Why You Should Get a Second Opinion on Paint Color

Bad execution of a green-themed bedroom.

Well executed green-themed bedroom.

When you walk into a room you will always get a vibe from the room, whether it is a kitchen, living room or bathroom. Primarily this vibe (or feeling) comes from the room decor, especially color. When a color is off in a room, you can tell; it might not be terribly unsightly, but when something doesn’t feel right in a room, usually you can attribute it to the color scheme.

As a painting company, we don’t want any homeowners to end up with a room that “just doesn’t feel right;” which is why we think it is important to get a second opinion on paint colors for your home.

With over 2,000 color options for paint, the choosing process can be a bit overwhelming; so not only is getting a second opinion smart, it also lightens the load of the decision by 50%. When you ask someone to help you with paint colors, make sure it is someone who knows you and your house well enough to know which colors will fit the personality of your family and your home.

Here are some additional reasons why you should get a second opinion on paint:

Which type of paint should be used for ceilings?

Homeowners commonly ask us what type of paint should be used for a ceiling. Our answer is: flat paint.
Flat, matte acrylic paint:

• Does not reflect light or draw attention away from the walls and furniture in a room.
• Hides the imperfections of older home architecture very well.
• Dries evenly when painted with a roller. 

Since ceilings don’t receive much wear and tear, durable or glossy paint is not necessary.

Some painters might tell you to use semi-gloss paint for bathrooms and kitchens since glossy paint has high moisture-resistance; however, the improved flat paint on the market today looks nicer, and holds up nearly as well as glossy paints in humid conditions. 

If you are unsure of what color to paint your ceiling, read our blog about fresh ideas for painting your ceiling.

Hallco Painting has been serving Mongomery, Howard, and Frederick County for over 15 years. Call us today for a free estimate at: 301-831-3679. 

How to Start Fresh in 2012

The new year is all about starting fresh and accomplishing the tasks you have at hand. The best way to completely “begin again” is to freshen each aspect of your life that has become dull over the past year. Updating and refreshing your surroundings and atmosphere helps to rejuvenate your mind and your resolve to get things done.

Think about a room in your home where you work the most. Whether it is your office, your bedroom, the kitchen or your sitting room, it is important that room is aiding to motivate you rather than distract you.

Color is both inspirational and influential. Stimulating hues can affect us physically and emotionally. Here are some some great colors to rejuvenate and motivate:

Is it safe to let my child sleep in a freshly painted room?

How long you should wait before letting your child sleep in a room depends primarily on the paint you use. All paints can be categorized into 3 different types:

1. If you use a Zero-VOC paint, which is non-flammable, eco-friendly and virtually odorless, you can let your child sleep in the room the same day you paint.
2. With “Green Seal” and Low-VOC paint, you can also allow your child to sleep in the room the same day. However, there will be a slight odor for 2-3 days after painting, which will lessen if you blow a fan in the room and leave the door and/or windows open.
3. If you use oil-based paint or paint without a “Green Seal” logo it could take a while for the room to be child-safe. Paints that are not eco-friendly have many more toxins and chemicals that continue to be emitted 2-3 weeks after painting.

Despite the vast number of paints available for use, we highly recommend using a Low or Zero-VOC paint when painting a child’s room, or for any home interior room. Normal latex and oil-based paint contain harmful solvents and VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) that pose possible long-term problems for the kidneys, liver, or the central nervous system. Take note that any paint with a strong odor is likely filled with VOC’s, (this is also true for carpets; so it is advisable to research which carpets are child-safe before having one installed in your nursery).

Using zero-VOC paint is the best way to ensure you are creating a safe environment for your child. No-VOC paints are ideal for parents seeking a child-safe, eco-friendly nursery; not only are they safer to use, but they are also odorless and easy-to-clean. Benjamin Moore’s Natura® and Sherwin Williams Harmony® are both great zero-voc, nursery-safe paints.

If you have any further questions, call Hallco Enterprises at 301-831-3679 or contact us online.

3 Signs of A House In Need of Repair

As winter is approaching and as nights are growing longer, sometimes a house can seem just a tad spooky in the dark as strange noises come from the walls and certain doors seem to open by themselves. Before you go decide your house is haunted, consider the alternate possibilities for these occurrences that can usually be cured with a few small repairs.

