Refresh Your Kitchen Cabinets with Paint

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Walk into your kitchen and tell me what you love the most about the space. Do you like the layout, backsplash, color scheme, or the wood cabinets? Since the kitchen is naturally the heart of every home, it is important to love the space where the family comes together for dinner, parties, and late-night snack breaks. If you walked into your kitchen and noticed that maybe your cabinets need a refresh, this is the blog post for you. Today, we are discussing how to refresh your cabinets with paint. 

Kitchen cabinets serve a huge function in every kitchen. They hold all the small appliances, dishware, utensils and, ideally, all the food in a pantry area. But kitchen cabinets are not just about storage and hiding away all that stuff that you need to feed your family. They also take up a huge amount of real estate in the room and, thus, should be aesthetically pleasing. 

Are your cabinets an eyesore? Do they look tired or potentially dated? Do they make the room look dark or unkempt? For many homeowners, the cost of a complete kitchen renovation is not in the cards. However, it is possible to refresh the cabinets with paint in order to make the whole room look bright and new again. 

Assess the Cabinets

Before you begin any project that includes painting your cabinets, make sure that they are in good shape. Look for cracking wood, water damage, uneven doors, or drawers that do not slide open/closed. Once you have determined that your kitchen cabinets have good “bones” or are able to be restored to a good level of functionality, then you can start thinking about colors! 

Decide on a Color Scheme

Since cabinets take up so much wall space and are probably the first thing you notice when you enter a kitchen, it is important to choose a color palette carefully. Keep in mind that the darker you go, the darker the room will be. On the contrary, the lighter you go, especially into the white and beige families, the more you will need to stay on top of cleaning up around handles and touchpoints. 

Color specialists will remind you that neutrals are always a good idea, but keep in mind that whatever color you put on the cabinets should coordinate with the wall color, floor style and, of course, the appliances. Make sure to take all these into consideration when choosing the color. 

As a side note, many color specialists will remind you to think “outside the box.” That might mean using a two-tone color, one on the top cabinets and one on the bottom. It might also mean using a color you wouldn’t normally choose. Or it could mean having an accent color on a few cabinets or maybe only on the cabinets that are on your kitchen island. 

Have fun with this project and your kitchen will come alive as you want it to. For more kitchen cabinet ideas, try out these links for some interesting choices in refreshing kitchen cabinets. Curbly, This Old House, and Houzz offer some great ideas to get you started. 

 

Why Your Business Needs Painting Maintenance 

Design, Interior painting, Jerry Enos, Trends

For many businesses, summertime means a different pace of work and focus on different projects especially with employees and management heading off on vacation or long weekends. That’s why fall tends to be the perfect time to start those maintenance projects you have been putting off, like painting the interior or exterior of your offices. Let’s take a closer look this month about why now is a great time to maintain the paint and overall look of your company. 

Attracting Customers or Clients 

The outward appearance of your building, storefront, or office is a clear visual barometer of your business. For example, if your storefront is looking worn, tired, or has some peeling or bubbling paint, it does not bode well for your brand name or services. The condition of the paint and color scheme should invite your customers in and encourage them to come back when they leave. Think about how a freshly painted storefront can invite people in and give them a positive impression of your business! 

Go a step further and paint with a purpose. Choose a color scheme that reflects your products or logo. Painting with a certain color palette can help promote brand awareness and help clients and consumers associate you with a certain color, logo, or design. 

Cost-Effective Maintenance

Buildings that have not been cared for usually have some repair issues. When a structure is painted regularly, so too have the boards and siding been inspected and maintained. Exterior painting with regularity will prevent your business from deteriorating to the point of needing a major overhaul. That can mean major cost savings. We suggest considering regular painting and maintenance using the following services: pressure washing. gutter cleaning, caulking, wood replacement, interior/exterior touch-ups, mildew removal, and garage door/parking structure upkeep. 

Improve Productivity and Morale 

Even in great workspaces, morale can falter if the environment remains stagnant. Adding a fresh coat of paint can make any workplace seem cleaner and more welcoming for clients and employees alike. Everyone wants to feel like where they work – their second home – is a nice space to be in. Choose a color scheme that matches your company’s personality, mood, or services. Try to stay away from colors that are too bold or that will distract from getting the work done. 

Do you need help deciding on a paint scheme for your business? Our color specialists can help you decide and then our professional painters can get the job done to keep your offices and storefront looking pristine! 

