've agreed upon, including cost, time frame and cleanup details. Read the agreement carefully to make sure it covers all of your concerns, as well as how potential complaints, paint omissions or issues should be handled once the project is complete.

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A.L. House Painting and Pressure Washing also offers staining services for decks, porches, patios, stairs and the house itself (interior and exterior).  All your home renovation needs.

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Wednesday, June 3

Estimating the Cost of Having Your Windows Professionally Cleaned

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Let your windows gleam.
Wondering if you should hire professionals to clean the windows of your home? It's actually quite affordable and definitely worth it. Here is an outline of typical costs:

Most window cleaning services charge by the number of panes. Each pane is a piece of glass framed on all sides by wood or metal. Some companies charge by the total square footage of the home, but in general, window cleaning costs $2-$7 per pane. (So for a 1,300-square foot home with 20 panes, the cost would run $40-$140. For a 2,200-square foot home with 28 panes, the price would average $56-$196.)

This is what is typically included in that base cost:

A professional window washer will remove and mark all screens, cleaning both sides of the screens before setting them aside. Both the inside and outside of the windows should be washed, including the window tracks and sills. The clean screens should then be put back in place. Ideally, household windows should be washed twice a year.

Additional costs are as follows:

  • Screen cleaning is .50 cents-$5 each, depending on size. Some companies will not clean broken or torn screens.
  • Sliding glass doors run $2.50-$8 per door. Some companies average the cost of sliding doors with small bathroom windows, to cut the price.
  • Some cleaners will include sills and tracks. If not, the price runs .50 cents-$5.
  • While second-story work is generally charged the same as single story, third and fourth-floor ladder work runs $3-$5 extra per window.
  • Paint or stain removal on the windows costs $3.50-$6 for a regular-sized window.
  • Removing mineral deposits is included by some companies and runs about $20 per pane at others.
  • Finally, some companies offer a 10-20 % discount for scheduling with neighbors.
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Wednesday, May 27

How to Choose the Right Painting Contractor

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
You will be able to relax while a
team paints your home if you
have done "your homework."
Some pretty basic steps for choosing the right professional contractor to paint your home are of course to first ask around, maybe on a neighborhood website or local social media to save time, in order to get some names to start calling. Then it is pretty standard to narrow them down to three candidates and ask for some on-site estimates. And of course it's important to be very specific about work expectations and details before the job has begun and to finalize things in writing.

But what exactly do you say or look for in the interview and what exactly should be in the contract?

Here are some questions to ask during each interview:
  • How long have you been in business?
  • Do you have the proper/required licenses? (This varies by state, and some states may not require licensing.)
  • Do you have insurance and bonding? (This helps determine whether your contractor and any hired workers are insured for injury and liability.)
  • Are you a member of any national or local painting contractors' associations?
  • Do you subcontract your work or perform it yourself?
  • Can you provide references?
  • Do you offer written guarantees of your work?
  • What products do you use?
Behavior to notice when meeting each candidate:
  • Does the contractor project a sense of professionalism and experience?
  • Is the contractor courteous and business-like?
  • Is the contractor busy? (Good ones usually are.)
  • Does the contractor return phone calls and provide estimates in a timely manner?
  • Is the contractor on time for appointments?
What exactly should be in the contract:
  • What exactly is being painted (house, trim, walls, molding, etc.)
  • Details on preparation and cleanup
  • Paint colors for each area to be painted
  • How the contractor will protect plants, patios, furniture, or other items
  • How much time the project will take, from start to finish
  • When and how the contractor will be paid

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Contact us today to set up an appointment!
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Wednesday, May 20

Fun Things To Do With Interior and Exterior Painting Projects in 2015

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Painting is a low-cost way to do a
majority of your interior design.
Do you want painting ideas and inspiration for design projects around your home?

 Learn how to stage your home for selling with neutrals. Get excited with ceiling paint ideas, creating easy but beautiful designs on your ceilings to add height and interest to what many designers call "the fifth wall". Consider vibrant accent walls. Use chalkboard paint, now available in any color, to make playful and artistic spaces in your home, (one fresh idea: a kitchen table-top canvas?!) or large wall calendars!

Outside, consider painting stepping stones or a timeless checkerboard porch floor, which requires minimal preparation and is decorative but understated and classic. Learn about how to use concrete stain to transform your patio with beautiful color blocks. 

