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How Residential Painting Can Transform Your Home

by Posted in Home Improvement Tagged , , , , , , ,

A professional painter can breathe new life into your home and create the look and ambiance you’ve always wanted. However, figuring out which contractor best suits your needs can be confusing. Residential painting contractors usually work within regular, scheduled daytime hours. They are prepared with basic equipment similar to what you might find in a local hardware store: step ladders, brushes, rollers, trays, and cleaning materials. Visit Website to learn more.

Solid Color Stain

paintingStains offer two advantages over paint: They protect the exposed surface and they also create a visual appeal. Stains are available in a variety of colors and they can be used on a range of different surfaces. Depending on the type of stain you choose, the color will last up to 7 years and it can be easily sanded down and reapplied.

A solid color stain is a rich opaque finish that allows the natural texture of a material to show through. This is a great option for wood decks and other exterior projects where you want the look of wood but need to hide imperfections or damage. This type of stain is also available in many sheens so you can choose the look that best suits your home’s aesthetic.

Solid stains absorb into the material they are covering, which is why they tend to hold up better over time than paint does. Stains also deteriorate more slowly and they don’t peel the way that paint can. A residential painting contractor can help you decide if a solid stain is the right option for your project.

When you think of a stain, you may automatically think of a clear varnish-like substance reserved for wooden porches and deck chairs. But stains are actually used for much more than that. Stains are a very versatile product that can be applied to any type of surface, from hardwood floors to brick walls. They come in a wide variety of colors and can be applied in many different sheens, from matte to glossy.

Another great thing about stains is that they are easy to apply, which makes them a cost-effective option for most homeowners. Stains are also water-resistant and durable, which means they can withstand most weather conditions. However, if you are going to use a stain on your exterior wood surfaces, it is important to keep in mind that these types of stains need to be reapplied every year or so.

When you choose a stain, it is best to test the color on a small area before committing to it. This is especially important if you have previously stained the surface or painted it in the past. Stains and paint are influenced by temperature, texture, grain porosity, and species of the wood or surface you are applying it to.

Checkerboard Pattern

Checkerboards have long been a popular motif in design, both as flooring and on other surfaces. Although stripes and plaids are also timeless classics, a checkerboard pattern feels more whimsical than those styles and can introduce visual interest into a space without feeling busy or overdone. This pattern is also easy to execute, making it a great choice for novice DIYers.

A traditional checkerboard is made of two colors, typically one light and a dark shade, but it can be as simple or as complicated as you like. Black and white is a common option, but you can choose any two colors that work well together. The key is to select complementary shades that are close in hue so that they look balanced and well-matched when painted side-by-side.

While checkerboard floors are the most obvious choice, the pattern is also making a comeback in soft furnishings, such as curtains and upholstered furniture. Choosing a neutral, deconstructed check in your favorite color can make for a sophisticated choice that fits with any aesthetic, or you can go with a bolder collage pattern to suit a more eclectic style.

If you want to try a checkerboard pattern on your walls, start by painting a base coat using the lighter of the two colors you’ll be using for the checkerboard. Allow this coat to dry completely before starting the painting process.

Next, use a carpenter’s level and pencil to mark out the squares you’ll be painting on your wall. Be sure to account for the width of your painter’s tape when measuring out your squares so that they are all the same size. Make sure that your tape goes over the squares you’ll be painting and not into them to avoid leakage and confusion.

Once your squares are all marked out, begin painting the second color on every other row. After completing these rows, remove the tape and let them dry completely. You can then apply a clear sealant to your checkerboard to protect it from wear and tear.

Adding a checkerboard floor to your home is a beautiful way to make it stand out from the rest of the house. It’s an especially great idea for high-traffic areas, as it can withstand more foot traffic than a solid color floor would.

Paint the Ceilings

A painted ceiling is an easy way to make any room feel more spacious and stately. However, painting high ceilings can be a daunting task, especially for those not used to it. The trick is to paint the ceiling in small sections and to keep the paint saturating and wet as you go along. This makes it much easier to blend the sections once they are dry. Two coats are recommended to ensure even coverage.

The first step to take when painting the ceiling is to mask the tops of the walls and crown molding with tape. This will help prevent the ceiling paint bleeding into the wall and also make it easier to clean up any mistakes as you work.

Before you start painting, you should also remove as much furniture as possible from the room to make it easier to move and maneuver around. You should also hang plastic sheeting over windows and doors to protect them from the spray of the ceiling paint.

