When to Paint Your House

woman painting with a laugh and smile

Your house looked amazing when you bought it. Now, years later, the paint might is fading, peeling, or chipping off. Maybe it’s been scratched or stained. These are the telltale signs that it needs to be repainted. Every building, whether it’s a mansion or a birdhouse needs to be repainted every now and then. This is true for the interior and the exterior of the structure. How often you repaint may depend on the climate, the abuse it takes, the quality of the paint that was used, and the composition of the material that the surface is made of. A stained wooden fence or deck will need restaining/sealing more often than the exterior of a house covered in vinyl siding. Here are some broad guidelines you can use to plan ahead.

One of the main reasons for painting things is to protect the material underneath. Yes, it will also make them look better, too. If you look at a piece of wood that has been left outdoors without paint or sealant, you can see how it dries out and cracks or, in a wet cool climate, it might soak up moisture and rot or grow mold. In many locations, it will get soaked by the rain then dry out in the sun repeatedly over and over. An unpainted wooden structure will not survive more than 10-15 years, where a correctly painted/sealed one can last forever.

dried out old wood

Exterior Surfaces

The outside of your home or commercial building may be made of any one of a variety of materials. What this material is can have a great impact on how often it needs to be painted. This also applies to outbuildings, fences, doghouses, or kind of structure that is painted and is exposed to the elements. The quality of the paint or sealant previously used will also come into play. The more expensive house paints also come with a longer warranty period. In general, a paint that goes on thicker is likely to withstand the weather, and abuse better than one that is thinner. An extra coat of paint can go a long way toward protecting any material for a longer period of time.

How Long You Can Expect Exterior Paint to Last

Wood –
- 4 years for stain
- 3-7 years for paint
Brick – 15-20 years for paint
Aluminum siding – 5 years
Stucco – 5-6 years
Cement fiberboard siding – 10-15 years
Vinyl siding – 20-25 years

Interior Surfaces

The interior of your home or office will need to be painted more frequently than the outside depending on use. If there’s a lot of people or abuse in the area it will need repainting more often. Many companies offer paints and sealants designed for high use areas that need to be cleaned or wiped down frequently. We’re usually talking about home or office interiors. If you use a thicker paint or sealant it will last longer and if you can prevent damage, it will last even longer. Even under ideal conditions, though, colors may fade over time and the paint may crack or peel.

How Long You Can Expect Interior Paint to Last

Most home interiors: 3-5 years

Signs Your Interior Walls Need Painting

There are the obvious things already mentioned: color fading, cracks, and peeling. Here are a few more signs that it’s probably time to repaint.

Fading – Over time most colors will fade. This may be due to sunshine or other light sources. But sometimes even colors that have been kept in the dark will fade just because of the chemical composition of the inks or dyes used in the coloring. Even White will become yellowed over time. When you see any of this it’s time to paint.
Cracks – If your paint starts getting tiny little cracks all over it, that means it’s drying or losing the elasticity inherent in the polymers that make up the paint. In pottery, they call it “crazing.” If you see it on your walls, it’s time to paint again.
Peeling – If the paint hasn’t adhered well to the surface beneath it may start peeling off. Sometimes it’s nothing to do with the paint and everything to do with the surface beneath. If the wood rots out from under the paint because it’s not sealed on another side, the paint will peel right off. This is a sure sign that you need to repair the wall and then paint it.
Not Coming Clean – If you have cleaned the area repeatedly and it isn’t coming clean, you have cleaned off your sealant and it’s time to paint.
Scuffs and Scratches – In your hallways or other high traffic areas people or animals may rub up against the wall. Too much of this and you will start to see scuff marks and scratches. When you see that, it’s time to paint.
Stains – In the kitchen, laundry room, garage, or other places where you may be using colorful liquids that can leave a stain. When those liquids get spilled or splashed on the walls and you can’t clean them off, it’s time to paint.
Damage – Maybe a hole got punched or kicked into a wall. Maybe it’s just a dent or ding from moving furniture around. Perhaps it’s rotting wood or rusty metal. If you have to repair it, then you likely have to paint it too.
Renovations – Make sure you include the cost of the painting your remodeling project. Whether it’s a kitchen or bathroom or whatever room(s) you may be renovating. Any new construction or serious remodeling will always include painting as the last step.
Looks – If you’re just tired of looking at the same old walls or want to give your home a new feel, painting with new colors can have a dramatic effect. Many people have painted their walls after they were stuck inside them longer than expected due to the pandemic. They may be onto something that would make their home feel more comfortable as well as provide a much-needed home improvement project for those with too much time on their hands.

