Educate Yourself on Painting Prep Before Hiring

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.

READ MORE>> homerepair.about.com: Exterior House Painting/Protect and Prepare the Yard

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Cost and Tips on Hiring Painters for the Exterior of Your Home

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.

READ MORE>> home.costhelper.com: Cost of Painting a House - Estimates and Prices Paid

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

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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How to Hire a Painter in Four Easy Steps

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.

READ MORE>> eHow.com: How to Hire a Painter

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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.

• Interior House Painting Services for Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta
• Exterior House Painting Services for Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta
• Contact us today for a house painting quote! Call 770-806-2447 or online
• Check out our Atlanta House Painting Services coupons! 

How to Choose the Right Painting Contractor

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

READ MORE>> benjaminmoore.com: How to Find and Hire the Right Painting Contractor

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

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

READ MORE HERE>> benjaminmoore.com: Painting Ideas For Your Home

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The Right Exterior Paint Colors Will Increase Curb Appeal

Choose a Quality
Painting Professional
to Freshen Up
Your Home's Exterior

Whether you're in the market looking to buy or sell, or to own or lease out a property, curb appeal plays a central part of the decision.

And one of the easiest ways to address curb appeal is to change or improve your exterior paint colors. 

Here are 8 tips to help you choose your exterior paint colors:

1. Accentuate the Past - If you have the help of a designer--and most of the professional or contractor paint shops offer such an expert--then ask him or her to find paint samples from the era in which your home was built.
2. Be Aware of Neighbors' Exterior Paint Colors - Will the colors you are leaning towards fit in the overall feel of the neighborhood? Can you manage to be unique without being the eyesore?
3. Structural Harmony with Rest of the House - Structural elements such as roof color/material, landscaping, and natural surroundings can suggest color families to help you decide your exterior paint colors.
4. The Inside Affects the Outside - Don't be afraid to pull the colors for your home from a beloved piece from inside (a quilt, some china,) and translate it onto your exterior. This adds a sense of harmony and integrity in design, and can be as subtle or obvious as you'd like.
5. White House: The Color of Tradition - With the right complementary touches, white can be a fantastic exterior paint color option. Don't think of it as a last resort or a default color; white is not a non-choice. White has its stately appeal.
6. Darker Details Draw the Eye In - If you have an archway or trim, or any particular feature you want highlighted, draw attention with darker colors.
7. Consider the Number of Colors - Adding too many colors to a home that's really designed to have a maximum of 3 or 4 colors will make the home look garish. The right home can have as many as 10 colors, but this requires the keen eye of a professional designer to make it work.
8. Take Advantage of Color Tools - At the very least, you will need to pick up a handy paint tool commonly called a color wheel or color fan. Ask your dealer if they can loan you a fan, or if you can take some samples once you think you're decided. 

READ MORE >> homerenovations.about.com: Eight Tips For Choosing Exterior Paint Colors

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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.  

•    FREE House Painting Estimate from A. L. Painting Co.
•    Why Choose A. L. Painting Co.  To Paint Your Atlanta Home?
•    Check Out Our Favorite YouTube Videos
•    Visualize Your Rooms With Sherwin Williams "Visualizer"

Easy Color Finder

Have more fun decorating!

Find the perfect paint color for your home!

Get great paint ideas before you even pick up a paintbrush with this easy Color-a-Room tool.

Match your paint color to the colors of your furniture, flooring and trim.

ACCESS TOOL HERE >> BetterHomesandGardens.com: Painting Ideas

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Read more about A.L. Painting:

• Licensed and Insured
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• Drywall Patch Services + Professional House Prep
• 3-Year No Fear! Warranty

Exterior House Painting Ideas and Colors

Get creative with the
exterior painting of your home!

The exterior walls are one of the most important features of any home because they are the first thing that someone sees when they visit or pass by your house. Maintaining a beautiful exterior is important for the curb appeal of your home and to preserve an attractive look that neighbors will be envious of.

Another important aspect of your home's curb appeal are other outdoor features such as decks, porches, pools, landscaping designs and other exterior aspects of the house. One of the best ways to spruce up the outside of your home or add to its style is to apply a fresh coat of paint.

Almost every outdoor feature of your home can be painted including the deck, pool, concrete and walls.

One of the best ways to determine the color you would like to paint your home is to look at a design gallery of exterior house colors. Looking at images of houses will give you inspiration for your home and provide you with examples of the most popular outside paint colors to choose from. 

