What You Need to Know About Lead Paint

What You Need to Know About Lead Paint

Many house hunters seek an older home for its architectural details and character – qualities they believe are lacking in new construction. For homes built before 1978, however, there may be danger lurking beneath their charming features – lead-based paint.

Once widely used for exterior and interior applications, lead was added to paint to accelerate drying, increase durability, maintain a fresh appearance and resist moisture. Lead also made paint colors bright and rich, thereby boosting lead paint’s popularity among homeowners. Although its health hazards were reported long before the mid-20th century, the substance wasn’t banned for use in paint on the national level until 1978 – although some states banned it even earlier.

Why Lead Paint is a Hazard – Both Interior and Exterior

As you probably already know, lead is a toxic substance, exposure to which can cause the following symptoms:

  • Headaches
  • Irritability
  • Loss of appetite
  • Memory loss
  • Weakness
  • Diminished motor skills
  • Abdominal pain
  • High blood pressure
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Depression
  • Feeling distracted

 

Long-term chronic health conditions involve every major organ – such as heart and kidney disease, as well as encephalopathy, which is a term for any disease of the brain that alters brain function or structure.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Lead is particularly dangerous to children because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead … A pregnant woman’s exposure to lead … is of particular concern because it can result in exposure to her developing baby.”

Lead-based paint is a silent hazard. It poses no immediate risk as long as it’s undisturbed. However, once it begins to peel and flake, people and pets can become exposed. Young children, especially, tend to chew on railings or other paint-covered surfaces, or touch walls and then put their hands in their mouth. On home exteriors, lead paint that chips off and falls on the ground also contaminates the soil.

As home expert Lauren Phillips writes in her article for Real Simple, “Lead-based paint is most dangerous when it is deteriorating – peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, etc. Take extreme caution if you plan to disturb the paint for a big renovation, a repair, or simply a new coat. These activities can create toxic lead dust.”

If you own an older home and notice interior or exterior paint cracking and/or peeling, don’t just hope for the best. Testing the existing paint is the only way to know for certain. Although there are home testing kits for lead that are inexpensive and widely available, according to the EPA, they are not particularly accurate. Our blog post – “How to Stay Safe When Painting Homes With Lead-Based Paint” – covers this topic in greater detail.

Per EPA recommendations, look for a lead abatement company to perform the test. The Paint Manager is a Lead-Safe EPA Certified Firm that has received certification to conduct lead-based paint renovation, repair and painting activities. Please visit the Certifications and Credentials page of our website to view The Paint Manager’s certification.

Should you be in the market for an older home, be aware that although the seller is required to disclose if lead-based paint is present, the seller may not know about it. The federal lead disclosure requirements can be found at 42 U.S.C.A. §§ 4851-56. Those selling their home “as-is” must also disclose the existence of lead paint.

Can You Paint Over Lead Paint?

While this would seem to be an easy solution, there are several factors to consider. According to John McCarter of McCarter Construction, if the existing lead-based paint and surface are in good condition, painting over it can form a protective barrier against the lead paint’s toxins. This process is known as encapsulation.

However, McCarter cautions that not just any kind of paint will safely cover the older, lead-based paint. “There are specific paints qualified as encapsulants that must be used to ensure that dust and fumes are minimized. This special paint is applied carefully and precisely over the lead-based paint to seal it, preventing toxic elements from being inhaled.

“Although homeowners can apply an encapsulant on their own, hiring a professional who is certified to do lead-based paint treatment is the safest way to properly encapsulate a painted space.”

McCarter emphasizes that encapsulation isn’t the solution for every situation.

“If your home exterior [or interior] paint is peeling or flaking, deteriorating, chipped or bubbling, then encapsulation is not a good idea. This is because any paint used to do the encapsulation is very likely to peel and flake as well. Eventually, the toxins underneath the top layer of certified encapsulant paint will still be exposed, creating dangerous conditions for anyone who comes in contact with it.”

Why Removing Lead Paint Isn’t a DIY Job

Should your lead-based paint not be a candidate for encapsulation, removal and repainting by an EPA-certified lead-based paint mitigation professional is the only option that can guarantee the job is performed to standards that will ensure a safe, non-toxic environment. Homeowners lack the equipment, personal protective clothing, training and experience to safely remove lead-based paint.

As Phillips points out, to avoid contact with toxic lead dust, painters must wear filtered masks, specialized suits and gloves. They also must seal the area (if it is not a whole-house renovation), so the dust doesn’t spread to other rooms, and properly dispose of any materials – especially if demolition is involved. Your health and that of your family are not worth risking in an attempt to save money.

“If lead paint is present, contractors are legally obligated to follow these steps and other lead-safe work practices (governed by the Renovation, Repair, and Painting, or RPR, Rule) to reduce risk to employees, residents of the home, and the surrounding environment. Failure to follow these rules can lead to a hefty fine.”

Assuming you’ve already done some online research on removing lead-based paint yourself, pay attention to the red flags that come up. Some websites mention using a wet/dry shop vacuum with a HEPA air filter to clean up lead-based paint chips and dust from the work area. However, they fail to mention how to dispose of contaminated items – including clothing. An EPA-certified abatement company will provide environmentally safe disposal methods that keep lead out of the landfill – and out of your life once and for all. 

Don’t Take Chances With Lead-Based Paint Removal – Leave It To Our Professionals!

As mentioned earlier, The Paint Manager is a Lead-Safe EPA Certified Firm that has received certification to conduct lead-based paint renovation, repair and painting activities. We can test for the presence of lead-based paint, as well as remove it or properly encapsulate it, according to the situation. We also provide this service to owners of commercial and industrial properties. Don’t take chances by doing this hazardous job yourself!

The Paint Manager has been proudly serving Central Florida homeowners for over 20 years with experienced, dedicated and professional services that include full-service exterior and interior house painting, roof repair and cleaning, drywall repair, popcorn ceiling texture removal, cabinet refinishing and so much more!

Plus, become a member of The Paint Manager to receive a 15% year-‘round member’s discount. Contact us to learn more about our services and membership discount offer. We look forward to meeting you!

Common Interior Painting Mistakes to Avoid

Common Interior Painting Mistakes to Avoid

So you’ve decided to take the DIY approach and paint the interior walls of your house! If this is your first time tackling such a project, you may think it looks easy, based on what you’ve seen on cable TV home makeover shows. Isn’t it amazing how an entire room can be painted and everything moved back into perfect place in just one hour? However, in the real world, painting even a small space requires a good deal of careful planning and preparation. And even those who have some experience perhaps didn’t get the result they expected because they missed one or more key steps in the process.