Hire Excellent Painters

We strongly recommend hiring professional painters such as those from Excellent Painters in Evergreen Colorado to help you get that painting done. You may not have much time on your hands, but hate the color of the walls in your improvised home office. KIt’s one thing to pick out the paint and the colors. It’s another to clear out all your furniture, lay down dropcloths to protect the floor, and then apply masking tape around all the windows and doors, paint everything, and clean up afterward on your own. It’s a lot of work and not all as easy as you might expect. There are a lot of tools and equipment that pros have that you may not want to buy. Think about it. Do you want a project that will last for weeks or a quickly repainted home within days? There are many reasons to hire the professional painters of Excellent Painters.

January 29, 2021

How to Paint a House

House painting can be a very good thing to improve the value and liveability of your home. This is especially true when it comes to improving a comfortable and stress-free atmosphere. The colors of your home can make a difference in many meaningful ways. Painting a house is a big job. It will require a good deal of effort. Here are some tips to help you do properly.

These are the 2 ways to accomplish house painting:

Do it yourself
Hire professional painters

There are pros and cons to each approach. First, and for many people the most important difference is the cost. Professional painters are much more expensive than doing it yourself. Second, professional painters already know how to do all the painting and they have all the right tools and equipment to handle the job efficiently. Third, pros will almost certainly do the job quicker than you could do it yourself, so if you’re in a hurry, that might be the better way to go. Finally, professional painters will do the job better than you probably can so it will end up looking better than a DIY job. It’s up to you to decide which approach will work best for your project.

Painting Your Exterior Walls

If you wish to paint your home’s exterior, you will need to follow these steps if you want to do it yourself:

Clean the Walls

Before you begin, you will need to clean your walls. You should do this from top to bottom using a pressure washer or warm soapy water and a scrub brush, if you can;t get access to a pressure washer. Use a ladder or extension poles to reach the highest walls.

Repair Any Surface Damage

It doesn’t matter whether the outside of your house is wood, metal, vinyl siding, or stucco, before painting you must search for any possible damage. It’s also crucial to give yourself enough time to fix or fill any cracks or holes using a spackling compound and a spackle knife. Let it dry, and sand it with a medium-grit sanding block before you paint. IN some cases you may need to replace the wood or whatever is there if it has been damaged beyond repair. You may wish to call in a carpenter to help with this.

You Must Remove Previous or Loose Paint

Also, before you begin, you must determine if there is any loose paint or chipped paint on the walls of your house. You accomplish this by walking around your house’s perimeter and looking for it. These areas will need to be fixed before you paint over them.

Remove the loose pain with a scraper or a sanding block. It’s important to remember that this is a critical procedure. If you just paint over the loose paint then the new paint is likely to chip off, too and you’ll have to fix it and paint it again.

Caulking

You already have caulking around the doors and windows. Inspect all this to see if it has come loose or separated from the wall or trim. You can fill in gaps around your windows and doors. Use an exterior caulk to fix this issue.

Use Primer

A primer will help cover any old color from the existing paint as well as any minor damage, spackling, caulking, or repair work that you have previously done. It’s important to know that there are many different types of primers you can use. Make sure the one you use is compatible with the paint you are going to use later. Primers will also help your final coating adhere to the area you want to paint. It will also prevent the surfaces from absorbing the paint, which would mean you would have to put on additional coats..

Avoid Contaminating Your Doors, Windows, and Lights

You will want to protect your doors, windows, and lights from unnecessary paint splatter. To do this, you can use plastic sheeting and painters tape. Make sure to protect the floor and any furniture as well. You can use drop cloths or plastic sheeting for this.

Paint Your Exterior

Now that you have everything ready you can paint the exterior. It’s up to you to decide if you want to use brushes rollers or a sprayer. Generally speaking sprayers cover the area quicker, but with a thinner coat, so you will need to apply at least two coats with a sprayer. Rollers work well, but can take a lot more time and effort than a sprayer. Brushes should be used for the trim, corners and edges. It may take some practice, but you can probably get the hang of painting corners without making a mess of it with some practice. Keep a rag handy to wipe up any paint that might get in the wrong place.

Paint Your Doors and Trim

After you finish the exterior painting, use a brush to paint your doors and around the trim.

How to Paint Your House’s Interior

Follow these easy steps to paint the interior of your house.

Prep Your Walls

Much like the instructions for exterior walls, you need to clean the walls and repair any damage you find along the way. Fill all cracks, dents, holes, and surface flaws. This will ensure that you’ll get the best result in the end.

Use Primer

It is usually recommended that you use a primer before painting your walls and ceiling. The reason we do this is to make sure the surface is ready for the final colored paint. The only reason to skip this step is if you are painting the same color as the existing paint and there haven’t been any serious repairs or remodeling involved. Primer will also help your coating adhere to your wall correctly. This will effectively make it look like a pro painter job. Professionals will often advise tinting the primer towards the final color, especially when there is a drastic change in color. You can do this by combining a small amount of your topcoat paint into your primer. When you tint your primer, it will become a more effective option for covering the imperfections on surfaces.

