Refresh Your Guest Room

Interior painting, Jerry Enos

Are you expecting company this summer? Who doesn’t love having friends and relatives visiting from afar? Do you have a dedicated guest room or a multipurpose room that can be quickly transformed into a guest get-a-way? Either way, refreshing this room can help make your visitors feel right at home. Here are a few tips to follow when painting and decorating your guest room.

 

  • Paint! – Paint can set the tone and mood of your guest room, so choose a soothing color palette that will not only make your guests feel welcome, but also coordinates with the overall color scheme of the rest of your house. Talk to our color consultant at Jerry Enos Painting to find out what colors may work best in your guest room.
  • Make it Comfy – Many people find it hard to sleep in a bed that is not their own, so do what you can to make the bed and area around it inviting and comfortable. Find sheets and a comforter that coordinate with the color palette of the room. Splurge and get a sheet count that is high so the comfort factor goes up a notch. Put out soft blankets and pillows to add some luxury to the room as well.
  • Create a Theme – If you have a dedicated guest room that doesn’t serve as a study or den as well, then you have the opportunity to create a theme for the room. Whether it is travel, nautical, whimsical, or nature-oriented, have fun with it. Bring in the paint color and coordinate pillows, upholstery for furniture, pictures on the walls, and décor around the room.
  • Remember Functionality – A guest room should also consider some practical items like where a visitor can store his/her luggage, hang clothing, freshen up after a long day, and even provide some small amenities they may have forgotten like a hair dryer, toothpaste, and, other hygiene items in a cute basket.

If you are considering freshening up your guest room this summer, talk to our experts on color palettes and ways to design a guest room that will make your visitors want to stay forever…  well, hopefully not for too long! Call Jerry Enos Painting at at 978-546-6843, or visit our website to find out more.

Colors that Can Help Your Home Sell

Jerry Enos

If you are considering selling your home this season or in the near future, painting either the interior or exterior surfaces may be on your long list of things to do. Before putting your home on the market, most realtors suggest a quick refresh with a coat of paint either inside, outside or, in the best-case-scenario, both!

 

There are several reasons why realtors suggest painting prior to listing a house. The most common reason is that paint can give a room or house a new look. Paint is the most cost-effective way to make a great first impression on potential buyers. Another reason is that many homes have paint palettes that are unique to the tastes of the current homeowners. Bright, splashy colors or, worse yet, wallpaper, may completely turn off a buyer who doesn’t want to think about repainting every room.

 

It is for these reasons that realtors suggest choosing from a neutral or toned down color palette when you are painting for resale. For instance, Zillow, one of the largest online real estate databases completed an analysis of more than 32,000 photos from sold residential properties and found that specific colors can either boost or crimp a home’s selling price. The analysis controlled for square footage, the age of the home, the date and location of the transaction, and then compared the sale prices of homes with white walls versus those with more colorful paint. Desirable colors “help future buyers envision themselves living in the space,” according to the study. They suggest researching what colors are popular at the time that you are selling. For example, last year, yellow was a hot color, while this year, grays and beiges are in.

 

If you are looking to sell and want some advice on what colors would look good in your space, call Jerry Enos Painting at at 978-546-6843, or visit our website to find out more.

Bring your Deck Back to Life

Decks

Now that summer is in full swing, your deck and patio are probably getting lots of use with BBQs, nights around the fire pit, and other fun outdoor entertainment. If you are finding that your deck is looking a little worn, giving barefoot guests splinters, or perhaps just losing the fresh look the wood once had, then maybe now is the time to clean, restore, and/or refinish your valuable outdoor entertaining space. Jerry Enos Painting has years of experience evaluating decks and outdoor spaces for much needed repairs, power washing, and restoration to bring the area back to the new look it once had. Let’s take a look at how you can bring your deck back to life.

 

New England poses some serious climate problems for outdoor structures including deck and patio areas. Harshly cold and snowy winters give way to exceedingly warm and humid summers in our region. These extreme changes in temperature alone can cause wood to decay, splinter, and warp. Add to that the fact that we northerners tend to over-use salt and deicing products, thus causing further decay. Grime, dirt, and mildew can make your deck look old, worn, and tired faster than in other areas of the country.