Traditionally,the best paint colors for homes are lighter shades of any hue because the pastel colors tend to attract less light and heat than darker ones, preventing sun damage. Great outside house paint colors are neutral shades such as tans, whites, and creams because they work well with simple landscape designs with lots of plants and flowers and highlight the vegetation, rather than taking away from them. However, many homeowners also choose to get a little more festive with their painting, choosing exterior paint color combinations of one main, bright hue with an accent shade that is lighter and complements the home well.

If you are unsure of what colors to choose or combine when painting your home, remember to look at pictures of exterior paint colors to get an idea of what style you would like use.

For those homeowners who are not interested in taking on a huge painting project, keep in mind that other areas of the exterior of the house can be painted as well.

READ MORE >> diyhomedesignideas.com: 2014 Exterior House Paint Color Ideas & Design Pictures

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• Licensed and Insured
• Atlanta Better Business Bureau Member
• Interior and Exterior House Painting Coupons
• Drywall Patch Services + Professional House Prep
• 3-Year No Fear! Warranty

Color Forecast for 2015

Hire a professional painting
company to carry out your design.

The universe in your paintbox, and you're the curator, collecting colors that speak to you and combining them in fresh ways that will put a smile on your face. 

A preview of the palettes:

• Chrysalis - look to the earth and sky for inspiration with colors that create an oasis.
• Voyage - from space tourism to undersea resorts, look to beyond to find colors that are supernatural and magical.
• Buoyant - Bright florals, green spaces, urban environments define the color in this palette.
• Unrestrained - celebrate bold, ethnic-inspired colors to the Bohemian lifestyle.

Check out this 2015 color forecast with videos!

VIEW HERE >> www.sherwin-williams.com: 2015 colormix Color Forecast From Sherwin-Williams

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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.

• Interior House Painting Services for Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta
• Exterior House Painting Services for Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta
• Contact us today for a house painting quote! Call 770-806-2447 or online
• Check out our Atlanta House Painting Services coupons! 

Quiz and Color Scheme/Palette Generator

Time to get your house painted!

Want to take a quiz to help you find the colors that best fit your personality?

How about a handy color scheme and palette generator tool?

You can upload a photograph of anything that inspires you and it will extract a color scheme and palette from it with the paint names!

If there is a specific color in your image that you are looking for, then just narrow in on a smaller area by dragging the dotted line. But this is not where it ends! Now you can click on any of the colors and this nifty tool will give you more color palettes based on that one color.

Pairing colors made super easy! Go try it yourself!

TRY IT HERE >> completelycoastal.com: Color Scheme and Palette Generator Tool by Glidden -My Image Inspiration

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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.

• Interior House Painting Services for Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta
• Exterior House Painting Services for Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta
• Contact us today for a house painting quote! Call 770-806-2447 or online
• Check out our Atlanta House Painting Services coupons! 

Exterior Home Painting Ideas

White and off-white accents
are always a tasteful choice.

Are you considering updating your home? Maybe to put it on the market or maybe just to spruce it up? Perhaps even to completely change how it looks, simply so you can enjoy a different style and feel a little like you are in a new home?

A fresh coat of paint on the exterior of your home can really make all the difference!

See this gallery of popular exterior painting ideas before you hire a professional.

READ MORE >> www.associerge.ga: Paint Color Ideas For House Exterior Beautiful White

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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.  

•    FREE House Painting Estimate from A. L. Painting Co.
•    Why Choose A. L. Painting Co.  To Paint Your Atlanta Home?
•    Check Out Our Favorite YouTube Videos
•    Visualize Your Rooms With Sherwin Williams "Visualizer"

Color Trends 2015

Paint your home in a way that
inspires you and your guests.

Color itself is like one of the senses, enhancing our world and our state of mind. Color can bring about a transformation- energizing, refreshing, calming, expanding or warming your space. Using color at home in a decorating scheme can sometimes be a bit of a balancing act. This is why it's important to select the color that’s just right for your home.

For 2015, here is a glimpse of how rooms look using different tones and values of new trend colors on the walls. The “balance” happens when decorative colors are added in furniture, window treatments and other accessories. View mixed and matched colors from different palettes to show how versatile they can be when partnered with different colors.

The result is an inviting, inspiring and harmonious makeover for your room!

