From Concept to Construction ™

What to Consider Before Choosing Paint for Your Home

September 12, 2020

Improving your home is a major project to partake as a homeowner. It can be an expensive affair, even tedious, depending on how big your planned home improvement project is. Planning for a home addition design is another story. You can avail affordable home additions from professional home remodeling architects that will suit your budget. But sometimes, home improvement can be as cheap and simple as buying good quality paint. Instead of tearing up the walls or replacing old cabinets, you can opt to repaint them for a fresher, more renewed look. Applying a fresh coat of paint is also a good idea if you are planning to sell your home. But first, you need to consider several things when choosing paint. Types of paint For starters, paint comes in different sheens. Two of the most popular ones are latex and oil-based paints. Latex paints This one is more common and more preferred to use because it is easier to clean up. Plus, it can last for many years as well. Latex paint is also less susceptible to premature fading and bubbling, hence the durability. It is also said to be more eco-friendly than its oil-based counterpart. You can use this type of paint to work on various surfaces including wood and concrete. Oil paints Meanwhile, oil-based paints came earlier than latex paint, existing for more than 50 years. But it is still being used until now mostly wood trims and moldings, as suggested by most architects builders. Oil paints also tend to dry longer than latex paint, so make sure to allow drying time. Some use an oil-based primer and use latex paint as a top coat, but it depends on your paint preference and requirement. Types of paint sheens And then there are different types of paint sheens, popular of which the glossy, semi-glossy, are and matte finishes. When to use glossy paint? Home remodeling architects recommend using glossy paint in high-traffic areas such as the living room, kitchen, or the playroom. You can easily clean and wipe walls and other surfaces with glossy paint. On the downside, glossy paint can highlight surface imperfections including bumps and other blemishes. When to use semi-glossy paint? Home improvement experts suggest using semi-gloss paint for bathroom and kitchen areas. Semi-glossy paint is also a little cheaper than glossy paint, making it a good alternative to the latter if you are aiming for the glossiness of paint. When to use matte paint? Matte or flat paint, although can hide imperfections more effectively, may not be recommended in high-traffic areas. This is because it may not be easily cleaned unlike using glossy paint. But if you want to use matte, you can opt for eggshell sheen. It also resembles matte paint but easier to maintain and wash, smoother, and more long-lasting. What to consider when choosing the paint color It can be overwhelming to choose the right paint color for your home, as there are a lot of colors to choose from. Well, it depends on your objectives. For example, experts suggest using white or off-white paint for walls if you are planning […]

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Ways to Make Your Home Smell Good After a Paint Job

September 5, 2020

A good paint job is a must for every home. It can be a fun but tedious activity depending on how big the area in your house that you are going to paint. Painting requires careful planning including the timeline, whether to hire manpower or do it on your own and where to temporarily store furniture and other things before starting the paint job. It can take days or weeks to complete a paint job. It is also a cost-effective way to spruce up your exterior and interior walls and even your cabinets and other furniture. You can hire a home additions builder to help you achieve the home you’ve always wanted. And then there’s that familiar stench While the painting is, as mentioned, a cost-effective way to improve your home, it can leave a mark in the room. An unpleasant smell, rather. Well, that lingering smell is inevitable after a major paint job. For one thing, the paint’s smell is not good at all. It can even cause a headache for others who can get a whiff of the scent of paint. You can simply open the door or the window to get rid of the smell of paint. But you cannot simply do so if it’s raining or it’s “pollen season” and you get allergies from it. There is no denying that we get used, even immune, to the scent of our home. It can be a smell of different things. It can be the smell of daily homecooked meals. Or the musty smell of your natural body scent. Or the smell of your pet dog resting in the living room. Regardless, there are still ways to get rid of unpleasant smells especially the smell of paint. Getting rid of paint smell For some reason, the smell of paint can be addicting… but not good for your health. Whether you are building a home addition or just hired a home addition builder for your home improvement project, you need to get rid of the smell of paint as much as possible. Fortunately, there are easy ways to do so. Baking soda This white, scent-free powder is a blessing to mankind. It can do a lot of things, from whitening your teeth, clean bathrooms, and even use it as a baking ingredient. And yes, it can remove the strong scent of paint. Your home additions builder might also recommend using this humble kitchen item after a paint job. Simply put a good amount of baking soda in a bowl, leave it in a room, and let it do its magic. Scented candles Candles are not only for… well, romantic candlelight dinners. It is also a great way to get rid of paint smells. While there are different candles to choose from, there are also candles specially made to get rid of strong paint odors. Coffee Not only the smell of coffee can jolt you awake every morning but is also a great odor absorber. Simply pour coffee grounds in a bowl and leave it in the room to get rid of the paint smell. But remember, do not use […]