 

  • Power Washing – One of the first steps in making your deck or hardscape come back to life is to give it a good cleaning in order to wipe away the salt residue, dirt, mold, and grime that can build up over the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Power washing should be done by a professional who understands the angle and force that can be safely used on wood and stone surfaces.
  • Repair and Restoration – After checking the supports, footings, slats, and railings, the professionals at Jerry Enos Painting can repair any rotting wood and ensure that the deck is safe for family and friends to enjoy.
  • Deck Refinishing – After your deck is deemed secure, it is time to consider refinishing it to make it look refreshed and new again. Once we have determined the extent of the weathering and damage done to the deck, we use a multi-step process to strip and seal the wood so that it looks like new for years to come.

 

Bring back the life to your entertaining area, whether it is with a quick power wash for your deck or hardscapes, or a full restoration and refinishing for the deck itself. Call Jerry Enos Painting at at 978-546-6843, or visit our website to find out more.

Exterior Painting Mistakes to Avoid

How-tos, Jerry Enos, Painting Challenges

Everyone makes mistakes now and then, but to really make a huge mess, paint must be involved! Every summer, we get calls from harried homeowners who valiantly attempted to DIY by painting the exterior of their home. Usually, those calls are to fix mistakes or redo sections that did not come out aesthetically pleasing as hoped. Sometimes, the mistakes take a little repair and rehab. If you think that DIY is the way to go for your home’s exterior paint job, then avoid these common exterior painting mistakes.

 

  • Enlisting the Help of Novices – While it may seem like a fun activity to invite friends, family, and children to help paint the house, we do not suggest it! Sure, it would be great to have an extra set of hands or two but avoid asking for help from someone who has no investment in your home, and certainly someone who has never prepped and painted before.
  • Skipping the Cleaning and Prepping Step – Many homeowners find that, after they painted, the paint seems to be coming off quickly or not covering well. It is possible, if you did not clean and prep the wood, that the paint is having a hard time adhering to the dirty surface. Always clean the surface and scrape the wood to be sure all peeling, bubbles, and cracks are dealt with before you even pick up a paint brush. This includes caulking windows, sanding and filling holes, and repairing any wood that is damaged.
  • Using the Ladder Properly – For your safety, always place and use a ladder properly. This includes having pets and children away from the area in case they bump into the ladder, and always have an assistant at the bottom holding the ladder by the base. Another safety guideline is to not reach when painting, as that can easily lead to tipping and falling.
  • Forgetting to Check the Weather – Many homeowners jump at the chance to paint on a weekend, but be sure to check the weather for the next coming days as well. Avoid painting when rain or high humidity is in the forecast for the next 72 hours or longer. It may mean waiting, but it can save you the hassle of having to repaint an area.

 

Are you looking to avoid all the typical mistakes that can come with painting the exterior of your home? Call Jerry Enos Painting at 978-546-6843, or visit our website to find out more about our attention to detail, cleaning, prepping, and professional painting when it comes to your most valuable asset – your home.

 

Transform Your Outdoor Space

Decks, Decorating, Design

For months, New Englanders have endured the winter weather. This year it seemed to last forever. The cold, windy, and snowy wrath of Mother Nature makes us all savor the months that we can be outdoors even more so. Now that outdoor entertaining time is here, is your deck and patio area ready? Jerry Enos Painting has several services that can help transform your outdoor space into an outdoor living area to be proud of.

 

Look around your deck and patio area. Does the wood look worn or tired? Does it need a good cleaning? Do the structures around your grill or fire pit need a fresh coat of paint? These are all elements that can make or break your outdoor space.

 

  • Power Washing – Whether you have a pool, patio, hardscape, fire pit, or traditional deck with a grill, Jerry Enos Painting offers professional power washing that can rejuvenate your outdoor entertaining space. Mold, dirt, and discoloration can make your deck or hardscape look old and worn. Power washing is about more than just aesthetics, though. Unlike conventional cleaning methods that may leave behind detergents or harsh chemicals, pressure washing actually rejuvenates wood, concrete, vinyl, brick, and other surfaces by removing entire layers of built-up dirt and particulates, oil, gum, and other gunk. Stripping away the grunge to reveal the unsullied surface below actually protects that surface from future rot and UV damage.
  • Deck Refinishing – How is the wood on your deck faring? Take a look. Has the sun, rain, snow, or ice melt caused your deck to look old, start to splinter, or warp? Deck refinishing means a comprehensive treatment including: repair, cleaning, and refinishing your outdoor deck to like-new condition.  
  • Exterior Painting – Does your backyard have a trellis, gazebo, or other outdoor structures that need to be maintained with stain or paint? Jerry Enos Painting can help strip, scrape, stain, and/or paint any of your outside structures so that your entertaining area can be in tip-top shape.

