Painting is one of the most effective ways to transform the look and feel of your interior spaces. Whether you're planning to refresh a single room or give your entire home a makeover, the quality of the paint job can make a significant difference in the final result. While do-it-yourself (DIY) projects may seem tempting to save costs, there are compelling reasons why hiring a professional interior painter is the wiser choice. In this guide, we will explore the importance of finding a reputable painting company and delve into the advantages they offer in terms of communication, expert advice, a smooth experience, quality results, safety, and peace of mind.
When faced with an interior painting project, many homeowners contemplate taking the do-it-yourself route. However, there are several critical factors to consider before deciding on the DIY approach. Hiring a professional interior painter can provide you with numerous advantages that extend beyond mere convenience.
When embarking on an interior painting project, finding a professional painter who understands your vision and communicates effectively is crucial. A reputable painting company will prioritize communication, ensuring an organized scheduling process and keeping you informed about the timing and progress of your project every step of the way.
Effective communication starts from the initial consultation, where a professional painter will take the time to understand your goals, preferences, and budget. By actively listening to your needs, they can tailor a comprehensive plan that considers surface types, color schemes, and even collaborate with interior designers to provide expert advice for a truly personalized outcome.
One of the hallmarks of a reliable interior painting company is their ability to provide expert advice that goes beyond brush strokes. These professionals take the time to understand the unique requirements of your project, offering valuable insights into surface preparation, selecting the right products, and employing the appropriate techniques to achieve outstanding results.
Additionally, a reputable interior painting company will often collaborate with other professionals, such as color consultants and interior designers, to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your space. This collaborative approach ensures that your vision is translated into reality, resulting in a cohesive and harmonious environment.
A smooth and hassle-free interior painting experience is what every homeowner or property manager desires. Professional painting companies understand this and are equipped to provide a dedicated crew to handle your project efficiently. By having a skilled and experienced team, you can ensure that the work is completed promptly, minimizing disruptions to your daily routine.
Moreover, a proficient interior painting company will possess the versatility required to tackle a range of tasks beyond painting alone. Whether it's related carpentry work, cabinet and trim painting, or other minor repairs, their expertise enables them to handle various aspects of your project, delivering a seamless experience from start to finish.
The quality of the final result is the ultimate measure of a competent interior painter. A professional interior painting company emphasizes the importance of thorough surface preparation and has the knowledge to identify underlying issues such as wood rot or water damage. By addressing these concerns before painting, they ensure a long-lasting finish that not only looks great but also protects your walls and surfaces.
Additionally, selecting the right products and techniques is vital to achieving a superior outcome. Seasoned painters are well-versed in the latest advancements in paint technology and can guide you in choosing the most suitable options for your specific needs. Furthermore, a reputable interior painting company invests in ongoing training for its staff, ensuring they stay up to date with industry best practices and maintain a high level of craftsmanship.
When hiring an interior painter, it's essential to consider the safety of your family members or tenants during the project. A professional painting company places great emphasis on safety protocols and maintains a clean and organized workspace. Their trained staff follows proper ladder and equipment usage guidelines, minimizing any potential accidents or injuries.
Additionally, a reputable painter provides peace of mind through insurance coverage and warranties. By carrying adequate insurance, they protect you from liability in the event of an accident or damage to your property. Furthermore, a warranty ensures that you can rely on the quality of their work, as they stand behind their craftsmanship and are committed to your satisfaction.
Finding a skilled and reliable interior painter is vital to achieving the desired outcome for your painting project. By prioritizing communication, providing expert advice, delivering a smooth experience, ensuring a quality result, and prioritizing safety and peace of mind, a professional painting company can transform your space into a beautiful and inviting environment. Remember to research and select a reputable painter that aligns with your needs, allowing you to embark on your interior painting project with confidence and peace of mind.
Are you ready to transform your home or office with a stunning interior painting job? We would be honored to work with you to realize your vision. Contact us for a free no-obligation estimate.
Struggling to find the perfect paint colors for your home’s exterior? You are not alone! Many homeowners have a difficult time landing on the right hue(s) for their home. We have some paint color ideas and color combinations that can help! Fine Paints of Europe and Benjamin Moore are two paint companies that we love and use in our painting projects. Here are some of the best exterior paint colors and color combinations from these companies, as well as general things to consider when choosing colors.
Professional color consultants typically use three to four paint colors when creating an exterior color scheme. These are usually for siding, doors, trim, and accents. When planning your exterior paint color palette, consider trim, windows, garage doors, shutters, and other exterior elements for the full picture.
Start building your palette using color direction from unchanging exterior elements like roofing, stone, brick, and landscaping. Since these elements are unlikely to change, you’ll want to make sure any colors you choose will go well with the colors of the unchanging aspects. If these exterior accents lean warmer, consider hues like browns, reds, oranges or yellows. If they lean cooler, look to grays, blues, greens and violets.
Fine Paints of Europe has been in operation since 1987. These paints are formulated with superior pigments, binders, and solvents; however, they never have fillers that stretch coverage at the cost of color and longevity.
