5 Things To Know Before Starting A Painting Project

Although you may think painting is an easy, DIY yourself project, chances are you don't know what you're doing. Before doing any sort of painting, whether that be the painting of a room, a door or a piece of furniture, you must know these tips before starting.

Know the Weather Forecast

The ideal painting weather is dry, so make sure to skip rainy or humid days. Start your painting project on a day where the relative humidity is between 40% and 70%. If you are painting the interior of your home, simply open a window and let the paint dry completely before starting the next coat.

Know The Size Of Your Space

Not only will you spend way more money than expected but you will find yourself with not enough paint for the job. One gallon per 400 square feet is a great rule of thumb. If you are painting a surface with a rougher texture, you may need more.

Know How To Keep A Wet Edge

By painting over an area of the wall that begun to dry will leave you with lap marks all over your walls. Keeping a wet edge or having each stroke overlap the previous one will help you avoid lap marks altogether.

Know How To Properly Prep Your Surface

If the surface of your walls aren't properly prepped, it won't matter how expensive the paint is or how carefully you applied the paint, your work will result in bubbling, cracking and chipping. To prep your surface correctly, sand and scrape any areas of the existing surface that is flaking or peeling. Take soap to any greasy areas and wipe all the walls with a dust-free rag.

Know The Correct Tape Removal Techniques

Before yanking the tape off the trim and ruining your hard work, take a second and remove the tape correctly. You need to wait 24 hours minimum before removing the trim tape, should use a utility knife to cut through the film and pull the tape at a 45-degree angle as you cut the paint.

Not everyone is suited for the meticulous, cautious work that is painting, which is okay!  If you are reconsidering painting yourself, call Hensel Painting or reach us online.

The Importance Of High-Quality Paint

Cheaper alternatives are always great. However, when it comes to choosing a paint for your home, this may not be the time to choose the cheapest option. Your wallet will be screaming at you when you cough up 30$ a gallon of paint instead of 10$, but try your best not to think short sighted. No matter the painting project, the high-quality paint will certainly be more expensive but it will be worth it.

Easier Application

If you plan on doing the painting yourself, it is in your best interest to choose a higher quality paint. High-quality paint requires less effort, which means you will have to spend less time rolling, brushing and retouching your work. A little fun fact: high-quality paint doesn't splatter as much doing the application. So, cleanup will be not only shorter but easier.

It Can Withstand Just About Anything

Expensive paint isn't expensive for no reason. Since it’s built to endure any environment, the test of time and the elements, it should cost a little more. Not to mention, the high-quality paint will show less wear, resist dirt, scuffs, and even fingerprints.

It Lasts Longer

Not only will high-quality paint last longer, but it will create a more uniform, smooth appearance. When we say high-quality paint lasts longer, we mean it lasts twice as long as a cheaper paint. In reality, you will be saving yourself money in the long run by going with a better quality paint. Not to mention, a few cans of high-quality paint last significantly longer than multiple cheap cans of paint.

How To Tell If Your Paint Is High Quality?

Typically, a high-quality paint contains a greater solids content, which allows it to be more durable and dry much thicker. To determine the quality of your paint, look for these two indicators:

1. The volume of Solids - A higher-quality paint will have a higher percentage of binders and pigments (solids) and a smaller percentage of liquids. For example, low-quality paint like latex paint will have 20-30% solids by volume and 70-80% water. Whereas, a high-quality paint will have 35-50% solids.

2. Titanium Dioxide - A large amount of titanium dioxide allows you to cover more surface with fewer coats. The ideal paint will contain roughly 20-25% of titanium dioxide.

Hensel Painting, we only use the best of the best. Our experience, professional techniques paired with quality materials mean you will get fantastic results. If you are looking to get started on your next home project, give us a call. For a free estimate click here.

A Guide To Choosing the Best Colors For Your Bedroom

Out of all the rooms in your home, your bedroom should be a place to relax, unplug and unwind from life’s stressors. It should also be an environment designed for optimal sleep! The influence of many factors is needed in order to create the perfect bedroom space. Although decor and furnishings are important, the colors of your walls and ceiling will make all the difference. Part of choosing the best paint color for your bedroom starts with understanding how colors influence mood.

Colors and Their Effects

Although this process is hardly scientific, studies show that certain colors affect our mood and how well we sleep. The results showed that bedrooms painted hues of blue are optimal for sleep. Shades of yellow came in at second best for sleep and green and silver took third and fourth. the study revealed that individuals with bedrooms painted gray, brown and purple received the least amount of sleep.

Neutral Colors

Not only are neutral colors a safe choice, they are also calming! Beige, cream, and tan are subtle and mind easing, perfect for a relaxing bedroom. Although neutral tones aren't the most fun, they go perfectly with a variety of decor, furniture pieces, and linens.

