FAQs
Q. How often should I paint the outside of my house?
A. There's no easy answer to this question as there are many factors affecting the durability of the paint. Darker colors will fade. Poorly prepared surfaces will crack and peel. Older, weathered wood won't hold paint like new wood. Southern exposures won't last as long as northern exposures. These, as well as the quality of paint used on past jobs, are all contributing factors. The best answer is to paint before it's really very bad. A majority of the time spent on exterior painting is in surface preparation, sanding, patching etc. If you paint every 4-6 years, there will be less time spent on the prep work than if you paint every 10-15 years. It is also wise to touch-up problem areas such as south facing windowsills as often as every one to two years. Maintaining your paint job will not only keep your home always looking it's best, it will also reduce the risk of dry-rot, termites and other costly problems that come from neglect.
Q. What color should I paint my home's exterior?
A. Color is a matter of taste, however, there are two rules we like to recommend: 1.Pick colors that are best suited for your style of home. If you have a Cape Code style home, for example, Northwestern colors will look better than Spanish Colonial style colors. 2.Since dark colors fade faster than light and mid-tone colors, we suggest you keep these to a minimum. Dark colors are best as accent tones on shutters, doors, etc.
Q. Is it worth spending the extra money for top quality paint?
A. Absolutely. According to the Paint Quality Institute, the highest grade of paint within a manufacturer's line of coatings always offers the best value because it will look better longer and provide years of extra service. The products may cost a few dollars more per gallon, but it can extend the life of the paint job to 10 years or more compared with three or four years of service for lower-quality paint.
Q. What is the difference between acrylic and vinyl latex paint?
A. The best quality is acrylic latex (A & N Painting LLC only uses the best quality products). Vinyl latex is of lesser quality. Acrylic vinyl is second in quality to acrylic latex, while vinyl is the lowest quality paint.
Q. Do I have to be at home while the painting is being done?
A. No. A & N Painting will arrive at the house before you leave for work or special arrangements can be made to pick up a key. For exterior painting, the painters will also require access to the house in order to open and close doors and windows for complete paint coverage. Your home will be treated and respected in the same manner as if you were home. However, if you feel more comfortable being present, that's fine as well.