Interior Finishing by Philadelphia House Painters

Trust...

At Philadelphia House Painters, we understand that choosing a painter to work inside your home can be a difficult decision. You are allowing people whom you've never met before, into your home for potentially days at a time. Selecting the cheapest "painter" for projects like this is probably not the thing to do. However, choosing Philadelphia House Painters, which has over 10 years of experience working in some of the areas finest homes as well as an impeccable reputation of providing the highest quality, seems to be exactly the thing to do.

Simplicity...

So the question is, why should you use Philadelphia House Painters for your interior projects? Our answer would be - Because we do it all. From artist quality faux finishing to furniture grade wood enameling, when it comes to any type of painting inside your home, there isn't much we can't do. With Philadelphia House Painters, there is no need to call 2 or 3 different contractors to complete all of the work inside your home.

Our list of interior services includes:

Interior Wall & Ceiling Painting (New Drywall & Re-Painting)
Minor Drywall Repair
Artist Grade Faux Finishing
Venetian Plaster & Fine Wall Texturing
Enameling Woodwork
Stain & Varnish Woodwork
Wall Paper Removal & Installation
Interior Carpentry Work

Quality...
Quality is attained by more than just the premium products we apply; it is also attained by how we execute our jobs. We treat your home as if it were our own. We understand you want as little interruption to your life as possible. Our staff of professionals will work hard to not only minimize their work space in your home, yet they will also strive to get their jobs done as quickly as possible, without sacrificing our lofty standards. One of our most common compliments from our customers is how they are amazed at how promptly we completed the work in their homes.

Assurance...
We take our presence in your home seriously and that is why we are fully insured. Obviously, it is our goal to never have to use our insurance and is why we go out of our way to protect the areas in and around where we perform our jobs. From masking walls or woodwork, to using drop cloths and heavy gauge plastic, be confident we will do our absolute best to protect your home.

Interior painting decision time.

Many homeowners deal with this issue every time they go to renovate. Should I paint or should I get an expert to paint? Here are some things to consider when determining if you will paint yourself or will you hire someone to do it for you.

Do you have the time? This is probably number one in most homeowners minds. Do I have the time after a long day at work or running kids around, to put on painting clothes and start the job myself? More often then not the answer is no, and or you start yourself only to get the hired help to finish what you don't want to finish. Am I right on this one?? You tell me.

Do I have the skills? Now this is a tough one for the professional to answer, because if I say it is an easy skill, you say, why do I need you then? If I say it is difficult, you say, how hard can it be? So let me get to the point. It is somewhere between those two, as I have seen some who think it is easy, end up calling the pros halfway through to finish and I have seen those who think it's hard, trying it and saying, that wasn't so bad. The skill is earned in knowing the properties of paints (drying times, finishes etc), quality (coats needed, primers etc), and the amount of time required to finish it properly. Also how do I get up to the top of the 20 foot high vaulted ceiling is a valuable skill as well....

Do I really need it painted? Let's see, was your kitchen painted the last time your great aunt came over for a family reunion 10 years ago and left the spaghetti sauce stains behind the stove? Then yes, the kitchen probably needs to be repainted. Kitchens and bathrooms probably need to be done more often because of moisture and other stains. Probably every 2 or 3 years or sooner depending on usage and how good your exhaust fans are. Other rooms maybe a little longer, or you may get excited by all the new decorating books you got for your birthday and want to spice up your home with every color of the rainbow. I saw a Master bedroom one time while selling real estate and it made me feel like I was inside a large pink Hubba Bubba bubble, but I digress.

As I said before the number one reason is time, a great looking job also requires skill, and look around, it just may be time to paint.....again!!!

Terrific Interior Painting Tips for Great Results

When it comes to color selection and possible color combinations for painting the interior of your home, the sky is the limit! With today�s modern techniques, designer colors, and computerized (exact) color matching available in most home renovation and paint supply centers, interior painting has become an art. One with a wide horizon!

Gone are the days when a fresh coat of white or eggshell paint was considered the most practical choice for interior wall painting. Today�s fashionable colors are diverse; sedated to bold, brazen to hushed, earthy to bright.

In fact, interior design and wall color more reflect the personality and lifestyle of the homeowner than it does the current trend. Yet with such an array of paint color, type, texture, and technique choices available, how does one go about making the right choice; one with pleasing end results?

