Put Pressure Washing on Your Springtime “To-Do” List

Pressure WashingThere are plenty of seasoned homeowners out there who have their homes pressure washed on an annual basis. They have recognized the amazing results this quick and cost-effective procedure delivers. In addition to cleaning up a home’s exterior, pressure washing can make decks, porches, patios, walkways, and driveways look like new!

Many homeowners put off having their residences professionally pressure washed because they are afraid that doing so will cause the paint to pop off here and there. They worry that in turn; they may have to paint the entire place. In fact, we have had customers who contracted us for pressure washing in anticipation that afterwards, their home would be in need of an exterior paint job. Imagine their delight when after the Colour Solutions team washed away a year’s worth of dirt and mildew, the existing paint looked great!

Another reason we are such fans of pressure washing is that it is handy for a number of applications. Did you know that a variety of things can be transformed with a little pressure washing? It could be that your entire exterior is ok, but other areas around your home could benefit from the expertise of our pressure washing crew. Consider these smaller jobs that may be on your “to-do” list already:

  • Fences and gates – Exposed to the elements, they take a beating and are not the easiest things to clean, until you call Colour Solutions’ pressure washing team!
  • Porch ceiling s- These tend to gather cobwebs, mildew, and dust. Who wants to look at that all spring and summer?
  • Patio/deck furniture – Oh yes we can and what a difference you’ll see!
  • Front steps/stoops/deck steps – Because steps and stoops are also exposed directly to the elements, they can get filthy in a hurry. Excessive moisture can contribute to the growth of mildew and sometimes moss, which are very slippery and dangerous when wet. Why not let us blast it away?
  • Foundations – When the foundation is not looking its best, it casts a dreary shadow on the entire home. Pressure washing is the perfect solution for every type of foundation out there, including, brick, stone, wood, and stucco.
  • Garage floors – What a difference pressure washing can make in one of the home’s heaviest/dirtiest traffic areas (See: Tired of your Garage Floors? Colour Solutions Can Help!)

We like to think that no job is too big or too small. As part of your spring cleaning, please give your home the critical eye and decide if a visit from the Colour Solutions pressure washing crew is in order! Just give us a call for a free estimate: 910-686-3067!

It’s Time to Wash Winter Grime Away!

Spring Cleaning ServicesSpring is here at last! We certainly had more than our usual share of frozen precipitation, high winds, and bone-chilling temps during this past winter. Did you know that aside from hurricane season, winter weather is likely the hardest on a home’s exterior?  Here are just some of the reasons why this is the case:

  • Excessive moisture may cause mold, mildew, and rot.
  • A home’s siding, trim, and foundation can suffer from too much moisture.
  • The freeze/thaw cycle causes expansion and contraction of numerous building components and an increased amount of wear and tear.
  • Wind gusts of 20mph + (we had plenty of those!) wreak havoc on the roof and fill gutters with debris at an accelerated rate.

If the north wind and Jack Frost left you with a mess, the Colour Solutions team is at your service. In addition to professional painting services, our talented crew handles a variety of other jobs. Here are a few “spring cleaning” tasks that we are happy to take care of:

  • Gutter cleaning – Are your gutters full of leaves, pine cones, and small sticks? They cannot possibly be effective until they are thoroughly cleaned out.
  • Small carpentry jobs – Do you have warped planks on the deck, loose trim, or missing pieces of siding? Perhaps you have discovered a little wood rot or moisture damage? The time to address such issues is now before they lead to bigger headaches.
  • Fence cleaning and painting  -Is your once lovely fence stained or showing signs of mildew? We can restore it back to fresh and new!
  • Pressure washing – Whether your home is dingy from months of yucky weather or it’s time for an exterior paint job, nothing does the trick like pressure washing!
  • See Our Services.

Of course you had rather be spending these gorgeous spring days in the garden, at the park, at the beach, or on the golf course. Guess what? There’s plenty of time for doing the things you enjoy most when you allow Colour Solutions to handle the big jobs!

We are a quick phone call away: 910-686-3067

Tired of Your Garage Floors? Colour Solutions Can Help!

Garage Floor CoatingIt’s no secret that Spring is when homeowners frequently decide to make improvements and upgrades to their properties. Being cooped up during the dreary winter months seems to inspire many of us to get our homes in order. (Maybe it was all those snow days spent watching HGTV?)

