The #1 Painter In New York

Painting isn’t a hard job, but it takes experience and skills to bring out a professional finish. It takes more effort than simply buying paint and slapping it on a surface. Creating a perfect finish begins with prior preparation, including choosing the correct paint and cleaning the surfaces. It is imperative to know how to move your brushes when doing the actual painting. You must also understand what to do with your working tools when the job is complete.

Doing some research before starting the project will save you a lot of headaches, time, and even money. This article provides you with valuable tips to help you do a better job at painting. Keep reading and learn more about Long Island painting.

1. Set Aside a Prep Day

Preparation is essential in everything, including painting. Putting things in order before the commencement of the project makes the work many times more manageable. First, don’t try to do everything in one day. You don’t want to break your back in an attempt to revamp your house. So, set a day to prepare the room you are painting. And, on this day, be sure to do the following:

Cover or move furniture

Maybe your furniture costs you an arm and a leg, and, honestly speaking, paint can destroy it. It’s impractical to move every piece of furniture out of the room. Small hard furnishings such as light stands and coffee tables can be carried out of the room. However, beds, dining tables, suites, and couches can be moved to the center of the room and covered with large cloths.

Remove appliances and electronics

The refrigerator, stove, gaming system, stereo, and television are all expensive. You should protect them from paint and being mishandled on the painting day. It is best to move them out of the room instead of covering them since they are not bulky.

Remove ornaments and wall hangings

You also don’t want to damage your lavish wall hangings during painting. And, of course, they will get on your way when applying the paint. So, remove everything hanging on the wall, including decorative wall art, candle holders, mirrors, clocks, and picture frames.

Protect soft furnishings

It’s important to remove rugs, mats, and carpet from the floor to prevent them from absorbing paint. Roll them up and cover them with plastic bags. Also, clear away blinds, drapes, and curtains from the windows.

Remove hardware

Painting around light fixtures, outlet covers, switch plates, doorknobs, and cabinet knobs can be tedious. If possible, remove them, put them in clear bags, and fix them back when the paint is dry. This goes for Long Island and other areas.

2. Gather All Your Working Tools

Having all the tools you need in place makes painting easy and enjoyable. Set aside a tool station to organize all the tools and materials you’ll be using. Be sure to gather the following items:

Paintbrushes: Have both natural and synthetic brushes. Synthetic brushes are used in oil-based paints, while natural ones are used in water-based paints.
Rollers: A foam paint roller can help you achieve an extremely smooth surface. Buy a few roller covers if you’ll be painting more than one color.
Pad painters: These will help you to apply the paint neatly and in a simple manner.
Drop cloths: You need to get drop cloths to protect the floor and the items you’ve not removed from the room. The best material is heavy canvas since it is less slippery.
Other Items: Rags, putty knife, sandpaper, painter’s tape, and paint tray.

3. Vacate Your Family

It is essential to restrict people from the work area for several reasons. First, you don’t want your family members to inhale paint fumes that can be hazardous to their health. Secondly, paint that drops on the floor can cause accidental falls, leading to fractures and other injuries. Children and pets can also knock over paint cans while playing in the room, which means digging into your pocket again to buy new paint.

If you are painting one room, restrict it from other people. But if you are painting the entire house, it might be wise to vacate the house until the job is done. Pay for a short vacation or spend time in a relative’s place.

4. Prepare and Clean the Walls

Is there a need to clean the walls, yet they’re getting a fresh coat of paint soon? The answer is yes. Fixing imperfections on the wall and cleaning it makes a massive difference in the final finish. So, here are steps to take when preparing the walls to paint:

Inspect the walls

An inspection of the surfaces helps you identify cracks, holes, flaking paint, and bumps. You may circle these spots lightly so you can locate them quickly when treating them.

Fix cracks and holes

Use filler for holes and cracks and smooth it with sandpaper. You may also apply sealant on the surface. Scrape flaking paint and bumps with the painter’s scraper and then sand and seal the flaws.

Dust and clean the walls

Use a small vacuum to remove dust from the ceiling and walls. Also, remove cobwebs using a long handle brush. Wipe away remaining stains and debris using a sponge, water, and detergent. It is essential to clean the walls a few days in advance to allow them to dry well.

Use painter’s tape on edges

To avoid applying paint on adjacent surfaces, which you don’t want to pain, you need to use tape to cover the edges. The painter’s blue tape is the best for this job. Unlike masking tape, the painter’s tape doesn’t leave behind a sticky residue.

5. Use a Primer

The best base coat is the tinted primer. A primer hides imperfections on the wall and helps to minimize the number of paint coats needed. Besides that, the primer allows the paint to stick better to the wall. If the wall is fresh, you can apply a water-based primer. For older walls, an oil-based primer would be ideal for covering heavy stains. Apply the primer with a roller, starting from the floor to the ceiling.

