Exterior Trim – Color Choices and Replacement Options

November 7, 2013 By

Home exterior - spring cleaning.Think of your home’s exterior trim as you would an accessory, such as a necktie or scarf. The idea when choosing a paint or stain color is to compliment rather than detract or overpower the general appearance. The architectural style of the home is also a consideration. There are some styles, such as Colonials, Queen Anne Victorians or Arts and Crafts bungalows that follow a suggested color palette for achieving historical accuracy.  See: Classic Paint Colors Ideal for Wilmington NC.

For more traditional residences, a good rule of thumb is to pick a color that contrasts from the whole house color. For example, with homes painted in light shades like crisp white, pale gray, beige, or buttercream yellow, dark choices are popular such as black, cranberry, dark green, or gun metal gray. Another approach is to use trim colors that are either a few shades darker or lighter and in the same color family as the base shade. Earthy tones often look better with another only slightly contrasting natural color. For example, a tranquil moss green or rich beige could handle a trim choice that’s only a few shade variations from the base color.

Unless the neighborhood dictates which colors you may use, the bottom line is that trim color choices are a matter of personal taste. When in doubt, go for dark trim with a light background and light trim for a dark exterior shade. Of course, the designers here at Colour Solutions will also be happy to help guide you in the right direction!

Best Wood for Replacement Trim

When it’s time to freshen up a home’s exterior trim, a homeowner may discover that some of the wood needs replacing. The elements, along with mold, fungi, and mildew can wreak havoc on the thin strips of wood that trim your home.

Builders often prefer southern yellow pine (SYP), cedar, mahogany, and redwood for exterior trim. Although poplar is frequently used for interior trim, it simply can not withstand changeable temperatures and moisture for very long. There are also a wide variety of synthetic trims on the market these days. Before making a selection, it is advised to read reviews and discuss the matter with both a qualified builder and painter.

To maximize the life of the trim, it is advised to always prime it on all 6 sides.

Save time by having the experts at Colour Solutions handle your trim painting for you.  Give us a call today to learn more: 910-686-3067.

Filed Under: Blog, Exterior Painting Tagged With: , , ,

Commercial Upfits with Colour Solutions

October 24, 2013 By
Commercial Interior Window

Commercial Project in Wilmington – Build Out of Interior Window

Did you know that Colour Solutions is far more than just a Wilmington, NC painting company? In addition to addressing commercial, residential, interior, and exterior painting and staining needs, we also provide a number of additional services that go hand in hand with other upgrades and improvements.

All too often, during a painting project it becomes apparent that the site could benefit from some small addition, replacement, or modification. Whether the purpose is to update, upgrade, or add versatility, we’ve discovered that our customers are delighted to find that we have the expertise and can go the extra mile in achieving the desired result-whatever it is!

Some of our most frequent requests are for the installation of:

  • interior or “pass-through” windows
  • built-ins, such as desks, bookshelves, or cabinets
  • other light carpentry jobs

We are able to match paints and stains and create continuity within your space. At Colour Solutions, we are also able to remove old wallpaper, acoustic ceilings, and repair drywall.

As consumers ourselves, we understand the value of getting to know and trust those who do the work in your home or place of business. No one feels comfortable these days with a revolving door of unfamiliar faces coming in and out to take care of one small job after another. That is why we offer these other services – so our customers can rest assured that the same experienced professionals who tackled their painting job can continue the work needed to achieve the overall desired goal.

In addition to interior work, we also refinish decks, clean gutters and fences and so much more. Learn about our entire selection of services.

Contact the experts at Colour Solutions today to schedule a consultation: 910-686-3067.

Filed Under: Blog, Commerical Painting Tagged With: , ,

Beach House Paint Colors

October 14, 2013 By

Beach House Paint ColorsThe fall season is often a time of reflection for homeowners along the southeastern coast of N.C. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day the weeks are typically filled with trips to the beach, time on the boat, barbeques and numerous house guests.

When autumn finally rolls around, many who own coastal properties notice some serious sprucing up is in order. The summer heat and humidity can wreak havoc on your home’s painted surfaces, inside and out. At Colour Solutions, we agree with the old adage, that dollar for dollar, painting your home is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make. With fall’s cooler temps and dryer air, perfect painting conditions are here, so why not freshen up your beach house with some favorite coastal color combinations?

For exteriors, classic choices are a solid winner. Along the beaches of N.C., lots of homeowners choose shades that blend and compliment their surroundings. Timeless matches are rich grays, sandy beiges, butter cream yellows, pale shades of sage and light blue, all paired with crisp, white trim.

Recently, there’s a trend to opt for the bold and cheerful Caribbean color schemes. Vibrant hues of pink, orange, aqua, blue, and yellow can totally transform an older beach cottage. Whimsical contrasting pops of color for the trim, doors, windows, and shutters, are also very popular.

To maintain an airy feel inside the home, light colors are always a good choice. Whitewashed walls with accents of bottle blue, sea glass green, beach sand, or pelican gray are effective for achieving cottage chic. Painted ceilings and floors are another easy way to make rooms bright and breezy.

