Monday, August 08, 2011
It has been a very dry and hot summer in the DC metro area. You know what that means! A dry summer means a wet winter or even a wet fall. When it is this hot out, sometimes caulking can dry up and crack. A quick tip, make sure you clean out any old caulking around windows and doors and put fresh and quality caulking down before the wet weather begins. This will help prevent moisture problems, which typically enter from a roofing or window leak. Caulking around windows by a professlonal painting contractor is an efficient and inexpensive option. In our opinion, painters are the best at caulking!
One final thing, if your windows are wood or PVC, it is best to put a fresh coat of paint over the caulk as some caulks tend to attract dust and dirt. A good coat of paint can help keep the caulk from cracking and keep the window trim looking its best.
Hallco Enterprises provides caulking, full service painting and related services. We service up and down the 270 areas including Gaithersburg, Potomac, Urbana, Frederick and beyond. We'd love to assist you if you do not have the time. 301-931-3679 or email us.
Friday, July 29, 2011
The average homeowner in the Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland area needs to repaint their home exterior every 4.9 years. However the length of time a paint job lasts depends on a variety of factors.
Some factors that contribute to paint failure are: weather conditions, temperature fluctuation, direct UV rays, and also the quality of paint used. One other main factor that affects the longevity of a paint job is the quality of the previous application. If the prior application has had adhesion issues, it could continue to fail, and take the new paint with it. The essential preparation steps include: scraping, sanding, filing, caulking, and priming properly.
It is easy to do a slack-job when painting your home exterior. While it may look good for a year or two, if the surface hasn’t been prepared properly, it will quickly lose it’s fresh appearance. It is very important to choose a quality contractor who you can trust to do the best job possible. Also, while the cost of paint may seem too high, the price directly corresponds with quality. Without a doubt you should choose a good-quality paint, regardless of the price. The best exterior paints are primarily 100% acrylic latex products.
Older homes that have previously been painted with oil-based paint tend to be painted every 3-4 years. However, if the surface is scraped well and primed properly, and if a good quality paint is used, the paint job should last 6 years or more. Of course when darker colors are used for trim, it might need repainting every couple of years to maintain their original brilliance.
At Hallco Enterprises, we are dedicated to doing top-quality work for our customers. If you have any questions about exterior painting or if you would like a free estimate, give us a call at 301-831-3679.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
I recently moved to a new home in the Frederick area. My "new" home had a formal dining room with off white wainscotting and khaki color walls. It was rather boring. I like classic and traditional colors. Therefore, I am a fan of the traditional red dining room and white trim, but this time, I decided to do something a bit different. I wanted to pick a color that was warm, inviting and got a lot of positive feedback from my family and friends. My wife and I like entertaining people and love making specialty coffee drinks too. So...read on.
I went through the Benjamin Moore fan deck and picked a warm golden yellow color. The closest paint store to my home was Sherwin Williams, so I found a close match called Torchlight (SW 6374). I used the Duration Home product in a satin finish. When it was complete, even with no wallart up, it was stunning. I have had a number of friends, family, and neighbors stop by to take a look at the colors I selected for my home, and the dining room was the big hit. One friend liked it so much she wants to use it on her new home! All in all, people loved the golden color rather than the traditional red because it is different.
So, if you have some natural light and a fair amount of wood trim, see if Torchlight and Pure White work for you? You can finish decorating the room several different ways. I decorated using Italian Villa and Coffee wallart.
Hallco Enterprises, is located in Clarksburg MD and services all of Howard, Frederick and Montgomery County. If you are not up to tackle this job on your own, Hallco would love to help. Call or email us anytime. 1-301-831-3679
- David C. Marketing Director
Painting instead of replacing your cabinets is the easiest, quickest and most economical way freshen up your kitchen. Not only does this change the overall look of your kitchen and make it look more modern, but it also is 80%-90% less than the cost of actually replacing your cabinets. Typically, repainting increases the life expectancy by 5-6 years. Subsequently, you can always do just another coat of paint to refresh your cabinets.
Where do you start?
First of all you have to remove the gloss from your cabinets, since most cabinets have already been stained and sealed with a glossy polyurethane. There are a couple of options for how to go about this:
A pigmented shellac is similar to a primer. But it is designed to stick to glossy surfaces (such as cabinets) while simultaneously changing color. Also, it dries very quickly (in about 45 minutes or less), so you can apply 2-3 coats in a short length of time. Typically this shellac is white, but you can tint it which aides in changing the cabinets to a darker color.
After you either sand and prime or use the pigmented shellac, you can apply a finish coat of paint. We recommend using oil-based paint for the following reasons:
You can also acrylic/latex paint, but it should be a high-gloss finish.
