Summer is the Time for Exterior Home Maintenance

June 5, 2014 By

Deck Painting Wilmington NC

Our customers frequently ask us what time of year is the best for tackling certain exterior jobs such as painting, pressure washing, staining or sealing outdoor flooring and making general small repairs.

Although here in southeastern N.C. we experience some of the best weather in the country, we think that late spring/early summer is just about ideal for addressing your home’s exterior maintenance needs.

If you are considering a fresh coat of paint for your home’s siding and trim, giving it a good pressure washing beforehand serves several purposes. It will thoroughly clean all  of the surfaces, trim, steps, walkways, and  easily remove any flaking paint or stain.

Prep

Take it from us, prepping for an exterior paint job with pressure washing is quick, easy and mess-free! We have even had customers discover that their home was not due for a paint job at all; it just needed a good cleansing blast from the Colour Solutions team!

Paint

As for painting, the good news is that the pollen is gone and the temps are seasonably mild, yet sunny. Which means quicker drying times, plus the days are longer so there’s more time to complete the task. The same applies to staining and sealing wood decking and porch flooring.

Another pro is that the kids won’t be out of school for a few more weeks, so no little footprints should hamper the progress! Then, when those long, lazy summer days finally roll around, your place will be ready for full-on family enjoyment!

Spruce

Sprucing up your home’s exterior provides immediate gratification. However, please don’t neglect other “to-dos.” There are plenty of spots that fall into the “out of sight, out of mind” category. However, though they are not exactly exterior areas,  the attic, crawl space and basement needs your attention too.

No summer home maintenance check-list would be complete without this entry:

Check for Leaks and Rot

After the much more frigid and wetter than usual winter we had, it is imperative to check all the areas of your home for any signs of moisture, mold, mildew or rot. If that is out of your area of expertise, just give us a call. We have heard stories from more than one customer about the damage caused by burst pipes.

The unfortunate twist is that homeowners were often unaware there was a problem at all. Please remember that in addition to our usual services, we also do small repair jobs and are experienced in diagnosing issues before they get out of control.

Drier summer weather allows areas that are prone to moisture retention to dry out a bit. Thankfully, that makes it much easier to fix any problems that may have arisen. Replacing wood, fiberglass or insulation that shows signs of excessive dampness is the best way to remove mildew and dangerous mold from getting a foothold.

When you have the piece of mind that your home is impeccably maintained (maybe with a little help from Colour Solutions) it will be a snap to take in every available bit of summer fun: beach days, bike rides, boat trips, barbeques…
Please call 910-686-3067 to find out what we can do for you.

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Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

February 25, 2014 By

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.

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First Impressions with Exterior House Painting

January 29, 2014 By

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.

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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.

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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.

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