Once you are ready to begin, start by saturating the roller with paint and then rolling on the ceiling in 3-foot by 3-foot sections. It is helpful to overlap each section by a few inches with the previous one to ensure that there are no paint spots. This will help prevent permanent roller marks and will also ensure that you have an even coverage. When you are finished, apply a second coat of ceiling paint if necessary.

Residential painters use similar tools as any other home improvement contractor would, but they typically have more in stock because they are working on smaller projects. These contractors usually have a number of different ladders, all-in-one roller and paint container systems like the Wagner PaintStick EZ-Twist, and handheld brushes for getting in tight corners where rollers cannot reach.

Regardless of whether the paint is oil-based or latex, it should always be mixed before applying it to your walls or ceilings. This will allow all the components to mix well together and will help the paint adhere better to your surfaces. It is also important to stir the paint often to ensure that it is consistent.

Adding Trim

Residential painters have the experience and skills to work with homeowners to create a vision for their home’s interior. The vision may include specific color choices or decorative features such as running trim or dentils. It may also encompass a variety of textures or materials that require special treatment.

Adding decorative trim to a room’s wall can help define the space, hide unsightly cracks and scuff marks, and create a focal point around a fireplace or window. It can also add a level of elegance and beauty that will make the room stand out from other homes. The trim color can be a solid or textured shade to match the walls and other decorations.

The best time to paint trim is after the walls have been painted and dry. Before you begin painting, it is a good idea to clean the trim with a household cleaner and a rag. This will remove any dust or dirt that could cause the paint to clump when it dries. You should also wipe down all surfaces that will be painted.

If you are painting wood trim, it is a good idea to use a primer before you apply the finish coat. This will ensure that the trim will not absorb too much of the paint and will hold up well to everyday wear and tear. After the primer is dry, it is a good idea to sand the surface to smooth any rough areas.

When you are ready to paint, you should first move any furniture that is in the way and cover it with plastic or fabric drop cloths. Then, tape off any areas that you do not want to paint and use a detail squeegee to press the tape firmly into place. If you do not have a detail squeegee, you can use a household putty knife or scraper to get the same results.

When you are finished, you can enjoy your newly-painted rooms and a beautiful home. Residential painters have the skills and tools to help you create the look you have always wanted for your home’s interior. They can also offer suggestions on the best colors to choose and the most effective ways to prepare a room for painting.

 

Log Home Construction Tips

by Posted in Log Homes Tagged , , , ,

Richardson Log Homes LLC offer a Thoreau-inspired lifestyle that attracts people drawn to nature. But they can also be expensive and challenging to build, so careful planning is crucial. After the wall beams are stacked, carpenters install doors and windows to complete the weather-tight shell. Next, they build the roof, which can be conventionally framed for two-story homes or constructed from a log-and-beam system.

Insulation

log home construction

A properly insulated log home can be as energy efficient as a conventional stick-built house. The main areas where insulation is most important are the roof and floor. Log homes are generally well insulated because of the timbers’ massive nature and wood’s natural ability to retain heat during the day and release it at night. This reduces the heating/cooling required to maintain a comfortable temperature.

However, like any structure, log walls can leak air. This is a common problem that can be remedied with a proper sealant and a yearly inspection.

There are a number of different ways to insulate log walls including open cell spray foam, cellulose, mineral wool and traditional chinking. Each has its advantages and disadvantages but the most important thing is to make sure the insulator is not restricting the natural movement of the logs. This is why we do not recommend adding insulation to the gable end of the home as it restricts this movement.

The other major factor to consider is that logs are hydroscopic and absorb water very quickly. This can promote wood rot and insect infestation. To minimize this risk, all logs should be treated with a fungicide and insecticide before the construction process begins. In addition to this, generous roof overhangs, properly sized gutters and downspouts and drainage plains around the home are all critical to moisture control. All of these measures combined will ensure that the logs remain dry and help prevent costly damage and expensive repairs down the road.

Floors

The floors of a log home are a high impact feature and a major decision in the overall design of the home. The flooring selection must balance price, durability and looks. The ideal choice is wood flooring, sourced from sustainable forests, which adds value and warmth to the property and is easy to maintain. Other natural choices are tile and stone, which add texture and color to the rooms and blend well with the natural light in log homes. Carpet may not seem like the most traditional option for a log cabin, but it is the most comfortable and provides sound absorption to help reduce noise.