When it comes to our garage floors, many homeowners think that there are not too many options. There is also a tendency to put these flooring improvements on the back burner, because they are viewed as majorly inconvenient to live with. However, a floor that is less than perfect may be easier to change than you thought!  Colour Solutions has the answers for how to update, refinish, or restore. Our team is experienced in a variety of applications, including staining, painting, and refinishing.

In the cases of homes with an attached garage, this space often becomes the most used entrance into the residence. When the garage floor is dingy, cracked, or just unappealing, the house in turn becomes guilty by association. That is, the condition of the garage can set the tone for the entire residence. Even when the garage space is neatly organized and tidy, a yucky, oil stained, paint splotched floor can cast its evil shadow. Living with a garage floor that does not meet your standards is not obligatory!

The Colour Solutions crew has a number of ways to spruce up garage floors. Sometimes, all it may need is a thorough pressure washing or treatment with a few of our products designed just for concrete. A professional cleaning is often all it takes to restore a garage floor to like-new condition. Afterwards, many of our customers are so pleased with the initial cleaning that they choose to go the extra mile and have the floor professionally painted or stained. If that sounds like something you’d like to consider, we will be happy to show you samples of past jobs and discuss which choices would work best for your existing floor. Could a NASCAR theme be in your garage’s future?

To learn more, schedule an appointment, or discuss paint and stain options, please call Colour Solutions at 910-686-3067.

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Garage Floor Coatings For Wilmington NC Homes
Let Colour Solutions Rejuvenate Your Cement Flooring!
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Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing

Cabinet Doors - Chocolate Glaze over Toffee Paint If you have ever looked in to the cost of replacing kitchen cabinets, chances are you experienced a little sticker shock. Even the expense involved in refacing existing cabinets is pricey. Along with labor and materials, there is also the environmentally conscious question about what to do with the old cabinets. Donating them is great, however, removing them and keeping them intact is not always so easy.

Colour Solutions has a simple and cost-effective answer to those considering how to change or update their kitchen cabinets. Depending on the construction materials used in your existing cabinets, we may be able to refinish them or repaint them. Customers are always so surprised to see what a difference these simple and much more cost-effective solutions make.

When the Colour Solutions crew applies fresh paint or stain choices and new hardware is installed, it’s like magic! In fact, this option offers a lot of flexibility with colors and finishes. We are also happy to examine the latest trends with our customers as well, such as pops of color inside cabinet interiors, chalk paint colors, and even stencils.

With a little help from us, you’ll be able to save that cabinet money for spring annuals and new patio furniture! Please give us a call to schedule an appointment for a free estimate: 910-686-3067.

Related Posts:

Kitchen Cabinet Makeover
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Ideas for Painted Cabinets

Create a Cozy Reading Nook in your Home

Photo credit – Houzz

When you consider the idea of a reading nook, different images may come to mind. For some, the nook may be in an out of the way corner, surrounded by floor to ceiling book shelves filled with favorite volumes. For another it maybe tucked unexpectedly under a stairway or behind a curtain on a window seat. Having a special place for reading is the ideal way to encourage younger kids to read and allow teens and adults a place to unplug. Even when designating a space as small as a reading nook, the right paint job can have a significant impact.

Certain color choices can evoke feelings of calm that are ideal for anyone wanting to lose themselves in the pages of a good book. Depending on your personal style, the right hues can achieve the desired effect, whether its one of sophistication, whimsy or worldliness.

In creating a reading nook, here are a few points to consider:

  • Will it accommodate just one person or more?
  • Is there ample light?
  • Will there be space to store a few books or will shelves need to be installed?
  • What will the seating area consist of? …a plump chair, cheery bean bag or overstuffed window seat cushion surrounded by throw pillows?

Regardless of what type of reading nook you’d like, please call the crew at Colour Solutions for all of your design needs.  Please note that in addition to painting, carpentry is just another of our many services. A few simple alterations may be all it takes to achieve the effects shown here: www.houzz.com/reading-nook

For more information about our services, please call Colour Solutions at 910-686-3067.

Paint Those Winter Blues Away and Get a Jump on Spring!