In the interest of setting up your project for success, our house painting experts at The Paint Manager offer this guide of common interior painting mistakes to avoid. Prevention is always easier than correction!

Mistakes in Paint Selection

This may seem fairly straightforward. You find a color you like based on the color chips on display in the home improvement center’s paint department or paint store and buy it. Yet the color of the paint itself differs from that of the color chip – which isn’t painted, it’s printed on heavy stock paper. Because it isn’t real paint on a real wall, the color can’t be accurate – it’s just a close approximation.

Spare yourself the shock, disappointment and expense of discovering this too late by asking for paint samples of the colors that interest you, and “audition” them at home. You’ll be painting the wall anyway, so brush some generous swatches of each color to see the actual shade, and how each looks in the room’s lighting conditions during different times of day and evening. Wall texture can also affect how paint color appears.

If you don’t want to apply paint samples directly to the wall, home improvement expert Lee Walender recommends cutting large squares of coated posterboard, taping them to the wall, and painting them. One advantage of this option is that you can move the squares around the room to see the color in various lights.

The few dollars you may have to spend on paint samples will be well worth avoiding the expense of repainting if you don’t like the color that looked so good on the chip once it’s on your walls – or the resignation of living with it if repainting isn’t feasible!

Inadvertently choosing the wrong color isn’t the only pitfall. As our blog post – “How to Choose Interior Paint” – covers, you must also select the right type of paint for the project. Paint comes in two main types – water-based and oil-based. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. Water-based paint is less expensive than oil-based, dries quickly, and resists cracking, fading and discoloration – but isn’t quite as durable. Oil-based paints are highly durable and provide a glossy surface, if that’s the effect you want to create – but can crack if the surface underneath shrinks (as can happen with wood), and may eventually yellow.

After the paint type, you need to select the correct paint finish for your interiors. The main types of finishes are matte (flat), eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and high gloss. The previously mentioned blog post describes each in detail. The function of the room to be painted typically has a strong influence on what type of finish should be used. For example, one common mistake is using matte paint for kitchens and baths. Semi-gloss is the preferred choice in these rooms, as they’re subjected to high moisture, drips and grease stains. This durable finish is moisture-resistant and easy to wipe clean without rubbing off the paint over time – as would happen with a matte finish in a kitchen.

Mistakes in Prep Work

Doing proper preparation work is crucial to DIY painting success, says painting company owner Cate Griffing of West Magnolia Charm. “I see DIYers do this all the time. They don’t take the time to gather all the supplies together. Then they begin the project only to realize they have forgotten something. Now, they have to stop what they are doing to go retrieve what is needed. The back and forth is not only wasting time but it’s also creating extra work.”

Disorganization can create a safety hazard, as well. Forgetting a ladder may lead you to improvise and use a chair or other unstable object to reach the top of a wall. Professional painters make sure they have all the supplies they need at the work site before starting the job. You should, too!

Other major mistakes Griffing identifies include:

  • Not inspecting the walls for imperfections, such as holes, cracks, etc., then correcting them by spackling, caulking and sanding.
  • Not cleaning the walls – especially in kitchens and baths. Grease, oils, hairspray, etc., accumulate on the walls of these rooms, which makes cleaning them a necessity before painting.
  • Not using primer. Not all painting projects require a stand-alone primer. However, there are certain cases that do – such as painting bare drywall, covering dark or vibrant colors, or painting over glossy finishes, wood and plaster.
  • Not using drop cloths to protect your flooring. No matter how careful you try to be, paint will drip – whether you use a roller or brush. “It may seem like a pain, but the few minutes it takes to put down drop cloths will save you hours of scrubbing stubborn paint splatter off the floors later on,” Griffing says.
  • Not using painter’s tape. “If you want a top-notch, professional-looking painting job, do not skip using real painter’s tape. Taping allows you to get those crisp, clean, straight lines that we so desire.” To prevent paint from bleeding, seal tightly around baseboards, windows and molding. Secure tape with a putty knife instead of your fingers for best results.

Mistakes in Application Technique

Once you have all of your supplies and equipment together, and the walls are ready to be painted, improper paint application can still spoil the quality of your result! The following mistakes to avoid come from Griffing, home design expert Marie Proeller Hueston for Bob Villa, and Family Handyman.

  • Buying cheap applicators. Trying to save money by buying low-quality brushes and rollers is false economy. They won’t apply paint properly, and may shed bristles or become unusable halfway through the process. Investing in good applicators will pay off!
  • Dunking your paintbrush. When you submerge a paintbrush entirely in paint, the paint can dry in the bristles and be harder to clean later. Also, a large dunk for a roller can mat down the roller. Instead, only dip your paintbrush about a third of the way into the can.
  • Not painting in the right order. Painting walls, ceilings and trim in the wrong order can cause such issues as paint drips and uneven coverage. Always start with the ceiling, next move on to the walls, and finally the trim. When painting the walls, follow this order: top to bottom, left to right.
  • Bumping your roller into the ceiling as you paint the walls. Roll on a horizontal strip of paint parallel to the ceiling first. Then roll vertically up to the horizontal strip. The 9-inch-wide strip of paint along the ceiling will give you a good buffer zone.
  • Bumping your roller onto the floor as you paint the walls. If you’re painting new walls before the baseboard is installed, leave an unpainted strip along the bottom where it will be covered by the baseboard. If you try to paint too close to the floor, your roller cover could touch it and pick up dirt, lint and hair that you will then spread across the wall.
  • Over-brushing – that is, brushing over the same area, especially after the paint has started to dry. This causes unsightly brush marks and ridges. For the smoothest possible finish when you’re painting woodwork, doors or cabinets, load the brush and quickly cover an area with paint. Then use a stroke or two to level it off.
  • Applying a single coat of paint. Today’s high-quality paints can provide single-coat coverage if you use a primer. However, if you don’t use primer or are applying a lighter shade over a dark color, two coats may be necessary.

Not Up to Painting Like a Pro? Call Our Pros!

Some homeowners have the experience, skill, equipment and time to successfully tackle a DIY interior paint job. But there’s no shame if you don’t! That’s our job! The Paint Manager has been proudly serving Central Florida homeowners for over 20 years with experienced, dedicated and professional services that include exterior and interior house painting, roof repair and cleaning, drywall repair, popcorn ceiling texture removal, cabinet refinishing and so much more!

Plus, become a member of The Paint Manager to receive a 15% year-‘round member’s discount. Contact us to learn more about our services and membership discount offer. We look forward to meeting you!

Today’s Paint Color Trends – Are You Bold?

Today’s Paint Color Trends – Are You Bold?

