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.

Tips For Choosing A Color Palette You Wont Regret!

As a homeowner, choosing the color palette of your new home can be tough! Although this aspect of the painting process is important, it shouldn't drive you crazy.  In order to help ease any confusion over which color pallet may be best for your home, here are a few things to consider when it comes time to finalize the color scheme. 

Visualize the Whole Home

When choosing the palette, think about the entire home instead of a room by room basis. In order to keep the colors consistent throughout the home is to limit your palette to five colors:

• Neutral: Perhaps a gray, tan, or blue! Something that you know blends into staple furniture piece in your home.

• White: Use the exact same color that was used for the doors, ceilings, and moldings

• A Personal Favorite: Pick a color that you really like

• A Complementary Color: This would be a color that coordinates well with your personal favorite color

• Another Coordinating Color: The final color should go well with the personal favorite and the complementary color

Consider Your Surroundings

The most beautiful homes have owners and designers who take into consideration the color values of the outdoor surroundings when planning the color scheme. The landscape and environment surround your home should be brought into play. If you used this technique when choosing both the colors and the decorations, the room will look naturally put together. 

Consider Your Decorations

Is there a piece of furniture in your home that really makes a statement? How about a colorful rug that occupies a large area of your home? By taking the colors already present in your home and finding a way to complement them is a great way to create a pattern or a theme. A common color is a great way to effortlessly tie separate areas of the home together. 

Consider Balance

A great rule of thumb when discussing color is the 60:30:10 ratio. 60% of the room should be the dominant color found on your walls, 30% should be a secondary color, and 10% should be an accent color. 

If you are struggling to choose a color for your home, we can help! Our years of experience has enabled us to feel confident in our ability to assist you in every area of the home remodeling process. Call us today for more information about our services or for your free estimate. 

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 Your Home: Where to Start?

If you are reading this, you are most likely considering having your home painted. The good news is, we are going to fill you in on the initial steps you should be taking when it comes to improving your home. 

Does your home need to be painted? 

First off, the big question...does your home really need to be painted? Usually, it is not difficult to tell if your residence could use a fresh coat of paint. A quality paint job usually lasts around 10 years. If your home has met the 10 year mark, it is due for a paint job. But, if you are unsure here are some key signs to look for. 

• Chipping and Peeling - If the paint on your home is peeling, that is an immediate sign that it's time to call in the the professionals. Not only is chipping paint unsightly to look at, but it also can be dangerous. 
• Dry Rot and Decay - If the paint on your home is chipping away, that is when rot and decay set in. Mold can work its way under the paint causing health issues for you and your family. 
• New Color for Aesthetic - Part of the re-designing process often involves new colors and fresh paint. If you want to give your home a new feel, a professional paint job is a great place to start. 

How to choose a professional painter. 

It is no secret that there are plenty of painting companies out there offering good service. Not every business offers quality service that they can stand by however. A great way to understand if a painting business is the best choice for your needs is to read previous customer reviews online. Speaking with a representative of the business is essential as well. Ask questions! A quality company should be able to clearly and effectively answer your questions. 

Here at Hensel Painting we offer professional painting services in Northern Colorado. Our team is ready to work with you to ensure that you home receives a quality paint job. When we are working in and around your home you can rest assured that we will respect your property like it is our own. 

Now is a great time to get the process started. Give us a call at (970) 215-9747 and let's talk about what you are looking to have done. If you would prefer to fill out a Free Estimate we will get back to you with how to proceed.