1. Cold Spots

• When you walk through the house and feel a cold brush of air most likely it has to do with drafts and poor insulation. To fix the problem: on a windy day take a lighted candle and move it slowly around the window frames in your house; if the flame flutters, there is a draft. It is easy to install weather striping or heat-shrink plastic sheeting on the windows. Although if the draft is strong, it may be time to do some window repairs or replacement.
• If a wall in your home is very cold to the touch, consider adding more insulation inside the walls.

2. Strange Noises

• If you hear weird noises that you can’t explain such as moaning or strange scratching noises, it can usually be attributed to plumbing problems. The pipes might be rubbing against the wood frame of your home when they expand and contract. In order to fix the problem, figure out when and where the moaning occurs, then call a plumber.
• If you hear soft whispering noises, most likely it is rodents in the walls. For this problem, call a rodent control center and check thoroughly outside to see if there are any obvious places where small animals could be entering.
• Rattling is probably your heating system. Hot water systems bleed off the air and forced air systems often rattle if the furnace fan is out of balance or if the fan belt is loose. If you don’t think it’s the heating and aren’t sure about where it’s coming from, contact your home service professional.
• If you hear scraping sounds, check for branches rubbing against your room or siding; this problem can be easily fixed with a little pruning. 
• Creaking usually only happens in older homes since part of the structure can expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. There is no real solution for this, but neither is it something you should be overly concerned about.

3. Doors Opening by Themselves

• If your cupboards or doors randomly open by themselves, it is almost always misalignment. The hinges on cupboard doors become worn through repeated use and should be checked and realigned annually. All you have to do is loosen the hinges and shift the door so it is square and level with the opening, then tighten the hinges again. If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the hinges.
• Doors become misaligned when houses slowly shift with weather and humidity. Similarly as with cupboards, to fix this problem you simply adjust the hinges so the door is level.  

If you don’t know of a good contractor to call to fix these problems, we can direct you to a great company; call us at 301-831-3679. Also be sure to give us a contact us after you’ve re-insulated your walls or trimmed back those trees that have damaged your home exterior. We will be make those interior and exterior surfaces look as good as new.

How to Simplify Holiday Decorating

Decorating is one of those things people generally do the same way each year, even when there are countless ways to add holiday cheer to the home.

Here is a great inexpensive way to simplify and mix up the decorating style this year:

• Instead of adding more objects to a room to incorporate seasonal colors, a tasteful and non-intrusive way to add color is to paint selected objects in the room. A few ways you could do this would be to paint a side table, a door, a wall, or kitchen chairs a bright seasonal color.

Of course you may be not want to paint valuable objects in your home, such as an antique end-table, but you could always consider stopping by goodwill or a yard sale to find an inexpensive vintage item to paint. Then all you have to do is swap it out with your own similar item for the holiday season.

By tastefully using painted red accents you can create a unique and dramatic effect without overwhelming the interior of your home with decorations. After painting the base accent colors, you have the perfect stage to add some of your favorite Christmas decorations in a non-cluttered way.  

Adding a pop of color in an unexpected place is a great way to make a fashionable statement. 

If you want help with painting an accent wall or another accent piece, give Hallco Enterprises a call at 301-831-3679. Also, if you want help with your exterior Christmas lights, be sure to check out our Christmas Decor services page or give us a call at 888-95-DECOR. We look forward to serving you. 

Cost to Decorate a Large Blue Spruce Tree in DC area

We frequently receive calls and emails to decorate large evergreen trees. Why not? They look fantastic when lit up with lots of lights. The main question we get asked is, "How much will it cost to light up a big evergreen tree? Most evergreens in the Maryland and DC area we've seen are Blue Spruce trees that are typically over 30 feet tall. To light up a 30+ foot spruce, you will need the proper equipment, including a boom lift. Then you'll need commercial LED lights, which are expensive (over $1 a piece) but last a few seasons. You will then need enough electrical juice, timers and commercial extension cords.