Cool Colors

Cool colors are optimal for a sleepy and calming bedroom setting. Also, the cool colors spectrum offers a lot of variation! Experiment with hues of blue, violet, blue-green and gray!

Pastel Colors

Pastels don’t look childish when done right. A pastel colored room with bright accessories and dark wood accents is both grown-up and soothing. Consider soft greens or blues, lavender, or even light pink.

Tips to Try

1. Consider the overall effect you are going for. Relaxed, intimate, cozy, or something else? Gather inspiration from magazines or interior design websites!

2. Take your surroundings into consideration. What goes well with your furniture? Does natural light effect your space?

3. Test out potential colors on portions of your wall. See how the colors change throughout the day.

Bring in the Professionals

Whatever color you choose, you will get the best results if you hire professionals. Here at Hensel Painting, we are confident in our ability to transform your home with our professional painting services and appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. Contact us today and request a free estimate for your next painting project.

Your Home Can Be the Best On the Block!

Have you ever wondered what type of impression your home gives to visitors and neighbors? Is your home inviting, well-kept and cozy? Or is it visibly in need of upkeep? First impressions do matter and curb appeal is important, so make sure all the aspects of your home are in quality shape. Here are a few ways your home can reach its potential and be one of the best on the block.

It All Starts With the Front Door

Since the front door is one of the first features to catch the eye, it is a very important place to start. As the entrance of your home, the front door should be in quality shape! Whether you like the idea of a bold colored door or the look of a rustic, wooden finish, the front door always sets the tone for the aesthetic of the home. 

Light It Up

A poorly lit home can be ominous and uninviting! Not to mention, that homes with insufficient lighting are at a higher risk for break-ins and vandalism. That being said, it is always a good idea to leave a light source on in your home at all times, especially if you aren't there. Aside from safety, good lighting (interior, exterior or landscape) brings a certain poise and elegance to your home that is pleasing to the eye. 

Fresh Paint

Although a combination of small improvements can make a large impact on the look of your home, a fresh paint job can bring your home back to life in a big way. A fresh coat of paint for the shutters, damaged or faded areas of your home will make a bigger difference that you may anticipate. However, before you break out the ladders and paint, speak to a professional about what exactly your exterior needs. Chance are you will need their help to achieve the look you are hoping for. 

Exterior Accessories

There is nothing more beautiful than a home with beautiful plants and flowers adorning the exterior. If you don’t consider yourself to be much of a gardener, a window box is a simple and colorful way to increase the curb appeal of your home. Another easy way to update the exterior of your home is with a new mailbox! Mailboxes tend to be forgotten, so if yours is old and in need of a touch-up, purchase a new one for as little as 20$.

It is easy to grow accustomed to the appearance of your home. If you care about the look and overall appeal of your residence, consider calling in the help of Hensel Painting. We have had the pleasure of transforming homes in Colorado for decades and would love to help you with your next home improvement project. Contact us today for a free estimate on your home.

Let Us Help Prepare Your Exterior For Spring!

Spring is a perfect to revisit the exterior of your home. The warmer and sunnier months bring optimal conditions for painting outside, which allows us to do some of our best work. Although our painting approach is custom to each project,  we abide by the same preparations steps every time.

Start From A Fresh Slate

We begin each painting project by establishing a clear and clean space. Temporarily removing items affixed to the walls of the home, such as light fixtures, decorations or house numbers is the best place to start. In order for the painting process to begin, outdoor furniture, planters, and shutters are relocated.

Avoid A Mess

Even for the most experienced of painters, the job site can get messy. In order to avoid a large amount of cleanup, we take precaution by placing tarps and drop cloths under areas of the home that will come in contact with our tools and our paint. Since the stain on your porch and decking won't look their best with splatters of paint, we proceed with extreme caution in these areas.

Exterior Prep

Before applying a fresh coat of paint, the surface of your exterior must be free of contaminants. First and foremost, grease, mold, mildew and loose paint are scraped from the exterior with a wire brush or power washer.

Although the removal of any exterior contaminants may seem like a manageable, DIY job, it is best to hire a professional for this important step. Not only are professionals great at diagnosing exterior containments, but they are equipt to deal with the removal of paint that may contain harmful substances like lead.

The Final Evaluation

Once your home is debris free, we can truly assess the areas of your home that require the most attention. Our final evaluation process gives us the opportunity for touch ups before we break out our brushes. It is during this last look where we find the majority of cracked walls, exposed nail heads, and old caulking. The final outcome of your exterior paint job hinges on us locating and correcting these problem areas.