Interior Painting for a Fresh Look this SpringThe winter weather of 2014 has been tough for much of the country. It’s no secret that millions of us are excitedly counting the days when spring and warmer temps finally come our way. Rather than huddle inside by the fire, why not get ahead and perk up your home with some fresh paint? That way, when those gorgeous days finally do arrive, you’ll be able to enjoy them completely!

Perhaps you’re ready to change the color of your kitchen, family room, or want to redo a bathroom? Dollar for dollar, paint is hands down the most cost effective way to update your home. And what’s even better is that today’s low VOC paints make it easier and safer to tackle indoor painting jobs.  Just like with clothing styles, there are new spring collections for paint colors. We’d love to show you what’s new for 2014!

When you schedule an appointment, you can meet with our experienced staff members who will be happy to guide you to choices for your next painting project. Here’s a quick list of some of our most requested winter time projects:

  • Pressure Washing – It’s the perfect way to prepare a home’s exterior for a fresh springtime paint job.
  • Garage Floor Coatings – Has this winter destroyed your garage floor? A new coating will make it like new again!
  • Wallpaper Removal – Are you ready for a new look, but just can not get the old wall paper off the walls? Leave that messy job to us! We also handle drywall repair.
  • Cabinet Refinishing – If your kitchen or bathroom cabinets are dark and dated, you may be interested in finding out how easy it is to have us refinish them. Simply call one of our team members for an estimate.
  • Faux Finishes – Are you intrigued by some of the specialty finishes or interesting paint jobs you’ve seen on the home and decorating programs? From faux finishes to the new ombre, we can help!

Spring is truly just around the corner and let’s face it, there is so much more to enjoy when your home is freshly painted and in an excellent state of repair. Find out all the ways we can help you get the most from your spring and summer with a call to Colour Solutions at 910-686-3067.

Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

House in Winter, Wilmington NCHarsh winter weather can be tough on a house. That is why routine maintenance during this time of year is critical. Not only can a few simple tasks keep your home looking its best, paying attention to certain details can also save you a bundle on future maintenance and your electric bill.

Please use the following checklist as a handy guide for wintertime “to-do’s”…

  • Either do a thorough inspection of your home’s exterior, or pay a professional to do it. The goal is to assure that the home’s roof and gutter system, windows and doors are all in excellent working order. The old-fashioned, yet tried and true method of testing window and door seals is to hold a lit candle inside the home near window or door seams. If it flickers quite a bit, that means cold air from the outside is rushing in!
  • Replacing the caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors makes a huge difference in how well they function. Because over time, building materials expand and contract with changes in temperature and moisture, caulk and weather stripping can pull away from the areas they were applied to. Caulk that has past its prime also tends to harden and become brittle.
  • The professional team from Colour Solutions will be happy to inspect your windows and doors to see it it’s time to replace the old caulk or weather stripping. Based on your home’s construction materials, they will also be able to recommend which products will be best for the job.
  • After new caulking is applied, there’s nothing to seal it in place better than a fresh coat of paint!
  • Sometimes caulking and weather stripping are just not enough. If advised, replace old or inefficient doors and windows with new EnergyStar approved ones. When doors and windows are not effectively blocking the cold air out and keeping the warm air in, it is challenging for your HVAC system to work properly. Failing to address such issues will likely result in higher than normal heating bills.

If you’d like to learn more about how our services can help your home be more energy efficient and looking its best, please give us a call at 910-686-3067.

Perfect Time for Commercial Interior Painting

Commercial Interior PaintingHow are those New Year’s resolutions coming along? If you set goals to increase business, update your office space, or just get your operation more streamlined, it may be time to paint! One of the great things about painting, in addition to being the hands down most cost effective home or office improvement available, is that it forces us to get organized. Surely that was on that list of resolutions for 2014, right?

At Colour Solutions we realize that many of our customers may not think that the winter months are ideal for tackling a commercial painting project. However, we think it’s a great time! A number of factors can come into play which make updating or redecorating with a fresh coat of paint the best option from now through the busy spring and summer seasons. For example, some businesses see less customer traffic this time of year, so changing the look of the firm’s interior, exterior or both, may be an easier and quicker process as opposed to waiting for warmer temps.