• Deep Dreams: What Colors Do You Dream In? Dark colors will transform a bedroom into a dreamy, mythical landscape. Clean white trim and lampshades add a light contrast, and bright pops of color in the bedding will add layers of texture and interest.
• Frosted Pastels: Barely-There Whispers of Color Open Up a Space. Pastels aren’t just for nurseries anymore - especially when you combine them with zesty modern accents. Pair with a few clean white accents to enhance.
• Social Brights: Spark Conversation With a Bright Feature Wall! The key to using brights is to use them strategically. They work well when partnered with neutrals, dark hues or light hues. Modern styling and black and white décor go hand in hand with vivacious accent colors.
• Nuanced Neutrals: Effortless, Organic Colors Feel Right at Home. Comfortable, weathered colors are the hallmark of today’s midrange neutral palette. Make your kitchen the perfect marriage of function, color and contentment.

SEE EXAMPLES HERE >> www.behr.com: 2015 Paint Color Trends

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Winter is a Great Time to Paint the Interior of Your Home

Paint your interiors winter
to warm up for the holidays

During this holiday season, and with the Winter months just ahead of us, painting the interior of your home can help lift your spirits and fill up some of that extra time. Now that it's getting a bit too cold to do much outside, especially if you live in the east, there is no excuse for not getting those inside projects completed.

A lot of people go through what's called the "Winter Blahs", and they would rather hibernate instead of being proactive. We are all guilty of this sometimes, despite the lovely season.

Painting is one interior project that can really change a persons' outlook on their home and the season. Just imagine adding some warm colors to a room that has seemed cold, or brightening up your home by painting the woodwork white. Maybe there is a room that has always seemed boring and you've been wanting to paint an accent wall. Remember when you cleaned out the basement and you kept taking a peek because you felt good about what you did? How about when you bought a new shower curtain and towels for the bathroom? 

It changes how you feel about that space. 

Well, just think how you'll feel if you completely transform your room, or your entire home with paint. Not only will you be making those wanted improvements to your home, but think of the time you'll occupy by doing so. If you are going to paint your entire home, and you only have the weekends to work on it, you can make it a Winter project. If you have a family, let everyone get involved and do it together.

Always check with your local paint professional for the paint that best fits you and your project. If you are able, why wait for Spring to work on the inside of your home. 

If you get your painting done while it's cold outside, you'll have that free time to go outside when it warms up. 

Then think how you'll feel when you return to your newly painted home. Winter is a great time to liven up the interior of your home and battle those Winter blahs.

READ MORE >> ezinearticles.com: Interior Painting - Winter is a Great Time to Paint the Interior of Your Home

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Talking to a Professional House Painting Service

When in doubt, hire
A.L. Painting Company!

We all know what we want when it comes to interior house painting services.  

We may even have an inkling about what we desire in exterior house painting service, however, as the following articles advises, it may be best to let the pros do their jobs.

In an ever increasing independent society, most of us feel the need to micromanage every area of our lives—even those areas we have no knowledge.  However, if we hire someone to perform house painting services, it is best to allow them the space to give you the results you desire.

What Consumer Reports Advises For Finding A Professional House Painting Service

That said, its is also okay to let the contractor know what you envision and expect as an outcome of the service.  Navigating this tenuous obstacle need not be daunting however, especially if you have chosen an experienced company that understands their clientele.

A. L. Painting Company prides itself on the ability to give Atlanta, Alpharetta and Roswell area residents what they want at an affordable rate.  Whether you are looking for exterior house painting services or interior house painting services, we will listen to you and do our best to deliver as promised.

Contact A. L. Painting Company for a free estimate today to get the quality paint job you desire and deserve.

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Locating Quality Eco Friendly Paint In Atlanta

A. L. Painting Co. professional
house painters carefully apply
your paint, stain,varnish
or other finishes

Green Conscious Home Owners

Green conscious home owners in Atlanta often try to find ways to remodel while keeping the environment in mind. One way to do this is by utilizing eco friendly paint for the exterior of the home.

The question then becomes, what kind to use?




A do-it-yourselfer can take a tip from professionals that offer exterior house painting services by picking a thick paint. Thicker paints contain more solids to lock out moisture and increase the paints durability.

 Of course, one can also choose to hire a contractor that offers exterior house painting services to get the job done. Such a professional will be able to specify which will work best on the exterior of the home. For example, an expert will take into consideration the state of the home’s disrepair as well as the type of paint that would cover stone, brick and wood paneling.

A. L. Painting Company not only offers budget friendly exterior house painting services but they can cater to the environmentally conscious with eco friendly materials upon request.

Servicing Atlanta, Alpharetta and Roswell, A. L. Painting has the experience to provide the high quality house painting services you’ll need to give your home a facelift.

Call to learn more about our affordable, low cost plans today.

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• Atlanta House Painting Services by A. L. Painting
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