Patrick Franks Blog

Friday, February 19, 2016

Outdoor Living

Outdoor living is here to stay. According to a recent survey, Americans spend more than $18. 7 billion annually on outdoor home improvement projects. With more than 30 million backyard decks already built in the U. S. , a good portion is spent on decks and railing. If you’re among the millions of homeowners whoever will be replacing or building a new deck, porch or patio this year, it’s time to do some homework on the many new materials and style options now available.

Don’t settle on wood just because you’re familiar with it. New composite and vinyl materials are available that will both look good and retain their original quality for years to come. They never need painting, staining or sanding. Gray is no longer the only choice in composite or vinyl decking. Advancements in color science have expanded the color options for decks. Boardwalk Composite Decking, for instance, has a new natural brown option that blends beautifully with outdoor surroundings.

Look beyond standard balusters. While colonial-style balusters have a classic appeal, other options are also available. New on the railing market are glass balusters. Glass balusters provide a clearer view, so to speak, of the surroundings beyond the deck, porch or patio. The glass baluster option for the EverNew Oxford style vinyl railing system is one of the most popular, as it works with any vinyl, composite or wood decking surface in both stair and flat applications. When choosing a railing system, be sure it complies with International Code Council requirements as well.

Ask a professional. Your local lumberyard, retailer and contractor should each be familiar with the multitude of new deck and railing products. Seek their opinions on what materials and styles would work best for your outdoor haven.

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Thursday, February 18, 2016

Ryegrass

Game room paint color: Ryegrass by Sherwin-Williams

Visit Marker Girl here to see the before. The transformation is so fun to see.

How to know your home is ready for a paint job

We already know the many advantages of giving your home a nice new coat of paint. It enhances the curb appeal, gives it a fresh new look, and helps to lift the mood of the whole neighborhood. And it's not just about aesthetics. The most important reason to paint your home is to protect the walls, wood and trim, and extend the life of your beloved property.

But how do you know when your home is ready for a new coat of paint? It is a big job to paint a house after all, and you really don't want to pay out for unnecessary work. The problem is it can be hard to get a definite answer about how often a house will need painting. This is because how often a paint job is needed depends on certain factors- where you live, what your house is made of and how good a job was done last time. These variables need to be examined. Ask yourself some questions.

How's the weather?
When buying a home, location is everything -- people want to live in a friendly, attractive neighborhood, with good schools, nearby shopping and conveniences. But not many people know that the location can also affect how often you're going to need to paint the exterior of a building. If your home is by the sea, it will be exposed to more sun, salty sea air and sand-laden winds that blast the walls. Painting a beachside house can be an annual job. Strong sunshine can cause paint to bubble and fade over time, especially if it's oil-based. In places like the Mid Atlantic or New England, cold weathers and hot humid summers can make the surface of your walls expand and contract, so even the best quality paint can crack after a few seasons.

How does your house look?
Now that Spring is just about here, it's time to take a walk around your house and examine it carefully. If you're in a cold region, check to see if the paint is peeling or the caulk between the wood and brick work is separating. Check for spots of exposed woodwork and spots of mold where snow may have collected over winter. In a hotter region, you need to be on the lookout for cracking stucco around windows, wood rot and caulk that is starting to deteriorate or become brittle. Mildew that keeps returning despite power washing is another warning sign. Mildew resistance diminishes over time and needs keeping an eye on.

Exposed wood will rot, and if this has already happened it needs replacing or it will compromise the structure of your home. Mold and mildew will spread if not treated to kills spores, and stucco will start to crumble if water can breach through to the cement. If you spot any of these warning signs, it's time to reach for the paint brushes or call in a professional team.

What is your house made out of?
Wooden sidings on a building should be repainted every 3-7 years or stained at least every 4 years or so. But aluminum siding should be good for 5 years between paint jobs. If you choose to paint brick work, a good job could last up to 20 years if professionally done.

Is your house the neighborhood joke?
It's nice to have a standout property but if everyone for miles around knows your house for its crazy garish paint job it may be time to tone things down, especially if you're planning to move any time soon. Of course it's nice to express yourself through your home, but if this means dayglo walls and polka dot window frames you could end up causing some resentment among those people living closest to you, who feel you are driving house prices down and attracting camera wielding sightseers with your eccentric dwelling. Bring out your personality with your interior decor and fit in with nearby homes with a lick of paint on the exterior.

If you want a professional paint job that can add years to your house's lifespan and hundreds of dollars to its value, talk to the professionals at Sharper Impressions Painting. We can give you a paint job that lasts for years.

The post How to know your home is ready for a paint job appeared first on Sharper Impressions Painting.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Home Designs

Check out any gym where weight training is going on and you’re likely to see a back-up at the Smith machines. These powerhouses for muscle building are favorites of serious trainers and those just starting out. With an ability to mix up a work out, this gym machine is great for commercial settings. But what about Smith machines home gyms? So, are these worth to review for exercising at home? You bet!

Exercise home gym reviews written by professional trainers who are into building strength and overall fitness love Smith machines for their private gyms. This machine will enable the user to do a lot of exercises on a single piece of equipment, plus they can be reset to accommodate different users.

Some of the better manufacturers of Smith gyms produce machines with a lot of options for home use. The better features, for example, include angle changes, benches that adjust, leg extension ability and more. Review descriptions of these machines to see any of the exercises you can do at home to develop the lats, pecks, legs, arms and more with ease.

