Paint vs Stain

 A frequently asked question in the painting world is what is the difference between paint and stain? There is a big difference between them and even times when one is better than the other to use. Il break it down simply for you so if you ever find yourself wondering what product to use, you'll be able to make an educated decision. When it comes to interior work you will mostly be using paint. However, when you start getting into the high-end wood furniture, furnishings, and custom woodwork you'll probably be using stain and sealers. Sometimes the choice is obvious on what to use but people have different tastes and visions of what they want the final product to look like.

Paint is meant to cover, coat, protect, and color the wood. Essentially it sits on the surface. Stain on the other hand is also meant to coat, color and protect the surface but it does this by penetrating and being absorbed by the wood. Depending on the quality of product you use, you can also seal the wood. This will make it more resistant to moisture. Typically oil based stains last longer and need fewer coats then water-based products. These are the main differences between the two. Another obvious difference would be the amount of pigment in each type of product.

Paint is meant to cover the surface completely, so you cover what was underneath. Stain on the other hand is meant to coat the wood yet still show the surface underneath. Paint has sheen options such as flat, eggshell, satin and semi-gloss. Stain also has options but rather than sheen it's a transparency option. Examples would be transparent, semitransparent, semi solid or solid. Overall stain will protect the wood better because it is absorbed however it does require more frequent maintenance if its outside. You can expect to touch things up about every 18-24 months with stain. Paint not so much. Stain is easier to touch up as well.

These are a few things to keep on mind when deciding if you're going to paint or stain. In my experience Stain is ideal for fences, decks and any outdoor furnishing. Because stain is absorbed into the wood unlike paint, it works great for these areas considering they tend to see just as much if not more sun than the siding. Also, any areas that may accumulate standing water or get wet often such as a deck or a fence will benefit from stain over paint. In these same situations overtime paint will start to chip or peel, and the moisture will be absorbed by the wood. This is how you get rotted wood and mold and mildew to start to form. With some maintenance and the right knowledge this is easily avoidable. Next time you're wondering if you should use paint or stain, ask yourself these questions. Will the area/object be inside or outside? Where will it be, next to a window, in the living room or in the middle of your yard exposed to the sun and elements? Solid color or transparent? Do you want to see the wood grain or cover something up? Will it get wet often? Do this and you will find out what product is right for you for that project. All that being said in reality it comes down to your personal preference.

Why pressure wash before an exterior paint or stain job?

The first if not one of the first things a solid painter needs to do before applying any paint or stain to a large surface is pressure wash. Some may think this is not an important step, but it is one you don't want to skip if you want the work, you just paid for to last. Pressure washing before any paint or stain job, done correctly will remove loose paint, dirt, dust, debris, grime, bird poop, spider webs, dead bugs and other natural markings from the elements. If you do have other stains or markings on the surface, special cleaners may be needed.

This is all done to promote adhesion to the surface you're working on. Imagine basically a thin layer of dust coating the areas to be worked on. If its painted or stained without pressure washing that layer will now be trapped under the surface. If what you're working on is newly built chances are you won't have to pressure wash, but it never hurts. Over time the coating will deteriorate faster because whatever was put on the surface never had a chance to properly bond or adhere to the surface. In the case of fences or decks, pressure washing most importantly removes the mildew and mold. There are plenty of cleaners for mildew and mold that can be bought out there. Another alternative would be bleach.

As you can see this is a crucial step. The goal is to have a surface that's dry, dull but most importantly clean. Having your new paint job last for the long run is the major purpose plain and simple. Next time you are painting or staining a large project make sure to hit it with a pressure washer. Last thing, if you're working on a small area or surface just wipe it down and dust it off, no need to bust out a pressure washer! It's usually the simple steps that make a big difference. 

Best ways to prepare for a painter to come and work inside your home.

 So, it's that time and you've decided to have some interior painting work done. As exciting as it can be there are a few things you can do as a homeowner or tenant to make for a smoother process. Not all painters will do this, however a professional and courteous business should discuss with you their process before coming into your home. This is not to pass work off to you, it's more to make sure things are taken care of and any possible damage is minimized. In the long run as a business owner, I find people do respect a process and if they are physically able, are more than willing to work with you. Here are some of the things you can do.