Fine Paints of Europe are made to last. They require fewer coats to produce a beautiful and rich color, retain an even finish and are crafted with everyday living in mind. The true value of this paint comes from its longevity. Fine Paints of Europe can protect your home for up to 15 years when properly applied.
Benjamin Moore Paints has been in business since 1883 and has always striven to produce the highest quality paints in the industry. When it comes to premium paints and stains for your home, Benjamin Moore has set a high standard for excellence.
They manufacture their own resins and proprietary Gennex® colorants, which deliver superior performance and application properties in every product. Paired with their incomparable selection of authentic colors, their products are formulated to help you achieve beautiful, lasting results every time you paint. The exterior of your home is so important, and a great choice to ensure a high-quality finish is Benjamin Moore Exterior paints.
Dark olive-green house exteriors are rare, but they tend to be very memorable. This is because of their unique style and captivating character! With homeowners looking for more modern ways to make their home stand out, dark olive green, with white or light trim, is now becoming a go-to.
Colors
Fine Paints of Europe
Siding (Olive Green) – Mooreland Green
Accent (White) - White Café or Royal White
Benjamin Moore Paints
Siding (Olive Green) – Trailing Vines
Accent (White) – Swiss Coffee or Cloud White
Gray is a great neutral that can match just about any style of home and is a beautiful complement to brick. The shutters and doors done in a more saturated color, like blue, provides a sophisticated accent. The question is... do you prefer light blue or dark blue?
Colors
Fine Paints of Europe
Siding (Gray) – Winter Sky or Grey Mist
Accent (Blue) – Blue Horizon or North Sea Blue
Benjamin Moore Paints
Siding (Gray) – Horizon or Slate or Thunder
Accent (Blue) – Polar Sky or Smoke or Hale Navy
Black and white never goes out of style. The more common way to use this combo is white siding and black accents. However, if you want to go the less tradition route, black siding with white accents can make a great look! Whether you have an old home or a new build, this classic combo looks fresh forever. And it really pops against a lot of greenery!
Colors
Fine Paints of Europe
Siding (White) – Spinnaker White or Royal White
Siding (Black) - G21850
Accent (White) – White Café
Accent (Black) – Black or G21850
Benjamin Moore Paints
Siding (White) – White Heron or Cloud Cover
Siding (Black) – Onyx or Soot
Accent (White) – Atrium White or White Dove
Accent (Black) – Flint or Black Tar
Especially on smaller or more traditional-style homes, simplicity works best for exterior color combinations. Neutral siding colors, like warm gray, create a solid foundation. Then introduce color in small doses, such as a glossy red front door, to create a focal point that doesn't overwhelm the exterior color scheme.
Colors
Fine Paints of Europe
Siding (Gray) – Storm Cloud or Silverblade
Trim and Accent (Black) – Black or G21850
Door (Red) – Rembrandt Red or Tulip Red
Benjamin Moore Paints
Siding (Gray) – Gray Owl or Storm
Trim and Accent (Black) – Flint or Soot
Door (Red) – Caliente or Smoldering Red
When considering exterior paint colors for your home, there are practical elements to consider, as well as stylistic choices to make. At Bruno Painting, we provide color assistance to our clients so their exteriors look exactly how they want! If your exterior could use a fresh coat of paint, call us for a free estimate – 401-662-0057.
Preparing a home for interior painting is one of, if not the most crucial step in the painting process. If an area or surface is not properly prepared before painting, it can add much more work and time for cleanup. It can also mean that the new paint job won’t not last as long as it should. These are the common steps that professional painters go through for interior painting preparation, and why they are so important.
Scraping the walls is the first step in preparing your interior for painting. This makes sure that there are no surfaces that would be rough or cause the new paint to not adhere properly. This can be old, flaking paint, dirty areas with grime build up, or simply uneven surfaces.
If your walls have texture on them, professional painters might scrape this off too. Removing texture allows for a smoother painting surface and ensures a higher quality finish. It’s possible that a textured surface won’t allow the paint to adhere as well as it should and might mean another repaint would be needed sooner than it should be. The same principle applies to wallpaper. Painting over wallpaper is always a bad idea. If the wallpaper starts to peel, there goes the new paint too! Removing wallpaper to make way for the new paint is always the best option.
Filling holes and cracks is another important part of the painting preparation process. If these holes and gaps are not filled, the paint will simply sink into the holes. Using spackle or drywall compound is an easy way to cover up those spots to prepare them to be painted. Once the spackle or drywall compound is applied and the area is repainted, it will be as if there was never a hole there.
The next step is to sand your walls, if needed. Sanding walls before painting does even more to make a surface optimal for painting. Sanding makes the area as smooth as possible, which will ensure the surface is even and the final project will look as high quality as possible.
We don’t always think our walls need to be cleaned, but they do! This is especially true if they’re going to be repainted. Even if you aren’t having your walls scraped or sanded, cleaning the walls is a necessary step and a simple way to ensure the new finish has a higher quality look. If dirt or grime is painted over, that can show through the fresh coat and look subpar. Cleaning the walls well makes sure this doesn’t happen.