Choose Canvas Instead of Plastic

Canvas is extremely durable compared to plastic sheeting. What’s more, it is resistant to tears. It can absorb paint drips. Plus, the canvas can be easily folded in every corner of the room you are painting. The same is not always true of plastic coverings. The main downside is that canvas drop cloths do cost more than plastic sheeting.

Choose Extension Poles

If you have a rather high ceiling, you should always opt for extension poles rather than a ladder. This is to prevent any damage caused by the ladder as well as the risk of falling. Falls from ladders cause many serious injuries every year.

Use a Paint Grid

Instead of just using a paint tray, you also use a paint roller grid. This will remove excess paint on your roller and distribute it evenly.

TIP: Where to Store Your Roller?

Keep your brushes in a refrigerator overnight. You can wrap your rollers and paint brushes in plastic. Then you will just seal it with a tight rubber band and put it in the fridge. This will keep the brush or roller from drying out and it will be ready for use the next day. Let them warm up for 30 minutes prior to using them again. Always clean your brushes and roller thoroughly between painting projects.

Our Recommendation

There are many advantages to painting your house yourself. But if this seems like a lot of work, you should seriously consider hiring professional painters such as our friends at Excellent Painters in Denver, Colorado. They will do an expert job in an efficient manner that will leave you delighted with the results.

January 6, 2021January 29, 2021

Which Room to Paint First?

When you have the interior of a whole house to paint and you are living there while it’s happening, you can’t paint every room all at once. You need to decide which on to paint first and then which one next which room(s) last. Where do you start?

Why Are You Painting?

This question helps you answer the question of which one to paint first. Are you painting to increase the sale value of your home? Are you just tired of the colors? Do you have peeling paint? Do you have other issues, such as water damage or holes in the wall? Are you remodeling?

The answers to these questions will help you prioritize the project. If you are selling your home, then you might start with the entryway and living room, or whatever room guests will first enter when they look at the home. Or maybe you have a dismal bathroom that makes people go “Yuck!” Painting that first might be a good idea. If you are remodeling, you will obviously paint the remodeled parts first, then maybe move on to the rest of the house. If you are just freshening up the look of your house then you might want to start with a spare bedroom. If you are doing it yourself, then you can learn from any mistakes you make there and not have to worry about where you’re going to sleep that night.

Here’s a rundown room by room of the pros and cons of starting with each kind of room.

Living room

living-room The Living Room is typically the largest room in the house. Once you’ve got this one done, the rest of the place will be easy. This room is also important when it comes to resale. If people don’t like the look of the living room, they probably won’t buy it.

Primary Bedroom and Bathroom

If you start here, then you get the most inconvenient room done first. Once it’s done, not only will it look great, but you’ll be able to sleep that much better each night without having to worry about painting your own bedroom. The rest of the house won’t seem quite so intimidating anymore.

Kitchen

kitchen A beautiful kitchen will help your home to sell for a higher price. Sure the appliances are important, too, but the paint can go a long way. Additionally, if you paint this room first, you can get back to cooking and eat normally as quickly as possible. Get this one done and you are on a roll.

Utility Room(s)

laundry-room Starting with a room that doesn’t get used much, like a laundry room or storage room gives you some practice with painting around obstacles and nobody will care as much if you mess it up. If you really need the practice before tackling a room you spend a lot of time in, this is the place to start.

Excellent Painters

We recommend that you use Excellent Painters to have your interior painted. You can still tell them which room to paint first and rest assured that they will do an excellent job of it. Professional painters know what they are doing and will get it done in the most efficient manner possible. There will still, be disruption but you can get the whole project done in a few days rather than weeks or months if you’re doing it yourself in your spare time.

December 11, 2020

How To Pick Paint Colors To Fix Any Room’s Quirks

blue dining room

You love your house but it came with some rooms that are just a tad funky. Like that strange hallway/laundry room that leads to the master bedroom addition. Or that small room that is perfect for an office but just seems like the walls are closing in on you.

What can you do to fix these small quirks and love your house 100%? Don’t worry we have you covered!

Choosing Paint For A Small Room

Colors that reflect light will widen your small space. It’s an illusion but does wonders when you are feeling cramped. Pastel colors are perfect for creating the illusion of a larger space because they reflect the light perfectly; even if this light is a lamp in the room.

Paint your trim a color similar to your walls to create a seamless effect
Paint vertical or horizontal stripes
Choose a high-gloss sheen in a darker color to achieve the same effect

Okay, But What If My Room Is Too Big?

