The 411 On Painting With A Roller

Contrary to popular belief, painting with a standard paint brush and painting with a roller do not produce the same results. If your newest home project requires the work of a roller, but you are unfamiliar or new to using one, there are a few things you should know before the painting begins.

The Proper Tools For The Job

Quality work comes from working with good quality tools. In order to tackle your next painting job with a roller you will need:

• Extended Handle

• Roller Cover

• 5-gallon bucket

• Bucket screen or a Painting tray

• Paint Roller Frame

Refrain from purchasing the paint roller kit sold at most hardware stores. This seems like a great purchase (and an affordable one), however cutting corners on this type of equipment will end badly. A high-quality roller cover and frame will give you the best results. Purchase a shed-resistant roller cover with a plastic core instead of cardboard. The cardboard will absorb the paint and eventually break down.

Rolling Paint Onto Your Walls

Before you get to painting, remove any loose fibers from your roller, even if you bought a shed-resistant roller. With a little bit of tape, you can easily remove any loose fibers. Next, roll the cover into the paint which is either in a bucket or a tray. Do this multiple time to ensure the roller is completely covered. In order to ensure full coverage, work in a “W” pattern when rolling the paint onto the wall. It is also a good idea to paint in two to three-foot length sections. Move your pattern to fill in any unpainted areas until the wall is covered.

Extra Tips

• Start at the top of your wall and work down.

• Avoid applying pressure to the roller when painting. If you find yourself pressing hard just to get the paint to stick, it's time to add more paint to the roller.

DIY home projects are fun but the final product may not end how you envisioned. If you are looking for some assistance on your next home improvement project, call Hensel Painting. We are here to help! Call us today for your free estimate.

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. 

What Hot Weather Means For Your Next Home Painting Project

It is not uncommon to assume that warmer weather means improved outdoor painting conditions. Although this is true, there are some complications that come along with painting in warmer weather. Since Colorado weather tends to be on the dry side, humidity is one less factor that we as painters have to take into consideration. When taking on any residential painting project during the spring and summer months, we consider a few factors before the painting begins.

Hot Weather Painting Techniques & Tricks:

• The health and safety of our crew and the residents in the home is our number one priority! In order to cut down on the diffusion of fumes or unwanted smells, we like to begin all painting projects as early in the morning as possible. 

• As the day heats up, paint fumes have a tendency to linger or find their way throughout the home. With the help of fans, we can better manage air circulation and control the dispersion of any fumes from freshly painted areas of the home.

• We always work from east to west! By staying with the natural pattern of the sun we can avoid direct sunlight from blasting the fresh paint. It is in the project's best interest to apply paint in the shade.

The Positive Aspects Of Painting In Warm Weather

• Warm weather allows the primer, spackling and joint compound to dry at the same rate! This significantly cuts down on the time we have to spend on prep!

• Heat causes the paint to warm up, which is great for application

• The paint dries more quickly

Each season presents its own benefits and challenges to the painting process! However, no matter the season, Hensel Painting is prepared for and ready to handle whatever the may job bring. Contact us for a free estimate on your next project today.

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

3 Common Painting Mistakes

Even if your home was recently painted, you could still be seeing signs of faded or peeling paint. It is our job as painting professionals to investigate and avoid practices that can cause mistakes while on the job. Regardless of the space or style of your home, there are strict procedures to follow in order to ensure longevity and a quality outcome.

The Use Of Poor Quality Paint

The use of poor quality paints tend to require a premature re-paint. These paints tend to be less flexible, have poor adhesive properties and are often altered by temperature change. Low quality paint contains more solvents than solids, making the paint thinner, less pigmented and less durable. Although lower quality paint is cheaper, more paint, time and money will be needed in order to achieve the look of a higher quality paint.

Inadequate Prep Work: Pressure Washing & Priming

We have discussed the importance of thorough prep work in previous blogs! However, we cannot stress its role in the overall outcome. Prep work done in less than ideal weather conditions will create surface inconsistencies like bubbling, cracking and peeling. Both power washing and priming are key elements of the preparation process that must be done in the correct conditions and environment. Too much moisture, high wind or drastic temperatures will prevent seamless prep work from occurring.

