5 Things To Know Before Starting A Painting Project

Although you may think painting is an easy, DIY yourself project, chances are you don't know what you're doing. Before doing any sort of painting, whether that be the painting of a room, a door or a piece of furniture, you must know these tips before starting.

Know the Weather Forecast

The ideal painting weather is dry, so make sure to skip rainy or humid days. Start your painting project on a day where the relative humidity is between 40% and 70%. If you are painting the interior of your home, simply open a window and let the paint dry completely before starting the next coat.

Know The Size Of Your Space

Not only will you spend way more money than expected but you will find yourself with not enough paint for the job. One gallon per 400 square feet is a great rule of thumb. If you are painting a surface with a rougher texture, you may need more.

Know How To Keep A Wet Edge

By painting over an area of the wall that begun to dry will leave you with lap marks all over your walls. Keeping a wet edge or having each stroke overlap the previous one will help you avoid lap marks altogether.

Know How To Properly Prep Your Surface

If the surface of your walls aren't properly prepped, it won't matter how expensive the paint is or how carefully you applied the paint, your work will result in bubbling, cracking and chipping. To prep your surface correctly, sand and scrape any areas of the existing surface that is flaking or peeling. Take soap to any greasy areas and wipe all the walls with a dust-free rag.

Know The Correct Tape Removal Techniques

Before yanking the tape off the trim and ruining your hard work, take a second and remove the tape correctly. You need to wait 24 hours minimum before removing the trim tape, should use a utility knife to cut through the film and pull the tape at a 45-degree angle as you cut the paint.

Not everyone is suited for the meticulous, cautious work that is painting, which is okay!  If you are reconsidering painting yourself, call Hensel Painting or reach us online.

When To Paint: Before or After You Move In?

Moving into a new house is never a simple task. Along with packing, organizing, and planning, you still have to decide what interior work will need to be done in the new place. Should you paint the walls now? Or should you wait until to move is complete? To help you determine which option makes sense for your situation, read along!

Pros of Painting Before Move In

For some, painting before the move in date is completely ideal. With so much on the to do list, adding one more task may seem trivial. Might as well get everything done while the energy is there, right?

1. Choosing to paint before moving in allows the painting process to go much smoother. Without furniture in the way, decorations on the wall, or worrying about protecting furniture from wet paint, your move may feel less stressful should you choose to paint beforehand.
2. And what about the paint smell? If you prolong the painting process until after the move, chances are you will be stuck in a home that gives you a headache.
3. Moving into a house that is ready for you is going to be a huge relief. This way you can unpack at your leisure and tackle the next project without feeling overwhelmed.

One of the best parts of moving into a new space is settling in and feeling comfortable with your surroundings, which is hard to do with a big paint job on the brain.

Pros of Painting After You Move in

Certain situations are better suited for prolonging the painting process.

1. If you decide to paint before your furniture and decorations are in the home, it may be a challenge to pick the right paint color. You don't want to choose a color that doesn't work well with your home decor. In fact, many home designers believe that painting before moving in is one of the greatest mistakes people can make.
2. You want to feel confident in your color choice for your home, and the only way to do that to see your color over a period time and in diverse lighting.
3. Paint a section of your wall and live with it for a few days to get a full understanding of the color. This way you can ultimately decide if the color works for you and your space. 

Whatever decision works best for your personality, schedule and lifestyle, ensure the job is done right. A paint job well done will set the tone for the whole home. Here at Hensel Painting, we are ready to paint your home before or after you’ve moved in. Call us today for more information, or contact us for your free estimate.

A Guide To Choosing the Best Colors For Your Bedroom

Out of all the rooms in your home, your bedroom should be a place to relax, unplug and unwind from life’s stressors. It should also be an environment designed for optimal sleep! The influence of many factors is needed in order to create the perfect bedroom space. Although decor and furnishings are important, the colors of your walls and ceiling will make all the difference. Part of choosing the best paint color for your bedroom starts with understanding how colors influence mood.

Colors and Their Effects

Although this process is hardly scientific, studies show that certain colors affect our mood and how well we sleep. The results showed that bedrooms painted hues of blue are optimal for sleep. Shades of yellow came in at second best for sleep and green and silver took third and fourth. the study revealed that individuals with bedrooms painted gray, brown and purple received the least amount of sleep.

Neutral Colors

Not only are neutral colors a safe choice, they are also calming! Beige, cream, and tan are subtle and mind easing, perfect for a relaxing bedroom. Although neutral tones aren't the most fun, they go perfectly with a variety of decor, furniture pieces, and linens.

Cool Colors

Cool colors are optimal for a sleepy and calming bedroom setting. Also, the cool colors spectrum offers a lot of variation! Experiment with hues of blue, violet, blue-green and gray!

Pastel Colors

Pastels don’t look childish when done right. A pastel colored room with bright accessories and dark wood accents is both grown-up and soothing. Consider soft greens or blues, lavender, or even light pink.

Tips to Try

1. Consider the overall effect you are going for. Relaxed, intimate, cozy, or something else? Gather inspiration from magazines or interior design websites!

2. Take your surroundings into consideration. What goes well with your furniture? Does natural light effect your space?

3. Test out potential colors on portions of your wall. See how the colors change throughout the day.

Bring in the Professionals

Whatever color you choose, you will get the best results if you hire professionals. Here at Hensel Painting, we are confident in our ability to transform your home with our professional painting services and appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. Contact us today and request a free estimate for your next painting project.

5 Home Maintenance Tips You Shouldn’t Skip

We love our homes! They are the places where memories are made, a space of comfort and peace for our families, and where our everyday lives happen. However, in order to keep our homes healthy, minor maintenance is necessary. The summertime is a great time to check on the condition of your home. If you are unsure of where to begin, here are 5 places to start with this summer.

Tune Up the A/C

The status of your air conditioning is the most important and often the most forgotten maintenance tip on our checklist. Just as your car needs the occasional tune-up to prevent mechanical damage and malfunction, so does your A/C. This tune-up should consist of an inspection of the refrigerant levels, which ensures that your A/C is running cool and your electricity bill stays low. Check to see if the fan is functioning properly, that the coils are cleaned and the wiring is intact. We advise you to change your air filter at least once a month if your unit is being used frequently.

A Roof Check-Up

Although the roof of your home should be inspected annually, the summer months are the perfect time to get up there. Seeing the condition of the roof yourself (you or a professional) is the most effective way to catch potential problems or minor issues that can be fixed before further damage ensues.

A Gutter Cleanse

We recommend cleaning the gutters of your home twice a year, especially after the fall and spring seasons. Cleaning the gutters frequently will prevent leaking and clogging!

Don’t Forget the Windows

While the A/C is cooling the inside of your home, check the sealants and the condition of your windows to prevent the heat from getting in. If you stumble upon open areas, caulking is a simple way to seal up cracks. Also, check the weather-stripping! If there is damage, replace it immediately.

Even the House Needs a Bath

A routine cleaning is great for the exterior of your home. The easiest and most effective way to do this by pressure wash. Pressure washing is the best way to remove mildew, dirt or stains that have built up over the year. Be sure to cover any electrical outlets, plants, and open windows before the washing gets started. 

Do what it takes to keep one your most valuable possessions looking great! In order to ensure the longevity of your home, pay attention to the little things. After your home has received its summertime check up, consider a fresh paint job! For more information about Hensel Painting and our services, contact us today.