If your walls show major stains of any kind, you can apply a special type of primer to those areas. The purpose of stain-covering primer is to prevent stains from bleeding through the paint. This typically depends on the color of paint that will be used. If the color is lighter than your current one, you will need some assistance in covering the stains. If the color is darker than your current one, you may not need a stain-covering primer since the new darker hue can cover them. White is a trending color at the moment, and would certainly require some prep work on any existing stains that will be under the new coat of paint.
Finally, apply painter's tape to all the trim in the room to protect it. Remove the outlet covers and set them aside to reuse them when the project is completed. Taping aids in keeping paint off of trim, baseboards, outlet covers, and anywhere else you don’t want paint. This final step also saves cleanup time if paint were to spill onto these areas. Additionally, furniture should be moved to the center of the room, and drop cloths should be put on the floor and any furniture for protection.
For an interior painting job, surface preparation can make it or break it. Making sure your interior painting preparation is done properly makes your invested time and money worth it and will help your paint job will last as long as it’s supposed to. Skimping out on it because you don’t have the time or because it’s cheaper not to do it will cause you more problems in the long run. Buying the most expensive paint and using the newest techniques can’t save you from necessary but skipped surface preparation.
Reach out to Bruno Painting today for your interior painting and carpentry work in Newport, Portsmouth, and all Rhode Island areas. Our mission since 2004 is Upholding and Caring for Surfaces and Relationships. We’d love to welcome you to our customer family. We look forward to serving you!
As the cooler months approach, thoughts turn towards holiday preparations, envisioning gatherings with friends and family. With Covid's impact diminishing, many are eager to once again open their doors to visitors and celebrate the upcoming seasons. Amidst these plans, a common query arises: When to repaint house interior?
Questions you may be asking yourself include … Is my home ready to entertain for the holidays? What can I do to get my home ready for the holidays? Whether you’re getting your home ready to entertain, simply want to refresh it for your own enjoyment, or if selling your home is in your plans, an interior paint job is a relatively inexpensive way to update your home. Understanding when you should repaint your home's interior will help you get past whether you should or shouldn’t and onto the color and sheen selection, arguably the most enjoyable part of the process.
The simplest way to know when your home’s interior should be repainted is when you look at a space in your home and it no longer makes you happy to be in it. The color may be drab, out of style, or just doesn’t please you.
Large, often-used spaces, such as your kitchen, should feel pleasing to you and to your guests. Having just the right color, shade, and sheen in these spaces makes a big difference in the enjoyment you get when spending lots of time in them. Don’t overlook powder rooms, laundry areas, and foyers, as those spaces either introduce your home to visitors or are used by you more than you think. Having your home fully color planned so there is a great flow from one area to another can further help you enjoy the overall look and feel of your home.
Another way to know when your home’s interior should be repainted is to inspect the paint finish to look for any imperfections, such as marks or scrapes you cannot clean off, peeling, or fading. You see the interior of your home almost every day, and sometimes those imperfections seem normal, but they’re not.
When your existing paint finish begins to fail, it is time to call your trusted, local paint contractor to come over and inspect the interior of your home. Interior paint imperfections may be a sign of unwanted water, mold, or other even less welcome issues.
Your professional painter will be able to diagnose the cause of the imperfections, but they’ll also be able to resolve the problems correctly so your home’s integrity is intact. If mold is present, your professional painter will likely call in a mold remediation specialist to take care of the problem.
The work necessary to take care of a paint imperfection may be extensive and can include scraping, spackling, filling, priming, and other steps you may or may not be able to handle on your own. Either way, we recommend letting our painting and carpentry experts take a look to be sure you have nothing serious going on behind your walls.
Aside from the aesthetic importance of beautifully finished wall and trim surfaces, it is a health hazard if water seeps and creates damage. Because we’re close to water and have our share of wet weather, having an annual or biannual inspection of your home’s interior and exterior is a good idea.
Finally, even if you’ve recently painted a room, an area, or the entire house, if you simply want another color or set of colors to adorn your walls, that is a perfectly good reason to do so. Whereas some people prefer to see the same colors (and ask us to repaint their walls in the exact same colors, which is perfectly okay), you may be the type of person who thrives on change or loves to have the latest trending colors surrounding them at home.
We’re happy to oblige and help you repaint your home’s interior regardless of your reasons for wanting it to be done. Our team of experienced carpenters can help fix most imperfections you may have in your walls or trim, and our experienced painters will give your home’s interior the smooth and beautiful paint finish in the colors you carefully and lovingly select.
Getting ready for the holidays is an act of love. It’s about preparing to welcome others into your home to spend precious moments that last a lifetime. We’re here to help you with all of your carpentry and painting needs. Reach out if you’re in the Rhode Island area. We look forward to serving you!
With our 2022 summer coming to an end and Labor Day just around the corner, we’re preparing for fall in Rhode Island! As the seasons change, you may been considering some home interior updates and improvements to enhance its aesthetic appeal and to protect the integrity of its structure.
