5 Resources to Become a Better House Painter

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5 Resources to Become a Better House Painter

Learning how to paint a house takes time and technique. We’ve been at it for over thirty years, so we’ve honed our craft. However, if you are trying to improve your house painting skills for weekend projects or to paint a small portion of your house, you may lose yourself trying to find all the right answers to get the job done perfectly. There are resources out there that can make the painting process simpler for you. We have listed five go-to resources you should take advantage of for your next house painting project.

Color House Paint

Color House Paint has two valuable resources that help you become a better painter. The first tool lets you decide how much paint you need based on the size of the room. You simply fill in some measurements and it’ll calculate how much paint you need. The second tool will help you choose a color. This service does cost $50, and if you are okay with that, it is like having a distant professional do a consultation for you without visiting. You simply send in pictures of the room and other material and they help suggest what colors might work well in that room. This website is a great resource to help you become a better house painter.

DIY Network

We love the DIY Network because they have informative articles and videos about various painting tips and tricks to help you learn to paint better. From painting techniques to finishes, they have informative articles and instructive videos that are easy to understand and follow. Take a look around and see if you can’t take your house painting project and do it yourself.

This Old House

You cannot go wrong with the television show that has been a staple of the do-it-yourself crowd for years. Their website is just as enriching as the show itself. With sections dedicated to specific projects, including painting, you can learn so much about caring for or restoring portions of your house. If you need to repaint a brick fireplace, for example, you can learn more about that on their site. If you want to become a better house painter, this is the source to show you how.

Your Local Paint Store

Don’t overlook your local paint store as a great resource for improving your painting. Your local paint store has trained professionals who work in the industry. Not only can they talk to you about your project, they can also show you the tools needed to get it done right as. Nothing, after all, can replace talking to a human being about something as intricate as painting.

Buzzfeed

If you are wondering what Buzzfeed is, so did we when our children told us about it. Buzzfeed is a very popular website with articles on many topics containing a more visual style. Their articles have more images than words, which makes them easy to browse through and read. It is popular among youth, but the information is very informative, to the point, and engaging. They have paint hacks that can help you become a better painter as well. That is why we love it. It provides a fresh perspective from a creative generation that has much value to offer.

Whether it’s a tool to figure out how much paint you need, a great and established TV show, or a new-aged website, there is no shortage of resources to make you a better house painter. If you need more resources or just want to ask some questions, contact us today!

How to Play it Safe While Painting

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How to Play it Safe While Painting

If you have read any of our blogs so far, or just a little about us, you know we love painting. But, we also take it seriously. Painting carries some inherent risks. From potential falls to paint in your eyes, it can cause injuries. As a company, we are all too aware of injuries that are covered under workman’s compensation laws. While accidents happen, there are ways to keep safe while painting and we wanted to share a few important ones that have kept our injuries and accidents to a minimum and allow us to complete jobs in a reasonable amount of time.

Wear Safety Equipment

You may be thinking that painting involves no equipment. You just roll some brushes on a wall then call it a day. This could not be further from the truth. Painting absolutely requires some standard safety equipment. Aside from wearing clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, wear safety goggles to avoid getting paint in your eyes. Wear knee and elbow pads if you will be on leaning or kneeling for extended periods of time. Also, keep your skin covered so you do not come into contact with harmful chemicals. Most importantly, consider a mask to keep from allowing paint and fumes into your lungs.
You can find common safety equipment at your local paint store.

Use the Right Tools

Imagine trying to paint a ceiling using a kitchen chair. You may find yourself wobbling back and forth and eventually falling. Just like you would not use a frying pan without something to hold the hot handle, you should not paint without the right tools. The proper tools vary depending on the task at hand. Items like ladders will help you easily reach places without risking falling or straining muscles. Using a paint brush with an extended handle will help as well. In some cases, automation can help avoid repetitive use injuries. Before you start painting, give us a call or visit your local paint store to get the right tools for the job to avoid injuries.

Read the Instruction Manuals

Paint brushes may not come with a manual to tell you how to use them. But, paint will have instructions and safety warnings as may some of your protective gear and tools we referenced earlier. Take the time to read this information. It could make the difference between getting hurt or not. Below are some things you may read on paint labels or elsewhere, for example.