Many people love to follow trends – which is one thing if you’re buying a fashion accessory to add a little color to your wardrobe, but something else again when choosing exterior or interior paint colors for your home. After all, paint, supplies and labor (assuming you’re not taking the DIY route) are expensive – and it’s not like you can repaint every few months!

However, it is possible to follow paint color trends if they make sense for the style of your home and the style of your life. After the events of 2020, adding some color into your personal environment can provide an emotional lift that gives you a more positive overall outlook. If you’re ready for change and are open to new possibilities, paint manufacturers are likewise ready with fresh palettes that make a statement!

Why Interior and Exterior Paint Colors are Making a Statement

Colors affect our moods, emotions and behavior in a subtle yet definite manner. The colors you choose for your interior and exterior spaces, in a way, represent your personality. Such color choices evolve and change with time, and they reflect your state of mind. As the world opens up again, people want to express themselves in a way that celebrates both their individuality and their (perhaps) newfound sense of community.

The year 2021 may become known as the year that paint colors became more greatly attuned to larger events and inner lives. According to Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, “We started telling a story last year about using color to help us feel grounded as we were headed into a new decade. Now we are continuing that inward journey by exploring the past, examining the present, and looking at what this all means for our future.” The company has selected hues that deal with rhythm and “the balance between fast and slow, quiet and expressive, and virtual and physical.”

Sherwin-Williams has chosen four color palettes that deal with rhythm and balance for its ColorMix Forecast 2021. Bold blues, muddy greens, muted reds, bright pinks and warm whites are among the shades representing the company’s vision. The palettes consist of the following collections:

Sanctuary – This palette is rooted in nature, focusing on the connection that the natural world has to nurture wellness and calm. The soothing Sanctuary palette reconnects you to nature as more people are seeking refuge in gardening, hiking and camping.

Encounter – Inspired by artisan crafts, the Encounter palette reflects modern bohemian, earthy tones that “…convey heritage quality and the value of simple, meaningful experiences.”

Continuum – Based on mid-century modernism, the Continuum palette looks to the future with optimism and imagination.

Tapestry – Exuberance and the joy of color define the Tapestry palette, featuring vibrant shades that celebrate creative expression.

Expressing Yourself with Daring Interior Paint Color Choices

You spend a lot of time inside your home. That is why you need to select interior paint colors carefully. When you think about a new wall color, be sure to think about the complete area – including the ceiling – which is an integral part of your room that can add a great deal of design value. Our blog post – “Painting Your Home’s Interiors? Don’t Forget the Ceiling!” – covers the importance of your ceiling in setting the tone.

If you’re ready to explore this year’s more daring interior paint colors, here are some of the trends topping the charts:

Sherwin-Williams Urbane Bronze – In 2020, the flavor of the season was Navy (SW 6244). However, this year the Navy has given way to something that is more grounded in the form of Urbane Bronze (SW 7048).  It is a serene choice that makes you feel at home. Sue Wadden explains, “Urbane Bronze encourages you to create a sanctuary space for mindful reflection and renewal. There’s also reassurance in its sentimentality, with nostalgic ties to the design of the ‘70s and ‘90s, but with gray undertones that give it a distinctly modern twist.”

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Passionate – Most of us in the past year have developed a new relationship with our homes. A shade that combines comfort and tradition is Passionate (HGSW 2032). It is the anchoring shade of HGTV by Sherwin-Williams 2021 Delightfully Daring color collection. It is a simple yet bold shade that invigorates your surroundings.

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Pale Apricot – Another bold shade in the Delightfully Daring color collection is Pale Apricot (HGSW 1126). It makes the pinkish shade extra appealing and offers a toasty orange undertone.

Jojoba and Broadway by Behr – The Behr Color Trends 2021 Palette is a spectrum of 21 versatile shades spanning from essential neutrals to lavish bolds that enable people to create energizing, yet comforting, new focal points in the home. It has six color themes – Casual Comfort, Optimistic View, Subtle Focus, Calm Zone, Quiet Haven and Outdoor Escape. Jojoba (N390-3) is a serene hue that takes you closer to nature. You can make this hue stand out with darker and bolder tones like Broadway (PPU 18-20). Broadway has a deep and dusty hint of aubergine, and it complements shades of green and maximalist design choices. 

Kalahari Sunset and Almond Wisp by Behr Almond Wisp (PPU5-12) is a warm-toned and unpretentious neutral shade that blends well with textured surfaces like exposed brick and brings out the best in pale, contemporary farmhouse-inspired settings. Kalahari Sunset (MQ1-25) from the Optimistic View theme is a ferrous orange shade that accentuates primary tones.

Granite Dust by Valspar – With our homes doubling up as our offices and schools, colors have a more significant role to play. Valspar has come out with its dozen 2021 Colors of the year to accommodate these sentiments. According to Sue Kim, Valspar Color Marketing Manager, “Our homes have become offices, entertainment centers, and classrooms — which means the colors, sights, and sounds in our rooms have an even bigger impact on our daily lives. These lifestyle changes coupled with a surge in DIY home activity helped guide our selection of a range of colors for Valspar’s 2021 Colors of the Year that can not only transform your space but also elevate your mood.” Granite Dust (5006-1C) is a mix of cool and warm that supports creativity.

Maple Leaf by Valspar Maple Leaf (2008-8B) is a serene and cool shade that reconnects you to nature. Maple Leaf is one shade that you can use seamlessly indoors as well as outdoors. You can create an accent wall with this shade and spruce up your interiors.

Transcend by PPG – PPG is launching its first-ever Palette of the Year, which is a trio of colors that emphasizes self-care. This organic and hopeful palette represents simplicity and restfulness after a challenging year. Transcend (PPG1079-4) is a mid-range sugary brown shade that has a gingerbread undertone. The collection’s second hue – Big Cypress (PPG1062-5) can add spice to that base, and can be a perfect fit for your accent wall or trim. Misty Aqua (PPG1147-3) is the third in the trio. If you pair it up with cooler whites and grays, it is a perfect fit for spaces like living and family rooms.

Exterior Paint Trends – Tasteful, but with a Pop of Color

Understandably, homeowners may be more reluctant to go bold on their home’s exterior. HOAs typically restrict exterior color choices to a few approved selections, and even for those who are free to select the colors they prefer, being on the more conservative side is better for curb appeal and sale potential.

Yet that doesn’t mean you need to be boring and predictable! Here is a look at exterior paint trends that are tasteful, but with a pop of color.