We love helping our friends and neighbors keep their homes in top shape and we’re focusing on specific home interior updates for fall 2022. Home updates you may want to consider include:
Paint repairs can be done yourself if you’re detail-oriented or handy, however, some paint repairs are best done by a painting professional. Repairs that require spackling, scraping, sanding, priming, and color matching are more difficult than simply painting over a mark on the wall, and may be best left to a painting pro.
Stress cracks, unlike more minor repairs, should almost always be taken care of by a skilled carpenter and painter. According to Fine Homebuilding, “Stress cracks, which typically occur above a doorway or window, are caused by structural movement or settling. If a crack occurs at a seam, the tape may blister or come loose. But stress cracks can also occur where there is no joint in the drywall. It may run along the actual face of the panel, or it may go all the way through to the other side. A seam located next to the edge of a header is more likely to crack than one located 8 in. or more from the edge.”
Before
After
Simply understanding the type of stress crack and its cause is difficult. Repairing a stress crack can be even more tricky. A sharp utility knife, mesh tape, and compound are a few items needed to repair a stress crack and are common items our experienced carpenters use to skillfully repair your home’s stress cracks.
Case opening trim work is an aesthetically pleasing addition to your home’s doorways. As the Fall approaches and you begin entertaining family and friends for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and other Fall and Winter holidays, you’ll be amazed at how adding beautiful cased opening trim work can change the appearance of your home’s interior.
Our well-trained carpenters can expertly add the size, shape, and thickness of trim you prefer. Once the cased opening trim work is completed, it can be stained or painted to match or complement your trim, including baseboards, window trim, ceiling trim, medallions, fireplace mantles, and any other interior trim work you have in your home.
When it comes to making a big “Before” and “After” difference in your home, having your kitchen cabinets professionally painted or installing brand new cabinets in your kitchen, office, or elsewhere in your home may provide you with the most remarkable change.
Many of our clients ask us if they should repaint their existing cabinets or if they should have brand new ones installed. We suggest repainting your existing cabinets if you like the style of the cabinets and if they’re of high-quality material.
If you do not like the look and style of your existing cabinets, paint will not change that. If your cabinets are made of a material that would be best replaced, such as inexpensive particle board, or some material that cannot be sanded down for excellent results, then we’d recommend having brand new, updated cabinets installed.
The good news is that our skilled carpenters and painters at Bruno Painting can help you with either painting your existing cabinets or installing a new set of cabinets. And we can help you make the best decision about your cabinets during our complimentary consultation with you.
Though we’re sad to see the end of the summer, we’re excited for great things ahead in the upcoming fall and winter seasons. Whether you want any of the home interior updates for fall that we’ve discussed above or some other update that requires a professional carpenter or a professional painter or both, we’re happy to help!
Reach out to Bruno Painting today for painting and carpentry work in Newport and all Rhode Island areas. Our motto since 2004 is Upholding and Caring for Surfaces and Relationships. We’d love to welcome you to our customer family. We look forward to serving you!
The first thing you may think of when it comes time to repaint your home’s exterior is the color you’ll choose this time around. Since a well-done exterior paint job lasts between 5 – 7 years, considering our often-harsh Rhode Island weather conditions, you’ll be looking at the color you choose for some time. Selecting the exterior paint color you’ll love for many years is a topic for another blog. Suffice it to say, paint color selection is not the only thing that goes into painting your home’s exterior.
You may or may not know that an excellent paint prep and application can actually protect your home’s exterior surfaces, and provide protection from unwanted water, from snow, rain, condensation, or other sources, from entering your home. If unwanted water gets inside and is not somehow dried, you may get mold which can cause rot and harm your health.
Before your house can benefit from the protection afforded by a well-executed paint job, it’s essential to be sure your professional painter does all it takes to properly prepare and then paint your home’s exterior.
One of our favorite paint brands to use for our clients is called Fine Paints of Europe (FPE). Their tagline is “Luxurious Lasting Color, Imported from Holland.” They’re not inexpensive, but what FPE supports is following proper painting protocols for best results.
In fact, on their website, FPE says, “Please do not consider the use of our house paints unless you are committed to doing a proper job and are aware of the factors which will determine the appearance and durability of the application.”
At Bruno Painting, we are 100% committed to doing a proper job and exceeding expectations for best painting results. How do we do that? We follow a step-by-step process cultivated over many years of painting our clients’ homes. Our formula is proprietary, but we’ll share the basic steps for how to properly paint your home’s exterior for the best results.
Select your painting professional. Of course, we’re biased and believe we’re one of the best painters in Rhode Island. (Anyone who takes their work seriously should believe they’re the best!) At Bruno Painting, we not only offer elite painting services, we also have a team of experienced carpenters who can remodel your home, fix any fixable problems with your home, and basically re-work or rebuild your home to your liking. Then our team of experienced, highly trained painters come in and add the coats of paint needed to make your home aesthetically amazing!
What we’ve cultivated at Bruno Painting is a teamwork environment so our carpenters and our painters work seamlessly to do the work the right way, no cutting corners, the best way, the correct way. You’re assured a structurally sound, well-painted home when your project is completed!
