How to Choose a Painting Contractor

Our lives are getting very busy, and with that comes very little time to maintain housing projects such as painting. It is much more convenient to hire a painting contractor. By hiring a professional, you will get a higher quality paint job, as opposed to a do-it-yourself project. Your next step is to find the perfect Chicago painting contractor.

It can be very tricky finding a professional whom you can trust to get the job done correctly.

The first place to start looking is within your circle of friends or your family. They can help give you ideas of who the best painting contractors are and who they have heard is the most reliable. Your co-workers might also have suggestions about professional painters. Keep in mind that each person has their own idea of quality, and you should examine the work done on their house so that you can determine if it is the quality that you want.

The customer satisfaction is very important when choosing a professional through references. While their quality of work is important, the way that they treat their customers is also important. The fact that you are hiring a person to do the job proves that you want the experience to be as stress free as possible. In return, you want to pick a professional who is pleasant to work with, as well as courteous to all of your questions or preferences. When inquiring with your friends or family about the professional painter that they used, you should also askof paint that the professional usually chooses, and if it is of the highest quality.


The Better Business Bureau is another place that you can find a professional painter.Contractors who are reliable and responsible will join the Better Business Bureau. Search for painters who have had no judgments made against them or bad comments. You can call your local office or visit the website. The Better Business Bureau keeps all records on file for 3 years.

After you have a list of prospective Chicago painting contractor, your next step should be to call each one. Most importantly, ask about a paint warranty. Three years is usually acceptable for an expiration of a paint warranty. After you make arrangements with the painter, make sure that you get everything in writing. Try to narrow all of your choices down to three painters. Do not be afraid to ask a lot of questions. Make an appointment and examine how courteous they are with your questions and if they are very professional.

Once you have chosen a painter, ask for a written proposal of what will be done during the job and what products the painter will be using. This should include the amount charged for the surface preparation, the priming, what type of primer will be used, the caulking, and the brand of paint that is being used. A professional painter will also have a description of the paint manufacturer's product line.

The proposal should also list how many coats of paint will be applied in order to finish the job. Go with your gut instinct about which professional painter to choose. The only way to truly tell if the person is reliable is to have a face-to-face meeting before committing to any project, and never pay for the entire job up front.

Garage Floor Paints - Chicago painting contractor

Garage Floor Paints - Chicago painting contractor

Garage Floor paints very in quality and preparation methods of the concrete surface before application. As I stated in various other articles I am not a big fan of any of these products. I have yet to see even one of them that has lasted more than a year or two.

Of course your slab has to be clean.
It must be free of oil, grease, mud, sheetrock mud, paint, adhesives etc. The reason for the failures, for the most part, is the inadequate preparation of the concrete. For any paint or epoxy to achieve a proper bond to the concrete the pores in the concrete have to be "opened up". This can be achieved by the use of mechanical means, shot-blasting, scarifying and/or grinding. These methods are not really readily available to homeowners or DIYers.

Unless you have an equipment rental center near you that is the "concrete equipment" location for a large metro area chances are that you won't even be able to rent one of these machines, let alone know how to run one.

Never fear there is an easier way and if you insist upon using a "concrete paint' it will give you the best chance you have to keep it on the slab and not peel up. Notice that I didn't say I guarantee that it will keep the paint on the slab I said it would give you the best chance.

If you insist on a paint or "concrete stain" be prepared to have to redo your floor every two to three years. If you don't mind having to do this or your budget is limited please take the recommended prep to heart as this will increase your chances of longevity of your floor by a factor of at least 50%.

When deciding on products for your floor try to find paint that is higher in solids than others. This will give you a better chance of receiving a good product. Behr, Duron and Olympic are good choices for this type of product.

Remember you get what you pay for.

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Paint Basics - Chicago painting contractor

Many home owners report that their concrete does not look as good as it first did, and indeed some concrete looses its looks and become cracked and dimples and rust stains. This look damages the house look and many find it to be plain ugly, the solutions that people apply to this problem is usually covering the whole concrete surface with different thing, mattress and clothes from all materials, but covering the concrete does not solve the problem just provides a temporary solution you need to remove once it starts raining.

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The real solution for this problem is using concrete paint. You can use concrete paint to cover the whole surface and make it look completely different, the paint will help you change the look and you can also add some sand to the paint to help prevent problems like slipping or falling on the concrete because of water or cracks, the paint will make these problems disappear.

Whenever talking about changing or replacing concrete we are talking about an expensive work that will almost surely take some time and effort that might disturb the family living in the house for some time, this is why the concrete problems should first try to be solved by a quicker and simpler solutions, the concrete paint solution is much shorter and easier than redoing the whole area of the concrete. The only thing you need to do is visit a shop and decide on the color that you want, buy the other necessary things for this project, find soemplates and use them to give your concrete a unique look.