It’s been a long, hard winter. Do you need help transforming your outdoor space back to its original glory? Call Jerry Enos Painting at 978-546-6843, or visit our website to find out more.

Warning Signs Your Home May Need a Fresh Coat of Paint

Exterior painting, Jerry Enos

For the typical American, their home is their single greatest asset. It makes sense, then, that a home deserves regular maintenance and care to keep it in good working condition, from the electrical elements, to the heating elements, and all the appliances in between. Painting the exterior of your home is also one such chore that should be done every few years. For many homeowners, painting their home is not high on their list of things they want to accomplish this outdoor season. Unfortunately, homes have a funny way of showing when they need attention. Here are a few warning signs that you should consider painting your home’s exterior sooner rather than later.

 

  • Chipping or Peeling Paint – One of biggest red flags that your home needs some TLC is that the paint is beginning to bubble, chip, and peel. This is often a sign that the wood underneath has begun to rot and should be removed and replaced. Unprotected wood tends to absorb the water in the air or that comes down as precipitation. That absorption then causes the wood to soften, swell and, eventually, decay. Chips and peels are your home’s way of telling you that it may need some repairs.
  • Fading Paint – While it’s not as obvious as chipping and peeling, fading paint is another way that your home is telling you it needs a refresh. Fading paint can happen due to sun exposure, and it often happens more rapidly to darker paints. It can also indicate a problem with vapor barrier, so you would do well have this looked at by a professional who can evaluate your home.
  • Caulking Issues – The caulk around your windows, doors, and flashing can lose its elasticity. This is fairly common in New England, as the caulking needs to expand and contract given the quick-changing temperatures and environmental conditions. Consider calling in the pros to evaluate this issue and see if it needs replacement or repair.

 

Is your home sending you a message that it may be time to paint? Call Jerry Enos Painting at 978-546-6843, or visit our website to find out more.

 

4 Tips to Help Homeowners Choose an Exterior Paint Palette

Exterior painting, Jerry Enos

Are you a decisive person or do you like to mull over things for a while before making any decisions? Deciding on a paint color for the exterior of a home can be one of those decisions that make you stop and really think. After all, the reality is that you will have to live with the color for years to come. To make the decision-making process a little easier, here are 4 tips from our experts.

  1. What Do You Want? If your home is not in a historical district or regulated by homeowner association bylaws, then you can basically choose whatever you want for an exterior color. The first thing you should consider is what YOU want. Do you like softer colors or darker tones? Are you in love with a shade that you have seen in nature, such as a green or blue? Think about what overall visual effect you want and go with it!
  2. Consider Your Home’s Environment – Plan your color around the elements of your home that you can not easily change such as color of roofing shingles, stonework, chimney color, walkways, and driveways. If there are other color elements that you would like to help blend in, then take those into consideration as well.
  3. Consider Architecture – If your home is a craftsman, Federalist, Queen Anne, or other style that has lots of architectural elements that you would like to highlight, then consider choosing a focal color and a couple of accent colors. Colors that are complementary can help bring out the architectural elements nicely.
  4. Consider Neighboring Homes – What are the colors of the homes immediately next to or adjacent to your home? If they are similar to a color you are considering, you may want to go a shade darker or lighter to distinguish your home from the surrounding homes. If all the homes in your area are light in color palette, do you really want to go super dark or would you rather blend in?

Do you need help choosing a beautiful exterior shade for your home? Call Jerry Enos Painting at 978-546-6843, or visit our website to find out more about our consultation services that can help you find the right color for you and your home.

Benefits of Painting the Exterior of your Home

Exterior painting, Jerry Enos

Now that summer is in full swing, it is time for homeowners to think about tackling that “To Do” list of property chores such as cleaning out the garage, washing out the gutters, and deciding if this is the time to paint the exterior surfaces of your home. Homeowners sometimes wonder if they can put it off for just one more year and avoid the cost and headache that painting can sometimes be. That is where Jerry Enos Painting can help. Exterior painting is one of the most cost effective renovations that has both aesthetic and functional benefits. Let our team of professionals take on your painting “To Do” list, and you will see the benefits immediately. Here are just some of the ways that painting will benefit your home.