The pigmented shellac and top coat of paint can be applied with a brush, roller, or sprayer; however, spraying always gives the nicest finish.
If you have any questions, or would like help with this project, give Hallco Enterprises a call at 301-831-3679. We would be happy to help!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Not many people realize that it is completely acceptable to paint your ceilings a color that is not white. Although ceilings are typically painted in either a white or off-white, they do not need to be. Applying a color to the ceiling can create a unique and elegant look.
There are a couple of things to consider when looking at options for the ceiling.
If your ceiling has mouldings or other architectural features, it presents a nice possibility for applying an accent color. Examples include:
There is a myriad of different color schemes you can do with these types of features. Such as bringing the ceiling color down to a horizontal piece of moulding placed about a foot from the wall and ceiling line.
Another thing to consider is the height of your ceiling. Exceptionally high ceilings tend to appear lower when painted with a color other than white.
One thing to be cautious of is that although ceiling colors can help unify a space, if all of the rooms are completely different, it can create a disjointed feeling as you walk from one room to another.
Here are a couple techniques you could do to prevent this problem from happening:
1. You can paint the ceiling color a lighter shade of the wall color which can create a unique, unified feel in a room. With this strategy, you have to consider the flow of the rest of the house. In order to keep a common theme throughout the house, you can do this technique with each room.
2. Or, one of the more common strategies is to pick one unifying color to be used on the ceilings throughout all rooms of a house and then use accent colors for the rooms with mouldings or different architectural features.
Painting your ceiling can be a simple project if you have the right tools for the job. But if you have any questions or would like to put the project into experienced hands, call Hallco Enterprises for a free estimate at 301-831-3679.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
More and more people have been becoming aware of the pollutants and chemicals in paint that are harmful for humans and for the eco-system.
Already 80% of paints sold in the residential market are water-based latex paints rather than the more toxic oil-based paints. Although using water-based paint does reduce the number of toxic Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) released in the air, it still emits harmful inhalants even years after the paint drys.
You can make your home toxic-free with the eco-friendly paint, called Zero-VOC paint. Benjamin Moore carries a great line: Natura®. It's virtually odorless and meets the green seal standards.
If you are about to paint or repaint your nursery, consider using the child-safe paint. Each child likes to be unique, so in order to inexpensively create a special room for your child, you can use creative stencils or decals.
If you would like help with your project, call Hallco Enterprises for a free estimate.
Hallco Painting is pleased to serve the Maryland area, including the communities of Bethesda, Maryland, Brunswick, Maryland, Clarksburg, Maryland, Frederick, Maryland, Gaithersburg, Maryland, Germantown, Maryland, Howard County, Maryland, Potomac, Maryland, Rockville, Maryland, Silver Spring, Maryland, Takoma Park, Maryland.
Friday, June 24, 2011
I was recently asked the great question: “Is it more expensive to paint a wall or a new, unfinished door?” Although doors don't have as much surface area as walls, a door is typically more expensive to paint since it is more complicated than painting a wall. It requires more skill, and usually takes longer.
A new door requires a complete prime coat. Once the primer dries, it raises the woodgrain making it more rough. The door then needs to be sanded and dusted before applying two finish coats. When beginning to brush the door, the painter must use a systematic pattern to avoid obvious brush strokes and overlaps in the woodgrain.
Whether new or existing, walls are easier because they require less prep work, and a roller is more forgiving than a paint-brush with lines and brush-strokes. Handling a brush takes years to master; a good brushman can hand-brush a door and make it appear almost sprayed.
It is almost always more time-consuming and expensive to paint doors and wood trim. But of course it also depends on how big the projects are and how much detail is on the walls, door and trim. A good way to save money and also get a quality job is to paint the walls yourself and then hire a professional and experienced paint company to paint your door and trim. It's amazing how great your home can look with a quality painted trim.
Friday, June 03, 2011
June is the kick-off month for hosting guests. Whether for a graduation party, spring grilling with friends, or for garden parties, summer is the time to use and display your exterior woodwork.
Now that the weather is warm enough to be using your patio or deck you may notice sagging siding or warping deck-boards in need of repair. Early summer is also when you may notice wood-boring insects, such as termites or carpenter bees, trying to make their homes inside of your trimming, decks or fences.
Hallco Painting is a professional and friendly painting company serving the Montgomery, Frederick & Howard counties. We can help you replace any damaged wood and treat worn surfaces to beautify and protect your home for many more seasons.