Take pictures and decorations off the wall. Make sure to mark and identify what holes you would like to keep and communicate this to your painter. A good rule of thumb would be to leave any nails/tacks or picture hangers in place and only take things out where you would like the hole filled. Another thing you can do is if all nails have been removed, just circle with a pencil what holes you would like filled. Move valuable/priceless and personal items somewhere else so they are not broken or knocked over by accident. Bathroom items should be moved by you as well if someone is working in there. Clear wall shelving's of items. If you have a glass cabinet to be moved with some old China dishware for example or fragile items, you will definitely want to take that out. A kitchen or dining room table with a blanket on top is a good place for this temporarily. If you're having your closets painted clear them of clothing. If you're having the kitchen cabinets or pantry painted, you will want to clear them out as well. If possible, take down drapes or curtains. Blinds are usually something the painter can remove if needed but it's a good question to ask.

Something to remember is you can always ask the painters for help with some of these tasks. You should take responsibility for the fragile and valuable things but it's at your own discretion and a professional company should not have a problem helping. If you would like to move the furniture, center it in the room or pull it away from the wall at least 4ft to leave room for painting behind it. Centering the furniture is a good choice if you're having the ceilings painted. There are awesome little tools that you can put under the legs or feet of the furniture to slide it without damage, making things easier (Furniture slider). Other than mostly moving your own personal items it's pretty straight forward. Alot of painters will have a different process so it's always a good idea to ask what to expect of them and what will be included. Most companies should have no problem moving your furniture back and forth into place (with valuables cleared out and things put away). Depending on what they will or will not do can also be a gauge on your final decision. Use these sure-fire tips to help create a better experience for yourself next time you have interior painting work done.

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How Often Should I paint my Home?

 A question asked all the time for anyone in the painting Industry by homeowners is "How often should I paint my house?". This is going to vary depending on where you live in the country and what kind of climate you live in. There are of tons articles that will tell you anywhere from 5-10 years. This is a wide gap and factors do come into play that will dictate how long the paint job will hold up. Let's dig into some details on how often you should paint the exterior of your home and what things to look out for.

First of all, if you used cheap products (Paint, Caulk) from the start your going to get a final product that will not last as long. Cheap paints are exactly that, Cheap and are more of a band aid. Your home must also properly be prepped prior to the actual painting process. You don't have to buy the best paint, but the mid-grade is always a safe route to go. A professional painter should discuss with you your options. Now if you just bought a home or have been in yours for a while and have no clue if you need a paint job, this should give you all the information you need to make an educated decision. 

To begin just walk around your home and take a look at everything. Is the paint fading in areas? Are joints and seams cracked where it should be sealed? Are seals around the window cracking? Is paint chipping or peeling off? Is paint blistering or bubbling? Are there areas of rotted wood? These are just the basic things to look for but can tell you a lot. If you see any combination of these signs, it's a good chance that area needs to be repainted. Factors that will dictate how long a paint job will last are the weather and how well it was prepped prior to being painted. Assuming your home was prepped and painted properly where you live and what climate you're in plays the next biggest role. How much sun does the home receive? How much moisture does your area get annually? How much snow do you get? How many months of very cold or hot weather do you have annually?

All of these are things that will determine how long a paint job will last. For example, I operate my painting business in western Colorado. Most don't realize that's it's basically a desert climate and is very dry. With that being the conditions, its usually always the south side of homes here that peel first and take most of the beating. Do you have a side of your home that takes a lot of weather and natural element abuse? If so, this is a great place to start. Now to the point, a solid timeline for repainting your home depending on the current condition and siding material is as follows:

Wood siding: 5-7 years, Aluminum: 6-8 years, Brick: 3-5 years and Stucco: 6-10 years

Again, all the factors listed above will determine how things hold up. Having 2 coats put on in the first place will also add some years. A home that is in need of a paint job will not only damage faster but also have a lesser curb appeal. Remember to just keep an eye on things through the years and take a mental note of areas starting to deteriorate. The longer you wait when you know you need something painted, most of the time it will cost more in the long run. Be wise and call a professional or do it yourself so things don't get worse and ultimately more expensive.