● Solvents are highly flammable – keep these paints away from all sources of heat, and never expose directly to an open flame.
● Store in cool, well-ventilated areas.
● Keep these products out of reach of pets and children.
● Dispose of rags properly – rags soaked with oil-based materials can ignite spontaneously if not spread out to dry.
● Ensure good ventilation with open windows and doors.
● Wear protective equipment.
● Keep children and pets out of the painted area.
When painting, it is important to read all instructions so you know what you’re dealing with. Mix the wrong chemicals, store something the wrong way, or try to clean something the wrong way can lead to a negative health outcome. Please take the time to read.

Take Your Time

Painting can have a physical toll on your body. We know. When you only do it once in a while, you feel that toll greater than when your body is accustomed to the rigors of the work. Do not rush your paint job. Take your time and lots of breaks to stretch, rest, and rehydrate. Not doing so can lead to cramps, pulled muscles, and even torn body parts such as rotator cuffs. Yes, painting can send you to the hospital if you are not careful. If you feel an unusual ache or pain, please do not just take some pain medication and push through. Stop and rest until you feel better. What you are painting will be there waiting when you get back.

Painting is fun, but also a serious business. Before you paint consider all the safety protocols that will help make it fun, efficient, and not leave you cursing the experience. Call or email us to ask any questions about painting safety you have!

The Benefits of Painting

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The Benefits of Painting

Painting is one of those things you either love or hate. For some, it is messy, dirty, and hard work. Yet, for others, it is blissful, an escape, and something to look forward to. We love painting, so you can guess which side of the argument we fall on. However, we realize not everyone is aware of the many mental and physical and health benefits painting provides. Whether it is painting your house, which is our passion, painting a model car, or painting on canvas, we think painting can help you in so many ways. Below are just a few key ways painting helps you physically and emotionally.

Improved Creativity

Painting is a creative process. Just by looking at the picture in this blog post, you can envision the imagination used to create such work. For those who are more creative, painting enhances creativity and keeps it sharp. For those more analytical folks, painting can help stimulate and improve creativity. Painting is especially important to children. While they are in the developmental stages, painting can help their brain development, which can lead to better academic and social success.

Improved Memory

Painting helps improve memory by boosting recall skills. This is why you will see painting classes for seniors or those with mental impairments widely available. Painting helps sharpen the skills of memory because as you paint you have to remember the patterns and strokes to use. This can translate into better memory at work or in life in general. Some research shows painting may help keep dementia away.

Stress Relief

This is one of the major benefits of painting. For some, painting becomes a trance-like experience where all the worries, fears, and external pressures of the world disappear as they get lost in the project. It is well documented that stress can be a contributor to disease. Releasing stress is good for everyone! It certainly does not hurt to paint outside in nature either, which can double the relaxation. Especially here in the beautiful Treasure Coast.

Feeling Positive

The cumulative effect of painting is feeling better about oneself. After working on a project, and seeing it in its final state, one can only feel excited and proud of themselves. Plus, when painting, you are doing physical movement and are engaged. This can make you feel good as well.
Oh, the Exercise

Painting burns calories, especially when it involves large spaces such as a room of a house. In addition, it will help make your muscles stronger, create muscular endurance, and perhaps some muscle tone if you do it on a regular basis. We know because we paint year round! Plus, when exercising, your body releases feel good chemicals to the body, which can help improve mood.

Other benefits of painting include the following:

● Release hidden emotions
● Increase emotional intelligence
● Improve mobility
● Increase observation skills

We love painting. We want you to love painting too. Painting can improve memory, make you feel better, and help you get some exercise. It is great for the growth of children, as we have seen in our own children who paint with us. So, if you want to get started experiencing the benefits of painting, contact us to see how we can help!

5 Most Asked Questions About Painting Your House

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5 Most Asked Questions About Painting Your House

Painting can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience. Just thinking about it makes some people nauseous. In fact, some avoid painting because it can make you sick if you do not follow certain protocol. Among this gem of knowledge are many others that we get asked about time and time again. We want to help clarify the painting process to help you enjoy it more. We love painting, and we want you to love it just as much. In that vein, below are five of the most commonly asked questions about painting and our responses.
How do I Estimate How Much Paint I Will Need?

While there are a number of factors that come into how much paint you will need, a simple mathematical calculation can help you figure this out. Calculate the square footage of the surfaces you want to paint and divide that by the number of square feet that the manufacturer indicates a gallon of your selected paint will cover.