The only important thing you should bare in mind is that before painting the concrete you will need to examine all the concrete surface to make sure that it is clean and dry, in any case you should clean the whole surface to make sure that no oil stains or water is not present on the surface because concrete can hold a lot water. You can clean the surface by using a broom on the dry surface and then using a broom and some strong cleaning produce, washing like you do at home, and then using water to wash away the soap. Once the concrete is clean and dry the painting can start by Chicago painting contractor.

Once you will complete the painting you will understand how easy and simple it is to reinvent your concrete surface look, and also understand that once you are bored with the colors you could change again and again, good luck with your new concrete paint and new concrete surface.

Good house painting depends on the paint selection

House paint designed for interior or exterior decoration is sold at your local hardware store, paint shops, and do-it-centers nation wide. Many decorative paint manufactures show a huge range of colors on their charts, which are made by blending the main tints and tones of their collection. It can be very frustrating to be forced into buying gallons of paint when all you need is a sample to test the color.

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Most paint suppliers will produce small test amounts of a color, especially if it is one of those, which you have requested to be mixed. Virtually all-interior painting jobs today, including walls, ceiling, and woodwork, are done using water-based paint, or oil-based paints.

Most good-quality commercial decorating house paint will last for many years if kept airtight in a sealed metal can. Once opened, however, paint's shelf life is immediately reduced. Color decisions may be affected by the type of paint you have to use, for example, paints that are specifically designed for use on rough exterior walls come in a limited range of shades, while there is a huge variety of colors available for use on interior walls. All paint should be kept in a cool place and out of direct sunlight. The colors with which we surround ourselves will without doubt have an effect on us.

Chicago painting contractor - House paint offers an enormous variety of colors, texture and pattern. It transforms the way in which we see them so that even their structures can seem changed. Choosing how to decorate and protect them can be difficult. Paint has the ability to make small structures appear larger and outside ones less overwhelming. The function of a room is a crucial factor when deciding on its color and finish. When picking-out colors, find out how they look both in daylight and at night. So before you go decorating a room or anything else, it is worth taking the time to find out how colors behave in combination with each other.

Designing Your New Home with Chicago painting contractor

Buying a new home is one of the most important decisions that you make in your life. You have thought the decision through, selected the neighborhood, contacted the builder and decided on the floor plan. Most builders now offer flexible menu options which will allow extensive customization and they will also help you with financing. Buying a new home was never easier and there are many advantages associated with a brand, especially when it comes to customizing the design so that you get a unique home made just for you, and not just a cookie-cutter house.

Once you buy a new home, you are faced with endless choices and it is up to you to pick the right one. Every room from the living room to the kitchen offers a wide range of design options and finishing touches; you have options for cabinets, counter tops, flooring and everything else. The task of selecting the most suitable ones, though exciting, can also be daunting especially for first time new home buyers.

Design consultants advise that the best way to get started is by equipping yourself with as much information as possible. There are several important guidelines that new homeowners can follow to make the experience of designing their homes a lot more fun and a lot less frustrating.

Start off simple.

Starting off simple can help you organize your thoughts and sort out the various choices in front of you. If you spot pictures that reflect your personal style, tear them off from magazines and collect them in a folder. Establish a color palette and design style. Decide on whether you want pastel shades or vibrant hues, modern and minimalistic or traditional and timeless; or anything in between. Once you decide on the basics, it will then free your mind to concentrate on details like flooring, counter tops and cabinets that match your preference and the mood you want to create in each room.

Make it personal.

One of the questions that trouble new home buyers is how they can make a brand new house feel like their own living space. It is possible and easier than you think; all you need to do is incorporate small, personal touches into each room that turns the empty space into a comfortable place that you call home. If you are keeping some of your old furniture, other accessories in the room to match the furniture in itself can personalize the space and make it look familiar and inviting.

Choose paints that reflect your style.

Painting is one finishing touch that can significantly affect the style and feel of a home. Paints can complement and liven up all the other features in a room. A rich color on the walls can bring about a warm an comfortable feel. The shades can also be co-ordinates with a favorite piece of furniture.So choose the Chicago painting contractor for your exterior.

Consider the future.

It is quite important to try and make choices that will enhance the value of your home in future. If in the future you may consider selling your home, invest in fixtures and design elements that are tasteful and durable. Often, when a house is up for sale, the kitchen is one of the first rooms that prospective buyers look at. It is important to have good quality cabinets here, not only because they can have a tremendous impact on the style of the home, but they are also a difficult item to change in the future.

You need to consider a lot of things when you buy a new home. Discuss all options with your Chicago painting contractor and make use of all the services that they have to offer. Several builders offer a great deal of flexibility especially when it comes to the design options. Ensure that you select a floor plan that you are comfortable with, customize it as required and start off simple. You are well on your way to living in the home of your dreams.

How to Painting Your Exterior.

