The Right Color & Look for You

Picking The Right Color For You Blog

Ready to give a dated room a fresh and affordable makeover? Time to put a quick touch on your house before going to market? Painting is the way to go. There are a large number of Painters in South Jersey, but the choices don’t stop there. Based on your own or potential buyers’ preferences, the color & look you choose means a lot and can achieve different styles in their own way.

Paint Types

Let us start off easy. Before choosing a specific color and sheen, the first decision to be made is what paint type to use. Ultimately, this comes down to what exactly you are painting and time constraints. Latex paint is most commonly used and preferred. The reasons behind this are quite simple. Latex paint has ease of clean up and great durability, which provides more resistance to fading and is less prone to blistering. Ideally, latex paint is the perfect match for walls and household uses. However, latex paint is not ideal for wood finishing and trim work. This is why oil paint comes in. Oil paint does a better job of sealing stains and knots against wood in comparison to latex. Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of taking longer to dry than latex paint. With this being said, the paint type you choose is dictated heavily by the job you want to be performed.

Sheen Selection

The next step in the process is selecting the proper sheen. There is a large variety of sheens on the market. Different levels of gloss and flats span the entire color selection, and each plays a role in how to meet your needs and style. High gloss paints are perfect for high traffic rooms, such as playrooms. The reason is how easy it is to clean the walls. With kids being quite messy, it is essential to be able to clean your walls easily with a damp sponge or cloth rather than spending hours out of your day. The downside to this is blemishes are more easily noticeable, which makes high gloss a no-go for living room walls.

Semi-gloss and satin sheens are also quite popular and are a good hybrid between high gloss and a more matte sheen. Semi-gloss and satin sheens are fairly easy to clean and don’t give off as much shine as a high gloss paint. These sheens are a perfect couple with spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways. On the cost side, these sheens are cheaper than high gloss sheens.

Lastly, flat or matte sheens play roles in bringing out the perfect look for you and your family. If walls have a lot of imperfections, a flat or matte sheen can cover these issues well in comparison to the other sheens mentioned. Again, a particular type comes with certain cons. Flat or matte sheens don’t stand up as good to rigorous cleaning and tend to show fingerprints and dirt a lot easier. Be mindful of this when choosing which room you are about to paint. The last thing you want is a freshly painted room to get attacked by kids or visitors within hours of it drying.

Colors, Shades, & The Look

The choices of what color and shade to go with correlate to what look you are aiming to achieve. Let us take a look at some popular looks and what they entail.

Relaxation: If you are looking for a color scheme and approach that reinforces calmness and peacefulness, light color choices are definitely an option. As expected, psychology plays a role here. Choices of blues, lavenders, pinks, greens, pinks, and soft yellows can achieve this goal. Choosing light shades of these colors can really make a room perfect for taking a breather and hanging out.

Flexibility: If you are looking for a color scheme and approach that reinforces a sophisticated and refined look, neutral colors can be of assistance. Colors such as whites, beiges, reddish browns, rust, and so forth. The whites, creams, and beiges give you the elegant look and offer the appearance of depth and space. The reddish browns and earthy colors offer more of an immediate richness and sophistication.

Vibrance: If you are looking for a color scheme and approach that reinforces a lot of pizzaz, choose vibrant, eye-catching colors like oranges, golds, reds, and purples. This can be a hard look and feel to pull off at times and may require a leap of faith. A great rule of thumb is to choose two colors next to each other on the color wheel and one from the opposite side of the color wheel. This will achieve a deal of contrast and a sense of energy for the room.

Don’t Wait For ‘Spring Cleaning’

DIY painting

So-called “spring cleaning” is overrated. Maybe it’s just the desire to stretch your legs after enduring a long winter of being confined to the interior of your office or business, but it’s the lead-up to that months-long span that you should spend getting your affairs in order. Think about it: Freezing cold, snow, hail, and whipping winds are going to keep you inside for a good period of time; why not work on getting those repairs knocked out now? This is exactly what commercial painters like South Jersey’s Rainer Painting Company can offer you. If you’ve got repairs or repainting that need to be completed before the elements start beating them up during the winter, then commercial painters offer the best solution to that problem. In this article, we’ll explore just some of the reasons why you should hire an outside company to tackle the toughest improvement projects that need immediate addressing.

Appearance matters: Even if it’s purely cosmetic, the need to completely paint or touch up surfaces shouldn’t be ignored. That’s because paint serves a pretty important purpose: To protect the structure from rust, rot, mold, and insect infestation. True, it’s often also aesthetically appealing and a garish rainbow-colored storefront isn’t going to make too many neighbors happy, but commercial painters will leave that part up to you. What’s more, some of the best commercial painters currently available will also often offer reduced rates for monthly or quarterly touch-up work.

Structural concerns: With so many people coming and going through your building, there’s bound to be a few dents and dings to walls. In cases such as this, you can hire commercial painters to offer drywall and stucco repair work along with minor wood replacement and even baseboard installation. If you let these repairs go or attempt to patch them up yourself, you open yourself up to future damages and even worker injury.

The hallmarks: If you’re considering hiring an outside company to come and fix things up, then it’s clear that you are concerned about top-rate work.  Fortunately for you, some of the best commercial painters will cut no corners as they carry out the work you’ve hired them for. You can expect a neat workspace, quality workmanship, and reliable service. If the project can be completed in one day, many companies will aim to fall within that timeframe and such speed will save you money in the process.