Estimating Example:

If a room is 10 feet by 20 feet with 8-foot ceilings, your square footage is 480 (the circumference times the ceiling height). If you have a number of windows and doors, subtract the square footage of those openings (standard doors are about 21 square feet, standard windows about 15 square feet). For many paints, including primers and stains, a gallon will cover about 400 square feet (the product label will show the coverage). Since two coats are normally recommended for most projects, two gallons would be needed for the 10-by-20-foot room example. (This assumes there are one or two windows.) Remember, it’s always a good idea to have a little leftover paint for future touchups.

Are There Ideal Conditions to Paint the Exterior of My House In?

It is best to paint in temperatures between 60 and 90 degrees. Otherwise, your drying time is going to be vastly different, which can affect the overall quality of the paint job. In addition, if you paint in high winds, your paint may dry too fast. This not only makes your paint more brittle, but debris and dirt can blow into the wet paint and dry with it. If you can paint in direct shade, that is ideal. Be sure to also check the paint manufacturer’s recommendations.

Is It Always Necessary to Paint Two Coats of Paints on Exterior Painting Work?

It depends. If, for example, you are painting siding where the previous paint has been removed, you will want to apply a coat of primer followed by two coats of paint. However, if the surface has already been painted and the paint is still on it, one coat of paint will do. As always, speak to your local paint supplier or painting contractor about the particulars of your situation.

Should I Use Water-Based Latex Paint or Oil-Based Paint?

Like many aspects of painting, this depends on a few factors as well. While both will do an excellent job, water-based paints are easy to use and easy to clean, which is great for do-it-yourselfers. Plus, latex paints usually have great adhesiveness to most surfaces and are more superior and resistant to bleaching and fading over oil-based paints. However, to figure out which paint will be best for your project, you can give us a call or speak with your local paint supplier.

Do I Need to Prime Every Time I Paint My Walls?

No, you don’t always need primers when repainting. If you’re repainting a similar color, for example, you can lightly scuff-sand the walls to remove any gloss and then clean the surface. Once you have completed that, you can simply repaint over the existing latex coating. You may need to paint more than one coat to keep it uniform. It is, however, important to note that switching sheens or drastic color changes may require a primer to minimize the amount of topcoats used. Moreover, a wall containing stains may be harder to cover. To make sure you have complete coverage, consider using a paint and primer in one product.

Boy, you sure do ask some great questions, and we love answering them. To ask your question or have a consultation on us, contact us today.

5 Ways You’re Sabotaging Your House Painting Project

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5 Ways You’re Sabotaging Your House Painting Project

Painting your house can be a fun and exciting, if not exhausting, project. Whether you’re painting a room, a wall, or your entire house, painting can be an exciting opportunity to express your creativity, spend time with your family, or get some physical activity. In fact, painting has many benefits. It makes perfect sense, then, that you would want to paint for all the fun and benefits that come along with the project. However, there are some practices people engage in when painting that they may not be aware are damaging. Below are five we want you to avoid so you love painting just as much as we do!

Picking the Wrong Color

This seems obvious at first, but picking the wrong color is probably the most common mistake we see that tanks a painting project. When you pick your paint from a strip of color choices, you may think the paint will look the same on the area you are painting. In many cases, however, the way the paint looks on the wall or outside of the house is different than what you chose. The best thing you can do to avoid this is going to the paint store and asking them to mix a small sample size of the color you want to use. This will help you see what the color you love on paper looks like in real life, saving you both valuable time and money.

Keep a Lid on It

We see this one too much. People keep the lid off the paint thinking it will be easier to access. But inevitably, someone steps in it, on it, or knocks it over, causing an unsightly mess. Combined with lack of proper floor covering, this can become a costly and frustrating disaster. Moreover, your paint will crust and dry, and you are more likely to get paint mixed by putting the wrong lid on the wrong paint. And you may even track paint across your floors after stepping on it. Take the extra second to keep the right lid on the right paint as soon as you stop using it to avoid all of the above messes.

Keep Pets Out

Here is another common mistake that upsets us dearly. We love pets almost as much as painting. We know they are like family members and that you want them to be a part of your project. However, paint can not only be dangerous to your pets, it can also get messy. Imagine a situation where your dog or cat decides your brush is a toy to play with or that paint is fun to lick and roll in. Not only would you get a mess on your pet, your supplies would also be ruined. For the sake of everyone and everything you hold dear, lock your pets out of the area you are painting.