Let us start with the neutrals because, without a doubt, they are an ideal choice for any exterior. Gray has been the undisputed neutral for the past several years. Industry experts agree that this shade is not going to fade away, but it surely will warm up in the times to come. Some of the shades that will enjoy popularity along with true gray include greige, taupe and gray with colorful undertones. Also look for beige and other earthy neutrals. Behr suggests pairing neutrals with blues, greens, and other natural shades that bring you closer to nature and keeps you grounded.

Sherwin-Williams named Urbane Bronze SW 7048 Color of the Year 2021. It is a deep neutral that is somewhere between brown and charcoal. According to the company, “Natural simplicity and nature-inspired energy cultivate a sense of calm from the ground up.” Two of the other trending colors that are close to true gray from Sherwin-Williams include Crushed Ice SW 7647 and Cyberspace SW 7076.

You can also choose from Sherwin Williams’s brilliant modern shades – such as Commodore SW 6524, Swimming SW 6764, and Limon Fresco SW 9030. These colors are great for the front door, adding that visual “pop” without being overbearing.

Feeling Inspired? Start Planning Your Home’s New Look!

Whether you’re taking the DIY route or hiring a pro – like The Paint Manager – we hope we’ve given you plenty of color inspiration! We also invite you to visit our Color Picker page, which links to the websites of Behr, PPG Paints and Sherwin-Williams so that you can view their entire collections.

The Paint Manager has served Central Florida since 2000 with quality professional residential and commercial painting services. Visit our website to learn about many other services we provide – including pressure washing, roof cleaning and stump removal. Become a member of The Paint Manager to receive a 15% year-‘round member’s discount. Contact us to learn more about our services and membership discount offer. We look forward to helping you make your home look its best!

What You Need to Know Before Hiring a House Painter

What You Need to Know Before Hiring a House Painter

In Central Florida, fall and spring are the optimum seasons for painting your home’s exterior. With summer thunderstorms and the threat of hurricanes significantly decreasing after September, autumn is a great time to take stock of your home’s condition and paint if necessary. Because going the DIY route isn’t practical (or possible) for most homeowners, half of the effort necessary to achieve a beautiful result involves knowing how to hire a professional paint contractor.

In the interest of making sure you have the information you need to start planning this major project, The Paint Manager offers our guide. By the way, the same advice applies to hiring a painter for interior jobs!

Why does your house need to be painted?

In addition to making your home more attractive, a fresh paint job helps protect the exterior from environmental wear-and-tear. Addressing other maintenance issues during the project – such as replacing caulking and doing the general prep work necessary to achieve a smooth, long-lasting finish – helps reinforce your home’s structural integrity and increases its value.

Our October 2018 blog post – “When to Paint the Exterior of Your House” – covered such reasons as fading and/or chipping paint, boosting the home’s curb appeal before putting it up for sale and updating its look with a new color scheme.

What to look for in a professional house painter

As previously mentioned, hiring an experienced, ethical professional painting contractor is the critical first step in ensuring a high-quality result. Consumer Reports provides the following tips on hiring a painter.

Meet the pros – Call in at least three different contractors for your job, and be home for the initial meeting with them. That way, you’ll know how much time each contractor took to assess the condition of your home. The longer the contractor takes, the more realistic the estimate you’ll get. Even an experienced painter will need more than a quick walk around your house. Also ask each contractor about the size of his crew and the members’ experience level.

State your expectations – The number of coats a painter applies isn’t the only factor in determining the quality – and price – of the project. Preparation is also key. If you want a surface that’s free of unevenness from past paint jobs, tell the contractors – and be prepared to pay extra. But if you can live with some imperfections, agree on what level of prep is acceptable and what isn’t.

Get estimates – Seek a written estimate from each contractor. It should include a breakdown of labor, material costs, the number of coats of primer and paint, the brand and model of materials, and a detailed description of the amount of surface preparation that will be done.

Check references and past work – Get a list of references from each contractor and call them to find out about their experience with the pro. A history of positive references is a good sign. Also examine jobs the painters did several years ago to see how their work is holding up. Use recent projects to check the skill of their current crews.

Look at credentials ­– Before you hire someone, consider the contractor’s credentials. Membership in a trade or local business group isn’t a guarantee of quality work, but it shows a level of commitment and reliability. Also verify whether the pro has the appropriate license(s). (You’ll find the licensing information in your state at the Contractor’s License Reference Site. Also check with the Better Business Bureau, the attorney general’s office in your state, or a local consumer-affairs agency to learn whether the contractor has a history of unresolved complaints.

Obtain a complete contract – The contract should include all the contractor’s key information: name, address, office and cell numbers, and license number, plus whatever details were in the estimate. Make sure the contract clearly states what is and is not included in the job.

Validate their insurance – Get a copy of the painter’s liability and workers’ compensation insurance certificates. If the contractor doesn’t have coverage, you could be on the hook if, for example, the crew drops a ladder on your neighbor’s car or a crew member gets hurt on the job.

Ask for a guarantee – The painter should promise to correct any chipping, peeling, blistering, flaking, or excessive fading or chalking that occurs within two years after the job is done at no or little cost. If the paint itself has a warranty, remember that doesn’t include labor, which is a far more costly proposition than material.

Choose the paint yourself – Your painter may prefer using a particular brand. If so, ask why. If you’re not satisfied with the answer (it may be the cheapest, not the best), insist on a brand of your own choosing. However, a reputable painting contractor will be more familiar with the brand and type of paint best suited for your home’s building material, area’s climate, etc.

Hold out ­– Don’t make a large down payment, and withhold the final payment – typically 10 to 15 percent – until you are fully satisfied with the job.

Angie’s List adds these important questions to ask. Does the contractor have employees? If so, are they direct employees, meaning they receive a paycheck from the contractor, or are they considered subcontractors? If they are direct employees, the contractor’s workers’ compensation and general liability insurance policies should cover them. If they are subcontractors, they should have their own insurance policies. Either way, the contractor should give you a copy of proof of insurance both for their business and any subcontractors, if necessary.

A word of caution about lead-based paint

Lead was commonly used in home exterior and interior paint until 1978, when it was banned by the federal government. Our October 2018 blog post – “How to Stay Safe When Painting Homes With Lead-Based Paint” – provides a comprehensive look at how to tell if your home has lead paint (which can be covered by subsequent layers of paint, yet remain a potential hazard), professional remediation (removal) and the necessity of having every aspect of the job handled by a professional painting contractor with the appropriate experience and equipment.

Other areas to consider

Our industry colleagues at Chesapeake Painting Services, Annapolis, MD, offer a detailed guide to the process of hiring and working with a professional house painting contractor. For example, expect to be responsible for certain steps to prepare for an interior paint project – such as moving furniture; removing outlet covers and switch plates; and allocating at least one space as a “staging area” for the paint crew to store their ladders, plastic sheets, paint, etc.