Flooring is also important for log home resale and longevity, as it is often a key selling point for buyers of log homes. Laminate is an inexpensive option, but it doesn’t look as nice and doesn’t add to the resale value of your property. Hardwood floors, on the other hand, will last a lifetime with proper care and will add value to your property.

Besides being a beautiful addition to your property, wood is an excellent insulator and helps keep energy costs low. Depending on the type of logs used, and how they are assembled, your log home can be as energy efficient as or more efficient than a traditional frame house.

Choosing a roof system is another important decision when building a log home. Using log rafters or heavy timber trusses will allow you to view the log ceiling from inside your home, while still allowing for roof insulation. Another option is to use a built-up roof system in which you install decking over the log trusses and then add batt or solid foam insulation between the decking and the logs.

Roof

A log home’s roof system is important, not only for its structural role but also as an aesthetic feature. Whether you choose a traditional log cabin with 2 rounds of scribed or a post and beam timber frame style, each roof offers a different visual effect.

As you can imagine, log homes have a lot of different structural components, from ridge beams to wall studs and log roof trusses. Each has its own challenges and unique characteristics that need to be carefully considered when building.

While the first few generations of log cabins were built with gaping roofs to ventilate cooking and heating fires, modern methods use a combination of pinned and spiked connections between the logs to make a stronger, more weather-tight structure. These methods use rebar or large threaded stock to be driven through holes drilled in the foundation and extend up past the subfloor. Then, each course of logs is drilled to sit down over these pins and spiked together in a couple places. This keeps the logs from expanding or contracting as they dry out, which would cause them to crack and rot.

The roof is the most vulnerable part of any log home, as it is exposed to the elements for far longer than the interior walls are. For this reason, it is very important to ensure your roof is well-sealed. This includes log-to-log, log-to-girder and log-to-wall sealing. Then, a good roofing material like shingle or metal is installed over the top.

Metal roofs are growing in popularity for their durability and energy efficiency, while shingle roofs still work well for many log cabin homeowners. A new trend is using a bitumen membrane under some shingles to provide an extra layer of protection against the elements.

Doors

Log cabins often appear in scenic settings that are a part of the wilderness or countryside. They feature walls of windows and intricate roof trusses, as well as open floorplans. But a log home has some special challenges to overcome, including how to provide access and support the utilities.

The key to a successful building project is the understanding that log homes shrink and settle over time, so special construction methods are required to accommodate them. For example, window and door openings are framed to leave space at the top of the frame so that units can move freely as the log wall height changes. Likewise, second-floor and roof systems are typically framed on adjustable jacks to allow for movement without crushing the interior partitions.

A wide range of roof systems is available for log homes, but the simplest is a conventionally framed shingled roof system. Many homeowners save money and time by having their roof sheathing installed at the same time as the walls. This is referred to as “rough-in.”

Once the roof is in place and the log shell is weather-tight, carpenters install doors and windows. They also finish the mechanical systems such as plumbing, heating and cooling. These components are referred to collectively as the “mechanical work.” Generally, these systems are installed by subcontractors who specialize in each trade.

Log homes come in a variety of styles, including full scribe, post and beam and chinking. A chinked log home uses natural-shaped wall logs that fit together with notches, while a full-scribe home features marked and cut logs that fit snugly over each other.

Windows

Whether nestled in the forest, perched on a mountain or overlooking a lake log homes are beautiful no matter where they are located. But, like any home they need to be maintained.

It is important to keep in mind that a log home will need more maintenance than a conventional home because of the materials used and the structure of the logs. Regularly checking your log home for pests and ensuring the roof, foundation and other areas are properly sealed are just a few of the things you will need to do.

Another key maintenance item for a log cabin is keeping your windows clean. Since windows are the primary source of light in a log home, they should be cleaned regularly to make sure that there is no build-up of dust or other pollutants which can affect the clarity and color of the glass.

When designing a log home it is important to consider the size and shape of the window openings. To help avoid air leakage due to shrinkage, the windows and doors are often made slightly larger than the openings and then slotted into place. Nails, screws or lags are then placed through the slots and into the butts of the logs to provide a secure fit. This allows the logs to settle without crushing the windows or doors from above.

When choosing windows for your log home it is important to choose those with high visible light transmittance (VLT) ratings. This will ensure that you have the most natural light possible while reducing energy costs. During the winter, windows that allow for solar heat gain can help offset heating costs in cold climates. In the summer, if your windows are designed to reduce solar gain, you can help cut your cooling costs as well.