Sometimes the opposite is true and the room you are working with is too big and you need to create the illusion of a smaller space. Warm colors, those with red-tinges, absorb the light making the space seem cozier and inviting.

Creating A Soothing Space With Paint

Rooms such as bathrooms or a baby’s room require a more soothing tone when it comes to painting. Muted greens and blues are perfect for achieving a calming effect in these areas without being in your face bold.

I Don’t Want To Lose The Characteristics Of My Room

Great, you don’t have to! You love that crown molding, why not frame it with color and make it stand out when you enter the room? Painting them in white with bright and bold colors on the walls is a great way of making these pieces stand out without taking away from the rest of your room.

What About The Flaws In My Room?

No one wants a room where the flaws stand out so much that the rest of the beauty of your room is lost. So how do you hide those flaws without taking away from the room as a whole? Flat paint colors help hide the uglier bits of a room.

How Do I Pick Paint Colors For Any Room?

Sample paint colors on a few walls
Add samples of colors to different sides of the room and walls to judge where the light hits
Check your colors in all weather to know how it will look year-round

What If I Need Help With Painting My Room?

Great question! You can try Excellent Painters. By giving them some general information you will be connected with painting companies local to your area and can start your project as soon as possible.

What Does A Painting Company Offer Me?

They will walk through your project with you and make sure that everything goes off without a hitch. While you are going about your daily life you can rest assured knowing that your project is in capable hands.

You can be sure the company is not only licensed but has the right skills in order to complete your project while being communicative with you. Once you are satisfied with your options you will be well on your way to having the home of your dreams.

What To Keep In Mind

Should you choose to go through a painting company; you want to know how long they have been in the business. If they have any reviews and if so if they are good or bad. You will also want to keep in mind what their needs are in order to complete the job.

However, should you choose to continue on your own. You will need to remember a few tips and tricks of the trade.

Even with painters tape, you will need to do touch-ups
Get plenty of samples
Don’t rush your project
Keep your freshly painted room safe from pets and people till dry
Store your paint and samples appropriately

December 4, 2020January 29, 2021

10 Clever Ideas for Painting Window Frames

painting a window frame

Window frames are commonly an opportunity for creativity overlooked by homeowners. Keeping your walls white and then having the window frames provide a pop of color is all your room needs to give it a new look. Here are 10 ways you can paint your window frames for an easy upgrade to your home.

#1 – Try Red On The Inside Of The Window Frame

Rustic red can really make any window frame stand out. Using colors like a warm red can draw the attention of passersby to your home and is a great way of adding color.

#2 – Bright Orange Moulding

If you have a living room or kitchen that is white but want to add a bold color? Use orange! In a kitchen, orange is said to create hunger. This also works for a dining room Pops of color can be added anywhere in your home. Think inside the box (the box of your house) and paint those window frames.

#3 – Black Is the New White

This one may surprise you. Using black as a contrast with white actually deepens and enhances your room in a way that is easy on the eye. When planning your bathroom, painting the window frames can give it a Victorian touch without being too much.

#4 – Don’t Neglect the Exterior

blue-wall-white-window If you want to have a dramatic eye-catching color scheme for the outside of your house, using paint that contrasts with nature is a good idea. Blues and greens, on the other hand, will add color while retaining that natural effect. Using rustic colors can give your home a woodsy feel without all the trees.

#5 – Coffee Colors

Coffee lovers everywhere love this. Coffee tones, especially the lighter ones, work great on window frames in waiting rooms and offices in order to infuse a more classy feel to a room.

#6 – Pink or Yellow Window Frames for Babies

You commonly see parents painting murals on the walls of their nursery, but they neglect the window frames. Sometimes painting a soft pink or yellow on the window frames of your baby’s room can provide the effect you are looking for.

#7 – Mossy Green for the Bathroom

Green is back in style. Paint an olive or mossy green on your bathroom window frames for that cool pop of color and to give your bathroom a woodsy feel.

#8 – Two-tone it Up

green-wall-with window frame Do you have two contrasting colors that you want to use? There is nothing that says you can’t use two separate tones, one on the inner parts of your window frame and another on the larger areas. Make sure the colors pair well and nothing is off-limits.

#9 – Tone it Down

Do you already have a bright color on your walls and want to keep it? Consider painting your window frames a contrasting color to make that bright color really pop.

#10 – Consult a Color Wheel

color wheel

Are you confused about what colors will go with each other? Try looking at a color wheel in order to find colors that are complementary to one another for your window frames. Using colors from your existing decor to tie everything together is a great way to bring some color into your room.

How to Find Painting Companies in Your Area

Now that you have your colors picked out and your project in mind, you need to look into painting companies. Excellent Painters provides the professionals you need to get your window frames painted in Colorado.

