Why Paint A Cement Floor

October 5, 2012 By

Cement floors are typically found in garages, workshops and patios. While it’s not always necessary to paint these surfaces, doing so can be beneficial to your home or place of business.

In addition to creating a more aesthetically pleasing space, painting a concrete floor can add resale value to your home. Cleanliness is always a big selling point for homes, and while garage and patio floors will inevitably get dirty, if the surface is painted, it can be kept clean much more easily.

Concrete is porous, which means there are millions of tiny holes within the material. These tiny holes allow dirt, oil, grease and other contaminants to seep into the concrete itself, making it extremely difficult to clean. If you’ve ever wondered why the stains on your garage floor are impossible to remove, even after pressure washing, this is why.

Adding a coat of epoxy concrete paint will create a protective barrier between the concrete and all the nasty stuff that will fall on it. You can choose just about any color you want for your concrete surface, but most homeowners choose a neutral color. You can even choose a solid color look or add loose flakes for a terrazo or granite effect.

To learn more about concrete painting, talk to the experts at Colour Solutions. Call today for a free estimate! 910-686-3067

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Faux Finishes – When and Where to Use them

September 28, 2012 By

Faux finishing is a great way to personalize your home by going a step or two beyond a simple coat of paint by creating rich textures and patterns for your wall, cabinets or other home fixtures. Faux finishes can also be useful in covering small surface flaws and imperfections.

Knowing when and where to apply faux finishes is important, as they don’t always work with every surface. Here’s a look at some of the most popular faux finishes and where they work best:

Venetian Plaster – Gives the surface a marble-like appearance by creating depth and leaves a smooth but slightly textured feel. This finish is silky and cleans easily so it would be best suited for kitchens and baths.

Crackling -This gives a weathered appearance, as if the surface has been exposed to the elements for an extended period of time. Because this is a less subtle finish, it would work best for small spaces, cabinets, tables and other furniture. Not recommended for large surfaces such as living room walls.

Sponging – This is a faux painting technique that can be dramatic or subtle, depending on the colors chosen. Typically, two similar colors are used to create the effect. This finish is versatile and could work on a variety of surfaces.

Ragging – This faux painting technique imitates look and texture of aged leather or fabric. This is a great option for anyone looking for a dramatic look that isn’t too over-the-top. Works well for smaller, intimate spaces such as studies or bedrooms.

For more ideas on faux finishes, contact Colour Solutions for a free estimate. 910-686-3067

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Ideas for Painted Cabinets

September 21, 2012 By

Giving your kitchen cabinets a fresh coat of paint can improve their look and give your room a completely different appearance.

With just about any color you can imagine to choose from, Colour Solutions can help you find the perfect shade for your home’s cabinets. Choose classic white for a bright, clean look. Or go with something darker, such as deep forest green, to complement wood or copper elements and create a natural feel.

If you’re thinking of doing something a little different, don’t be afraid to experiment with bright colors or maybe even metallic finishes. Stainless steel appliances can look great when complemented by light counter tops and metallic-pained cabinets and compact spaces generally look much larger and more open when bright, light-reflecting colors are used.

Another unique idea is to use two different paint colors to create a two-tone effect in your home. Picture your upper kitchen cabinets in a light color such as white or cream, and the lower cabinets in a darker shade to match the color scheme of your home. This effect draws the eyes upward, making the ceiling appear higher and the room appear larger.

For more ideas for painting your home cabinets, contact Colour Solutions for a free estimate. 910-686-3067

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Useful Apps for Choosing Paint Colors for Your Home

September 14, 2012 By

Isn’t the digital age wonderful? At the press of a button (or tap of a touchscreen), we can share pictures, compare prices and even design a home. Did you know you can even choose paint colors for your home through mobile apps?

In today’s post, we’re going to go over a few of these useful applications:

PaintSwatches (from Aquariform Designs) -Â This $1.99 iPhone app allows you to pick color from several paint companies, including Sherwin-Williams and Glidden in a simple, easy-to-use format. Scroll through swatches, search by color keywords like “frost” or “pepper” and create your own custom paint color collection.

Benjamin Moore Color Capture -Â This app is free on the Android as well as the iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch. Simply use a photograph on your device to generate a palette based on the colors in your photo. Save and store the palettes you love.

ColorSmart (from Behr) -Â Behr’s popular color generator on their website has been transformed into an on-the-go mobile app. The app allowe you to preview rooms with your color selections as well as pull matching shades from your own photos. Best of all? Android and iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch users can snag this app for free.

If you’d rather speak with a professional when it comes to choosing a paint color, don’t hesitate to contact Color Solutions. With years of painting experience, the experts at Colour Solutions will be happy to help you choose the best shades for your home. Call 910-686-3067 for a free estimate.

Sources:

http://www.stylelist.com/2012/02/09/10-paint-color-apps-for-iphone-ipad-android-photos_n_1266573.html#s680136&title=ColorSmart_by_BEHR

http://www.bobvila.com/blogs/paintswatches-iphone/

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Importance of Clean Gutters

September 4, 2012 By

If your home or commercial building has gutters, be sure to keep them clear and clean for optimal use. Once gutters become clogged or damaged, they fail to divert rainwater from your roof away from your home and foundation. This could possibly lead to expensive damage down the road. Gutters that are full of debris will become too heavy for the fasteners to support them, which can lead to the gutters becoming detached from the roof (sometimes pulling part of the roof away with it).

To avoid this damage, keep those gutters clean! Here are a few tips how to do so:

Create a gutter-cleaning schedule – Gutters ought to be cleaned thoroughly three or four times a year. However, your gutters may need to be cleaned more frequently if your home is exposed to higher-than-average rainfall or debris. Write down your gutter cleaning schedule on a calendar in advance so you won’t forget.

Trim back tree branches that are close to your roof – Trees that are close to your home will most likely drop significant amounts of leaves and other debris that will eventually clog up your gutters. One way to proactively deal with this is to cut back the tree branches that are close to or hanging over your roof.

Don’t just scoop out the gutters; actually CLEAN them – Although leaves and debris will clog your gutters quickly, mildew, moss or algae may grow in your gutters over time. That’s why it’s important not just to remove the debris, but to clear out the residue that builds up.

Gutter cleaning can be a headache, but it’s an essential part of proper home maintenance. At Colour Solutions, we are happy to clean your home’s gutters for you! Give us a call today for a free estimate. 910-686-3067

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