6. Buy Good Paint

Your choice of paint will profoundly affect the final finish. It might be highly tempting to go for the cheapest varieties, but it’s always not the best decision. Sometimes good quality comes at a higher cost. But, what matters most is to choose the paint that meets your needs and budget. There are a variety of critical factors to consider when selecting your home paint. They include:

· Determine the number and size of rooms to be painted as well as the number of paint coats needed. This will help you to determine the amount of paint you need. And, of course, you will avoid buying excess or lesser paint.
· Consider the existing décor in your home so you can choose the right colors. Make sure the paint colors are blending well with furniture and furnishings in the room. The size of the rooms also determines the color choice. Larger rooms are brighter, while smaller rooms are darker.
· The traffic you expect in the room will determine your choice of sheen. There are different polish types, such as satin, semi-gloss, and gloss, with varying levels of durability.
· If you are painting exterior walls, consider the chemical composition of the paint. This will influence the durability of the paint as well as the effects of weather on the paint.
· Also, find out which type of paint will work best for you – is it oil-based or water-based paint? Oil-based paints cover larger areas, dry slowly, and are the best for dry climates. On the other hand, water-based paints dry quickly, are environmentally-friendly, and easy to clean off.

7. Take the Necessary Safety Measures

Painting has its share of risks, just like other home improvement activities. As such, you must protect yourself and those around you from accidents and injuries. Here are some necessary precautionary steps to take:

Buy appropriate personal protective equipment (PPEs) – Paint contains chemicals that can irritate your eyes and skin. Therefore, you should cover your body with PPEs such as gloves, goggles, dust masks, and overall.
Ensure adequate ventilation – Paint fumes are hazardous and may cause nausea, headaches, and dizziness. To avoid this, ensure the room is well ventilated. Open all windows and doors to allow the circulation of air.

Other precautions – they include:

· Acquire a good ladder
· Seal the area from children and pets
· Avoid drinking, eating, and smoking in the workplace
· Allow the paint to dry completely
· Clean the place thoroughly

8. Paint Like a Pro

It is essential to mix the paint before you apply it to the wall. This ensures the consistency of the paint. When using more than one paint can, mix all of it in a large bucket. This is because shades in different cans can differ even if they are the same color and brand. This process of mixing is known as boxing.

If you want an excellent result, be orderly in your painting. Begin by painting the trim, followed by the ceiling and lastly the walls. Paint the trim with a hand brush to ensure precision. Once you are done with the frame and ceiling, fill up the walls by rolling paint on the surfaces.

Work from the top going down to avoid dripping paint on the floor. If the surfaces need an extra coat, wait for 2-4 hours for the first layer to dry. Ensure that you apply the paint the same way you applied the first coat.

9. Clean All Your Working Tools

To end your project well, clean up all your tools and equipment. You will need them in good shape for your next project. Use mineral spirit to clean oil-based paintbrush and soapy water for the water-based paintbrush and rollers.

Clean all the other tools with water and soap. When they are all clean, dry them in the sun and store them in a cool and dry place. If any paint remains in the can, you should hummer the lid and keep it in a dry place.

10. Allow the Paint to Dry

A newly painted room looks glamorous, and anyone would want to enjoy the space immediately. However, you need to be patient if you wish to achieve outstanding results. Allow the paint to dry overnight before you can start using the room.

Avoid touching the surface but look for drips, lumps, and thin spots that need to be fixed before you call it a day. If the paint is completely dry the next day, remove the painter’s tape, clean the room and return the furniture.

As you can see, painting doesn’t have to be a headache. With these professional tips, you can rest assured of achieving well-polished walls. Just remember to invest in quality paint and painting tools. And always feel free to refer to this article anytime you are painting your home.

What is Spray Foam Insulation?

This form of insulation, also known as the spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a different method when compared to the regular house and building insulation system. In this insulation, a blend of isocyanate and polyol resin mix at the end of a particular gun and forms a foam. This foam is used as a spray and can be applied on the roof tiles, floors and the cracks that may appear between the wall spaces, or through the holes in the pit of a completed wall.

Why go for the Spray Foam Insulation?

People often feel overwhelmed by the investments they have to make for spray foam insulation and the time it can take to use this spray. However, if you look into the benefits, this system provides you will understand the investment is worth the returns you get in the long term. When compared to other types of insulation, the foam insulation performs better with more margins.

The spray foam insulation is an expansive formation and is a potent agent. This foam shuts out the nooks and crannies entirely that is not possible with other types of insulations. The foam resistance value to deliver an air-tight cover is the best available solution available in the market today.