Plan which parts of your exterior will be painted and agree on the paint brand and the color palettes that will be used. If there are any structural updates or fixes to be made to your home, we’ll discuss those with you in detail so you can decide all the work that needs to be done prior to paint prep.
Decide on exactly what color and finish goes on which surfaces. Even exterior paints come in different sheens and selecting the sheen for each area to be painted, such as the siding or the trim, is an important step not to be overlooked. To note, exterior paints with a more matted sheen tend to be less durable. Conversely, exterior paints with a more glossy sheen tend to tolerate wear and tear better.
Another consideration when choosing the sheen for your exterior paint is to realize that an exterior paint with a more matted sheen is not as easy to wash. If you anticipate needing to have your home power washed because it is near an ocean or trees, you’ll want to select a finish that is not completely a matte finish.
During your professional painting consultation, paint brand, color, and sheen selection will all be addressed.
Decide on a schedule for the painting your home based on your best estimates and weather forecasts. Another one of our favorite paint brands is Benjamin Moore. According to the experts at Benjamin Moore, “Plan based on weather – rain can easily ruin a fresh coat of paint … so weather Is truly a critical component of a successful exterior paint project.”
Benjamin Moore’s tip for exterior painting in the “right” weather: “Low temperatures and high humidity are a bad combination. Generally speaking, the higher the humidity, the slower a product dries.”
Realize, of course, that the weather can change. But it’s important to be aware of upcoming weather to give your paint project the best chance of success!
Prepare your home for painting. This stage is often referred to as “prep” and many experts prep a home for painting in different order. The important thing to note is that a house exterior is cleaned, dried, caulked, and sanded for optimal paint adherence before a primer or paint brush is used.
Prime the exterior surfaces to be painted, including brick surfaces. Note that some experts recommend caulking after priming. You may even choose to caulk some areas before priming and caulking other spots after priming. The key point is to make the caulked surface as smooth as possible so the paint covering it will look as smooth.
Have your carefully chosen paint color and sheen applied to your home’s exterior. This is the most rewarding step, of course, especially if you’re changing to a new color that you’re excited to see on your home.
While painting professionals may differ in their process of painting your home, the best exterior painting results will be achieved when the approach is systematic and well-planned. It is a big endeavor to have your home’s exterior painted. There’s a lot that goes into properly painting your home’s exterior.
At Bruno Painting, we’re focused on doing all the right things and on Upholding and Caring for Surfaces and Relationships since 2004. We invite you to become a completely happy Bruno Painting client. Reach out today for your complimentary remodeling and painting estimate.
Summer is here on the classic coast and with it comes enjoying the outdoor areas of your home. The summer season is also the best time to make some exterior updates to your home.
Exterior updates are a great way to boost your curb appeal, protect your home and add value to your investment. Regularly inspecting and updating your home's exterior will help to identify any potential problems.
Whether you're looking to add some curb appeal or just want to make your home more enjoyable, there are easy ways to make home exterior updates for summer. Here are some great ideas for giving your home a summer makeover.
Update Outdoor Areas
Late nights around a fire pit or beautiful patio are some of the best ways to entertain and spend time with your family. Updating your outdoor spaces can extend your living area to your backyard and beyond. Try incorporating some of these into your next home improvement project.
Painting Projects
Painting is one of the most effective ways to transform your home. Paint is also an incredible agent for protecting your surfaces against weather and decay. Two of the most popular updates homeowners make to their exteriors are siding and front door projects.
Installing New Windows
Installing new windows is a great way to update your home's exterior and improve its energy efficiency. If your windows are old or drafty, they could be costing you money on your energy bills.
New windows will keep your home better insulated and reduce your energy costs. You can also find windows that come with UV protection to help keep your furniture and carpets from fading.
Exterior updates are also a great way to improve your home's energy efficiency. Not only will regular exterior updates save you money in the long run, but they'll also help make your home more comfortable and efficient.
Updating and maintaining your exterior in summer protects your home, improves your curb appeal, and adds value to your investment. At Bruno Painting, we handle any necessary carpentry work, do the key prep work to ensure longevity in your project, and use high-quality paint. Our expert teams of painters and carpenters are ready to make your home exterior updates seamless. Contact us for your next exterior painting or carpentry project!
Taking care of the outside of your house is just as important as taking care of the inside. It’s not just about aesthetics. Paint can act as a barrier between your house and the elements. You will want to maintain that barrier, especially if you live in harsh weather conditions like rain, sleet, snow or heat. How do you know when your home is due for a repaint? There are some very clear signs that your home exterior needs to be repainted and then there are some not-so-obvious signs. Here are our top 7 ways to tell if your home needs a repaint.
Let's start with the clear signs your exterior needs to be repainted.
If you are thinking it’s time to repaint your home this is the perfect time of year to do it, before the season changes and the weather starts to get harsh again. If you notice any visible signs of damage or wear, do not put off a repaint until the last minute as it could be even more costly. Now is the time to contact a professional painting contractor to protect and extend the longevity of your home.
