What should you do with old paint cans? In most communities, just tossing them into the garbage isn’t an option. There are rules regarding the safe (and environmentally friendly) disposal of paint cans. We recommend checking with your local community or county’s requirements. However, here are a few essential things for you to know about paint disposal. In addition to following local rules on paint disposal, always follow the brand manufacturer’s guidelines on how to dispose of latex and oil-based paint. You shouldn’t throw away liquid paint because it can contaminate the environmen ..read more

Embrace Paint Colors You Love  When selecting a paint color, we always advise clients to be confident in their color selections. There are several reasons for this advice, not the least: you should love what your home (or office) looks like. Selecting colors you are drawn to helps you create a home that reflects your personality and preferences. When selecting paint colors, follow your taste. If needed, ask for help. Other Opinions If you need ideas on what to do in your home, get a second opinion. There are four ways to seek out some help. If you’re not already working with an interior ..read more

Should you paint your home yourself instead of hiring a professional painter to save money? It might be tempting because you think it will save you money. However, that’s not a typical outcome. So, before you DIY your home painting project, there are some crucial things to know. Experience and Preparation Preparing the surface before painting is a crucial first step in any painting project. The quality of the prep work depends on the experience and skill of the person doing the work and the materials used. The more complex the project, the more skill, time, and effort will be required to prepa ..read more

Winter is over and now’s a good time to start  thinking about spring and what that can mean for home maintenance. So, let’s talk about wood rot: what it is, how to avoid it, and what it can do to your home. What is Wood Rot For wood to rot, it takes oxygen, a certain temperature, and a bit of moisture to create wood-eating fungi. These conditions become ideal for wood rot to occur once things begin to thaw out at the end of winter. Wood rot can quickly become a big problem, as the fungi crave fresh and healthy wood fibers and can spread rapidly. How to Avoid Wood Rot The wood most likely ..read more

Maintaining your home’s paint job is essential for aesthetic reasons and protecting the underlying material. Before you hire a paint contractor, here are ten questions you should pose to them. Working with the right contractor is critical for the outcomes. A paint job is an investment in your home. When choosing a paint contractor, a homeowner should select carefully to guarantee the best outcomes. A contractor’s reputation is essential, so hiring a local one can make a difference. Local painters rely on their reputations to secure new clients. It’s hard to stay in business if they establish a ..read more

These are the most common issues or mistakes in paint projects by inexperienced homeowners or other paint contractors. These are easy to avoid, though. As experienced Northern Virginia painters, we can’t stress enough the importance of good prep work and using high-quality materials and equipment before you start painting.   1. Uneven coverage: To avoid uneven coverage, you must use high-quality paint. If you roll or brush incorrectly, you will have uneven coverage. Lastly, if you don’t apply sufficient coats of paint, you can also have uneven coverage or appearance. We suggest apply ..read more

Should you paint your home yourself instead of hiring a professional painter to save money? It might be tempting because you think it will save you money. However, that’s not a typical outcome. So, before you DIY your home painting project, there are some crucial things to know. Experience and Preparation Preparing the surface before painting is a crucial first step in any painting project. The quality of the prep work depends on the experience and skill of the person doing the work and the materials used. The more complex the project, the more skill, time, and effort will be required to prepa ..read more

Did you know that you can create your own paint remover? While you can buy it from paint or home improvement stores, you can make a natural paint remover that’s far less toxic using a few basic ingredients. The Case for Natural Paint Removers Most chemical paint removers contain high volumes of VOC – Volatile Organic Compounds. VOCs can affect the environment and your health, including the respiratory and nervous systems. We recommend doing a patch test with these solutions in a less visible surface area before doing a broader application. Vinegar  Vinegar is a handy household item used f ..read more

When selecting a paint for your project, many options exist. However, the type of paint you choose can affect the air quality of your indoor environment and possibly even your health. You can select paint and finishing products that are healthier and more eco-friendly to ensure that your project is eco-friendly. While most folks focus on selecting a color, there’s something else to consider: the paint’s formula. Consider what the paint is made of, in particular, VOCs. The National Institutes of Health describes VOCs as “…various organic chemicals which are released as gases from different liqu ..read more

Is there a Difference Between Interior and Exterior Paint? Do you have some leftover interior paint and need to do some touch-up exterior painting? Before you grab that brush, you should know that exterior and interior paints are different. They are formulated differently, which means they’re not interchangeable. You can’t just substitute interior paint for exterior. Let’s take a closer look at those differences. The Basic Ingredients of Paint  Paint is made up of four elements: Resin: It binds the pigments together and helps the paint dry. Pigments: They give paint its color ..read more