What Information Will They Need From Me?

Zipcode
Project description
First and last name
Address of project
Phone number to contact you

After providing the above-indicated information you will be contacted by one of their estimators. They will provide you with a realistic estimate of the cost of your project. They do all the footwork for you so you can enjoy the project planning portion without having to hunt down a bunch of painting companies and figure out which ones are the best all by yourself.

Why Choose Excellent Painters Instead of Doing it Yourself?

There are many advantages to hiring a professional painting company to paint around your windows.

They will come to your home to see your project first hand unless you prefer a no contact estimate, which might be a good idea during a pandemic. This will make it easier for them to give you their opinions. While you may like the idea of neon green to match your sneakers; it may not actually be a great idea. A good painting company will gently inform you when something is just not going to look good.

You won’t have to worry about buying brushes, tools or paint. Paints must be stored at certain temperatures, Excellent Painters can worry about this while you focus on the project. Also, you won’t have to provide drop cloths and clean up afterward.

By choosing Excellent Painters you will not have to worry about the level of quality when it comes to your finished project. While they are working on giving you your dream set up you can enjoy other aspects of your home and family.

November 13, 2020November 13, 2020

Is Primer Necessary for House Painting?

priming a wall

Home renovation requires a lot of resources from building and repairing to house painting and redecorating. There are a variety of means and methods to get the job done. However, if you are a busy person and don’t have the time or the skills to do the work, you can always hire professionals to help you.

Hiring professionals is a great way to start and finish a painting job considering that they already know what they are doing and have all the right tools to accomplish the task. Pro painters will give your home a new look while ensuring a high quality of work.

Part of that work is laying down a coat of primer before you put on the colored paint. This is done to make sure the final colors will look as expected and also to cover up or conceal any imperfections in the old paint.

The Different Types of Primer?

There are various types of primers you can use depending on the surface to be painted. You have to understand how to select and use primers in painting in order to achieve the best quality results.

Oil-Based Primers

This primer is usually for surfaces that we touch the most, such as doors, windows, cabinets, and woods like cedar. Oil-based primer is also used for building exteriors. An example of an oil-base primer is shellac. It is used to coat surfaces that are prone to staining such as smoke stains, crayon, and oil-based adhesives. These primers work well on walls that have been damaged by water or smoke.

Water-Based Primers

Latex is an example of a water-based primer that’s use is to coat blocking stains and on surfaces that are filled with paste. Aside from that, latex is excellent on new drywall due to its flexibility on surfaces. If you are planning to use latex on wood, test it first in an inconspicuous space to make sure that it will not cause a rise in wood grain. We recommend a water-based primer if you are painting on plaster, masonry, brick, and metal surfaces. Water-based primers are commonly used on interior walls.

All-In-One Paint And Primer

This is a paint and primer in one. They accomplish this by making the paint really thick. These are designed to seal and cover surfaces on new drywall or previously painted walls. The downside, however, is that it does not perform as well as a stand-alone primer due to its thick formulation. In cases where there are bad stains or cracks that need sealing, this type of paint is not recommended.

Why Primer is Necessary for House Painting

Priming is usually necessary for most types of painting projects – be it on a canvas or the walls of your house. New drywall, wood, metal, concrete, and other types of surfaces need priming. You need to use a primer before your paint because most house materials and canvases will absorb the paint and so to get good coverage you will need additional coats. If you use a primer as your first coat, you can be certain your colored top coat will cover nicely and look as ex[ectedc. Primer is also cheaper than regular paint, so it’s cheaper to use one coat of primer and one coat of paint than it is to use 2 or 3 coats of paint with no primer.

Benefits of Applying a Primer

Seals the original materials to prevent paint from soaking in
Hiding seams and other imperfections in the wall
Seals over mold, stains, and discoloration from any previous paint color
Helps your new coat adhere to your wall

Primers are usually a neutral color such as light grey or white. This will enhance the color of your paint. Also, some paint stores would advise you to use a pigmented primer to make it closer to your last paint color. This technique is best if your final color is lighter than your original shade of surface.

Where to Hire House Painters?

A lot of websites are marketing different contractors for home renovation. However, there are also a lot of fake companies online that will promise you that they will finish the job but then leave you in the middle of the job.

Many people across Colorado trust and hire Excellent Painters due to their fast and reliable services. They are a legal third party company that will help you find contractors near your place and give you recommendations on when and what time it is best to do your home painting.

Why Choose Excellent Painters?

They use only the best quality paint and primer, from Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore, the latest technology, and expert painters to create a fresh new look for your home. Update your interior spaces with the latest trends in home colors creating a beautiful style throughout your interior, or give the outside of your home a makeover with fresh paint that will make it look new again. Contact Excellent Painters for a free quote today!