Three Reasons Why Painting Your Roof Can Save You Money

Reasons to Paint Your Roof Blog

The roof of your home — or any type of structure for that matter — is the first line of defense against the elements. Snow, rain, wind, and extreme heat are deflected by this critical construction component that will require upkeep from time to time. From replacing separated shingles to addressing ponding water, it’s vital to deal with problems upstairs before they make their way into your home by way of leaks, mold, and overall weakening. One such exterior house painting project you can undertake to ensure structural integrity is roof painting. While other exterior projects are more closely intended for beautification purposes, roof painting is squarely aimed at longevity. Below, you’ll find three reasons why any home or business owner should consider hiring a professional painting service to carry out a roof painting project. Sure, everyone considers cleaning out the gutters but aim your eyes a little higher and you’ll see why roof painting can also save you money in the long run.

  1. Life extension: The main purpose for repainting a roof is to ensure that it’s going to do the job it’s designed to do. Specialized paints are available to adhere to the various roof surfaces out there and survive the weight of the elements that will be bearing down on it. Some experts say such a coat could last you decades, but only if it’s applied by professionally skilled painters.
  2. New looks: If you leave anything outside long enough, it’ll start to fade from constant exposure to the sun. If the tiles, shingles or metal surface of your roof is starting to fade, hire a professional painting company to lay down a fresh coat. Not only will your home look better, but the inherent benefits of a new protective layer will come with it. Consider this route if you’re looking to sell your home but want to address this unsightly issue first.
  3. Unexpected benefits: Once you get over the sometimes startling appearance, the benefits of a roof painted white will present themselves both inside and in your checkbook. The idea here is that a white roof deflects more sunlight than a black one or any other darker color, thus remaining at a lower temperature than its counterparts. If more sunlight is reflected, then the temperature inside will be cooler too, thus keeping your air conditioning bill down.

Summer Is The Right Time to Hire Exterior House Painting Service

Exterior House Painting Service Summer Blog

If you missed the window for spring cleaning, warm weather is here to stay. That means many more opportunities for all those outdoor projects you’ve been meaning to get around to! If you’ve been looking at your home and thinking that it’s time to get it repainted or spruced up with a fresh coat, then many local exterior house painting services are available to take the brushes and rollers out of your hand.

A project of this scope and skill level is best left to professionals. Trust us, the last thing you’re going to want to do after wrapping up is climb up a ladder once again because you missed a spot or the paint job looks a little shoddy when viewed from a distance. That doesn’t mean there aren’t a few places where you can’t lend a hand, but we’ll get to that later. Moreover, truly professional painting companies will offer additional services that enhance their work such as minor wood replacement, stucco or drywall repair, and power-washing of the home. With that in mind, we’re here to offer some industry tips and tricks when it comes to house painting during the summer months.

  • Weather the storm: Late afternoon storms are a summer staple in South Jersey where Rainer Painting has been based since 1988. Get an early start and wrap up early to avoid ran washing away the fruits of your labor.
  • Penny-pinchers beware: If you’re leaning toward hiring a company to come out and paint the exterior or interior of your house, don’t skimp on quality products. The professionals you’ve hired are likely to make recommendations on which paints are best suited to your home, the material that’s being painted and the environment. Heed their advice!
  • Consider your surroundings: If you want to lend a hand, start straightening up your yard. Get the patio furniture, the grill, small pools, sprinklers, hoses and any other outdoor attractions out of the way. Your painting crew is likely to lay down blankets or tarps to keep paint from getting places where it shouldn’t. This gesture on your part will be appreciated and cut down on the time the company will have to spend preparing.

Choosing the Right South Jersey Painting Contractor

House painting is one of the most common home improvements. A fresh coat of paint can reinvigorate your home and bring it back to life.  While some homeowners choose to execute a painting project on their own, it’s best to hire a professional painting contractor to ensure a job well done.  Consider the following tips when choosing the right South Jersey painting contractor.

Ask Around

Do you know someone who recently had their house painted? Get referrals from friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers who have had a positive experience with a South Jersey painting contractor. If you need more options, you can also search for local painting contractors on a listing site like Angie’s List, or do a simple Google search to find painters near you.

Consider Knowledge and Experience

Ensure the painting contractor is experienced. Ask how long the contractor has been in business and for examples of past projects. Choose a company that has been in operation for several years. The contractor should be very knowledgeable of the best painting tools and latest trends and be able to offer recommendations and answer any questions you may have.

Check References

Once you’ve found a potential house painter, ask for two or three more references from past customers. Call the references to speak to them directly about their experiences with the company.

Confirm Licensing and Insurance

Make sure the contractor has a state-issued license, as well as workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. If the company has direct employees, then they are covered by the workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. Sub-contractors should have their own insurance policies. Regardless, the company should be able to provide proof of insurance for employees and sub-contractors.

Get a Formal Estimate

Get a formal estimate that properly details the cost and scope of work. If it’s more than a day’s work, it should provide the time frame in which it will be completed.

At Rainer Painting, we have been providing quality interior and exterior home painting services in South Jersey since 1988. Whether you need your house repainted or complete kitchen remodels, we’re here to help. Contact our house painters in South Jersey today for a free estimate: 856-786-8121.