Because cold, dry air may cause shrinkage in wood cabinetry, doors, or trim, and cause gaps, cool weather is the ideal time to address those issues. Today’s new low and no-VOC products make interior painting and staining jobs no problem! Finally, as any local knows, from January through March, the Cape Fear region can easily enjoy days or weeks of unseasonably mild weather, which is great for anyone considering a new exterior paint job.

Wouldn’t you like to give your place of business a new look for the New Year? We encourage you to visit our commercial painting gallery to see commercial jobs we’ve completed in the Wilmington area.

To learn more, schedule an appointment, or discuss paint and stain options, please call Colour Solutions at 910-686-3067.

The Importance of Routine Gutter Cleaning

Importance of Routine Gutter CleaningWinter is the ideal time to ensure that debris left behind from the past seasons, including fallen leaves, pine straw, pine cones, small sticks, and acorns, have not clogged your home’s gutters. Clogged gutters may be unable to control the flow of rainwater,  and, as a contributor to ThisOldHouse.com observes, “An inch of rainfall doesn’t sound like much, but when it falls on an average-size roof, it adds up to a 1,900-gallon torrent sluicing off the eaves. That’s an awful lot of water that can cause an awful lot of damage if your gutters aren’t up to the task of controlling it.”

In the ongoing quest of home maintenance, routine gutter cleaning should be done at least twice a year. The good news is that the crew from Colour Solutions is up to the task. That’s right! Now, you can leave the messy and sometimes treacherous job of climbing up the ladder and clearing out that “mystery mess” to us! Even if falling leaves are not a concern, it is beneficial to have a professional examine a home’s gutters for damage and other issues.

A common problem we often encounter in southeastern N.C. is the affinity that squirrels and some birds have for the inner spaces between gutters and gutter guards. Their nests and stashes of acorns may be causing problems that you were not aware of.

When the gutters are full of debris, water becomes trapped and can leak, seep, or freeze. Any of those actions can threaten the integrity of your home’s roof, siding, and foundation. Please give Colour Solutions a call so that we can take the necessary steps to clean out your gutters and ensure they can do their intended job.

Please note that when gutters are clogged, the efficiency of the attached downspout system is severely hampered. Well-maintained gutters serve to divert rainwater away from a home. When they are not draining properly, water can pool around the foundation and too much moisture at the foundation can lead to some very expensive repairs.

To ensure that your gutters are doing their job, let us do ours! Please call the Colour Solutions team at 910-686-3067. Remember that we are also a full-service residential and commercial painting company located in Wilmington, N.C.

First Impressions with Exterior House Painting

Exterior Painting for First ImpressionsHave you ever heard the expression, “What looks in, looks out”?

When it comes to a home’s exterior, perhaps truer words were never spoken. In addition to the usual question of general curb appeal, when a home’s outside presents a freshly painted and well-kept appearance, chances are the inside is also well maintained.

For homeowners, a clean, crisp exterior paint job can impart feelings of order and aesthetic balance, along with a little pride. This works wonders and can even boost one’s sense of well being! On the other hand, a place with peeling, faded siding and dingy trim, can make a heart sink. Furthermore, anyone considering a home’s appreciation potential or contemplating a future sale, will want to keep the exterior of their residence looking its very best. After all, a home is typically the largest single investment most individuals will ever make and maintaining, updating, and upgrading the property is an ongoing and rewarding process!

How do you feel when you arrive at your “Home Sweet Home”?

At Colour Solutions we can help you discover a variety of ways to put your home’s best foot forward. Sometimes all that’s needed is a quick pressure wash or touch-up paint job on the exterior trim, entryways or steps. Our staff of designers has years of experience in guiding our customers to paint and stain choices that will best suit their needs.

The weather in southeastern North Carolina can be tough on exterior finishes. The heat of summer, heavy rains and wind, salt air, plus the frequent humidity, may generate issues such as mold, mildew, and even accelerate the aging of some paints and stains. If it has been a while since you reviewed what’s available in the way of exterior paint and stain products, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. The team at Colour Solutions is equipped to offer suggestions including which products will perform their best to keep your home’s exterior looking fresh and new for years to come.

To arrange for a free estimate or consultation, just give us a call at 910-686-3067.

Spring is truly just around the corner, which is why now is the perfect opportunity to get your home looking its very best! We look forward to working with you in the future and encourage you to read what our many satisfied customers are saying about our services.