 

To Tape or Not to Tape – a Painter’s Question

How-tos, Interior painting, Jerry Enos, Painting Challenges

Whether to use painter’s tape or complete the edges freehand through “cutting-in” is a question we are often asked as professional painters. While there are no hard and fast rules about using tape products, there are some pros and cons to this process of interior painting.

We often blog about the importance of preparing a room for painting by cleaning the walls and ceiling, removing furniture, and repairing cracks or nail holes. For homeowners who like to tackle painting projects on their own, applying tape to edges is often part of that prep. But is it really a necessary step? Today, we are going to look at the process of taping so you can decide for yourself if you want to do this for your next weekend project.

The Case for Painters Tape

Painter’s tape has become the product of choice for most do-it-yourselfers because of its predictability and low-stick qualities. It provides a straight line for precision and allows for a protective border in case spillover occurs. People who use painters tape boast that it ensures that you do a neat and tidy job, with clean lines and no messy edges.

Some homeowners who use painter’s tape believe that it can save time since you won’t need to be so careful around the edges. They also believe that painter’s tape makes for clean lines that have a very professional look. It can be used to protect your baseboards, built-in cabinets, and ceilings from the inevitable drips or uneven painting that can happen when painting by hand.

Painter’s tape comes in many different sizes, widths, and types for all sorts of walls, ceilings, and edges. In fact, go to any home improvement store and you will see a Valhalla of painter’s tape taking up almost an entire aisle.

The Case for “Cutting In”

Cutting in is the process of painting edges or straight lines with a quality angled brush without tape. It is all done freehand. This is the method that most professional painters use. The case can be made that using painter’s tape is extremely time consuming and can be a colossal waste of time. Painting freehand removes an additional step from the painting process both at the beginning of the project when the tape would be applied and again at the end of the project when the product would be carefully peeled off.

Professional painters are also quick to note that using painter’s tape is not guaranteed to make a project look professional. Even the highest quality tapes have been known to bleed through, allowing paint to get into areas where you really don’t want it and where touch-ups will be needed after the job is complete. Painter’s tape can also peel and rip during the removal process making an utter mess to your carefully painted wall.

Lastly, professional painters know that painter’s tape does not always work in certain painting situations. For example, it is really difficult to use this product on bumpy or uneven surfaces. This many times defeats the purpose of the straight line of the product. In addition, while the tape is straight, the person applying it must do so in a calculated fashion in order to line things up correctly. You really don’t want an angled line where there should be a straight one!

Generally, the argument about this type of product comes down to personal preference. Now you have a better idea of what the pros and cons are to using this product vs. cutting in freehand. If you need help with your paint projects, please call Jerry Enos Painting.

Why Fall is a Great Time to Paint 

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Fall is amazing in New England. Mother Nature seems to have decided on the perfect temperature and humidity level. Add to that the intersection of professional sports for the diehard Boston fans. Most of all, we love the visual show that the trees put on every year for just a few weeks. 

Fall is also a fantastic time to cross off outdoor chores and projects, like painting your home’s exterior. Autumn is an especially good season for several reasons. Read on to find out more about this season’s benefits for outdoor painting. 

Perfect Climate 

Fall offers probably the perfect temperatures for painting. Not only has the temperature cooled considerably, making it less stifling to be a painter but with temps hovering around 50-70 degrees, the temp is perfect for drying and curing paint. Since most exterior paint requires an ambient temperature of about 50 degrees, fall temperatures are perfect for exterior house painting.

Not only is the average temperature optimal, but the humidity tends to be lower in the fall than during the summertime. Lower humidity contributes to a better drying finish as well. Lastly, fall can be the best time to paint because the difference between high and low temperatures are not as great from morning to night as they are during the other seasons of the year. 

Fewer Pests 

Mosquitoes, ticks, and flying insects can be a real pain during the painting process, especially if you need to maneuver your way into areas behind bushes and trees to get the job done. No one likes getting stung or bitten. Fall, therefore, is a great time to paint because there are fewer of these pests to deal with. 

The Kids Are Back-to-School 

For parents who want to paint the exterior of their home without having to worry about the kids bothering the painters or running into equipment, fall is an optimal time. Home projects work a lot better if there are fewer kids and toys underfoot. Both homeowners and professional painters need as much space as possible to clean, prep, and paint. 

Clean Up is Easier 

Right after Labor Day, picnics, BBQs, and outdoor entertaining tends to taper off. That means it is a great time to paint because there will be fewer things to clean up and take care of now that you are spending more time indoors. 

Are you considering painting your home this fall? The time is right. Give us a call at Jerry Enos Painting today at 978-546-6843, or visit our website. 