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Effective Ways to Save Money on a Home Painting Job

August 13, 2020

There is nothing more satisfying than the smell of fresh paint. A fresh coat of paint can signify new beginnings, and one of the most exciting parts of home improvement. If you are planning for a home remodel, you have to consider the paint colors that you will use. Also, a home remodeling addition means hiring the best home additions builders out there. Getting started If you are planning for any home improvement project this year, you should think about the best color scheme to work on. You also have to have an idea of how much it can cost you for all the paint you will use and the labor (if you are going to hire professional painters). Or if you decide to do the job by yourself, make sure to do your research to avoid regrets later on. You should also have the right tools and supplies to take on the painting project. Also, you should know what to do before painting a wall or furniture, painting wall corners, saving on paint costs, and so on. Finding reliable home remodeling architects is also important if you decide to let professionals handle the job. What you need to know about the painting cost breakdown In choosing paint, you need to consider the material or surface you are going to paint. This includes wood, concrete, metal, and so on. Paint also comes in different textures and finishes such as glossy, semi-glossy, matte, and eggshell among a few. If you are planning for a condo remodeling, you may also want to hire professional painters for the painting job. As mentioned earlier, you need to consider two major contributors to painting costs: Paint and material costs It is said that paint usually cost at least $20 per gallon depending on the finish, brand, and other features. Some paints are mold-resistant or odor-free as well as a lifetime warranty, which can also contribute to the cost of the paint. When buying paint, never settle for cheaper ones – it may also mean cheaper quality and durability. Experts suggest using middle-grade acrylic paint for all-around painting needs. Consider other painting materials like paint brushes, rollers, painter’s tape, and other supplies. Labor expenses Another major cost is the cost of painting a surface. This includes the time spent on prepping so that the paint will adhere to the surface. At the same time, this will ensure that the paint job will last for a long time. The paint can be expensive or cheaper than the usual brands, but the labor and the output quality should be worth the price. How to save on a paint job Now you know that labor costs have the larger chunk of your budget. On the one hand, you can do the painting job on your own. However, it may not be recommended especially if it is your first-time or if it is a major painting job. If it’s the latter’s case, you may have to leave it to the experts instead. The good news is that it is possible to save money on a home improvement project. There are […]

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Refreshing Makeover: What to Consider Before Painting Your House

June 5, 2020

Painting your home may be easier said than done. You need to plan for it carefully. You also have to choose the right paint color that you won’t regret later on. Or whether you need to paint your house walls in the first place. You might have to hire a professional for a home remodel. Nonetheless, it is a good idea to refresh your home every now and then. It doesn’t matter whether you decide to repaint your room, replace your bathroom tiles, or renovate your kitchen. What’s important that whatever these home improvements will benefit your entire household in terms of aesthetic appeal and safety. Painting: A cheap but effective home improvement White walls sure can look boring. So, the easiest and most inexpensive solution to brighten up your walls is by repainting it. Its difficulty level depends on how big the wall area you are going to paint. It can be only one side of the room or all of the walls of the house. This is one reason why a lot of homeowners dread house painting but should be done nonetheless. Aside from time, you also have to take into consideration what specific color to choose. There are several factors that you should consider when choosing a paint color. Home remodeling architects might help you choose the right paint shade for your home. It can be a tedious chore, but you will love the end result. If you are hiring a home additions builder, make sure you let them know what you want if they will also paint your walls. Otherwise, you can do your own thing – or even let your family decide on the colors! What to do before painting your house walls As mentioned, there are several things you need to consider before painting your house’s walls. It is important that you know these to prevent regrets later on unless you are willing to repaint over again. Getting the area to be painted ready Painting the walls with the furniture and desks around can be quite a hassle. That is why you should clear the area first before doing the paint job. If it’s a home remodeling addition, you have to take them out first so you can finish the paint job faster. If it’s a simple paint job, you can just move them to the center of the room and cover the items using old bedsheets or blankets. Wiping off any debris It may seem unnecessary, but cleaning the walls of any dirt and debris is important. Doing so will make the paint stick to the walls a lot better. Also, make sure to fill in any cracks or holes present on the walls. Add tape on window trims, outlet covers, and light switches before painting. Don’t forget to put old newspapers so that the paint won’t drip off on the floor. Checking the paint color If you have a specific color that you want, make sure to get a sample first. Sometimes, the actual color when applied on the wall may look different from what you imagine it to be. You can […]

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