If you lean towards being an artist, consider also learning some decorative painting techniques. How about wood-grains, marble and limestone look-alikes, tone-on-tone stenciled damasks, or a pearlescent hued wall encrusted with sea shells? These are some of the basic techniques you could learn how to do in your own home:

  • Mottling
  • Color Washing
  • Strie
  • Stenciling
  • Layering
  • Faux Finishes
  • Pearlescent Hues
  • Brush, roller, sponge, and cloth techniques


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Wednesday, May 13

Spotlight on Trim: Consider Different Colors

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Consider monochromatic
colors on the trim for
 a contemporary look.
Think of trim like the frame of a painting: It outlines and enhances the beauty of what's inside.

At its most elemental, trim adds punctuation to a room's elements. Crown molding signals that the wall is ending and the ceiling is beginning. Baseboard announces the transitions between wall and floor. Casings define the perimeter of doors and windows. Trim also has the aesthetic function of enhancing or changing the perception of a room's size and shape.

By using trim to create strong lines, you can make a room seem larger, or by breaking up soaring walls, you can make it seem cozier. 


  • Through the use of trim you can both enhance and complete the design style you envision for the space. For a contemporary room, design experts suggest using techniques that help the trim blend with the room color. This can be achieved by painting the trim the same color as the walls or a tinted version of it. It gives the room a fresh, unified look.
  • For classic or traditional interiors, using a white or off-white paint can really play up the trim and bring out its historical or intricate qualities. And many design experts consider white the perfect color for any trim, regardless of interior style or wall color. With dark walls, white trim lightens and brightens the room while making the wall color really "pop." And when walls are painted light or muted colors, white trim makes the color appear crisp and clean.
  • A trend that has grown in popularity of late is selecting dark colors for trim – even black. Dark trim gives a room more depth than white or light trim does, and very effectively frames views when used on window casings. In addition, dark trim contrasts nicely with some of today's trendiest room colors: soft aquas, powder blues, greens – from lime to celadon – and the gamut of grays.
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READ MORE >> www.sherwin-williams.com: "Trim it Up: Tips for Using Trim to Highlight Color"
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Read more about A.L. Painting:
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Wednesday, April 22

Five Signs of an Excellent Professional Window Cleaner

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Improve the safety of your home
 by having professional window
 cleaners make all your openings
 both sparkly and functional.
Anyone with a bucket, squeegee and window mop can call themselves a window cleaner.

Ask questions before you hire just anyone.

 A true professional will make sure your windows are not only clean, but functional and will advise you on ways to protect the biggest investment most people ever make – their home. 

 Here are five things a truly professional window cleaning service should be able to do for you:

  1. SPOT GENERAL PROBLEMS: First and foremost is identifying problems that need correction. Sashes painted shut, ill-fitting screens, damaged or non-functional window weights in older double hung windows and wood rot on sills are just a few problems that if spotted early can save big expense later.
  2. REMOVE INSECT INFESTATIONS: Bees and hornets build nests behind shutters, wasps build paper nests in between older three-piece storm windows and ladybugs also build nests in channels to winter over, making the window hard to operate.
  3. EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR WINDOWS: Old aluminum screens left in place for years gradually etch a pattern of deposits on the glass, much like lime deposits in the shower. Not only is it unattractive, the etched glass is more prone to cracks and chips. A simple treatment of muriatic acid can restore the glass to gleaming brilliance and add years to the working life of the window.
  4. PROVIDE PROPER CLEANING PRODUCTS: If you have leaded glass or stained glass you may be unintentionally damaging it by cleaning it with an ammonia based store brand. Ammonia is a liquid abrasive and the main ingredient in a process called wet sanding. With repeated use, it clouds leaded and stained glass and that damage cannot be repaired. By having a professional look at your windows, you will learn what is safe to use to touch up your own windows.
  5. FIND THE CAUSES OF WINDOW SPOTS: Spots on your glass? Your mulch may be to blame. Cheap mulches often are infested with a fungus aptly named shotgun fungus. When mature, the fungus shoots out black spores that glue themselves to glass and vinyl siding and are very hard to remove completely. A professional window cleaning service will point this out to you and the mulch can be replaced with some of higher quality and your windows and siding will stay cleaner and more attractive longer.
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A.L. House Painting and Pressure Washing also offers staining services for decks, porches, patios, stairs and the house itself (interior and exterior).  All your home renovation needs.
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Wednesday, April 8

Lighten and Brighten Your Kitchen

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Painting cabinets white is tasteful
 and brightens a dark kitchen.
Kitchens are often one of the most utilized areas of a home, so their decoration requires a lot of thought. Dark kitchen designs are usually not as visually pleasing as light-filled decors.