If you have several small things you would like done, try our Painter for a Day program to get it all done quickly and professionally. Give us a call at (301) 831-3679 or contact us online to receive a project consultation and estimate.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
As a homeowner, you want to choose a color that gives a good first impression of your home. Picking a color for the exterior is not an effortless ordeal.
One thing you should know is that choosing a color at a paint store isn’t a precise way to decide which color would be best for your home. Colors can appear to be much different on a color wheel than they are in natural lighting or on a greater surface area. Some colors may look great on a color chip, but after the whole painting process, the color may end up looking different than you had intended.
When going to choose a color, pick your two favorite colors from color swatches and get samples to paint on various parts of your home exterior to get an accurate feel of what will actually look best. (For those of you who live in a gated community or a community with Bylaws, remember your options could be limited.)
One of the best ways to determine which colors you like best is to look at houses around your neighborhood. Feel free to approach neighbors or homeowners to ask what color they used. Getting their house color tips will give you an accurate representation of what your home will look like after the paint job.
A quick trick for completing that good impression of your home is to paint your front door with a nice accent color. The best way to choose a color for the door is to let your flowers be your guide. Pick a great complimentary contrast color that completes the look of your entranceway.
Hallco Enterprises, located in Clarksburg MD, just completed this garage floor painting project in Bethesda, Maryland. This garage already had a paint product applied, but it did not hold up very well. Most paint products you can buy from Home Depot or do yourself don't typically last very long. This is typically because of two things: 1) A lack of proper preparation to the raw concrete or 2) the heat of car tires causing the paint to lift up and peel.
On this garage floor, we had to completely remove the existing floor coating before applying any of the epoxy finishes. If you have any questions about garage floor coatings, please comment below, send us an email or call us.
Click on the photos to enlarge them.
Hallco Painting is pleased to serve the Maryland area, including the communities of Bethesda, Maryland, Brunswick, Maryland, Clarksburg, Maryland, Frederick, Maryland, Gaithersburg, Maryland, Germantown, Maryland, Howard County, Maryland, Potomac, Maryland, Rockville, Maryland, Silver Spring, Maryland, Takoma Park, Maryland.
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Should I replace my aluminum siding or paint it?
Many homeowners think that they have to replace aluminum siding when the appearance begins to degrade. Since painting is only a fraction the cost of full replacement, fortunately it isn’t necessary to replace your siding when it begins looking dingy. After a thorough power washing and a good paint-job, your siding should look as good as new.
Aluminum siding has an enamel finish that does not require much maintenance and can usually last for 30 to 40 years, depending on the surroundings and varying environmental factors. For example, in areas with more sunlight, the Ultra-Violet rays can break down the enamel finish over time, causing a chalky film to form. This film can be cleaned with a power-washing, but eventually the enamel will break down completely making the siding aesthetically unsightly. At this point, most people think that replacing the siding is critical, but in fact, since metal does not expand or contract as wood or vinyl does, painting the aluminum will often last longer than normal. With some good 100% acrylic paint, you can pick a fresh color and transform the exterior appearance of your house.
Of course, if your siding is severely dented or damaged from heavy storms or wind, it would be wise to replace the siding, but other in most cases it is usually more efficient to repaint.
How do I paint siding?
After you thoroughly clean the siding and get rid of dirt, debris and pollen, paint will adhere nicely to it. It is wise to hire a contractor who can do a thorough power-washing to the home exterior, since it is of utmost importance to completely remove mold and mildew as well as any chalk film (broken-down enamel caused by UV rays).
Once the siding is clean and dry, paint can be most easily by applied by spraying. You can also paint siding with a brush or roller, but spraying produces the smoothest finish.
Which type of paint should I use?
You should use a water-based latex or acrylic paint, but the top coat should be an 100% acrylic exterior paint. Most of these types of paint are self-priming on aluminum, which makes the project a bit simpler. If you still wish to apply a full primer coat, the primer should be tinted to a ½ shade of the finish color to minimize the number of top coats. However, using a full primer coat prior to the two finish coats (rather than just using the self-priming paint) will not necessarily extend the lifespan of the paint-job.
When painting vinyl siding, you should usually apply a color lighter than the original vinyl color. However, modern paints are available in “vinyl safe colors” that allow darker colors to be applied over lighter colored siding; so just be sure to research the paint you choose.