Bumping the Ceiling

When painting, it is easy to touch an area you did not intend to paint with your brush or roller. Even with the same color, this can cause a need for touchups that take time and waste paint. To avoid this, create a buffer zone by painting a 9-inch strip of paint near the ceiling or area you are painting toward.

Over-Brushing

When painting with a brush, the tendency to want to paint the same area more than once to get a smooth and even finish is tempting. This is especially true when the paint is dry. However, doing so can unintentionally lead to unsightly brush marks and ridges, essentially ruining your paint job. So when you are painting woodwork, doors, or cabinets, avoid too much brushwork.

It is the small mistakes that can sabotage your painting project. We love painting too much to see that happen. For a professional painting experience without having to concern yourself with sabotaging your painting work, call us today for a free consultation.

5 House Painting Apps Worth Your Time

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5 House Painting Apps Worth Your Time

Madonna once sang, “I am a material girl, and I live in a material world.” If we were to re-write those lyrics today, they would read, “I am a digital girl, and I live in a digital world.” As of 2016, according to Statista, the Apple app store had over 2.2 million apps. That is a lot of apps. And when it comes to painting your house, that is not a bad thing. With all the apps, there are many that can help you plan and prepare for a new painting project. Whether you are spot painting, looking to refinish cabinets, painting a single room, or painting the entire interior or exterior of your house, as the saying goes, “There is an app for that.” We wanted to share our five favorite painting apps to help you with your next project.
Color Connect
By Valspar
This app by Valspar lets you explore their paint colors, which are available at Lowe’s, ACE, or independent retailers. The paint calculator helps you estimate how much paint you’ll need for your project.

In addition, you can upload photos and get advice from a color consultant via live video, audio, or e-mail. Plus, The app also provides how-to videos to help get your project off the ground.

Note: You can’t save your paint colors and there’s no search, so navigation can be tricky.

Color Smart
By Behr Mobile
This app comes with a function that lets you search for a shade by name, number, or color family. Plus, you take a picture or select an existing one from your library, and the app will match that color with an existing Behr color.

The app’s preview function allows you to virtually paint a handful of rooms by simply clicking on a color and then the wall you’d like to see the color on. It’s handy to see what the paint looks like in a room. Be careful with this feature though because it’s not your house and the design elements will be very different.

With the Behr app, you can save projects, colors, pallets, and paint calculations so that you can come back to your work later. While we love this for exploring colors and what they may look like in a room, it does not replace trying out paint samples in the actual room you wish to paint.

Paint My Place
Paint My Place is the only app that is not connected to a major paint company. You can explore across three brands: Benjamin Moore, Dulux, and Farrow & Ball.

You can take or upload an existing photo of the space you’re going to paint and paint it virtually. You choose the paint and color to do this with.

However, the painting feature is not the most precise. You may wind up painting a portion of a room or a house object you did not intend to due to the inaccuracy of the feature.
But, this function is designed to give you an idea of what a color is going to look like so in that vein, it is useful.

Note: Being free, the app comes with adds. However, you can upgrade to the paid version for $2.99 and get the option to save work and share it. This is only available for Apple devices.

Color Capture
By Benjamin Moore
The app will match the colors in any photo and also show the next four closest shades.

While you are scanning through the various Benjamin Moore colors, you can save, e-mail, post to Facebook, or tweet out the color you find. You can let your friends on social media help decide what color to use if you like.

Note: The colors look much different on the screen than they do in real life. This is fairly universal with digital paint samples. The brightness and resolution of your screen can play a role in this discrepancy.

Color Snap
By Sherwin-Williams
With Sherwin-Williams’s Color Snap, you can create color palettes and match colors to a photo in your phone. The app’s color-match feature will automatically pick out the colors in the photo that it can match and then create a palette with those colors. The app also allows you to click on a certain color to match and the palette will include a selection of complementary colors.

You can view each color in a room example. Like other apps, it is great to see what a color will look like on a wall, it is just not your wall.

We Love Painting. These apps can help you in your planning and preparation process. Contact us to see how we can make your app creations a reality!

5 Ways to Pick the Right Paint for the Job

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5 Ways to Pick the Right Paint for the Job

One look at the paint choices for your house painting job can send you into a fainting spell. Colors within a color family cover every possible shade within that family, from very light to dark. Trying to understand this can cause headaches that won’t go away for some time. Add to this all the different styles of painting that exist and it becomes too much to consider. That is why at We Love Painting, we wanted to share 5 ways to choose the right color for your paint job, whether it’s an interior or exterior job.

