Popcorn Ceilings – Should They Stay or Should They Go?

March 26, 2019

By Painters in CT

Facebook


Twitter


Pinterest


Linkedin

When it comes to the design and build of a retaining wall for your property, there are numerous factors to consider before making the leap. Are you adding it for a functional purpose or just to make your property look more aesthetically pleasing? Once you decide the reason for a retaining wall, there is some homework you need to make sure you do before beginning the process. The four main factors that you should take into consideration are:
• Location
• Soil
• Drainage
• Design

It is advisable to get an opinion from an expert before you jump into the planning of a retaining wall by yourself. Even if it is just to get a second opinion, it could be helpful to take into consideration what they have to suggest. it is important to take into consideration the location and the environmental factors that could have a tremendous impact on the functionality of your wall. The layout of your wall will be vital in the prevention of it becoming a hazard or even collapsing. When done right, retaining walls can add elegance to your property as well as great functionality.

CHOOSING THE PROPER SOIL FOR THE RETAINING WALLMany people might make the assumption that the soil in their yard can hold whatever is built on it, but that isn’t always the case. The soil that creates the foundation needs to be examined in order to determine if it can support the retaining wall. An expert should evaluate the type of soil, bearing capacity, stress parameters and friction angle of the soil used for the foundation. It is vital that the base soil is firm, soil and strong. It also shouldn’t be naturally moist, as wet soil is not recommended for infilling.

DRAINAGE FOR YOUR RETAINING WALLWater is one of the most common reason why many retaining walls end up failing, therefore it is essential to make sure your wall has proper drainage and there will be no build up. Drainage in front, behind and around the wall has to be considered. A drainage system might have to be put into place in order to help water pass through and not build up. this type of drainage system could be something like backfilling with gravel, using drain pipes or using weep holes that will allow for water to pass through the wall.

THE DESIGN YOU HAVE DREAMED ABOUTAfter thorough research is done, choosing which kind of material you want for your wall can be the more fun part. Although not all materials might work for your situation, there are many types of materials to choose from when it comes to building your retaining wall.

Choosing the type of wall that is best suited for your landscape, whether it is a dry laid or mortared wall, is the first step in design. Then, you will need to choose the stone you want to use, as they vary greatly in type, size and shape. Sometimes the type of stone can also be dependent upon the availability of it in your area.


COMMON MATERIALS FOR RETAINING WALLSSandstone and Limestone: ranges in color from white to shades of tan or gray. They can be cut in regular or irregular shapes. Granite: durable and solid stone that is typically quarried into large, rectangular shapes that are easy to use in a rock wall. They can come in a variety of colors.
Fieldstone: usually rounded and easier to get, therefore often times it is less expensive. This stone varies in sizes from boulders to small rocks the size of a hand. Concrete: Concrete stones are uniform in size, so they are easy to work with and affordable. Man-made concrete stones usually make attractive retaining walls. A retaining wall can become a beautiful asset to the landscape of your home, but only if you do proper research and planning first. Our experienced contractors can provide you with vital support when it comes to the evaluation of your property and planning of your retaining wall design. Choosing the right type of stone is crucial for the beauty and functionality of your wall. We are here to help!

PAINTERS IN CT CAN HELP!

We know how overwhelming it can be to research and design the best design for your retaining wall, so let us give you a hand! Our team of experts can provide you with all the options that will work for your property so that you can choose the design that best suits you. Give us a call to schedule a consultation today!

View All Services 

Popcorn Ceilings – Should They Stay or Should They Go?

March 26, 2019

By Painters in CT

Facebook


Twitter


Pinterest


Linkedin

Many homes that were built during the 20th century have ceilings textured with popcorn ceilings. These are easy to spot as you can see that the ceiling is textured with a bumpy appearance that is reminiscent of popcorn. This type of ceiling was very popular between the 1930’s and 1970’s, commonly found in entrances, hallways, bedrooms and basements of homes. It became a popular technique because it was deemed to be a cheaper alternative to properly painting your ceiling. The popcorn effect was achieved by spraying on a mixture that looked like cottage cheese, so that homeowners didn’t have to worry about any imperfections that were on the ceiling like holes or small cracks because the texture would just cover it up.

This trend of popcorn ceilings quickly fell out of style and was eventually banned under the Clean Air Act in the late 1970’s due to causing mesothelioma if inhaled. An important thing to consider before doing any work to your existing popcorn ceilings is to determine if its material is cold pose a health risk. Asbestos was the material of choice for popcorn ceilings until it was banned as a health hazard. After this was discovered, popcorn ceilings were made with material like Styrofoam to create a similar stippled pattern but became a lot less popular.

ARE POPCORN CEILINGS IN STYLE OR OUTDATED?

Popcorn ceilings can either be viewed as outdated or well-suited to the interior of your home, depending on the style and look you are wanting to achieve. Most newer homes will not have popcorn ceilings as they tend to date a room’s style. The benefit popcorn ceilings still have today is that they will always be able to hide scuffs, cracks or imperfections in your ceiling unlike smooth ceilings. Smooth ceilings may look more polished and modern, but natural or indoor lighting can reflect evenly on flat surfaces making imperfections harder to seal and easier to see.