 

Importance of Painting Prep 

Exterior painting, Interior painting, Jerry Enos, Painting Challenges

What’s the most arduous part of any painting project? Hands down, it is the prep work before you get to the fun of seeing the end results and your new color. Unfortunately, skipping the prep work can mean a sub-par application, adhesion, and integrity of the paint. Let’s take a closer look at why prep work is important and what can happen if you skip this important step. 

Why Prep the Surfaces? 

Surface prep is cleaning your surface areas, whether it is the walls, ceiling, or whatever you are painting. Cleaning the surface means that you will be removing years of built-up dirt, grease, and potentially, mildew with a sponge and gentle cleanser. Without doing this important step in the process, you will potentially be painting over the dirt and grime. Paint adheres best to surfaces that are clean. Imagine a few months from now when the paint begins to bubble, crack, or peel because it mixed with the grime on the walls. You really want to avoid that scenario.

Prepping the surfaces also means filling in holes and repairing any damage that may exist. Cracks and holes need to be filled and then the entire surface sanded to form an even and smooth surface. Paint will adhere the best to those smooth surfaces. It would be a shame to have a newly painted wall and notice the old art and picture frame nail holes! 

Why Cover the Floor and Furnishings? 

Covering any furniture that can not be removed from the room will ensure that any drips or mistakes don’t end up ruining your furniture for future use. Covering the floors ensures that your carpets or wood floors don’t have paint stains after your paint project is completed. 

Why Calk the Seams? 

If you are painting near windows, trim, or edging, you may be tempted to just “cut in” and hope for the best. We recommend caulking areas again with fresh caulk that will give the paint a fresh look. After time and hot temperatures, caulk tends to crack and sometimes chip off. Removing the aged caulk and adding fresh layer will look professional. 

Why Repair Ceiling Stains? 

The temptation is there to paint over a ceiling stain, but we say “Don’t do it!” Stains on ceilings have come from somewhere and will probably reoccur if you don’t investigate where the water that caused the stain is coming from in the first place. Investigate to see if your roof is leaking, or if the stain is coming from a leaky bathroom or water pipes. Once the source has been discovered and repaired, a special primer for stains can be used to cover the stain and move forward with the new color. 

Do you need help with the laborious job of preparing a room for painting? Our team at Jerry Enos can help you. Call Jerry Enos Painting today at 978-546-6843, or visit our website. 

 

Properly Cleaning Your Painted Surfaces 

Color Trends, Decorating, How-tos, Interior painting, Jerry Enos

If you like your home to look clean and fresh, you probably vacuum, dust, and tidy on a daily basis. Sure, you probably leave the deep cleaning and organizing for those big spring or fall cleanouts, but there is still something that many homeowners forget to do – clean their painted surfaces!

Believe it or not, your walls are the largest amount of real estate in your home. Think of how many square feet your walls take up and yet they are overlooked when it comes to routine cleanings. Here are some reminders of how to clean your painted surfaces so they do not lose their sheen or paint color. 

Cleaning Different Paint Sheens 

The first thing you should consider when washing painted walls is the finish or sheen. For duller paint finishes (less shine) such as flat, satin, or eggshell you will want to show care since they are less durable when it comes to cleaning. Do not use harsh chemicals or degreasers when cleaning flat paint walls and be mindful when washing with a sponge to not scrub too hard. For semi-gloss or full gloss finishes, it is ok to use a mild degreaser. These finishes tend to be used in high traffic areas or where messy fingers can leave residue and grime behind. 

Dust Before Washing 

Even if your home seems fairly dust-free, it is there and you will want to dust off any debris or cobwebs before you start to wash the walls. We suggest a feather duster that has an extender arm as lots of times homeowners will spot collected debris in the corners near ceilings. Dust from top to bottom and don’t forget the trim work where dust and dirt can get stuck in the detail work. 

Washing the Walls 

Depending upon the color palette you use in your home, smudges and stains may be noticeable or not so noticeable. The place that we notice them most often are around light switches. Use two buckets for cleaning. Use one with a gentle soap product and warm water, the other with a warm water rinse. That way you won’t be putting dirty water back on your walls. We also suggest using a sea sponge as they are more gentle on paint, although they don’t hold together after repeated use. 

Start at the top of each wall and work your way down. Make sure to dry the walls after to prevent water stains or streak marks. You will also want to dry the floors around the perimeter of each room so there are no slips or falls. 