At Bruno Painting, we take great pride in the work we do for homeowners and are excited to help you with the process of maintaining the exterior of your home. Reach out to schedule your exterior painting estimate!
Cedar shake siding is a popular type of siding for homes in Rhode Island, especially on homes that are 10 years old or older. Homeowners enjoy the iconic look as it creates a unique finish and can add a rustic yet warm look to your home’s exterior.
If you have cedar siding, it’s important to take care of it properly to ensure that it looks good and lasts for many years. From installation through its lifetime, caring for your cedar shakes will help you protect your investment. Here are a few tips on how to care for your cedar shingle siding.
Cedar shakes are a specific type of siding material that is found on the classic coast since colonial times. It is typically made of cedarwood, though other types of wood may be blended in, and comes in a variety of colors and sizes.
Finish options for cedar shakes include stain and sealant or paint to create an even more unique look. When you properly care for your shake siding, it can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years or more. If you take excellent care of your cedar siding, it can last upwards of 20 years or more before needing to be replaced.
Shingle siding is not immune to wear and tear and there are a few common issues that you may experience over time. Due to the nature of the natural material cedar shakes are made from, they are prone to require more maintenance than brick or artificial siding options, such as vinyl.
As with any natural material, exposure to moisture will mean these surfaces are prone to moss, algae, and even mold growth. Cedarwood is a durable siding but can be a target of wood-boring insects. Traces of these insects such as termites, ants, and beetles seen around your home may be an indication that these insects are enjoying your siding as much as you are.
Other signs of wear and tear can be brought on by heat and dry conditions. Keep a watchful eye for cracked or warping shakes, especially on the sides of your home that are in the direct sunlight. It’s important to be aware of these issues and address them as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
To keep your shingle siding looking its best, it’s important to clean it and care for it regularly. This includes both cleaning and maintenance tasks, such as checking for damage and repairing any issues that may arise.
One of the most important things you can do to take care of your shingle siding is to clean it regularly. Washing your siding with a garden hose and dish soap is one way to maintain your cedar siding. This will help remove any dirt or debris that may have built up, and it will also help keep the siding looking its best.
A second way to clean your cedar shingles is to use oxygen bleach, which is nontoxic to trees, shrubs, and flowers. As a third option, you can power wash your cedar siding or hire a professional contractor to power wash it. To avoid damaging the cedar shingles, be sure the power washing equipment is used on its most gentle, lowest intensity settings and the appropriate mild detergents are used.
Keeping your cedar shakes free from moisture accumulating on them is one of the best ways to prevent damage. To prevent moisture from accumulating on your home’s cedar siding, you can trim nearby trees and shrubs so there is enough distance for airflow. If there are any loose boards that may allow water to penetrate the siding, they should be nailed down or replaced with newly treated shakes.
Treatments to protect from the elements, moisture, insects, and heat are available and will need to be applied every few years for effective protection. Additional measures such as painting can be an effective way to extend the life of your cedar shakes, but this can only be done when your siding is completely dry.
Touchups and repairs for shingle siding can vary in price depending on the size and scope of the job. However, most repairs are relatively affordable, and it’s always better to address an issue sooner rather than later.
While some minor maintenance or repairs can be done on your own, any major repairs or updates should be done by your local licensed carpentry professional. If you need major updates like painting your cedar shakes or have found damage that has led to larger issues like wood rot, calling your preferred contractor is the best next step so you can avoid costly problems with your home.
Cedar shake siding care and maintenance are important for your home’s integrity to ensure that it looks its absolute best and lasts for many years. By following these tips, you can keep your shingle siding looking great and free from damaging elements.
Have you noticed your cedar shake siding not looking its best and in need of repair? It may be time to either clean or instead, completely update your home’s siding. Bruno Painting is here to help! With our team of expert painters and our carpentry division, we provide an all-in-one service to our clients. Get your complimentary exterior home update consultation and estimate from the experts at Bruno Painting today!
Homes with lots of character and beautiful finishes are seen commonly throughout Rhode Island. When you pull onto your street and take a first glance at your home, you should get a sense of joy because it looks lovely, well taken care of, and inviting. For others who may have recently moved in or who are otherwise behind schedule, this may not be the case. The first sight of your home as you approach may not give you such a feeling of happiness.
If your eye catches spots that need work, you may want to take steps to boost your home’s curb appeal. You can also schedule your home’s exterior updates during these colder months, in advance of when the work will be done as soon as the weather changes.
There are many options when you decide to improve the curb appeal for your Rhode Island home. The advantages of maintaining your curb appeal go beyond having an aesthetically pleasing house. Understanding the benefits, as well as how to accomplish a well-appointed home exterior will help you decide which updates you’d like to have done. Bruno Painting provides tips on how to boost your Rhode Island home’s curb appeal so each time you drive up to your home, you feel pleased, joyful, and happy.
Curb appeal is how attractive a house (or building or property) is when looked at from the sidewalk. Realtors use the phrase "curb appeal" more often than other types of professionals. However, curb appeal can be important outside of real estate.