 

  • Aesthetics – Obviously a fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference in the look of any home. Think of how uplifting if would be to pull into your driveway every evening and see a home that has had a recent facelift. No more peeling areas, mildew stains, or fading areas will be seen – just a fresh coat of your favorite color.
  • Curb Appeal – If you are considering selling your home, think about the curb appeal benefits of exterior paint. A new paint job sends the message to home buyers that the home is cared for inside and out. It also takes an expense off the home buyer’s list of renovations they may want to complete. Realtors also report that a freshly painted home can increase a home’s value!
  • Protection Against the Elements – Painting can increase the lifespan of a home’s siding. New England homes deal with rain, snow, wind, sleet, hail, salty ocean water, and sea air constantly. Paint can serve as a sealant for the wood so these elements won’t impact the integrity of your home’s exterior surfaces. For example, unprotected wood is more susceptible to water damage. Unprotected wood can absorb water and cause it to soften, swell and, eventually, decay.
  • Identification and Resolution of a Pest Problem – Carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and termites love tunneling out and hollowing out the wood of homes in our area. Paint can help seal off exposed areas that are prone to damage from these pests. In addition, during the painting process our team can identify any pest problems and inform homeowners so they can resolve it before the damage becomes extensive.

 

If you are considering crossing painting off your “To Do” list this summer, call Jerry Enos Painting for a free estimate. We can help your home reap the benefits! Call Jerry Enos Painting at 978-546-6843, or visit our website to find out more.

 

Father’s Day Garage Makeover

Epoxy floors, Jerry Enos

With Father’s Day just around the corner, some of you may be thinking about what to get dear-old-dad. If your dad is a “tinkerer” and enjoys spending lots of time repairing or rehabbing household items in your garage, may we suggest a Father’s Day Garage Makeover. Jerry Enos Painting can help you not only choose a color palette that can make his work space amazing, but also suggest an epoxy flooring that provides many benefits. Here are a few of our ideas for your garage makeover.

 

  • Epoxy Flooring – If your dad works with many materials, especially those that can spill, stain, or damage a traditional concrete garage floor, then epoxy may be a smart choice. A custom epoxy floor is extremely durable, makes for easy clean up, and has many different finishing options that are non-skid for safety. Most people think of epoxy as being used on warehouse floors, airport hangars, and hospitals due to its fire resistance, easy maintenance, and durability, but more and more homeowners are choosing to use these in their personal workshops as well.
  • Interior Painting – A garage or workshop tends to be dark or lacking in color. Make your dad’s workshop “pop” with color and brighten his day! We can work with you to choose a color that can compliment the surrounding area and make his workshop an extension of your home.
  • Places for Knick-Knacks a Do-Dads – Every workshop needs places to hang tools and equipment. Make your dad’s day even more special by carving out a space just for him where every item has a storage area!

 

Looking for that extra special and unique gift for your dad this year? Talk to the experts at Jerry Enos Painting about how we can help complete a Garage Makeover this Father’s Day. Whether it is paint or epoxy flooring, we can help! Call Jerry Enos Painting at 978-546-6843, or visit our website to find out more.

 

Choosing an Exterior Color That is Right for You

Exterior painting

When it comes time to paint your home, many people will chime in about a color they have seen or a color to avoid. All these well-meaning people may have good ideas or points, but you are the one who will need to live with the color day-in and day-out. You need to choose what is right for you and for the type of home you have. Here are a few tips from our experts on how to choose an exterior color that is right for you.

 

  • Do Your Research – This could mean different things for different people but we suggest starting by looking online for exterior colors that you love. Our portfolio page has several inspirational homes that could get you started. For others, it may mean going for a drive and seeing what home colors look nice to you or simply make you happy.
  • Home Style and Size  – Whether your home is a Queen Anne, a Cape Cod, or a tiny bungalow, it has distinguishing characteristics that you will want to take into consideration when deciding on colors. Look at the trim, turrets, or architectural items that you would like to highlight in a complementary or coordinating color. Look at homes that are similar in style and size to your home and adjust your color choices accordingly.
  • Test It Out – Always try out a color on your home so you can see just how it will look. This is especially true to see how the light changes the overall look of the color.
  • Ask a Professional – At Jerry Enos Painting, we offer the services of a color consultant who can help you choose a color that you will be pleased with for years to come.

 

Do you need help choosing an exterior color for your home? Call Jerry Enos Painting at 978-546-6843, or visit our website to find out more about our painting services.