Q - What faux finishes do you specialize in?
A - I specialize in sponging, ragging, suede finish, sand texture, venetian plaster, and crackling.
Q - Does wallpaper have to be removed, or can I paint over it?
A - The answer is, that depends. The factors that should be considered are: is it loose, what type of wall is underneath, was it sized properly, and how long do you intend to live there. We usually recommend complete removal, because it prevents problems in the future. It is a labor-intensive task, and sometimes it is not practical. If the walls weren't sized, it will be difficult to remove and will likely cause damage to the wall, which must be repaired before painting. Often the only way to decide how problematic it will be is to try a test sample. In some cases, it is better to spackle and sand the seams, seal with an oil primer, and paint over it. Especially with older homes that have plaster cracking problems, painted over wallpaper can actually look better because it prevents cracks from showing.
Q - I've heard I shouldn't paint over vinyl siding. Is that true?
A - No. If you follow a few rules, you can paint over your vinyl siding without problems. Sherwin-Williams has a new color palette of over 100 colors known as "Vinyl Safe" that can be safely applied to vinyl without risk of warping or buckling.
Q - What is the lowest allowable temperature for painting outside?
A - With a select few products, you can paint in weather as low as 35*F.
Q - My house is only ten years old, and I've found that the wood on my door and window frames is starting to rot. What's the problem?
A - We often see premature failure of exterior woodwork on newer homes, while it is rare on older homes. The biggest difference is how wood is grown. Today it is grown as fast as possible, so that it can be harvested, and more can be planted. Years ago, it was grown more naturally, and thus slower, which produced tighter and narrower growth rings. The rapid growth rings from the summers are softer and more prone to rot than the harder slow growing rings from the winter.