The best thing about popcorn ceilings is that they are not permanent. Therefore, if you are looking to sell your home, but think it might sell better if you remove the popcorn ceiling, the process can be done pretty quickly, especially if you hire a professional team. Or if you are looking to buy a house that has popcorn ceilings, don’t let that deter you as they can be removed.

CLEANING AND REPAIRING POPCORN CEILINGSOne of the biggest drawbacks to popcorn ceilings is the extensive work that can be required to keep it clean or fix any holes or cracks that appear. Cobwebs and dust can easily get caught in the bumps or smoke can stain the ceiling. When trying to clean popcorn ceilings, you have to be cautious not to press too hard as the raised particles of it can easily flake off causing aesthetic harm to your ceiling. It is hard to repair one small area of a popcorn ceiling due to its texture.


In the end, it is up to you as a homeowner what kind of ceiling you want in your home. If you want to save money, a popcorn ceiling might be a cost-effective choice for you. Although, a smooth ceiling is probably a better investment in the long run if you are not looking to stay in your home forever and will eventually want to sell it.STILL HAVE POPCORN CEILINGS? GIVE YOUR #1 CT PAINTING COMPANY US A CALL

There are many steps involved in removing a popcorn ceiling, and it can become quite messy, therefore we suggest contacting a professional to get the job done for you. At Painters in CT, LLC we are experienced in the removal of popcorn ceilings. Give us a call today and we will come out to take a look at your popcorn ceilings and give you a free quote! Let us take care of it for you!

View All Services 

Painting Cabinets – How to Choose the Best Color for Your Kitchen

March 06, 2019

By Painters in CT

Facebook


Twitter


Pinterest


Linkedin

When considering a change in your kitchen, the color of your cabinets plays big part in the look of the space. Cabinets take up a large area of the visual space, making it important that cabinet color works in sync with the rest of your kitchen colors and decor. Updating your whole kitchen can be a large, inconvenient and expensive project. If you aren’t looking to do a full kitchen remodel, freshening up your cabinets with a coat of paint can provide just the right update you are looking for at a small cost. 

Of course, there are a number of factors to consider when it comes to choosing the right color to paint your kitchen cabinets such as lighting, backsplash color, appliances, material type and evening flooring.

But the 3 most important things you want to take into consideration when choosing your color are:

• Style

• Size

• Contrast

Since painting your cabinets can be a pretty big task depending on the size of your kitchen, you want to choose a color that you will be happy with for years to come, as most homeowners don’t paint their kitchen cabinets too frequently.

PAINTING TO GIVE YOUR CABINETS THE STYLE YOU WANTA good place to start is with your cabinet’s design style. If you have a more traditional kitchen, classic colors such as a white or cream will almost always work well. On the other hand, if you have a modern kitchen, you probably can expand your palette pretty significantly, utilizing contrasting tones and bright colors. Style can also consist of knowing what kind of material your cabinets are made out of and if there are any restrictions as to what paint you are able to use. The material of cabinets might also work with certain colors better than others. Typically, wood is the best cabinet surface to paint, as it can work whether it is unfinished, painted or stained. Laminates can be painted, but they are to as long-lasting.

YOUR CABINET SIZECabinet size is another factor that plays a big role in choosing what color to paint them. Do you have a big kitchen with a lot of cabinetry or a small kitchen with only a small section of cabinets? A small or under-lit kitchen could benefit from light colored kitchen cabinets, while dark cabinets will work in a larger space with more lighting.

THE RIGHT CONTRAST MAKES A DIFFERENCEIn many homes, creating a contrast in your kitchen can provide your space a stunning look. The contrast created between dark cabinets paired with light kitchen design is popular in many modern kitchens. Contrast between your cabinet color and the other elements in your kitchen can depend on the lighting of the room and your own personal style. Some homeowners with black colored appliances might choose the paint their cabinets a dark brown or other deep-toned color so that the appliances blend in a little better. While others may choose to paint their cabinets white or a light color despite having dark colored appliances.


Aside from those factors, it is important to choose colors that you love. It is your home and you should feel happy each time you are walking into that kitchen. Of course, it is great to explore popular color trends and weigh out all of your options, but at the end of it all, you should choose a color that works best for your taste and the look you are going for. Cabinets are an important aspect of the kitchen, often serving as a focal point, as they tend to cover more wall space than what is left open for paint many times.DON’T STRESS, GIVE US A CALL!

Once your color is chosen, it might be overwhelming to think about how you are going to tackle the project of painting your cabinets. There are a lot of steps consider if you are thinking of taking the project such as: removing the hardware, covering countertops, sanding the cabinets, priming the cabinets, and so on. Many homeowners may not know where to start or what tools they might need.

That is where we can help! At Painters in CT, LLC, our experts will know exactly how to tackle your project so that your kitchen is painted in a timely manner and without any mistakes. Give us a call today and we will come out to your home to give you’re a free estimate!

View All Services