For cleaning tips and tricks check out our past blogs. When you need interior or exterior painting done, choose the pros at Jerry Enos Painting. Call Jerry Enos Painting today at  978-546-6843, or visit our website. 

 

Painting the Nursery: Dos and Don’ts 

Color Trends, Design, Fun stuff, Jerry Enos, Safety

If you are expecting a new bundle of joy, first of all, congratulations! Second, try not to get overwhelmed with all that lies ahead. Take it one day at a time and you will have this parenting thing down in no time. If one of your worries is what to do with the spare bedroom that now will become your child’s nursery, we have some great tips and suggestions to get you going. Here are a few of our dos and don’ts when it comes to painting or decorating your baby’s nursery. 

Do Create a Theme

While you don’t know what your child’s personality will be and whether he or she will like sports, art, cars, or dress up, you can still find a theme that will help you decorate and paint the room. Some great themes focus on animals, characters in a book, nature, or travel. These ideas can be a great focal point and make for final touches of decorating or choosing wall art fun! Once you know your theme, choosing a wall color will be a little easier. If you want to have a theme of nature or animals, a green palette could make for a perfect backdrop. Or maybe you want to focus on travel and exploration so you could paint the walls blue for the sky. All ideas are on the table. 

Do Go Green for Baby 

Paints can tend to give off an odor and some have chemicals that you will want your new bundle to avoid. Choose paints that are low in VOCs. When choosing paint with fewer chemicals you are helping to give your baby a healthy start in their new room. 

Do Design with Organization and Storage in Mind 

Nothing is worse in the middle of the night than searching, bleary-eyed for the diapers and wipes. When you are designing your nursery, be sure to take into consideration an order to where everything will live. If you have a changing table, store all necessary items in a drawer or basket nearby. If you want to play with your child on the floor, invest in a soft carpet and toy bins where everything can find its place at the end of the day.

Sure, your child won’t we crawling or walking anytime soon, but now is the time to take care of at least some of the baby proofing. Put on those electrical sockets covers, use furniture anchors to secure heavy furniture to the walls, remove choking hazards, choose different window coverings if yours has window blind cords dangling, and remove any dangerous medications or ointments that may be within a baby’s grasp. 

Don’t Go Overboard

While it is fun to add small details to a baby’s nursery, be sure not to overstimulate the room with too much “stuff.” Remember this room is meant for sleeping (hopefully), not regular activities. Keep the toys, wall décor, and furnishings to a minimum so that your child can have room to grow and add his/her most favorite things as they age. 

Do you need help choosing the right paint color for your nursery? We can work with you on your theme and help you decide on the right color and sheen that will be easy to clean and maintain. Call Jerry Enos Painting today at 978-546-6843, or visit our website. 

 

Choosing the Right Equipment for Painting 

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Are you starting a painting project? While just about anyone can paint a room, most people know that if you want a professional-looking job, you should hire pros who know how to get the job done the right way, without a lot of hassle or mess. If you have decided to try to paint your interior on your own, here’s some of the equipment you will want to consider investing in so your walls come out looking great. 

Equipment to Prep the Walls: Sponge, Sandpaper, Putty

No one likes this part of any painting job, but it needs to be done. The walls and the ceiling need to be cleaned and repaired before adding primer and final paint color. After you use a sponge to wipe down the walls, fill in the holes from nails or scratches with putty. After allowing that to dry, you will want to use a wet sponge or sandpaper for a smooth finish. 

Equipment to Protect the Floors and Furniture: Tarps, Plastic, Tape 

Most homeowners like to dive right into painting, but don’t forget to collect your tarps, plastic sheets, and tape to help protect the floors and your furnishings. We suggest putting down plastic sheets and taping them to the floor so you do not drip or spill onto your carpets, linoleum, or hardwood floors. Taping the protective cover down is of paramount importance so you will not slip, trip, or fall. 

A word on tape – some professionals use tape so that edges look sharp. Others use an angled brush and “cut in” to make those edges have a crisp look. More experienced painters usually choose using an angled brush, but either way is fine.

Equipment for Painting: Step Stool, Ladders, Brushes, Rollers, Rags, Extender Rods

Now that your room or rooms have been cleaned, wiped, and cleared of as much furniture as possible, you are ready to paint. You will need to consider the height of your room to determine if you need a ladder to reach higher cathedral ceilings, scaffolding to paint stairwells, or just a step stool to get walls that are just beyond your reach. Extender poles for rollers are also helpful to reach right up to the ceiling. 