October 30, 2020

How to Know If House Painters in Denver Are Any Good

denver houses painted different colors

A couple of months back, I was walking around in my Denver neighborhood. I walked by a neighbor’s house and noticed a paint crew from Excellent Painters out front. This piqued my interest because I was thinking of getting some work done on the outside of my home. This made me think, there must be plenty of house painters in Denver. I thought to myself that I would really like to know if these house painters and others would do a good job on my home project.

I’m here to tell you that I found a way to figure out if they are any good or not without having to spend a dime on investing in my interest in who might be the best paint crew for me.

For me personally, I wanted a high-quality job. When you hire a professional, that means that they have the license to perform the job. I happen to consider many things when wondering about the quality of the work of house painters in Denver.

Interestingly, after all of the research that I did, I quickly came to the realization that it is a much easier process to figure this dilemma out than many people would think. That’s what I’m here to write about.

In this post, I want to go over exactly what you need to be looking for in a professional painter, and where you can go to find out all the info you need on the paint crews in your area. Let’s dive in!

What Should I Expect From A Professional Denver House Painter?

It is important to know that the bigger the project, the more experience you should look for in a paint crew. This will, of course, require planning. I’m so thankful that the house painters in Denver, Colorado that I chose to go with were willing to take on my project faster than I could imagine!

It is also vital to know what to look for when hiring a professional painter. Here are some things to keep in mind when scouting your own paint crew.

Expert Color Knowledge

Every ten years or so, it is a good idea to get your walls a new coat of paint to prevent cracking from occurring. It is also good for covering smudges and other marks. However, even though you may know that your paint needs refreshing, you may not know which color to go with. Genuine paint professionals will gladly consult with you about your color choices and even offer examples. They will even give you an answer on the number of coats it will take to do the project. Plus, they know what colors will best suit your home, inside or out. Professional painters keep you in the know so that you will be satisfied with the finished product.

A Professional Painting Job That Gives You More Than Just Paint

When it comes to the house painters in Denver, they do multiple coats of paint and ensure that the surface they are to paint on is ready to put paint on. They do things like cover nail holes, sand down parts of the wall that are uneven, clean the wall of dust and debris, and even prime before painting.

Additionally, they use quality materials and are quite good with their timing. Because I chose to use this professional painting service, I got a high-quality job I was searching for.

The professionals know exactly how to paint clean edges especially in those hard to reach places.

Quality Materials

In my opinion, great painters know why it is so crucial to use quality materials. This is how they give me the best result. Clearly, when it comes to priming and painting, high-quality materials are a must!

Importantly, knock-off brands and paint that is not made for what it is being used for is NOT an option. Especially for a reputable company. Personally, I feel that if the company uses lower-quality materials, their work will be of lower quality as well.

Estimated Pricing

If they are a trustworthy company, they WILL offer a price estimate BEFORE the project has begun. For me, it is pretty important to know what damage might be done to my wallet before I invest in it fully.

This is why it is so important to check around and compare prices for different paint companies. This is a good way to know exactly what you should be paying for certain services. You will find that in some instances, painting companies will match other’s quotes to ensure the business is done with you.

How to Find a House Painter in Denver

Once I made the decision to discover more about the house painters in Denver, I never looked back. When you decide to take that step, there are certain things you need to do in order to find out more about ALL of the painters in your area.

I used Excellent Painters. They are the best painting contractor in Denver, Colorado

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020

7 Home Security Hacks to Save Time and Reduce Cost

burglar_looking_in_window

What does your current home security system look like? Let’s assume that you at least have a basic home security system. If you don’t, then by the end of this post, you will know exactly where to go to get one

It is important to realize that every 13 seconds in the United States, a burglary happens. You don’t want you or your family to be next. These are straight facts. The most horrific part is the effect that a home invasion will have on you and your family.

According to the FBI’s most recent public data, you can see that over $3.9 Billion was literally lost because of burglaries in 2014. Basically, that would mean that the average burglary victim will lose at least $2,551 as the result of a home invasion. And, let’s not forget those who are losing so much more than materialistic things.

This comes along with a certain amount of trauma. This is both physical and emotional trauma that comes from being the victim of a home invasion. It is difficult to repair your peace of mind after something that traumatic. Many victims struggle with sleepless nights and have children that scare easily after an event like this.