The Paint Manager is here to help

As you can see, hiring a pro to paint your house involves a good deal of planning and due diligence. The Paint Manager has served Central Florida since 2000 with quality professional residential and commercial painting services. Visit our website to learn about many other services we provide – including pressure washing, roof cleaning and stump removal. Become a member of The Paint Manager to receive a 15% year-‘round member’s discount. Contact us to learn more about our services and membership discount offer.

 

 

Advantages of Epoxy Floor Finishes

Advantages of Epoxy Floor Finishes

Tough and versatile, epoxy floor finishes are an increasingly popular choice for a wide range of applications – from industrial facilities to home garages. Typically applied over concrete, an epoxy floor coating provides a high-performance, smooth, durable surface that can last for many years. Whether you own a sprawling warehouse or a cozy single-family house, an epoxy finish may be the right choice for your Central Florida property’s flooring. We at The Paint Manager offer this guide to help you decide. Should you decide in the affirmative, we can also provide advice for the second question: professional installation, or DIY?

What is epoxy, exactly?

Most people are familiar with epoxy glue, known for the solid bond it forms. According to Your Dictionary, the definition of epoxy is “Any of various usually thermosetting resins capable of forming tight cross-linked polymer structures characterized by toughness, strong adhesion, and low shrinkage, used especially in surface coatings and adhesives.” Even if you never took a chemistry course, the gist of it is clear.

In a commercial application, epoxy flooring is used for its resistance to heavy traffic, sanitary qualities and ease of cleanup, and where slip resistance is required. In a residential setting, epoxy is used to beautify and protect a garage floor, patio, utility room or carport.

Advantages of an epoxy floor coating

Applied over concrete flooring, an epoxy product provides a non-porous surface impervious to stains – such as oil – and more resistant to damage and pitting than exposed concrete. Other advantages include the following.

  • Low maintenance; easy to clean. Unlike bare concrete floors – which can require a pressure washer to clean – a good-quality mop and simple cleaning solution does the job.
  • Withstands heavy, continuous traffic from forklifts and other types of industrial vehicles/equipment.
  • Protects concrete from the gradual corrosive, destructive effects of oil and liquid chemical products.
  • Temperature resistant. Just as epoxy is tough enough to resist damage from corrosive chemicals, it can also stand up to more heat and cold than most paints.
  • Environmentally friendly. Epoxy will not erode or dissolve into its environment, such as by fumes in the air or trace amounts in water. It also needs recoating less often, and requires less cleaning agent, thereby reducing the amount of chemicals used overall.
  • Creates a shiny surface that increases the brightness of interior areas.
  • Can be made slip-resistant for optimum safety.
  • Can be customized with colors and patterns to mark walkways.
  • Can be customized with specialty colors or decorative chip blends to mask concrete flooring cracks or just for aesthetic effect.
  • Extends the life of your concrete floor. Applying an epoxy coating protects concrete from damage, delaying the expense of repair or replacement.
  • Can increase the resale value of your home. Used in a residential garage, an epoxy floor finish provides a high-end look – especially with the addition of stylish decorative elements. You can select from a variety of understated solid colors and hues, custom colors and blends of color flakes that match your style or even your favorite sports team.

Do you need a professional to install an epoxy floor coating?

There are two ways of getting the job done – one is to hire a commercial services company, and the other is to do it yourself. We offer the caveat oft-repeated in our humble blog. This is a project for those with experience in similar home improvement efforts, not absolute beginners. As the Family Handyman points out, not all concrete floors will hold epoxy floor coatings, and preparing concrete for epoxy floor coatings can be labor intensive and tedious. For those who feel confident in their abilities, both Family Handyman and DIY Network offer helpful step-by-step instructions.

Again, if you’re considering taking the DIY route, be sure to carefully follow the instructions provided by the sources listed above. Most of the success of installing an epoxy floor coating lies with proper cleaning and preparation of the concrete. Missing a step or trying to hurry through the process will achieve poor results. Also make certain to buy – and use – all protective clothing and equipment required.

The take-home message

For those lacking the time and expertise to do a residential-scale epoxy flooring project – or for those who own an industrial or commercial facility – The Paint Manager is ready to provide conscientious, experienced service. No job is too large or too small. You can also contact us for other commercial services, such as exterior painting, texturing and much more. We look forward to working with you.

A Fresh Look at Fall Colors for Your Home

A Fresh Look at Fall Colors for Your Home

 

After a summer’s worth of Florida’s triple-digit temperatures, many people are ready to welcome the cooler temperatures of fall. But in the Sunshine State, autumn is more a state of mind than reality. For this reason, we enthusiastically decorate to capture the spirit of the season. Now that the first cinnamon-scented brooms are making their appearance in supermarkets, we take a look at this year’s popular fall colors, and how to incorporate them in your home. From major projects – like painting a room – to introducing pops of color through accessories, everyone can enjoy a touch of autumn, even if the AC is still running non-stop. Here are some of our favorites here at The Paint Manager, offered by the experts!  

 

First up, author Cyndy Aldred, whose blog, The Creativity Exchange, focuses on color, paint and home improvement. Writing for Better Homes & Gardens, she makes the following observations. “Paint colors will continue to warm up this year. Common among the various trend reports are softer neutrals, creamy whites, muted colors, and rich dark hues.”

 

Although Aldred notes that paint manufacturers and other industry influencers made their pronouncements for the entire year, rather just autumn, the trend toward rich, deeper colors is especially suited for the season.

 

“Soft neutral paint colors will have warmer undertones this year, which make a space feel cozy and warm.” Aldred writes. “Mixing a soft neutral wall color with a dark or bold accent color in furniture, fabrics, or art is a beautiful way to add contrast to a space.”

 

Also, look for rich, dark hues – another common thread among the 2018 paint color forecasts. Designers are mixing these colors with whites and soft neutrals to create contrast and make a statement. If you want to be daring but don’t want to risk being overwhelming, choose a dark shade for an accent wall.

 

According to Aldred, other noteworthy colors are chestnut brown, deep burgundy, and dark blue – which can be used for interior doors, cabinetry and furniture, as well as walls. And consider a combination of rich colors paired with shiny finishes like brass or chrome.

 

Next, none other than lifestyle diva extraordinaire Martha Stewart, whose website provides idea-inspiring photos of 20 interior settings using fall colors. Overall, Stewart recommends such shades as orange, yellow, dark green, rust and brown as accents. These versatile colors can be used for walls, fabrics, accessories and floral arrangements.