We suggest investing in high-quality brushes that can apply a smooth coat and not make unsightly brush marks. Depending upon the texture of the walls and ceiling you are dealing with, you will need a specific nap for the rollers. Ceilings that have popcorn designs will need a thicker nap while flat walls can have less nap. 

Don’t forget to buy some rags that you can keep close in case you find a drip or spill on your floor or other areas. Make sure the rags have been washed so that the dye and/or lint does not come off on your surfaces. 

Is this too overwhelming? Do you feel that buying all this equipment is too expensive? You may want to consider hiring a professional who will take on all the prep work and finish work that tends to cause headaches. Call Jerry Enos Painting today at  978-546-6843, or visit our website. We can give you a free estimate for whatever rooms you would like professionally painted. 

 

Stepping Up your Fall Curb Appeal 

Color Trends, curb appeal, Exterior painting, Jerry Enos

It’s hard to believe that summer is quickly drawing to a close and soon the leaves will begin to change color and eventually fall. If you are considering selling your home this autumn, you will want to take advantage of the spectacular colors Mother Nature will be displaying. For those of you contemplating fall as the time to place your house on the market, let’s talk about a few ways to step up your curb appeal, specifically for that season. 

Play with Color 

Being in New England means that home buyers are counting on finding a home that fits our region. Regardless of the color of the leaves on the trees in your yard, you can play up the color changes in your flower boxes, along your front walkway, and at your entryway. Use hardy mums in colors of red, yellow, orange, and purple to make the area pop. 

Freshen Up the Exterior of your Home

Like they say, home buyers know within seconds if they want to investigate a house further. That means that from the time the potential buyers pull up to your home to the time they walk up the front walkway, they have decided if they will even consider your home for purchase. And that is before they have even set foot inside! That means your home needs to give off a great first impression. A fresh coat of paint can make the difference between a potential homebuyer stepping inside and one who drives away without giving your home a second thought. 

Up Your Landscaping Game 

By fall your lawn and bushes have reached their peak of growth, so be sure to have a professional team of landscapers do a clean up right before you put the house on the market. A neatly manicured lawn and garden shows terrific curb appeal. Make sure to have the gutters cleaned and any small repairs done that may send out red flags to buyers. 

Add Some Details 

Homebuyers love everything new and fresh. Add some new items that make the outside of your home shine. For example, buy a new mailbox, replace the lights, add new hardware, and invest in some new house numbers in coordinating metallic finishes. 

Are you trying to sell your home and are looking for a way to make it stand out from your neighbors’? Paint can really do the trick. Call Jerry Enos Painting at 978-546-6843, or visit our website to find out more. 

 

3 Signs Your Home’s Exterior Needs Painting 

Color Trends, Exterior painting, Jerry Enos

Have you ever been driving down the street and noticed a home that was recently painted? The usual reaction is, “Wow, that looks great! It makes the house look almost new!”  While paint can certainly make the aesthetics of a house look amazing, it can also help with the health of the wood structure of the home as well. Read on to find out why painting isn’t just for the sake of appearance, but for the health of your home as well. 

Paint is your house’s first defense against the elements of nature. We see a lot of harsh weather here in the New England states, so paint is critically important to the overall health and lifespan of your wood siding. Here is how a power wash, scraping, priming, and a final coat of paint can help improve the health of your home. 

Flaking, Bubbling, and Cracking

If you see any of these signs of damage or aging on your house, the time to act is now. Flaking, bubbling, and cracking paint is a sign of dry rot, wet rot, or possibly mold. Having a professional painting team come in and evaluate the wood underneath is your best bet. Sometimes, the wood will need to be replaced while, other times, the wood merely needs to be scraped, primed, and repainted to be sure that the rain and air do not continue to degrade the wood. 

Fading Paint 

Depending upon where your house is located, you may have one side that is a different hue than all the others. The direct sunlight could be causing a bleaching and fading effect on the paint. To avoid this, choose high-quality exterior paint that is designed to last and not fade. Fading can also indicate that the wood is drying out and rotting. A professional paint team can evaluate the issue and determine if repairs or a fresh coat of paint is needed to strengthen your first line of defense against the elements. 

Caulking Issues 

Most caulks are designed to expand and contract along with your house. If you have noticed that the caulk around your utility pipes, windows, and trim has begun to crack or harden, it may be time to consider recaulking and painting those areas. Once the caulk has degraded substantially, it will no longer be the seal you need it to be. 

Is your home showing signs that you may need a professional painter? Call Jerry Enos Painting at 978-546-6843, or visit our website to find out more.