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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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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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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