There are many advantages to boosting your curb appeal. If you want to sell your home this year, improving the exterior of your home can be a great start to the process. Improving your curb appeal can also boost your overall mood when you drive up to your home. If neither of those is enough to convince you, putting energy and resources toward giving your home better curb appeal could increase the value of your home!
One of the primary features contributing to your home’s curb appeal is landscaping. Many homeowners are surprised how different their home looks after it has been properly landscaped and maintained. With fresh mulch, flowering plants, and some well-appointed shrubs or trees, you can complete your landscaping projects to enhance the appearance of your home’s exterior space. Using plants to increase privacy and create a symmetrical look are ideal additions.
Some prefer to use plants to increase privacy and improve appearance. It's worth noting that plant selection should include options that will do well for the weather we see in Rhode Island. Find perennials that are native to our area, as well as evergreens. They will add touch of color all year round.
Is your home’s paint is in good condition but is a little dusty or dingy looking or simply needs a light sprucing up? There is no better way to make your surfaces look new than a good pressure washing. From siding to driveways to walkways, this is an instantaneous improvement to your curb appeal. Pressure washing cleans a variety of surfaces with ease by removing dirt, oil, and grime that builds up over time.
Another note from the experts: pressure washing can be done on your own. However, using an ill-fitted nozzle or the wrong cleaners for a surface can cause damage instead of improving your surfaces. Always consult with a professional if you are unsure what pressure washing method is best for your home.
Wood rot can greatly affect your home's curb appeal. Not only is it an eyesore, but if wood rot is left untreated, it can spread and cause even more damage to your home. Before you paint the exterior of your home, the wood rot will need to be repaired or, in some cases, replaced.
How do you know if you have wood rot? Look for pieces of wood that seem spongy or soft. They are at the beginning or intermediate stages of rot. Other signs of wood rot include paint chipping, paint peeling, wood splintering, or discoloration. If you think your home may have wood rot, contact a professional painting or carpentry contractor to remedy these areas to protect your home from further damage.
Another feature related to your home’s curb appeal that can make a lasting impression is an inviting porch or a welcoming entryway. Home makeovers that include eaves, gables, or a full front porch can make any home a showstopper when it comes to curb appeal.
These types of updates require a trusted and skilled carpentry team that can work within the framework of other updates you want to make. One example is window and door updates. Installing windows, doors, and trim may seem like a possible DIY project. These are better left to carpentry professionals, however, who can provide high-quality craftsmanship that will last.
As with any home improvement update, the most effective and impressive way to increase curb appeal is with a fresh coat of paint for your home’s exterior, windows, and doors. A paint update to a home with a lack-luster finish not only makes your property look more inviting but also helps protect your home from the elements.
Improving the curb appeal for your Rhode Island home is an important contribution. It can make your exterior look its best for your enjoyment, possibly get it ready to sell, or increase the value of your investment. Carpentry and painting updates are best done by professionals who understand your vision for the look of your home.
The painters and carpentry professionals at Bruno Painting in Rhode Island have been working diligently to prepare and plan for the upcoming exterior painting season. We are taking new clients who need assistance from full-service, experienced home improvement professionals. Contact us for more information about our range of services and how we can help you get the most joy from your home.
Selling a home is a very involved process with many things to do in preparation, including sprucing up your home’s interior and exterior to make it more appealing to homebuyers. Your house may need something as simple as a fresh coat of paint or it may require a larger maintenance project to prepare it to sell. It’s best to have a clear plan of your projects, both large and small, that you intend to have completed when you prepare your house to sell.
Knowing what repairs and updates need to be done beforehand can help make the process easier. Bruno Painting provides this list of things to do to get your home ready for sale.
Your home should be seen as a warm and inviting place to potential buyers. Painting your home a harmonious color can add to that effect. If your home needs a fresh coat of paint before you sell, you can consider neutral colors like off-white, light blue, gray, or yellow. Painting your house a neutral color will attract a wider range of potential buyers. Non-traditional colors may only appeal to a limited number of buyers.
What defines ‘the right color’ is based on many factors. Is the house surrounded by woods and trees or is it a landscape characterized by lots of green grass and plants? Is your house close to the beach? Are you looking to make your house pop or are you wanting it to blend in?
A color like red or yellow may stand out in the trees whereas a gray or green would blend in. If your home is close to the coast, you may want to look at painting it a shade of blue, gray, or taupe to match the landscape.
Additionally, the color of the shutters, doors, and trim can add to the enhanced curb appeal and buyer appeal. White trim and shutters on a blue or gray house really make them stand out. It also gives a fresh and crisp look to the home. If you decide to go with a nautical theme, darker blue or aqua would go perfectly with a lighter color of blue. The elements of your home can truly tie together the color palette you choose.
If you are preparing to sell your home, the reality is that you may need to make some repairs. It can be something as simple as fixing a leaky faucet or something a little more complex, like replacing several boards on your deck. Once you figure out what projects need to be done, you can decide if you want to tackle each project on your own or if you need to hire someone to complete it. Some common repairs include a front door upgrade, window replacement, kitchen renovations, roof replacement, and bathroom renovations.
