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6 Ways to Freshen Up Your Home’s Exterior

July 25, 2013 By Rachel Joye

Summer is the perfect time of year for outdoor gatherings, and the perfect time to pay extra attention to your home’s exterior. Perhaps you went all out during the spring cleaning regime to get your home’s outside areas ready for family gatherings, barbeques, or lazy afternoons by the pool? By mid-summer, it’s often time to give it another go so everything will remain fresh and inviting through Labor Day. Here’s a handy checklist to ensure that your home is striding through summer, with its best foot forward:

1. Pressure Washing – Check exterior areas to see if a thorough pressure washing is in order. This is also a must-do activity prior to painting or staining.

2. Exterior Paint – Whether you decide to paint the entire exterior or just the trim, the summer is an excellent time for these projects. Warm mornings and more light in the evenings make it easy to work these projects into your summer agenda. Just read the labels of the products carefully to ensure that you are using them under ideal conditions. Or, better yet, call the experts at Colour Solutions and let them take care of your house painting projects!

3. Windows and Entryways – Pay attention to the windows and entrances. Have summer showers splashed dirt and grime on these areas? In spite of any spring-cleaning that was done, by mid-summer it’s likely time for an encore. Sparkling windows and clean entryways equal (almost) instant gratification.

4. Outdoor Furniture – The previous point holds true for outdoor furniture, grills, and outdoor kitchens. Give them all a good scrub down and see if any touch-up jobs are called for. There are innovative paints for both metal and plastic that can breathe new life into tired finishes. Protecting those surfaces by sealing them with paint also prevents rust, mold, and mildew. And…you may be ready for a little pizzaz-wouldn’t that old chaise look amazing with a coat of flamingo pink paint?

5. Deck Sealing – Is it time to reseal, paint or stain your porch or deck? The warm summer sun can speed up the curing process, which is vital to preserving the wood and keeping it looking great.

6. Decorations and Extras– Could your home’s exterior use a few extras? After the 4th of July, lots of “summer living” items are on sale big time. Surely you could use a few things such as: a new doormat, pretty pillows or cushions for outdoor furniture, solar walkway lights, wind chimes, a hurricane candle for your picnic table, or fresh blooms for your front porch containers?

Remember that the additional TLC you give your home’s exterior has big payoffs. Along with improving curb appeal, freshening things up also gives your home extra protection against the harsh moisture and humidity of summer.

Exterior House Painting – Add Accents with Windows and Doors

February 22, 2013 By Rachel Joye

Home Exterior accent paint colors can help you achieve the look you desire, whether that be a more formal, casual or whimsical appearance.

As with interior design and fashion, choosing paint colors for your home’s exterior takes a little know-how. Highlighting a home’s front door in a contrasting color is a great way for a homeowner to express their creativity and boost curb appeal. In times past, the preferred color choices were black, green, and red. Today’s homeowners are faced with so many exterior paint choices that making a decision can be tough. In a recent article from This Old House magazine, architectural color consultant, Amy Wax, offered a few suggestions.

Before you zip out to the paint store, take a moment to consider these points:

the architectural style of your home
what the exterior is constructed of and its color or colors
the door’s trim
the exterior entryway leading to the front door-is it wood, stone, brick?

Wax explained that for homes with solid colored, neutral exteriors, the paint pick for the front door should serve to compliment and enhance. Siding that is pale, such as white, gray, or beige; practically begs for a pop of color. Formal, stodgy entrances take on a new attitude with an unexpected choice that is both bright and bold. Casual residences can look more sophisticated when the front door is painted a glossy, deep shade of a primary color such as blue or yellow. For a touch of whimsy, consider using ice cream colors or shades inspired from the Caribbean: turquoise, coral, and sea foam green.

Doors that incorporate glass are able to handle strong shades because the glass tends to soften the overall effect. Residences with darker exteriors benefit dramatically when the front door color is incorporated artfully. Wax suggests repeating a shade that is already present and playing it up. For example, is the perfect choice lurking in shade variations within the brick or stonework? The answer could also be discovered in the home’s surrounding foliage or foundation plantings.

If you are on the cautious side, don’t worry. Paint stores provide samples so you can try a color or two out before committing to an entire gallon. For inspiration, here is the link to the article and photos from the This Old House article: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20567862,00.html

If you want help choosing colors or for us to give you a quote for painting services, you can request a quote online or call us directly at 910-686-3067.

6 Ways to Freshen Up Your Home’s Exterior

Exterior House Painting – Add Accents with Windows and Doors

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