If your siding is showing wear, or if you are interested in changing the color of your siding, consult a painting company to learn more. For those around the mid-Maryland, or DC metro areas, Hallco Enterprises would be delighted to discuss your needs and the best solutions with you.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Painting a room typically only takes about an hour or so to dry these days. After a couple hours you can move your items back into their proper places and even hang pictures on the walls. We do have one word of caution about wall paints: They might be dry but not cured. Depending on the type of paint you selected, the paint cure process could be anywhere from 2 weeks to 28 days. For example, a very high end paint product such as Duration Home has a curing date of 28 days. It is safe to clean the walls in as little as 14 days but not deep clean. Hopefully you don't have to deep clean walls the first two weeks. The only reason you might have to clean your walls is if you your kids or pet damaged the walls or if you had construction dust! When you clean freshly painted walls that are not fully cured it could leave little "halo" marks on the walls, so be extra careful. I'd recommend trying warm water and a rag first. If you have to use a cleaner, make sure it is mild and not Heavy Duty 409 or full strength Simple Green.
If you have a paint questions, let us know. Hallco Enterprises is located in Clarksburg Maryland and services mid-Maryland, Columbia, D.C. and Northern Virginia.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
If you have little children, then chances are you have or will have painted walls that have kid art on them too. When I say "kid art" I'm referring to pens, markers, dry eraser pens, pencils and even crayons. It happens no matter how carefuly you are in hiding the objects. Crayons are perhaps the hardest to remove from your nicely painted walls. A couple tips you can try before you need to repaint are:
If your child happened to use a purple or dark crayon on the walls (like the photo we chose) chances are you might have to repaint the wall after cleaning it. These dark colors don't always come clean. Sometimes if you use a very high quality paint to begin with such as Duration Home or Benjamin Moore Aura, crayon and other marks will not only come off but will not leave stains in the painted finish. The lower the paint quality the more likely there will always be a remnant left on the walls.
If you've tried the tips above and nothing is working, repaint the walls with one of the paint brand we mentioned. We'd love to help with repainting if you live in the mid-Maryland or D.C. Metro areas.
Do you have a tip to remove crayons? If so, let us know by commenting on this post.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Polyvinyl-Chloride (PVC) is the same material that is found in plumbing pipes. It is a solid, reliable and composite material.
Why should you consider using PVC?
PVC is most commonly used for it’s durability. Because is does not decay and can not be damaged by insects, it is used to replace rotted boards or wood that will most likely begin to rot in the near future. Replacing all of the house trim with PVC will prevent all future chances of dry rot or decay, and will require little or no maintenance besides an occasional paint-job. Replacing the trim of a house is becoming a popular course of action for homeowners in the D.C. and mid-Maryland areas, the only preventive for most people replacing all of their house trim with PVC is the cost.
Since paint adheres comparably better to PVC, than to wood, using PVC can improve the visible quality of your home. PVC does not expand and contract as much as wood, which is why it is more durable. Although Azek (a brand name for PVC trim) is more expensive than wood, the lower maintenance is often worth the cost. PVC comes in white, so typically it has to be painted to match any existing trim; it also comes in the same shapes and sizes as wood, so it is virtually indistinguishable from any nearby pieces of wood that have not been replaced. It is possible to not paint the PVC trim, but it does tend to get a bit dirty if it does not have a good coat of paint.
One caution of PVC is that when placed in direct sunlight, the material can warp. To avoid this, just look into using vinyl safe paint colors.
The cost of PVC and the labor to install it are the two downsides of PVC. The benefits do prove to out-weigh the cost, but it is ultimately your decision whether or not you think the product is worth cost.
Hallco Enterprises is located in Clarksburg, MD and can provide our painting customers with a quote to replace and repaint your trim work with PVC. We service the mid-Maryland, Northern Virginia and D.C. metro areas.
What do you think? Have you had experience with PVC trim? Do you like the look? Let us know what questions you have and give us your feedback.
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Installing new flooring and repainting a room are tasks which are often done in conjunction with one another. Most people say it makes more sense to paint first; however, painting should typically be done last.
If you paint first, there are a couple of probable scenarios to be aware of. One likely possibility is that the flooring installer could scratch or mark the new paint and baseboard trim. Another possible occurrence would be that the new flooring could be thinner than the old, and the paint then would not be deep enough for the new flooring.
If you paint after the new flooring is put in, the most likely problem would be paint being spilled or dripped on the new floor. However, this point should not be an issue if proper set-up techniques are taken, and if the paint is applied by a professional contractor.
If you are doing the projects yourself, it may be wise to paint first if you don’t have the proper materials for floor coverage. If you are hiring professional contractors for these projects, I would suggest starting with the flooring or carpet first.
Just be sure to consider thoroughly which contractor you choose to work with; make sure they are well-spoken of, and have a reliable, well-trained team.
© 2012 Hallco Enterprises, Professional House Painters | 2220 Regina Dr, Clarksburg, MD 20871 | (301) 831-3679