You can illuminate your kitchen in multiple ways, ranging from painting existing walls and cabinetry to adding colorful accessories and mirrors.

Bright kitchens sometimes feel larger, which is an added benefit, especially for a small room.

 A Few Ideas:

  • Use a light color palette to create a light kitchen decor. Paint the walls a light hue, such as soft tan, creamy white or buttercup yellow, to help reflect the light in the room and give the entire space a light-filled backdrop.
  • Incorporate myriad lighting fixtures into the bright kitchen design. Use under-the-cabinet lights to illuminate dark countertop areas. These specialty fixtures provide much-needed light to the countertop surfaces.
  • Add a mirror to a sink area with no window to instantly brighten the space and give it added dimension. Coordinate the mirror frames with the colors and style of the room for best visual appeal.
  • Display a group of vintage aprons on a peg shelf to add color to the space. Showcase a collection of brightly hued dishes in an open cabinet or hang colored plates on a soffit area to add light, height and design to the kitchen.

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Contact us today to set up an appointment!

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Wednesday, April 1

Is There a Difference Between Power Washing and Pressure Washing?

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Nothing knocks dirt off homes
 like water-streams delivering
 up to 2,000 pounds of force.
Although the two are used almost interchangeably, the answer here is technically yes.

Pressure washing and power washing are different in one major way: A power washer lets you control the temperature of the water; pressure washers do not.

Both, however, are capable of delivering the same water velocity.

Whether you need a power washer or pressure washer depends on what you're cleaning from a surface:

  • POWER WASHING- A power washer provides steady streams of heated water, which works well to rid surfaces of mold, mildew and thick clumps of dirt. The more stuff you have stuck on whatever you're cleaning, the more you'll benefit from power washing.
  • PRESSURE WASHING- Pressure washers clean through water pressure alone. Pressure washers work well on masonry, brick and concrete.
Whether you hire someone depends on your level of comfort with operating a pressure washing machine, as well as the area you want to have cleaned. Generally, the bigger the job, the more benefit you'll get out of hiring someone. The amount of time it takes a pro to do a job will drive most of the price. Contractors can estimate the amount of time their work will take based on the size of the area to be cleaned.

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A.L. House Painting and Pressure Washing also offers staining services for decks, porches, patios, stairs and the house itself (interior and exterior).  All your home renovation needs.
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Wednesday, March 18

Simple Expert Home Painting Tips

Posted by Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Paint some large-scale
swatches to help visualize
 your color decisions.
Color isn't easy!

To get the exact color you will end up being happy with, do your homework and test a series of 5-7 variations on the hue you choose by painting a swatch of each on the wall and live with it for a while.

 Also note any reflections from outside. For example, if you have a large tree in front of a window, you may get green reflecting in and that will affect the paint color on the wall.

For your interest, here are three quick expert tips to further guide you in having your home painted:

  1. How to add color to a rental apartment with white walls or exposed brick?If you are living in a rental apartment or house, always speak with your landlord before making any design changes. Once you receive the blessing, go for it. If allowed, you can paint one wall, maybe it's the brick one, and it can serve as an accent in the room. Spend time in the room at all hours of the day to see when it gets light and where the light hits. This will determine which wall to paint and what color to choose (dark or light). Remember to note any color reflections.
  2. How to pick a neutral color for a nursery when you don't know if the child is a boy or a girl?
    Classic yellows, bright and happy, and greens, fresh and clean, will always work. Pair them with a crisp white for a modern look or a creamy taupe for a more traditional feel. Don't be afraid of using gray, too, for a really contemporary take on a nursery. Brighten it up by combining it with yellow accents for a complimentary mix.
  3. How to add color to the exterior of your house?
    You can be fairly liberal in painting doors and shutters, depending on the overall color of the house. Choose deep, rich, saturated hues here if you wish. Not willing to invest in a big paint job? Add color to the mailbox (or even the little flag) or paint house numbers on a planter in a great color that matches your home's exterior.

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A.L. House Painting and Pressure Washing also offers staining services for decks, porches, patios, stairs and the house itself (interior and exterior).  All your home renovation needs.
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