Start with an Inspiration

This may sound counterintuitive, but don’t pick the paint color first. You want to consider some other things before you pick your paint color. One of them is inspiration. Much like the great artists who look for inspiration in objects, nature, and people, you too can find inspiration everywhere. From online searches and social networks to visiting home shows, inspiration is everywhere. Some people find their color based on a Starbucks coffee color, a blanket for their child, or a design on a plate.

Keep It Neutral

This doesn’t mean you should paint your house a boring color. Decide what you want the focal point of the room or area you are painting to be. If it’s the ceiling, for example, go bold on the sample. If you choose to go bold in one area, then you want to keep the other areas neutral in order to balance things out. Neutral colors work everywhere.
Use Testers

Buy testers in different shades and colors, and paint them in patches to see how they look during different times of the day. Leave them up for at least a week, but beware that testing on white walls can throw the color off. If you have to use larger swatches of color testers, they are widely available at affordable prices. It’s worth the small cost to avoid spending money on gallons of paint and realizing you don’t like your choice. Plus, you can use the testers to touch up smaller areas of your home as well.

Test Against Furniture and Fabrics

Don’t paint your furniture! Instead, paint poster board and place it near your furniture or fabrics. This way you can see what your choice will look like. If it doesn’t match, see if the undertones go nicely with your furniture. You are not painting an empty room and leaving it that way. You want your choice to make everything in the room coordinate or be complemented by it.

Ask for Help

As you can see, this is not an easy choice. It can be vexing at times, so ask for help when you need it. This could mean going into a paint store and speaking to a professional, having a paint company like ours come out for a consultation, or hiring a personal stylist to help you plan. It could also mean speaking to family members or friends and getting their feedback. You don’t have to do this alone to get it right.

We make it a priority to ensure you choose the right paint when you work with us. That’s why we consult with you first, go over your options, show you sample colors, and make recommendations along the way. Contact us to pick your ideal paint color today!

5 Signs It’s Time to Repaint the Outside of Your House

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It’s no secret that painting your house can boost your home value and give it a fresh look. When you paint the outside of your house, you have the opportunity to fix any dings or structural issues during the process. Plus, you’ll also remove old paint that is unsightly. Repainting your house makes your neighborhood feel fresh and more enjoyable to come home to. For these reasons, painting the outside of your house is worth the investment. Below are 5 ways to tell when it’s time to repaint the outside of your house.

Peeling and Cracking Paint

When you see paint peeling or cracking, it’s telling you something important: moisture is seeping beneath the paint. When this occurs, it could be a sign of more damage beneath. Moisture, after all, is the main cause of mold, and it can lead to structural damage over time. When you see peeling or cracking paint, it’s not only time to consider repainting but also time to get your house inspected for other issues such as mold.

What Is Your House Made Of?

Depending on the material used to build your house, you can use that as a time frame for repainting your house. For example, wood surfaces need to be repainted every 3-7 years, aluminum siding every 5 years, stucco every 5-6 years, and cement fiberboard and bricks every 12-13 years. Non-painted bricks should be power washed frequently. What your house is made of matters when it comes to repainting the outside.

Trim Is in Decay

The trim around your windows and doors may need to be repainted more frequently than the outside of your house itself. This is because the trim around doors and windows takes more of a beating due to frequent use. If you see decay in your trim paint, it’s time to repaint this portion of your house. This not only keeps your house looking good, it also keeps your windows and doors protected from the elements as paint is a first line of defense.

Fading Color

If your paint is fading, it’s a sign of sun damage. This damage weakens the protective capacity of the paint and is a tell-tale sign that it’s time to repaint your house.

Your House Is Older Than 5 Years

When a new house is built, a single layer of paint is applied. After 5 years, it’s time for another layer of paint to ensure the house is protected and well maintained. This will ensure you keep that new-home look and feel for at least 5 more years.

Other Signs It’s Time to Repaint:

● Gaps or shrinks in the boards of your house
● Cracking stucco
● Cracking caulk

We love painting the outside of houses! It gives us joy to see a house newly painted, looking and smelling fresh. We take pride in making the outside of your house something worth looking at every day. Contact us today for a free consultation.