Springtime is here and we are ready to bring your home transformation dreams to life. At Hensel Painting we believe that commitment to quality work, integrity, professionalism, and customer satisfaction is the keys to our success. After you receive your free estimate today you will be one step closer to having the home you’ve always wanted

Painting Is More Than Just Applying Paint

There is nothing quite like the site of a beautifully painted home! Precise, clean lines, rich color and accentuated textures are achieved only through professional experience and quality prep work. Although painting a home may seem like a simple task, outstanding results require more than just applying paint to a given surface. Achieving the best results and the professional quality you are looking for requires knowing a thing or two about the painting process.

Before painting of any kind begins, there must be surface or wall preparation. Prepping the walls of your home, whether exterior or interior, is a process. In order to get the finish and final product, a certain rules of the prepping process must be abided by. Without it, there is no way to achieve the high quality look you desire.

Before breaking out the tools and paint, the space undergoing work must be clear and clean. After the removal of any electrical and HVAC covers, there should be an thorough inspection of the surface of your walls. Any imperfections, holes, or blemishes will be filled with spackling and a putty knife. After the spackling has dried, these areas will be sanded down and wiped clean in order to remove dust or other residue.

After the surfaces of your walls are made even, the masking process begins. In order to achieve clean and even lines, portions of your home will be lined with tape.  Tape will be added to areas where the wall meets the wooden baseboards lining your floor and between walls that will be painted different colors. The final step in the prepping process is the primer. Primer is just as important as the paint and should be treated accordingly.

Don't go it alone! A professional looking home requires professional painting experience. A fresh paint job can do so much for your home, but not if crucial steps are missed. Here at Hensel Painting we are dedicated to providing our customers with a quality final product and level of service. As seasoned painters, we are fully prepared to take on the most unique and difficult projects. Contact us for a free estimate today!

Winter and Interior Painting

It's no secret that winter is in full swing. With snow on the ground and freezing temperatures outside, it's the perfect time to move your creativity and home improvement ventures indoors. 

Paint is one of the best ways to settle into the season and also an inexpensive option to help prepare the interior of your home for the upcoming season. If you are sick and tired of seeing the same old colors on the walls of your home, we have a suggestion for you.  

From both an aesthetic and economic perspective, a fresh paint job is the optimal choice when trying to achieve the look and ambience you have been hoping for. Why spend big bucks renovating and refurnishing when one simple paint job can do the trick? One new paint job supported by decorative pieces can completely transform your space. 

Loving the idea of interior change but not sure which color is right for your vision? According to many interior design trends this winter, fire inspired warm colors and even gold are proving to be most popular. If you envision your revamped space as something a little more off beat and unique, the professional painters at Hensel Painting are more than qualified to help you choose the perfect color scheme. 

Beat the chill and achieve the cozy home you've always hoped for with the help of Hensel Painting. For more information visit our website today and receive a free estimate on your next painting project.

Paint Finish: Which is Best for your Interior?

Paint comes in many colors and also a variety of finishes. Finishes can be categorized by sheen, matte, glossy or clean.  Ultimately, the finish chosen when it comes to finalizing a color for your home depends on the coverage and durability you are looking for. Finish is just as important as the color you choose! Here at Hensel Painting, we believe in keeping our customers informed about the painting process.

Paint is made in 5 different finishes:

An eggshell finish is best described as subdued. This particular style of gloss is what we would choose in a room with medium amount of activity. Eggshell finishes are practical, long lasting, and great in rooms with little potential for moisture. Eggshell finishes do not have much gloss but still  bring an attractive look to any area it covers.

This type of finish is known for its ability to conceal flaws or imperfections on the surface of your walls. Flat or Matte finishes are our first choice when painting a home with older walls. This type of finish allows us to keep the character of the walls in tact while still receiving a fresh coat of paint. One thing we take into consideration with matte and flat finishes, is how frequently the walls are washed or exposed to water.

Known for both its washability and durability, semi gloss has a medium sheen making it perfect for just about any room in the house. We tend to use semi gloss in rooms that experience the majority of the traffic or an area exposed to moistures.

Like, Egg Shell, Satin finishes are easily maintained in busier areas of the interior. This type of finished offers quality covering from surface imperfections or glare. A satin finish is frequently used to paint window sill, trim, and cabinets.

Gloss is the type of finish that offers the best durability! In particular, gloss works well on small surface areas that tend to be older. We use glossy paints as a way to highlight trim on woodwork, architectural pieces and doors.  As a general rule of thumb, the glossier the paint, the more expensive.

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We take into account all the variables when it comes time to choose paint and finish! We take into consideration both the space we are painting and your budget. Here at Hensel painting, we always find the paint and finish that best brings the vision of your home to life.  If you are ready to transform your home with a top of the line paint job, give us a call today for a free estimate. With Hensel Painting, you can have the home you’ve always wanted!