 

Using different tones of one color help richen the effect, as does layering deep colors and textured fabrics. For example, Stewart picks out a red damask tablecloth, reddish-brown wall color and red lacquer accessories tinted with cinnabar or vermilion as variations on a theme of fall’s signature color.

 

Reporting on paint color trends for The Spruce, blogger Kelly Weimert identifies “An Abundance of Berries.” Weimert writes: “From strawberry red to raspberry pink to blueberry, well, blue, berry-inspired color palettes are bringing all kinds of vivacious cheer to interior spaces in the upcoming season.

 

“The beauty of this color trend is its versatility – bolder style sensibilities can select a bright red with which to make a striking style statement while more subdued styles will benefit from a softer raspberry hue to add increased warmth to their aesthetic.”

 

fall colors, fall home designFor those who prefer a more traditional take on warm autumn hues, floral arrangements are a perfect way to set the tone. Teleflora offers suggestions on its blog post, “Bring Stunning Fall Colors Into Your Home.” They’re all great ideas for those who have come to Florida from locales that actually have four seasons.

  • Decorate the coffee table with candles in seasonal colors and scents; feature a floral arrangement of flowers in fall colors, mixed with leaves (which, of course, Teleflora can supply). Great fall inspired decorations can be found at Furniture.com.
  • Use your imagination to spread small bursts of autumnal color throughout the home. For example, orange roses in small vases in the living room, bright yellow flowers in the kitchen and some deep, ruby red bouquets in the bedroom.

 

Feeling inspired to invite fall into your home year ‘round with warm colors on your walls?  The Paint Manager has over two decades of experience in providing high-quality, trusted full-service residential painting for homes of every size and age. Our team can provide décor ideas, does all the demanding prep work and performs skilled, meticulous application to ensure beautiful results. Contact us for an estimate.

How to Stay Safe When Painting Homes With Lead-Based Paint

How to Stay Safe When Painting Homes With Lead-Based Paint

Lead-based paint is a grave health hazard for not only for homeowners, but also for those who are into home remodeling.

If you live in a house that dates back to 1978 or before, you need to make your home free of lead-based paint. The federal government in 1978 banned the commercial use of lead-based paint, though some states had done so earlier. Lead-based paint – which includes lead-contaminated dust – is the leading cause of lead poisoning.

Lead-based paint is known to have an unhealthy effect on children, especially those under the age of six years. According to a declaration by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), lead-based paint ingestion can lead to severe learning disabilities, seizures, behavioral problem, and even death. 

In adults, lead poisoning can cause high blood pressure, and can negatively impact fetus development if women are exposed during pregnancy.

Lead poisoning can also cause such acute conditions as renal failure and encephalopathy.

Traditionally, lead-based paint was routinely used in the painting of home exteriors and interiors. And, the chances of lead-based paint being used increases as the age of your home increases. The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Protection Act was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1992 (also called Title X) to safeguard families from lead exposure from paint, soil, and dust. The EPA, through the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule, has also directed home remodeling contractors to help control exposure to lead paint.

Putting things in perspective for lead-based paint

It is no doubt upsetting to find out that there is lead-based paint present in your home, but you can work to remove the problem. However, to solve the lead problem, you need to first get to the basics of the issue. And, to understand the basics, you have to know the facts about lead-based paint.

There are millions of homes that still have lead-based paint present, as it typically has been painted over through the years by non-lead-based paint. What you need to understand is if the paint is in perfect shape, you don’t have to worry much about the lead being present in your home. But, do keep in mind that when the lead-based paint starts chipping, peeling, cracking, chalking, or becomes damp or damaged, then the situation turns hazardous, and it becomes urgent for you to resolve the problem.

It is also a safety hazard if found on the surfaces, which your children can chew or those places where there is too much of wear and tear like doors and door frames, windows and window sills, and porches, stairs, and railings. Clean up the dust regularly and make sure to keep the paint in good condition.

Lead dust comes from the deteriorating lead based paint inside your home, or it can also come from the soil from outside your home, which of course is a result of the worsening exterior lead-based paint.

During painting, repair, and renovation activities when paint surfaces are demolished or disturbed, it produces toxic lead dust. This is why you need to hire professionals to do the job.

How to test if your house has lead-based paint

One way to find out is to use a home testing kit for lead. Though inexpensive and widely available, according to the EPA, they are not particularly accurate. Per EPA recommendations, you should look for a lead abatement company to perform the tests.

How to stay safe when repainting a lead-based home

Repainting a lead-based home is a risky proposition, and you need to carefully follow all the guidelines to keep you and your family safe. It is always advisable to hire a professional company to repaint your house if the test confirms that lead-based paint is present in your home. But, if you decide otherwise, there are ways to reduce the risks when repainting a lead-based home.

Encapsulation is the most common and effective way of dealing with the problem – it keeps the paint intact and stable. Encapsulation, as the name suggests is applying a fresh coat of paint on the lead-based paint. This makes sure that the lead-based paint doesn’t find its way into your home.

Make sure that you use a respirator when you are scraping the lead-based paint. NEVER remove lead-based paint without a respirator. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter for clean-ups.

Spray adequate water on the surface you are working to keep the dust at bay.

Put on safety gear before you start working on the lead-based paint. Make sure that you cover your eyes, hands, body, and head appropriately – use goggles, gloves, coverall, and hat to stay safe. Also, ensure that you use disposable gloves and coveralls and that you discard them every day. And, don’t forget to wash your goggles on a daily basis.

Always remember to dispose of the lead-based paint surface at a safe location outside your house. Make sure that no one except for those working on the project enters the work area, and seal the non-work areas with plastic sheets.

Why you should call in experts to repaint a lead-based home

Making a home lead-based paint safe is a risky job. Those who have the required experience and expertise can better handle the safety concerns of lead. After all, there is no point in risking your life and that of your loved ones by adopting a DIY approach.

When you hire professionals to repaint a lead-based home, you can rest assured that they will take all the necessary precautions as mandated by the rule of law.

Professionals are not just trained to do their job with perfection, but they also have all the resources (protective gear and tools) to carry out the work safely. They would also make sure that you stay safe while they work.

When you hire professionals, you don’t have to worry about toxic waste disposal. Lead disposal is a risky job. They know how, where and when to safely dispose of the lead-based waste.

The Paint Manager is experienced in making Central Florida homes safe from the hazards of lead paint. We are a full-service painting company in Orlando delivering quality work to residential and commercial customers. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

4 Reasons Why You Need Professionals For Drywall Repair

4 Reasons Why You Need Professionals For Drywall Repair

DIY Drywall, Good Idea or Not?