When Christmas Decor by Hallco lights up a large evergreen, we will typically estimate 800+ or - large C-9 LED bulbs. This will make the tree nice and full. We don't recommend the mini lights. (NOTE: If it is a medium size tree, 10-20 feet, you can mix minis and C-9s). If Christmas Decor decorates this size of a tree, we offer 3 year pricing as it is too costly to put them up and remove them each season. We leave the lights up for 3 seasons. Each season we'll come out and replace any bad strands of lights or bulbs, including extension cords. Sometimes, squirrels have been known to nibble away at wires. So the setup and time each year is manditory. So what does it cost? It all depends again on how tall the tree is, total lights and signing up for three years. To give you an idea, customers will spend around $2,300-2,800 a year + or -. Most of this is labor although the first year is primarily material cost.  

If you live in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Rockville, Bethesda, Chevy Chase or around the 270 or 70, please call us at 1-888-95-DECOR or send us a picture of what your tree looks like.  

Which Paint Brand Should I Use?

When it comes to paint, the difference in brands goes beyond more than just the brand names. It is important not to choose a brand depending on how much it costs, but rather why it costs the price it does. The main differences between paint brands are in the chemical compositions and the quality of the products used to make the paint.

Whether you’re considering a more expensive purchase, such as Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams, or a more economical option, such as Behr or Glidden, you should take into account that paint prices vary directly with quality.

There are copious numbers of paint brands, but only a small percentage of them produce good quality paint. According to Consumer Reports and user reviews these are the brands with the best paint on the market:

1. Benjamin Moore is the best overall paint brand, producing excellent quality interior and exterior paints in a bountiful number of colors. Benjamin Moore also is customer-oriented company and serves each user well.
2. Sherwin Williams is the best quality paint brand, using optimum-quality products to make their paint. Although Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore appear to be equal in terms of products, Sherwin Williams seems to cater more towards interior painting and design, whereas Benjamin Moore serves each painting purpose equally.
3. Behr produces many products that combine primer and enamel, so it is said to be one of the most efficient paint brands.
4. Pratt and Lambert produces good quality products and has a reputation for good industry color authority. Pratt and Lambert can be considered the paint brand of best value.
5. Glidden is the most practical paint since it is made economically and is easy to buy. It meets most of the basic user requirements for paint, and therefore works well for small home projects.

For people who prefer not to spend top-dollar for paint, these last three brands are good options for decent price and quality.

Whichever brand you choose, remember to keep in mind that you will have to repaint sooner if you use a less quality paint, so in order to save time and money, it is always more efficient to use a premium brand.

If you have any other questions about paint, colors, or anything related to painting, give Hallco Enterprises a call at 301-831-3679.  

Christmas Lighting Services in DC, Why Hire a Professional?

Now that Halloween is over, we have Thanksgiving to look forward to. Many Maryland and DC homeowners begin preparing for Christmas lights at the same time as they are preparing for Thanksgiving. Now is the time to plan ahead and save. Yet, one might ask, why should I hire a professional lighting company? I'll provide a short answer to why our customers hire us. 

Our customers hire us because they love the holiday season. They are typically too busy to do the decorating themselves, so they count on Christmas Decor by Hallco to do a quality job, in time for the holidays. It is really no different than why people hire a professional painter to paint a home or a remodeler to redo a kitchen. A professional is skilled in his or her profession. The more he does it, the better he gets! Christmas light hanging is not all that easy to do if you want the display to look outstanding. It requires many hours of light hanging to become a lighting professional. Our displays look a lot more clean and uniformed. We have a lighting design system in place, so our installers know how our company installs lights (the same way every time). I can drive around neighborhoods and point out a professional display in no time.

Can you hire just anyone to install your lights? Of course! You can probably find it for cheap too. Yet our company carries all the proper insurance and worker's compensation. Our employees are just that: they work for us year round. Our lighting installers are used to climbing up and down ladders and walking on roofs. When you hire a non professional, you'll need to be extra careful that the person (or company) doesn't hold you responsible for any injuries. It can happen to any of us.

This year we've made it easier for you to get an idea of the cost for lighting your home. Check out our 3 starting packages (of course we can always add more too).  Call us to schedule your lighting design estimate: 888-95-DECOR and check out our Gallery

3 Great Ways To Use Multiple Colors In One Room

Painting a room only one color usually can look great, but it can get montonous from room to room if each only has one color scheme. The most common way to split colors it to use natural breaks such as a corner or ceiling. But there are also some other tasteful ways to use multiple colors in a room.