If you own a house, chances are you have painted the outside a time or two. If you are like most people, you hated doing it. It may have started out fun, but by the time you finished, there may have been yelling, screaming, and cussing involved. So, if you can not avoid it, the best thing to do is make sure you do it right, so you have to do it less often.

First thing you need to do is to inspect the house. What areas need to be repaired? Are there window sills that are rotten? Are there any bad corner boards? Do you need to replace any pieces of siding? If the answer is yes, then either go to the big orange store down the street, or call the handyman. There is no sense in painting over bad wood. Its just stupid. Paint is good for one thing: keeping out the elements. Not holding together your house.

If you don't have any bad areas, or you have accomplished step one, then it is time to clean. You need to power wash the surface to remove any dirt, cobwebs, and mineral deposits that have built up on the house. You need a clean surface to promote good strong paint adhesion. This is the foundation of any good paint job. If you do not have a power washer, you can either rent one, or buy an inexpensive one. You do NOT need a lot of power. And do not try to remove the loose paint with this step. You will most likely just damage the wood if you have a really strong washer. I do not believe that it is important to use any detergents either. It is not like we are cleaning the dishes. We just want to remove dust and dirt. Detergents are better for removing grease, and if you have any of that on your house, you have other issues. But if you do, I suggest hitting those areas by hand with a mild detergent, then spraying it off with the washer

Once you have washed the house, you need to give it plenty of time to dry. This will depend on the area of the country you live. I use to live in Chicago, and we would have to give the house three or four days. Now I live in Denver, Colorado, and a house is usually dry in a couple of hours. This is kind of self explanatory, but, you can't paint on a wet surface. It just doesn't work.

Okay, we have a clean, dry, repaired house, and we are ready to paint. But wait, we need to do the next, really important step: surface preparation. This is where we scrape any failed areas of paint. This will take on many different looks. It could be bubbled. It could be cracked. It could be flaking. No matter what it is doing, you need to scrape the entire area, to remove the loose paint. Sometimes, you will find an area that will just keep coming off, the more you scrape, and sometimes in big sheets. It is best to remove as much of this as will come off. The reason is, you most likely have a loose bond between this layer of paint, and the surface.

Once the paint stops coming off, it is best to sand the edges. This will depend on your desired result. If you wish to have a finished product that is very smooth, with no indentations, you will need to sand quite a bit, depending on the number of layers originally there. To make this easier, an orbital sander will help out this process. If you are not so concerned with having it look brand new, then a feather sanding of the edges is good enough.

Once the area has been scraped and sanded, you need to prime it with a high quality primer. From experience, the best primer to use is an exterior oil-based primer. There are some good latex primers on the market, but if you have some areas that receive a lot of moisture, an oil will outperform the latex. I remember Chicago painting contractor for a family back (my early days), and they had had their house painted almost every year. I came along and suggested we more to the oil based primer. I heard back from them years later that my paint job lasted far longer than anyone's prior to me. And I was just a know-it-all college kid at the time. When priming, if you are trying to get away with one coat of paint (usually in a matching situation), you can have the primer tinted close to the paint color, so you do not need to apply multiple coats for coverage.

Ready for paint? Not yet. The next step is to caulk any gaps that have cracked out. Some homeowners want to caulk every gap the find. And if you have an issue with how something looks, then caulk can help. But there are a lot of areas that are not necessary. One area we commonly find no caulk, is under the eves, or the soffits. This area is fairly protected, and does not need to be caulked, but from an aesthetic point of view, it does look better. Some customers have requested for siding to be caulked. While this is not standard, on one house we painted, it made a huge difference in the end result. The siding had not been installed quite right, and there was a great deal of gapping. Caulking the gaps covered up those problems. If you are hiring a Chicago painting contractor to do this, know that it is not standard practice, and will be an additional charge.

Do you have any holes? Some houses will have small holes, caused by wood peckers, or items that were once installed on the house, that have been removed (satellite dishes, flag poles, etc), and these areas can be addressed with wood filler. But only if they are small. It is my opinion that anything over a half dollar size will fail with putty or wood filler, and the board should be replaced.

Do you have glazed windows? There are not too many houses with these any more. Thankfully they have stopped making glazed window. But you may have an older home that windows have not been replaced. My family has a cabin in Northern Wisconsin that has over 30 windows with 8 pains of glass each. All are glazed, and it is quite the project when they have been ignored for a while.

To re-glaze, you need to scrape out the bad glazing. Be very careful not to get too aggressive. The glass can be broken quite easily. Once you have fully scraped out a widow, take your glazing and a putty knife (I prefer a flexible blade about an inch and a half) and knife it on at a 45 degree angle or less. This will take some practice to get it to look right. After glazing, you will need to let it dry. This may take several days (again depending on your area of the country). You will also need to prime the raw glazing prior to painting.

Now you are ready to paint. Your house is clean, dry, primed, caulked, and maybe even glazed. You have the proper foundation to begin painting.