You see immediate energy savings on your bills when you use the spray foam insulation. The spray foam is strong insulators, and people who use these insulators in their homes and buildings see significant saving that is 50% more than any other type of insulation can offer.

One major problem that follows the hole and cracks in the wall is the penetration of water and moisture through the open cracks. This moisture can lead to fungus and can damage the structure of the house. When spray foam is the method of insulation, you work with a system that completely blocks water and moisture as it is a complete sealing agent. Due to these reasons, people prefer to use spray foam as their priority of insulation in those areas that are more exposed to moisture and water infiltration.

Spray foam contains an inert polymer that is resistant to any formations of mold or other forms of bacteria. Homes that use this insulation system are well-protected against fungus, mold, and mildew.

You can search for local contractors near you who provide all services pertaining to the implementation of this insulation system. You have the option to meet the consultants and schedule your quote before you agree to this form on insulation. With time the benefits of this activity will cover for all the costs you incur in using this system.

There are different types of insulation materials for insulating the houses and other buildings. The options include fiberglass, spray foam, cellulose, mineral wool and radiant barrier. Proper installation is necessary to ensure you get the maximum benefits of insulating your rooms. When selecting the insulation material, take into account the type of home you have, the rooms you want to insulate, the climate condition of your area, and your budget.

Some types of insulation materials are poured while others are just placed in the prepared slots. Consult a building insulation expert to know more details. This work should be handled by a professional and certified installer because most insulating materials pose health risks. The installers have to wear protective gears to protect themselves from the toxic effects of the insulating material. At the same time, the risks of toxic effects remain only during the installation process. Once the insulation has set in its place, it does not pose any harm to the residents. It becomes a sterile and smell free element.

Get a written cost estimate from the contractor based on the R-value of the insulation you need. The quotes will vary from one contractor to another. Do not go only for the lowest price quote. You should assess many other factors when comparing the installation quotes of different contractors. Keep in mind that some services that are necessary for this process may be charged extra. For example, some contractors will charge extra for a preparatory air sealing service.

Once the insulation is installed, inspect all parts of the rooms carefully. Make sure there are no gaps in the coverage. Additional small amounts of insulating material are applied to fill the corners and crevices that are not filled during the main process. If trying to do it yourself, make sure you follow all safety precautions, local building codes, fire safety laws, and manufacturer’s instructions. Read the instructions carefully and take help of other people. You will need proper equipment, tools and safety gears to complete this task.

It is better to let a professional installer do this job. These installers use proper safety gears. They know how to do this type of job and have experience in this field. They use industrial grade equipment to complete this job properly, quickly and easily. The rooms should be properly ventilated during this process to prevent indoor heat and condensation buildup. Start this work only after plugging all the air gaps, leakages and drafts. Cover all household items and belongings completely before starting this process. Vacuum all your clothing after the insulation process is completed.

Home insulation involves complex processes that should only be handled by a professional contractor. If you are on the market for an insulation contractor, chances are that you are lost on whom to choose. This is attributed to the fact that all the contractors in your search engine results claim to offer the best services. It is advised that you take as much time as you can researching on all potential insulation service providers before investing your money on the services.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring Insulation Contractors

Are you licensed and Insured? – It is important that you only work with a licensed contractor. Contractors must first adhere to strict rules and regulations before they are given a license to operate in your region. A license will therefore serve as an indication of professionalism and you’ll be safer working with such a service provider. Insurance, especially the Workmans Compensation Insurance, protects you against lawsuits and financial responsibility in case a worker gets injured while insulating your home.

Are You a Member of the Better Business Bureau?

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a non-profit organization that ranks businesses, non-profit organizations and charities by using an accredited business system. This system mainly focuses on the feedback left by consumers who can leave complaints or rate business based on their previous experiences working with them. A contractor who is registered with the BBB is likely to be confident with the service they offer as their reputation is at stake, making them the best to work with.

What Materials do you use and why? – An insulation contractor should possess vast knowledge of all the products they are recommending as well those they don’t use. Find out why they are recommending the products they’ll be using on your home and try to figure out how much they know about them.

How much experiences do you have working on similar projects? – A contractor that specializes on the specific service you are looking for will be the best to work with. If you are looking to insulate your attic or crawl spaces, then make sure you only hire someone that understands well the processes involved.

Do you offer warranty with your services? – Reliable contractors will offer lifetime warranties with all their services. This way, if any issues were to occur in the future, you wouldn’t be forced to spend more money on fixing damages.

It is common for homeowners to hire the first contractors they come across or get lured in by low prices. To avoid making the same mistakes, go through the vetting process and stay away from contractors that push to get started on the project before doing a thorough inspection of your home.