Other things that may need to be done fit more in the maintenance category. It’s important to consider spaces that may need professional cleaning or power washing. Deep cleaning your home before putting it on the market can give it a crisp look.
If you are still living in the house while trying to sell it, it’s essential to deep clean every part of your home including dusting the fans, polishing your appliances, and cleaning the windows inside and out. You’ll want to make sure much of the clutter is gone, especially if pictures are going to be taken or if you are having a showing. Keeping your home clean and decluttered is not a one-time project. This process will need to continue the entire time your house is on the market.
Whether buyers are looking at your home online or in person, the first thing they see is the outside and the surrounding areas. When your home is clean and well-taken care of on the outside, it can entice buyers to take a look inside. Adding things like flowers or a wreath on the door, trimming the shrubs, or edging the sidewalk can all add extra curb appeal to your home.
For the projects that cannot be done on your own, the experts at Bruno Painting Carpentry and Remodeling are here to get the job done for you. Our services range from interior and exterior painting, power washing, gutter cleaning, carpentry, deck additions or updates, and remodeling.
Bruno Painting is here for everything your home needs. When you're ready to prepare your house to sell, our experts can give you advice on what your home needs to get ready to sell quickly. Bruno Painting is a highly trusted name all across Rhode Island. Our trained and certified employees are here to serve Portsmouth and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to find out how we can help you update your home or prep your home to sell.
Exterior paint projects aren’t always at the forefront of a homeowner’s mind. Think about it, when was the last time your home’s exterior was painted? If it was before 2011, your home may be overdue for an update. Professional contractors recommend homes be repainted every 5 to 10 years in order to keep you and your investment protected and healthy.
The benefits of taking care of your home’s exterior are far-reaching. To understand the advantages of having your home’s exterior painted, our experts at Bruno Painting have put together the top four reasons to have your home’s exterior painted this Spring or Summer.
Regular protection of your exterior surfaces ensures the longevity and health of your home. At its essence, paint is a barrier between your surfaces and the elements. By maintaining this layer of protection, you minimize the exposure your surfaces have to weather damage, insects, sun, dust, mold, and mildew.
Signs to look for when considering if your paint is failing to provide protection are easy to spot. Look for areas of paint that are peeling, flaking, bubbling, or cracking. These are signs that your paint has been compromised and will need attention. When it comes to painting the old saying rings true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Using paint to protect your home is a relatively inexpensive way to maintain your home's surfaces.
Before your home’s exterior is repainted, a good painting contractor will inspect all the surfaces, including your trim, siding, windows, and doors. If they find peeling, fading, bubbling, or any other paint failures, your painter will repair the area before they begin the complete exterior painting work. Doing so can keep your home from deteriorating and prevent you from having more expensive repairs in the future.
When repairs are necessary, finding the root cause of damage is imperative. Water damage, for example, can be caused by permeating rain or other precipitous weather we experience on the classic coast. No matter what the source of the damage is, preventing the source from causing recurring damages and making the necessary repairs is the only way to ensure that your home will not face the same situation in the future. Typically affected surfaces or spots to watch are windows, gutters, roofs, and doorways, all of which may be exposed to excess water.
At the end of the day, your home is one of the greatest investments you’ll ever make. Protecting your investment and ensuring the return on your home is as high as possible can be accomplished, in part, by keeping up with the maintenance and painting of your home’s exterior. When you maintain your home, you will prevent it from diminishing in value over time.
Newer-built homes are often painted with a lower grade of paint and applied with fewer coats than a high-quality paint job. While this allows a home to pass inspection, cutting corners by using below-grade paints won’t provide a durable, long-lasting paint finish. Professional painters have access to commercial-grade paints and primers that are engineered and designed to outlast and outperform many of the paints that a consumer can buy at a home improvement store. The results are longer lasting and less frequent need to repaint your home's surfaces, saving you time and money in the long run.
Paint is primarily made up of three components: solvents, binders, and pigments. Pigments provide color and add depth and character to your home. Over time, pigments that are exposed to the sun and precipitation will fade leaving behind a chalky dull appearance. If your home looks remarkably different today than it did five years ago, it indicates that it may be time to paint the exterior of your home.
Updating the color of your home can also boost curb appeal. If you are thinking of selling your home or just want to enjoy the beauty of your outdoor areas, consider a color change to brighten up and bring positive attention to your home’s exterior. Making a lasting impression, not only boosts the overall aesthetic of your home but can make a large difference in your resale value if and when you choose to sell your home.
Regular maintenance of your home’s exterior is important regardless of the materials used to build it. Protection for your home this Spring can extend the longevity of your home’s surfaces as well as create a beautiful and welcoming home for you and your family.
At Bruno Painting, our mission has always been “to uphold and care for surfaces and relationships.” Our highly skilled team of painters and carpenters shows this high level of care in each and every project we take on. We have restored Rhode Island homes to their highest potential with our services that reach well beyond painting. Contact us to discuss your exterior painting and other home improvement projects.