Seven Home Security System Hacks

That’s why we want to help you find the solution to your home security system needs. It is clear that you can’t stop a home invasion. However, there are 7 simple tricks that can severely reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

1) Doors and Locks

Use a quality knob-in-lock set with a dead-bolt latch mechanism.
Use a solid core or metal door at entrance points.
Use a heavy-duty deadbolt, with a one-inch throw bolt.
Install a wide-angle peephole. This way you can view your entire entryway.
If you move into a new house or apartment, be sure to change the door locks. This is because you don’t want the previous tenants to be able to come in without your permission.
Anytime you buy new locks, it’s important that you remove and destroy the model stickers that come on the package. This is because many manufacturers only have a small number of tumbler combinations per model. The idea is that if you buy a two sets of locks, one for the front door and one for the back and they have the same tumbler combinations, you will be able to open both of your locks with the same key. That’s handy, but, if you just throw the box into the trash, a thief can literally find the box and make a trip to the hardware store and buy a lock with the same tumbler combination, and then he has a key to your home, too.

2) Sliding Glass Doors

This is the type of door that is usually secured by latches only. These are extremely vulnerable to attack. You can increase the security by inserting a wooden dowel metal track blocker into the door track. This will prevent movement.

3) Windows

The most common point of entry during warm weather months. This is because people open their windows and then leave them that way. This occurs at a way higher rate than with doors. An open window that can be seen from the street may be the only reason that burglars target the house. An open window with a window screen that locks is very inviting to thieves. This is because it’s very easy to get into the window quickly and quietly.

Windows actually have latches, not locks. That is why it is necessary to have secondary locking devices. Wooden sticks/dowels inserted into the tracks work well with horizontal sliding windows. If you have vertical windows, you can put the sticks through the frame pins.

For ventilation, you should never open any window more than 4-6in. Be certain that the window opening is not big enough to let someone reach through to unlock the door or remove the window lock.

4) Be a Good neighbor

It’s important to get to know your neighbors. As long as they are trustworthy, then you should agree to keep an eye on each other’s homes. Communicate with each other. This is especially important if you see or hear anything suspicious or unusual.

5) Home Security Lighting

It is very important to use your indoor lighting wisely. When it’s dark outside and the lights are on inside and it’s easy to see what’s going on inside a home unless the curtains or blinds are closed. Even then, it’s clear when people are at home because lights are on and that can create shadows on the blinds or bright spots around the edges of windows where the curtains don’t cover everything.

If you are on vacation you can set timers for things like lights, radios, and televisions. This will make it appear like somebody is home.

Outside lighting is also important. If you don’t have a home security system, then you need to use timers or motion sensors for all of your exterior lights. This is especially important at the rear of your home. Motion sensors will turn the lights on when a person approaches the building.

6) Identification of Stolen Goods

In the event that someone does break into your home and steal things you will want to make sure you can identify them later in case they are recovered or found to be for sale in a pawn shop or online. You can engrave an identification number on things like televisions, stereos, computers, and small electronic appliances. Keep a list of make, model, serial numbers, and any value of your important items. Keep this list in a separate location, like a safe deposit box or your workplace or with a trusted friend or relative. You definitely want to keep this list as accurate as you possibly can. It will be important if you have to file an insurance claim.

7) What if You See Something or Someone Acting Suspicious?

Pay attention, and if you see anyone acting suspiciously around your home or your neighbor’s home, then call 911 immediately.
If your house is broken into, you must call the police immediately. Don’t touch anything that the criminal may have touched. Wait outside for the police to arrive.
If you see a suspicious vehicle, then write down the license plate number.

Where to Find a Good Home Security

On top of doing all of these simple hacks, you need a home security system in place. If you don’t currently have one, then here’s where you can find the best home security available in Denver, or anywhere in Colorado. You can find the best Home Security Companies at Affordable Home Security. You could try your hand at buying the security equipment and installing it yourself, however, many things could go wrong. You want this for your family’s security, so you don’t want to make any mistakes when it comes to them.

October 23, 2020October 23, 2020

Does Painting My House Make It Worth More?

freshly-painted-house House painting not only breathes fresh life into your boring home it also increases the real estate value! If you are a buyer yourself, it’s certainly the house’s visual appeal that would catch your interest first. Painting not only hides flaws but also makes a home feel new and livable. There are other benefits of painting that make it an important part of your investment.

To increase a home’s market value, you need the help of professionals. Excellent Painters put in a lot of work to make your home look more appealing. Yes, you can do it yourself if you want to, but it will look better if you hire a trustworthy house painting company. This way, you can ensure the quality of the work.

But what does paint do that adds value to your home?

How Does House Painting Increase Your Home’s Value?

Aside from just increasing its appeal, house painting adds more character to your home. The more Pinterest-worthy looking it is, the more it attracts the buyer’s attention. A house’s color scheme also adds a mood and charm to make it more attractive. Here are the top reasons it can increase your home’s value:

Paint Prevents Damage

Paint is the first line of protection against the changing weather. It also prevents dust and mites from thriving inside your home. House painting in Denver, Colorado, or anywhere else, keeps it protected against these elements making it a great protective barrier. Wise buyers know the good paint means a good investment.