• One common method of bringing a second prominent color or shade into a room is to create an accent wall. Accent walls are typically painted a contrasting or coordinating color which creates a nice focal point.
• A technique used by some painting professionals is to paint a room in parallel, where a room is painted in two colors on alternating surfaces. In a typical room this would mean that the opposite walls are same color. This design creates a sense of movement and is often used in smaller rooms, such as a bathroom or bedroom. 
• A third design idea that is currently popular is to paint the ceiling a color other than white. There are three basic options for color choices on your ceiling:

1. Paint the ceiling a lighter shade of the wall color. This gives a feeling of additional height in a room and ties the space together nicely.
2. Paint the ceiling a darker shade of the wall color. This technique is usually used in tall rooms, since it visually lowers the ceiling. 
3. Paint the ceiling a different, coordinating color. This makes the ceiling a focal point, drawing attention upward.

One caution with painting the ceiling a color other than white is that if all of your ceilings are different from one room to another, it creates a disjointed effect as you walk through the house. Another problem presented with painting the ceiling is that it can draw attention to any flaws in the surface, as well as emphasize any lines or corners that aren’t square or level (especially in older homes). One way to mask these problems is to use flat paint, or to bring the color down onto the wall and then to use an ogee moulding 3 to 6 inches from the ceiling.

Hallco Enterprises has been a leading painting contractor in the Montgomery, Howard and Frederick County for the past sixteen years. If you have any questions or if you would like a color consultation with one of our professional painters, give us a call at 301-831-3679.  

What is Proper Surface Preparation?

Proper surface preparation is vital for maximizing the life-span of a new paint job. When a surface is well-prepared, the paint adheres better, looks cleaner and lasts longer.

Before starting any painting project, you should always remove as much furniture as possible from the room and take off any electrical outlet covers. Also, be sure to cover the floors and any remaining furniture with a dropcloth.

The first step in surface preparation is to examine the walls for holes or crevices and to fill them in with spackle. After the paste dries, use some sand paper or a light buffer to smooth out the roughness and to make sure any old paint drips or ridges are sanded down.

The next step is to clean the walls thoroughly, making sure they are free from dust, dirt or greasy stains. A clean sponge dipped and gently squeezed in mildly soapy water is best for cleaning walls. If there are any tough spots, you may have to use a heavier cleaning product. Be sure to also wipe down the baseboards and to clear any dust or cobwebs from the corners and then to apply painters tape along the edges.

Unless you plan to use a product that works dually as a primer and paint, it is always important to prime walls before painting. Primer works as a binding layer for the wall and paint so that the finishing paint adheres better. Using tinted primers reduces the number of necessary paint coats by providing a base layer that is similar to the finishing color. Additionally, a high-quality primer will help to hide any small imperfections on the walls.

After completing these simple steps, your walls will be ready for a beautiful long-lasting paint job. If you have any further questions, call us at 301-831-3679. Hallco Enterprises has provided Montgomery, Howard and Frederick County with dependable and professional services for over 20 years. Call us today or schedule a free estimate online if you would like to put your project into capable hands. 

What type of moulding would you install in a Dining Room?

A Dining Room is the perfect candidate for decorative moulding. If done properly, certain types of moulding can add the perfect touch of elegance to a Dining Room without changing the overall theme of the room.

These are Mouldings most typically used in a Dining Room:
1. Crown Moulding

• Crown moulding is like the cherry on top of a beautiful room. A room generally doesn’t feel complete without crown moulding.

2. Chair Rail Moulding

• Practical and decorative, Chair Rail is a great moulding that adds a nice simple accent to a room, while also protecting the wall from scratches and scuffs.

3. Base Moulding

• Similar to Crown Moulding, Base Moulding provides that “finished look” for a room. Even if the room already has baseboard, you can always consider upgrading the base moulding to match nicely with the rest of the moulding project.

4. Panel Moulding

• If you use chair rail with a nice base moulding, it would be in best taste to also use panel moulding. This serves as a union for the two elements while giving the room a more complete look.