 

We all want to live in a beautiful, clean and green home. But, it requires quite an effort on the part of the homeowner to maintain a house that is striking, beautiful, clean, and which is full of greenery. A feat difficult to achieve, homeowners constantly have to strive hard to create and maintain a perfect home.

As a homeowner, you don’t only have to ensure that your home exteriors look beautiful, but you also have to make sure that the interiors, landscape, driveway, pool, and everything else in your house remains in perfect order. A lot goes into creating a home that is beautiful to look at, and a delight to stay in. From a well painted exterior, a nicely maintained landscape, and a perfect pool setting to stylish furniture, attractive paint on the walls, and more, you have to plan everything to perfection.

Integral parts of your home, walls and ceilings, play an important role in making your house look beautiful. And, when the interiors of your home have drywall ceilings and walls, it looks even better.  But, like everything else, even drywall doesn’t last forever. It requires regular upkeep, and at times replacement, when damaged beyond repair.

Though, more often than not, repairing is all it takes to give your drywall a perfect finish. Needless to say, without proper paint and finish on your walls and ceilings, your home interiors can’t look elegant. And, when the wall itself is not in perfect shape, then no amount of paint, good or bad, can produce the looks that are flawless. With drywall, you get a perfect finish, and then the paint on these walls look great.

Leave Your Drywall Repairs to the Professionals 

There are some home jobs that you as a homeowner can do on your own, but you just can’t repair everything in your house. But, there are some homeowners who think they can fix anything and everything that needs repair in their home. It is true that internet helps you learn a lot of things, be it fixing, or repairing a door knob, or changing your sink faucet, but there are some home jobs that are best left to professionals. And, repairing drywall is one such work, which should only be left for professionals to do.

Drywalls are building materials used as a substitute for wooden or concrete walls, which are not just inexpensive, but it also gives a wonderful finish. The only flip side to this is that drywall is softer in comparison to concrete or wooden walls, and therefore they are more prone to damages if proper care is not taken. Of course, when you have damaged walls at home, you need to get it repaired, or else it can spoil the beauty of your house.

When you watch videos online of people teaching you how to repair your drywall, you are bound to think that it’s an easy job and a perfect DIY project, but we tend to forget that the precision it requires (in repairing) calls for professional help.

Moreover, trying to fix a drywall yourself you might end up making the repair work even costlier, as the damaged area can increase further, which would then escalate your total cost. Hence, whenever you need your drywall to be repaired, it is advisable to call in experts.

4 specific reasons why you should call in professionals for drywall repairThe number one reason why you should call in experts if you have a damaged drywall is to maintain the peace of your house. Yes, any DIY project creates some amount of stress in the house. But, on a more serious note, here are 4 specific reasons why you should call in professionals for drywall repair.

  1. They (read professionals) know their job wellAn expert drywall repairing company, apart from knowing their job well, also realizes the unique needs of each of its customer, and therefore presents to you a customized solution. Drywall repair professionals have been through it all and seen every kind of damage your drywall would ever experience. They know what exactly needs to be done to fix the problem on your drywall. From estimates to the exact course of action, you have everything in black and white in front of you, which makes it easy for you to take a call whether to repair or replace the drywall.
  1. They have loads of experience and expertise – There is no substitute to experience, and with it comes the exposure and expertise of repairing the drywall, no matter how bad the damage is. DIY enthusiasts, or individuals and companies who don’t have sufficient experience and expertise of repairing the drywall could spoil your project and increase its total cost, whereas professionals do their job to perfection.
  1. It saves your precious time – Time, they say, is money, and you of course don’t have enough of it to waste. A project which professionals would be able to finish in a couple of hours, people with less, or no experience will do the same work in a couple of days. In today’s fast paced world, you don’t have that much of time to waste, do you? It therefore makes no sense to waste your precious time, instead it is better to save it and utilize the same in other productive work. Hence hiring professionals to repair your dry wall will save you time.
  1. They have the right equipment – Being in a different profession, it is highly unlikely that you would have all the tools that are required for drywall repair. When you hire professionals, one thing that you can be assured of is the latest equipment for the repair job of your drywall. Needless to say, you can spoil your wall further if you don’t have the requisite equipment. Moreover, just by having the right equipment does not guarantee that the job you do on your own will have great results because you should also have proper practice of operating these tools. And, when you hire professionals, not do they have the right equipment, they also know how to use it, which produces better results.

 

Apart from the reasons mentioned above, you also run the risk of injury and harm to your health, when you plan to repair the drywall on your own. Whereas, when you hire professionals, they not only know how to avoid injuries, but they also take necessary precautions that are required during the process of drywall repair.

Over and above this there is a huge difference in the quality of repair work done when you do it on your own, and the drywall repair that is undertaken by professionals.

If you are in and around Greater Central Florida and drywall repair is what you are looking at, don’t take chances of doing it yourself. Just get in touch with The Paint Manager, paint and drywall experts, and leave your worries to the professionals.

We have been in this industry for long to know the nuances of the trade, and know exactly what it takes to repair any kind of drywall.

We also have all the right tools and trained manpower who know how to use them efficiently, which ultimately gives your drywall a perfect finish.

4 Popular Paint Colors for Today’s Home Seller

4 Popular Paint Colors for Today’s Home Seller

When it comes to prepping a home for sale, many sellers spend a great deal of time and effort focusing on improvements that can be made to increase the value of the house itself. And while it’s true that major home improvements, such as kitchen remodels and deck/patio additions can have a significant return on investment, spending thousands on these renovations isn’t always necessary. Believe it or not, a little paint can go a long way when it comes to a home’s appeal to buyers. And invariably, more appeal can lead to higher offers on a home.

For those preparing a home for listing, there are a few colors to keep in mind in various parts of the home.

1.  Going “Greige” Outside

The outside of a home is the first thing many prospective buyers see, so making a great first impression is important. Sellers should focus on curb appeal by making improvements to the exterior appearance of the home. This can include tidying up landscaping and possibly even repaving a cracked driveway. However, one of the best things sellers can do to increase curb appeal is to repaint the home’s exterior. Today, “greige” (a mix between gray and beige) has a lot of appeals, especially when accented with crisp white trim.

2.  Consider a Bold Front DoorA little paint can go a long way when it comes to a home's appeal to buyers. Here are 4 popular paint colors that will increase the value of your home.

The one exception to the neutral “greige” exterior appeal, on the other hand, is the front door of the home. Today’s buyers love a bold pop of color on a front door for added curb appeal. Bright red has been a popular color choice for many years, though pale blue has recently seen an increase in popularity. It may not seem like adding a pop of color to an exterior door would make such a big difference in curb appeal, but it absolutely can by creating a focal point on the exterior of the home.