Paint Increases the Life of the Property

Most Colorado house sellers capitalize on painting to extend what business people call the life of the asset. As mentioned above, it prevents damage to your home. Evaluators look at that as a simple guide to assess the longevity of your home. That is if you pick quality paint rather than substandard paint. Professional painters know the good paint from the lousy paint and will apply it in the correct way. Painting might be simple, but it can do so much to give a great impression. A good first impression also improves marketability. If your house looks good at first glance, it will be easier to sell.

Paint Hides Dirt And Marks

Unsightly marks and stains create a negative vibe. Peeling and cracking surfaces do the same. Painting works well to erase marks from the previous occupants of a house. No one wants to buy a house with a shabby interior. So, you need fresh paint inside and out.

It Improves Indoor Quality

Interior paints do plenty to improve the quality of your home. The smell of fresh paint is more appealing than any lingering odors from previous use. Buyers will get the impression that your house for sale is suitable for them to live in. Color selection is another reason why you need a bit of professional advice. Pros have more knowledge of paint products and color arrangements. The right choice will give the house the kind of positive feeling that it needs to impress buyers.

It Increases The Buyer’s General Impression

A house that needs painting sells for a lower price than a freshly painted one. That’s because some buyers also look at the visual quality of a home for sale. Colors give beauty to anything they touch. A freshly painted house means that the owner invested money to keep the house well maintained which in turn makes the home worth more. Although house painting may seem like a minor task, it does add a significant amount to your house’s total value.

Where to Look for a Reliable Painting Company in Colorado?

For all your house painting needs, Excellent Painters has your back. They will provide you with the best house painters available in Colorado.

July 20, 2020October 15, 2020

Why You Need a Home Security System

burglar prying open front door

You may not see a lot of crime in your neighborhood. You may not own a lot of expensive things. Why would any thief want to break into your house when the place next door has better stuff to steal? These are all good points. I thought the same things. Then my house got broken into and a bunch of stuff was stolen.

What Do Thieves Want?

Commonly, thieves don’t know what they are going to get before they break into a house. Unless the thief is a neighbor, which may sometimes be the case, they have no idea what you have and it’s not like a movie where the jewel thief cases the joint for weeks to determine what’s there and how best to get it. No. Most home burglars are crack heads or other addicts looking for anything they can steal so they can turn it into quick cash to feed their habit. They aren’t breaking in because they know you have something valuable. They are breaking in to steal anything they can find.

My Story

In my case, one day I got home from work and found the front door hanging open. I later noticed that the deadbolt lock was still locked. The thieves had taken a crowbar to the front door and popped it open in broad daylight just like a potato chip can. Nothing good ever comes from that. Inside I discovered my TV was gone. My computer was missing, along with the backup drive I kept plugged into it for security reasons. Oops! And then the big one… All the Christmas presents I had purchased and wrapped up ready to be delivered to family and friends. The theft happened 3 days before Christmas. What’s funny is that the gifts weren’t all that great. If they hadn’t been wrapped up, the thieves probably wouldn’t have bothered. They also took my favorite leather jacket. I had a really big scary looking dog, but he was safely locked up in the backyard. I suspect that more would have been stolen if the dog wasn’t there. He generally threw himself, all 100+ pounds of himself, up against the back door when he wanted someone to let him in. That’s probably what scared the thieves off.

It wasn’t a high-crime neighborhood. It is a nice boring older suburban area. The houses weren’t big, fancy, or new. The people living there were mostly working-class, so not a ton of money or expensive things. It’s the kind of neighborhood you lived in because you couldn’t afford anything better. A friend warned me that sometimes the thieves come back a month or two later after insurance has paid off and you’ve replaced all the stolen items.

I Installed a Home Security System

I will probably never know why my house was broken into instead of the neighbor’s, but I put a quick stop to it by installing a home security system. Nothing fancy, just a couple of detectors that would tell you if one of the doors was opened and a motion detector in the living room. This was fine because it was a small house with only a front door and a back door. The motion detector was placed such that nobody could get to or from the bedrooms without setting off the motion detector. There was a keypad by the front door so I could turn the system on or off when I left home or arrived back. I also put a sign in the yard and stickers on the windows. A relatively simple system that did the trick. I was never broken into again.

While it was a simple home security system, I had it installed by professionals since I didn’t really know how to do it myself. I just called the first company that I found, but later discovered that other companies had better systems for cheaper. Don’t make that mistake. Use GetYourQuote.com to help you determine which home security company you should use to install and monitor your system. They’ve already figured out which companies are the best and most trustworthy.