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.

--------------------------
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.
Labels: , , , ,

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.

-------------------------
Contact us today to set up an appointment!
Labels: , , , ,

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
------------------------
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"
Labels: , , ,

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
-------------------------
Read more about A.L. Painting:
Labels: , , , ,

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.
-------------------------
Read more about A.L. Painting:
Labels: , , , ,

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

-------------------------
Contact us today to set up an appointment!

Labels: , , ,

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)
--------------------------
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.
Labels: , , , ,

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.

--------------------------
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.

Labels: , , ,

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.
-----------------------

-------------------------
Contact us today to set up an appointment!
Labels: , ,

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

-------------------------
Contact us today to set up an appointment!
Labels: , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...