The idea of painting old knotty pine paneling that is in some older beach houses, would make some cringe, however, there’s no better way to lighten up. The same goes for brick fireplaces and mantels. Changing the finish from tired red clay to serene oyster white works wonders and is an easy way to update.

For more ideas, we encourage you to schedule an appointment to discuss paint and stain options. Please call us today at 910-686-3067 or contact us online.

Filed Under: Blog, Exterior Painting, House Painting Tagged With: , , , , ,

Transform Your Front Porch to a Cozy Living Space

September 30, 2013 By

Transform Your Front PorchHave you heard? The front porch is the new family room! With southeastern N.C.’s mild climate, it’s possible to enjoy “porch time” virtually year round. A well-appointed front porch can easily serve as the ideal place for relaxing or entertaining. A few pieces of comfy furniture, a fresh coat of paint, and cheery pots of annuals are a great place to start. Here are several more easy suggestions:

  • Perhaps a new paint color for the steps and trim? Painted floors and ceilings on porches can also add a lot of pizzazz.
  • Accessorize your space with items that compliment the paint choices. For example, new cushions for the rockers, decorative ceramic pots for plants, and a colorful welcome mat. See more: Add to or Improve Your Outdoor Living Space This Summer
  • Just as you would with a room, it’s possible to designate seating or dining areas with a cleverly placed rug, painted floor cloth, or small dining table. Old dressers, benches or dry sinks can set a whimsical, homey tone. Using the new colored chalkboard paint is a great way to rejuvenate a neglected piece of furniture and make it a focal point.
  • Skillfully placed mirrors or art on canvas are yet more ways to transform your porch into something special.
  • Seasoned southerners may want to give their porch ceiling a coat of blue paint. Several theories about this practice contend that it fools spiders and wasps because they think it’s the sky, plus, blue is good luck and wards off evil spirits!
  • The front porch is the perfect setting to show off collections of things like seashells, watering cans, polished stones, jars of buttons or marbles, glass bottles and old tools.
  • Adding a bamboo shade to one end of a front porch provides privacy. This can also be achieved naturally with a stand of Confederate Jasmine. It’s a lush evergreen vine and smells divine when it blooms in early summer.
  • Other touches that add extra charm are wind chimes, hurricane lamps, and birdhouses.

If you’d like to begin your front porch transformation with new paint, please give the designers at Colour Solutions a call at 910-686-3067 or contact us online.

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How Does Humidity Affect Your Home’s Painted Finishes?

August 8, 2013 By

How Does Heat and Humidity Affect Your Home's Exterior?Most homeowners are aware that weather and changing temperatures can directly impact the wear and tear on their homes. However, the severe temperature dips and harsh precipitation associated with the winter months are what most homeowners focus on. Although in some parts of the country, the summers are warm and dry, there are many states in which high humidity and heavy amounts of rain wreak havoc on homes’ painted or stained finishes.

In the greater Wilmington area, the combination of high humidity and rain can wreak havoc on exterior materials such as wood, masonry, and metal.  Excessive moisture can result in mildew and algae. Check your exteriors for signs of these culprits and clean them a soon as possible. A solution of 2 parts water, one part bleach, and one part a mild detergent, such as Borax, is recommended.

If you live in or around Wilmington, NC, contact the experts at Colour Solutions to discuss which paints and stains are mildew-resistant and which ones are better suited for your application-oil-based or latex.  Colour Solutions will be able to match the best quality paint for your application for the ultimate protection and beauty of your home or business.

Be aware that moisture and humidity can creep inside and create problems for a home’s interior as well. Kitchens, bathrooms, and basements are the most susceptible. Rule out leaks or rotten wood to ensure that these issues do not get out of hand. For most homes that have a mild problem with interior humidity, a simple clean up and the ventilating with air conditioning, fans, or open windows, is all it takes.

If a DIY painting project is in your future, here are a few suggestions for success:

  • If it is not warm enough outside to dry laundry on a clothesline, it’s not warm enough to paint.
  • Wait before you paint if water splashed on cement does not dry quickly or in 15 minutes. You could also test this by brushing water on the area you want to paint or stain.
  • Light breezes are perfect, however, windy conditions can ruin your perfect application with tiny debris and cause the job to dry unevenly.
  • Do not paint outside in very hot weather or in direct sunlight. It can cause blistering. Painting “in front of the sun” is frequently suggested, which means painting in the direction the sun is moving, just ahead of its path.
  • Overcast, but warm days, with no chance of rain are ideal for exterior painting projects.
  • Before breaking out the brushes and drop cloth, call our team at Colour Solutions.  You may find that hiring the pros will be well worth the time and resources it saves you!  Plus, you’ll know that your home will look beautiful and the painting will done in a flash.

Call us today to request a quote or complete the form on the right side of this page: 910-686-3067

Filed Under: Blog, Exterior Painting Tagged With: , , ,
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