5. Door and Window Casing

• Using Moulding for Door and Window Casing is a great way to add elegance to an otherwise simple Dining Room.

6. Wainscoting/ Shadow Boxing

• Wainscoting is next in popularity after Chair Rail and adds refinement to a room. There are limitless designs for wainscoting (such as Shadow Boxes) to meet individual tastes.

Since the Dining Room is usually where you entertain guests, it is a great idea to use a few of these moulding techniques to add some unique qualities to your Dining Room. You can also use any of these moulding ideas for another room or hallway of the house to achieve an overall beautiful and elegant appearance in your home.  

Call Hallco Enterprises for a free estimate to get a start on your Maryland Dining Room project. 

Should I invest in painting my home before selling?

Compared to any other type of home improvement, painting before selling brings back the highest return on investment. Not only does it increase your home’s value to paint before selling, but it also leads to a quicker sale when your property is one of the nicer-looking homes in the buyer’s price-range.

When you sell your home the interior should definitely have a fresh appeal. It will greatly impress potential buyers if your house has a professional finish with sharp cut lines along the ceilings and trim. It is best to paint your home in neutral colors – such as beige, cream or ivory – since it will allow the buyers to picture your house with their own color schemes. Lighter colors also add brightness and makes rooms appear more spacious.

You may also consider sprucing up the exterior paint of your home. Even just a nicely colored doorway can make all the difference in the look of your home. When the entrance of your home is appealing, it will give a better first impression to the potential buyers.

It is important that your home looks well-maintained when you put it on the market. Considering that painting your home can bring up to a 500% return on investment, it is well worth your while to paint before selling.

Hallco Enterprises serves the Montgomery, Howard and Frederick counties of Maryland. If you are planning to sell your home, call us for a free estimate at 301-831-3679. 

How much should you spend on paint?

When it comes to paint: price and quality are directly equivalent. It is up to the buyer whether he wants to spend less and have to paint frequently, or pay more and have to paint infrequently.

There are hundreds of paint brands that range anywhere from 18 to 70 dollars per gallon. Most buyers quickly choose a cheaper product without realizing the difference between cheap vs. quality paint. The old saying: “You get what you pay for,” holds true for buying paint. Professional house painters agree that the price of a paint is directly related to the quality of the raw ingredients it contains. 

The four main ingredients in paint are: Pigment (color), Resins (cause the paint to harden), Binder (causes the paint to adhere to the surface) and Solvent/Base (makes the paint a spreadable liquid and evaporates as the paint dries). Each of these ingredients vary in quality and cost. The better the quality of these four ingredients in the paint, the higher the price will be.

With most paints, it is not easy to tell directly after application which paints are higher quality, but cheaper paint will not perform as well and will fade significantly after only a few years.

Paint is only a small percentage of a whole painting project cost, so it is definitely worth spending a little more on quality paint. In the end, the results will be worth the cost.

For more information about paints, give us a call at 301-831-3679. Hallco Enterprises serves the Montgomery, Howard and Frederick Counties; we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.  

Christmas Lighting in DC and A Little Humor

Why should someone hire a professional Christmas decorating company in Maryland or DC? Maybe it is because you don't have a lot of time. The DC metro area is a major commuting part of America, so time is definitely one of the top reasons people hire a company like us. Yet probably the number one reason our clients hire Christmas Decor for their lighting project is because it is a hassle to hang Christmas lights. I had one client a few years ago who told me (before signing up) that in past years, he'd start over with a fresh new set of lights. Why? Because when he'd go to pull out the previous year's lights, they'd be all tangled up. He was so frustrated with how much time and headache each year he turned everything over to us. 

Oh and the other reason people hire a professional lighting company is because our displays simply look stunning! Check out our gallery to see what I mean: Christmas Decor Gallery or save a step and call for your Design Consult 888-95-DECOR

Take a look at this fantastic video our PA Christmas Decor friends put together. This is why people hire us: 

Christmas Decor by Hallco provides holiday lighting services to homeowners and businesses in Kensington, Silver Spring, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg, Clarksburg, Rockville, Potomac, Darnestown, Germantown and NW DC.