A Smith machine is appropriate for almost total body work outs. Add in just a few extra exercises and you’re covered, making these gyms perfect for private use. A well-made Smith provides counter balance and easy control. It will move with simplicity and puts less stress on the muscles than other pieces of gym equipment. Fitness equipment reviewers say the best thing about a Smith is the fact it is designed to help a person lift – a lot – without needing a spotter, which is great for a home setting.

If you need to equip a home gym right, start by reviewing all options including a Smith machine. Combining a lot of different weight training features into one solid piece of home exercise equipment, this equipment is perfect to help a person get fit and stay that way. Plus, think of the time you’ll save running to the gym!

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Irish Mist

Nursery paint color

Irish Mist by Behr

Urbane Jane

Monday, February 15, 2016

Importance of Power Washing for Painting Home Exteriors

Now that winter is drawing to a close and spring is on its way, the chances are that the exterior of your home is looking a little the worse for wear. Strong winds, snow, rain and low temperatures can not only leave dirt and damp marks on your paintwork they can also cause chips, cracks and blistering to your paint.

So if you want to give the house some much needed TLC by cleaning the walls, or you think it's time for a full repaint, you'll need to reach for a power washer. This not only lets you blast away dirt and get rid of the chalky deposits left by old paint, it can also remove dirt, mold, mildew and algae too and is much more efficient than trying to do the job with a bucket or water and a handheld brush. It can be fun too, and you can't say that about many home improvement jobs.

If you're preparing your exterior walls for a new paint job, this sort of washing is essential. Dirty walls, even if they don't look particularly grubby, simply won't hold paint as well as clean walls and can start peeling almost as soon as you've completed the job. Any professional will tell you, that when it comes to a successful painting job, preparation is half the work. This is why the Sharper Impressions team will always carry out a power wash, before getting out the paint.

However, maybe you are not looking for a paint job this year. But you should still think about giving your home a power wash. It can get rid of dirt, dust, leaves and cobwebs. Aluminum, steel, vinyl and wood can benefit from being cleaned.

You may wonder if you can just use your garden hose on your walls, but the truth is, this just won't do the job as effectively. A power hose can be up to 50 times more powerful than a garden hose while using less water. They also have different attachments for different parts of your house, so that water is applied evenly and at the right pressure. A power wash also uses special anti bacterial cleaning agents that help to preserve wooden sidings.

How a power wash can help

No one really wants to live in a house that looks run down and dirty. If you keep your exterior walls clean, your home seems more inviting. You'll be giving a lift to the whole neighbourhood too. One or two shabby houses on a street can really affect property prices. Keeping your home looking clean is an investment, as you're sure to get a better price for a home that's clearly been looked after if you ever decide to move.

A power wash can also be useful for cleaning out guttering, paths and driveways. A quick blast will get grime out of cracks and ensure your entire property looks clean and attractive.

A power wash can also help to increase the lifespan of your home. Every time there is a buildup of mold, bird droppings, or mildew it can cause damage, discoloration, chalking oxidization and decay. A good power wash, at least every two years, can keep this at bay - perhaps more often if your home is near busy roads or in industrial areas.

How to prepare your house for a power wash.

So you've decided that it's time for a power clean of your house. Here are some hints and tips to getting ready:

Check any wood work for rot or damage. This needs repairing before you power wash.
Do not power wash if you suspect you have a coat of lead paint (from before 1978) you need to talk to a professional about removing it safely.
Choose a clear day with low wind.
Turn off the power to any exterior electricity sockets.
Cover with plastic any exterior light fittings or delicate decorative features.
Move your lawn furniture away from the walls of your house.
Close any doors and windows firmly.
Trim any long grass or shrubs that are touching your home, these can cause problems when damp.
Use a garden hose to spray your nearby plants and flowers to protect them from the detergents in the power spray.
Wear eye protection when spraying.
Don't use a power sprayer when on a ladder, use an extension pole or bring in a professionals.
Don't spray people or animals.

If your home is looking a little dirty after the winter, or you plan to paint, and think it's time to power wash, get in touch with your local Sharper Impressions team and we’ll be happy to advise you on your next course of action.

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Wall Paint

Obviously the first thing you need to do is figure out what to paint on the wall. When I know what I want to paint, I typically follow that up by finding different representations, photos, drawings to use as a reference, or by going to a location to take some pictures that I can use as a model. For example, if I wanted to paint a seascape I might drive around the beach area where I look for objects or scenery I want to include in my painting. Most times I am piecing together a scene to create my mural.

Once you have what you need to put together your scene, painting the background first is essential. I start at the top and work my way down. So I lay down the sky first, then the horizon, where I may have mountains, trees, water or land. After I have my background in I will place my other objects, such as people, cars, roads or whatever the subject may be. Sometimes I hand paint in these objects and sometimes I may use a projector first to cast the image on the wall, trace it out and then hand paint it. A projector is very helpful to maintain the correct proportions and to help in placement of the object.

You may be wondering what medium to use on a wall. I use a mixture of acrylic paint that you can buy in any craft or art supply store and also latex paint that you would purchase by the gallon in a paint or hardware store. Both of these mediums dry swiftly and clean up easily with water. Also, acrylic paint has no fumes so working with it will not bother you during the process. I typically purchase a gallon of extra bright white paint that I mix with the acrylic colors. This will stretch your dollar, because purchasing small tubes of acrylic paint alone can add up swiftly especially if you’re painting a large area.

Once you have finished your mural, I suggest painting a clear coat of polyeurothane over it to protect it. Look for a coating that’ll not yellow with age. The clear coating allows cleanup in case of dirt or fingerprints.

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