How to Select the Right Color of Paint

Color choice is made simpler by taking several factors into consideration, and by understanding how color can be used to enhance a room:

Size of room � smaller rooms will look larger with light colored walls and neutral colored furniture. (Save the bright colors and interesting patterns for room accessories such as throw pillows, plant containers, lamp shades, and pictures.) Unless a lot of patterns are used in the room�s d�cor, walls can be paint textured.
Location of room � rooms that face north, northeast, or northwest receive little or no direct sunlight during the day. A good interior wall painting idea is to paint the room a warm color. This will open it up and make it more inviting. Consider colors such as yellow chiffon, light tangerine, soft peach, earthy-brown, or whispering sand. Rooms that receive a lot of sunshine can be toned down a bit and made to seem more cool using blues, greens, grays, and lavenders.
Room location � an experienced painting contractor will generally advise persons with houses in cold climates to have their rooms painted in warm or neutral colors. They know that people tend to feel colder in rooms painted with cool colors; greens, blues, purples.
Room type � an adult�s bedroom wants colors that are comforting, tranquil, and quiet � conducive to sleep. A child�s bedroom, however, can be painted with bright, stimulating colors. This makes the room more inviting to the child. Dens and offices are usually decorated using warm, earthy colors.
Room shape � long, narrow rooms can be made to look wider by painting one or both of the shorter walls a bright or dark color; the other walls in a matching pale color. One good interior painting idea for a square room without a large window, fireplace, or some other focal point is to paint one wall a rich accent color. This will give the room character and make it more interesting.
Room height � a white ceiling adds height to a low-ceilinged room, whereas painting a ceiling dark makes it appear lower. Large rooms with high ceilings look cozier with the addition of a wide, coordinating strip of wallpaper border. Both at the top and along the bottom of the walls.

Also consider d�cor theme throughout the house, and house design. And, as any interior painting contractor will tell you, wall color can be used to create or change the room�s �mood.�

Dark colors absorb light and lend an air of quiet intimacy to the room. But colors that are too dark in a room that receives little sunlight can be depressing. Subdued colors are relaxing, bright colors stimulating.

How to Select Color Combinations

If you plan on using a combination of colors in the room, another shade of the same color for trim work, or want multiple rooms painted, you must decide which color combinations are right for you. If you hire a house painting contractor for your interior painting project, discuss which color combinations work best.

Ask the painting contractor to show you a color combination wheel. This will show which secondary or contrasting colors best compliment the primary color selected, and insure the room will look well-coordinated once completed.

Decide Which Type of Paint to Use and How Much is Needed

Of course, all paints are not the same. Even after finalizing color choices, attention must be given to type of paint used.

Rule of thumb; the better the quality of paint and primer or undercoat used, the more attractive and durable the results. Premium quality paint also spreads easier and covers better � requiring less paint. Use interior flat latex wall paint for a soft, matte finish. However, you will not be able to wash the walls.

If you want washable walls, go a semi-gloss latex paint. If you desire a matte finish but want a measure of wash ability, mix one quart of semi-gloss latex to each gallon of flat. For high traffic areas or a child�s bedroom, use two quarts of semi-gloss per gallon of flat paint.

One gallon of paint is usually enough for a single coat of paint to cover four 8-foot high walls in a 12 X 15-foot room. One-half gallon of paint for the ceiling will also be needed. Rough paint textured walls require more paint. An experienced painting contractor will best be able to calculate the amount of paint required, as well as cost.

Which Wall Painting Technique to Use

Wall painting techniques include using a roller, brush, paint pad, and a paint gun. All but a paint pad are generally recommended for interior painting.

A paint roller applies an even coat of paint fast and effectively, and is great for large, flat surfaces. Different type roller covers are required for different types of surfaces. Blended polyester or wool covers, for instance, work best for enamels, synthetic-fiber for latex.

A paint gun is an airless paint sprayer; it uses high pressure to force paint from a nozzle. Only persons with experience using a paint gun should attempt to use one, especially inside the home. Long sleeves, gloves, and a mask approved for use with a paint sprayer should be used. And goggles are a must! Paint guns are used on large areas and rough surfaces.

Brushes come in various sizes to accommodate wide to narrow surfaces. A nylon or polyester bristled brush works best for latex paint; natural bristled brushes for oil-based.

Even when a roller brush or paint gun is used, the narrow edge of a brush can be used to apply a swath of paint along the perimeter of the walls, in corners, and along the ceiling.

Special Effects

Paint textured effects can be made using sponging, rag-rolling, or stippling techniques. Each of these can produce a textured effect on a flat wall. It might be best not to try and attempt textured effects on your own if you haven�t done them before. An interior painting contractor will be familiar with each of these techniques, and more, and can produce professional results.

Stenciling provides a homey, decorative touch. Make floral borders in bedrooms and dining rooms; floral or shell motifs in the bathroom. Barnyard �critters� or cooking utensil designs for the kitchen, and balloon, teddy bear, or star shapes to dance across a child�s bedroom or nursery. Special effects like these can add unique charm to your interior painting project

A professional decorator or painting contractor will have a host of other ideas to help create exactly the effect you want. Dazzling or relaxing, subdued or exciting. Each eye catching and appealing; enhancing the room�s d�cor, and making it fresh and inviting!