Improper Paint Application

Misapplication is the most commonly made mistake in homes painted by an inexperienced crew or in the case of a DIY (Do It Yourself) homeowner. Misapplication can range from spreading the paint too thin, to overspreading or painting done in a setting without the proper lighting or temperature.

Don’t compromise your wallet or the beauty of your home by going it alone or hiring an unskilled crew. Here at Hensel Painting we understand that mistakes can happen. However, these types should not! Expecting professionalism and a quality outcome is not asking too much. Our twenty years of painting experience sets us apart from most companies in Northern Colorado. For more information on our experience, contact us today and a receive a free estimate!

Know When To Call In A Professional Painter

Managing minor damage and keeping your home in good condition is simply part of owning a home. Here at Hensel Painting we believe every homeowner should be active in the upkeep and maintenance of their home. However, there are certain aspects of interior and exterior home maintenance that require the help of a professional. In order for your home to remain fresh and beautiful, know when to call in for back up.

You should feel empowered to take on the nicks and scuffs of your home! Painting may seem easy but each and every project calls for something different. There is not a blanked fix for every area of your home. Before you whip out your paint and brush, ask yourself if this job is better suited for a professional.

Avoid Dangerous Situations

More often than not, painting jobs calls for ladders and certain equipment. Painting professionals are not only trained to operate special tools but are accustom to working safely and timely on a ladder. Without training, a project requiring scaffolding or ladders should be passed on to a company or individual with significant experience.

What Work Is Required?

A considerable amount of work goes into achieving a quality outcome. Without the proper preparation to the surfaces of your home, there is no way to obtain the final product you are dreaming of. Wall and surface preparation, priming, and caulking are components necessary for high quality work. Projects with significant damage should not be considered a "DIY opportunity". Preping a damaged area for paint requires extensive work and specific knowledge.  

Consider the Size of the Project

Taking a brush to a scuff on the wall is not comparable in scope to repainting the exterior or multiple rooms of your home. Not only are these projects time consuming, but they can be extremely chaotic if not completed quickly. Even if you have minor painting experience, the simplest of projects can become a disaster. In order to make quality change to your home, consider hiring help.

If you are ready to embark on your next home improvement project, contact us at Hensel Painting today. We have been transforming Colorado homes with our professional painting services for nearly two decades and are confident in our ability to improve your home! We are hardworking individuals passionate about taking care of our customers. Contact us today for your free estimate. 

Focus On the Little Things First

Not only does the molding in your home define it's architectural style, it influences the feel and look of your interior space. Damaged, chipped or scuffed trim and molding can ruin even the most beautifully painted walls. If you are looking to transform your home, start with the small areas to created greater change in your space. Tending to the little details of your interior is the best place to start when remodeling and revamping your home! With spring right around the corner, consider showing your home’s molding a little love with a fresh coat of paint!

Find the Perfect Sheen

Primer is to paint, what sheen is to molding! In order to have the home you want, picking the most practical products are important.  The perfect sheen for your baseboards, trim and molding depends on the traffic coming in and out of your home. Semi and high gloss sheens are considered to be more durable and easy to maintain. Consider a high gloss sheen for your baseboards and molding to keep your interior safe from the wear and tear of life.

Radiant and White

If you consider your personal style to be classic and clean, white molding and baseboards are the perfect choice for your updated interior. Off-white or even eggshell baseboards and molding are versatile and complement whatever color you choose for your walls.

The Two R’s

Designing the home you’ve always wanted can be extremely expensive. If you are working towards the total transformation of your home while on a budget, you have to get good at being practical.  In order to find remodeling success, get good at recognizing the difference between the two R’s: Replace or Repair. Repairing scuffs or small dents in the trim is an easy fix with paint, however if your baseboards and molding were improperly installed or are damaged beyond repair, consider a full replacement.

There is so much to considered when working towards creating the home of your dreams. Don't forget that saving money during the home improvement process can be done! Start by working on small details first, like the trim, molding and baseboards of your home. Home improvement is tough to do on your own, so don't be afraid to ask for help. A little goes a long way when you enlist in the help of professionals. Here at Hensel Painting we have been offering quality painting service for two decades. We are dedicated to making our customers’ dream homes a reality. Contact us today for a free estimate!

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!