3.  Choose a GrAy or Soft Blue Kitchen

For kitchens, recent trends are showing that grays and soft blues are the ideal choices. Buyers like these softer colors in the kitchen because they’re more neutral and clean. Grays and soft blues pair especially well with white kitchen cabinets, which are also on-trend. In fact, those with older wooden cabinets may even want to consider having them painted white or a very light gray and adding some new hardware, such as drawer pulls and handles. This is a great way to modernize the look of a kitchen.

4.  Opt for Neutral Living Roomspopular paint colors

Living rooms and family rooms are one area of the home where more “traditional” neutral colors, such as beige and tan, continue to be preferred. Specifically, tans and creams with bright white trim are very popular and add an airy feel to any space. For those who are turned off by the idea of going all neutral with their paint scheme, it is always an option to add a unique accent wall to living spaces. While super bold accent walls are not appealing to most buyers, sellers can still add a pop of color (such as a muted green or pale yellow) to an otherwise neutral paint scheme to create visual interest as well as a focal point within the room.

It’s incredible what a difference a little bit of paint can make in any home. For those looking to sell in the near future, now is a great time to start considering new paint schemes for key areas of the home and obtaining some estimates from a professional painting company.

Want to upgrade your home to sell fast and increase your sales price by thousands of dollars? Invest in a commercial painting company that knows the colors that sell and can do a professional job in record time.

Happy selling!

How Color Affects Mood: Making the Right Choice for Your Home

How Color Affects Mood: Making the Right Choice for Your Home

Take the challenge out of choosing paint, using color psychology.

Most homeowners talk about painting their home in vibrant, new coats of paint. Would a sea foam green finally make the living room feel complete? What about your favorite shade of lavender for the master bathroom? Sometimes, the indecision can end in simply leaving the walls white. To help you make your decision, consider how color affects mood before committing to that gallon of rich red paint. You do not want to coat your walls in regret, after all.

Color psychology is not as simple as disapproving of a particular shade or color. Ever notice that most restaurants use yellows and reds? Or why a roof cleaning company may use greens and blues? Ample research has gone into how certain colors can affect temperament, trust and even physiological processes. This impact can be equally apparent in a home.

Colors can have an active, passive, or neutral response on behavior. The darker the hue the more pronounced the effects will be. Light neutrals, like tan and gray, will have little to no effect on someone, at the risk of coming off a bit boring throughout an entire home. Bold oranges and deep blues will tend to have a much more dramatic impact.

That’s not to say that the colors are absolute when it comes to their effects! What works in one room of the home can have opposite effects in the other. Greens and blues have a universal appeal, depending on the shade. However, other colors have very specific designations.

The Benefits of Certain Colors:

how color affects moodFeeling Blue- Blue is generally one of the most favored colors in the spectrum. When people decide to paint, shades of blue can be found all over the average home. In an office, blue can help boost productivity. Lighter shades are often associated with cleanliness. This makes it a great choice for the bathroom without the sterile appearance of pure white. In a bedroom, blues help create feelings of relaxation.

Be sure to keep blue out of the kitchen. Its tranquil properties tend to reduce appetites. That is the last thing you want associated with your kitchen.

It’s Easy Being Green- Green is usually associated with tranquility and health. You will most often find this color in bedrooms. However, as a color commonly associated with feelings of balance, many design-savvy homeowners have taken shades of green to every room of the home. Ask any professional painter: green is in.

Pretty in Pink– While usually reserved for a little girl’s bedroom, pink is finding its way into living rooms, dens, and other entertainment rooms. In direct contrast with its deeper shade, red, pink provides a warm sense of relaxation. Use this in areas where it is most likely for crowds to gather.

how color affects moodNot so Mellow Yellow- Growing tired of your tiny kitchen? Paint it yellow! Yellow has a tendency to make small spaces appear larger, caused in part by brightening the space. Take note of this if there are little to no windows near your kitchen space. It is also linked to an increased metabolism, which helps to encourage eating. Be careful, though. Too bright of a yellow can cause eye strain, cause an emotional disturbance in infants. Some feel it puts off a childish mood. Have painting contractors assist you with picking a universally appropriate shade for your room.

La-La-La-Lavender- Purples are tricky to work with. As a color that does not appear all that often in nature, it can be a bit overbearing as the major color on the walls. Lavenders are the exception. This color, like its namesake plant, calms nerves and promotes relaxation. Use this in your calmest areas, like a living room or bedroom. Even give your bathroom a luxurious upgrade with the addition of lavender. When it comes to plum and eggplant shades, save those for the accidents. They are typically too dark to be comforting in an entire room.

Seeing Red- Red is the color you need to be the most careful with in your home. It encourages appetite, so you find it usually in kitchens and dining rooms. However, the color red is linked to high blood pressure, increased aggression and tension. If you have a lot of sit-down dinners, you may want to stick to red accents, rather than surrounding you and your guests in it. Emotions aside, too much red can be reminiscent of an old fashioned dinner or fast food establishment, so be mindful with the décor. If you work from home, keep red out of your workspaces. It tends to decrease productivity!

Orange You Glad – As a bright and bold color, you would think that finding a good place for orange in your home would be a major challenge. Not so much! If you have a workout room, spring for Orange walls for a boost of energy. Are you or someone in your family asthmatic or suffer from other breathing issues? Paint the bedroom walls orange. Research shows a link between the color orange and improved lung function.

Things to Consider:

The fine folks at Porch.com know about moving and improving and everything in between. This article goes into more detail about how color can affect mood and the perceived size of a room

Before choosing paint based on how color affects mood, be sure to recognize a few other interior painting guidelines.

For a balanced home life, you want to keep your high-traffic and social areas separate from your quiet, retreat areas. Choose cool colors to foster the relaxing temperature. Turn the temperature up on the entertaining spaces to boost the room’s energy.

how color affects moodWhile there is nothing wrong with picking neutral shades for your home, such as white, tans, and grays. That said, keep close attention to the accents when painting and decorating the room. These will be the deciding favor in developing the mood. Choose with caution.

Black makes for a great accent, but if you make the bold choice to use it as a solid interior color, be sure to choose a glossy finish. This will help to prevent the room from feeling too small. The shine will also help cut down on the melancholy mood often experienced by people who spend ample time in dark gray or black rooms.

Stick to these tips and you can, quite literally, design the feeling of your own home. Learning how colors affect mood will have a lasting impact on your family and all who visit.

If you are still stumped on what colors to choose for your home, consult an interior painter. The Paint Manager is there for all your residential painting needs.

Go Top
Skip to toolbar