Deck Staining – OK in humid heat?
While springtime and early summer is the best time to stain your deck. it’s still better to stain now rather than in late September. Whether you’re going with a solid color stain or semitransparent tint from a great brand such as Cabots, Sikkens or Penofin, at least the product will dry properly during this time of year. We recommend Anderson Paint Company for excellent selection and pricing on all those products, and use Anderson frequently. Cold humidity – while not affecting most house painting projects – is slightly detrimental for decks.
The combination of temperature and moisture can slow drying times, especially on surfaces that absorb higher levels of morning dew. Staining can be done in late September – Elysium stained an entire condo complex several years ago to great success – but you should take the following precautions:
1. Don’t stain when rain is pending. Unlike trim or siding on houses, decks get hit with water directly. If the deck’s surface isn’t completely dry, your new stain could run slightly if hit with raindrops before fully curing.
2. Don’t walk on the deck within 72 hours of staining. While normally we would suggest 24-48, high humidity and low temperatures may make the deck more vulnerable to foot traffic. Small animals and falling twigs are far more gentle, so they shouldn’t be much of a concern.
3. Feel the deck with your palm before staining. We always do this, but for do-it-yourselfers or to test a questionable handyman you may have hired, do the palm test. 75% of the time, wood that is colder on some spots means those spots have water that hasn’t fully dried out from the wood. By checking for uneven temperatures, you can determine where water hasn’t fully dried out of; these areas shouldn’t be stained immediately. Note that if the entire deck feels slightly cool and it hasn’t rained within the last 24 hours, this is just likely caused from shade or low heat absorption by the wood itself. (Or, of course, it’s night time or very early morning.)
Good luck, and happy staining!
August 14, 2010 at 11:52 am | Uncategorized | No comment
Exterior Painting in Summer Heat & Humidity
Yes, it’s hot and humid. Should you paint your house? Even with good prep work, will the job still last as long? These thoughts and more wander into people’s heads during the hot August and September months, and safe to say, you don’t have to worry.
To maximize job longevity and minimize the chance paint could dry out too fast without properly curing, painters shouldn’t paint in direct sunlight during the hottest part of midday. Elysium Painters follow the shade around the house, so even at noon, we’re not painting the hottest, most extreme areas. Exterior house painting can go on without concern, especially if the crew starts early or works strategically loooong days when it’s overcast, as we tend to do.
The only thing we don’t recommend in high humidity and heat is deck staining, especially if you live near a lake. Stay tuned for our next blog article to cover this specifically.
August 14, 2010 at 11:51 am | Uncategorized | No comment
Elysium on a Client’s Blog!
See “Nora of the Blue House” for photos and a story of an amazing home transformation on Pontiac trail:
http://www.rubberducky.org/blog/2010/05/01/nora-of-the-blue-house
The house in question used to be Violet, and after some intense prep work, we revolutionized the color scheme to a brilliant and beautiful blue. This exterior painting project took approximately 10 days, and the paint cost was actually slightly under budget. We were happy to be the painting contractor of this Violet-turned-Blue House in Ann Arbor, and hope you get a chance to see it – along with the rest of our work – soon!
The Violet House - a Before Shot
The Blue House - Job Complete!
May 17, 2010 at 1:53 pm | Uncategorized | No comment
Is it warm enough to paint?
Is it warm enough to paint? Could it be too humid? If you’re planning to paint your exterior this spring, you can be confident that we will only work on days that are appropriate for the paint to cure properly so the job can last as long as possible. We try to avoid painting within 12 hours of light rains and 36 hours of heavy rains so moisture can fully dry out from the wood siding, trim and other areas of the house.
Additionally, as long as the temperature is consistently above 45 degrees, the paint will cure properly and there will be almost no chance of the resins and binders in the house paint to freeze overnight. A good test is the presence or absence of frost: if the grass is dotted with white in the morning, it’s too cold to paint! Overcast and sunny days are best to commence with residential painting, and you absolutely don’t want your deck stained when expecting rain.
Some homeowners ask about the heat of midsummer and potential risks of painting above 80 degrees. Truth be told, there are many more factors to consider. First, high humidity can affect drying times (increasing the amount of time between coats if you are planning on a two-coat paint job). Second, darker colors tend to absorb more heat, and should best be painted either very early or very late during sunny days in August and September.
The beauty of hiring Elysium is that we keep watch of all these factors for you! While some painting contractors would rush to get the job done, we are committed to only commencing with work when we know it is proper to do so. We check humidity levels, pay attention to the sky, and know the differences in the chemical compounds between brands. Benjamin Moore and Graham Ceramic are generally very durable products, and are requested by a majority of our customers. If you are on a tight schedule and can’t wait for ideal conditions, we may suggest Resilience by Sherwin Williams; this paint is specifically formulated to cure properly during higher humidity and low temperatures. If the day is extremely hot, we will either recommend painting in multiple layers of thin coats, or we will arrive early and stay late to take advantage of the cooler early morning and early evening times.
Since your goals are our goals, you can take heart that we will do our absolute best to ensure:
1) Your paint job will last as long as possible
2) The project will not be compromised by easily avoidable weather conditions
3) Your job is completed on deadline, even if we have to begin several days early to rule out the chances extreme weather may delay the project
Questions about whether the weather will affect your paint job? E-mail us today!
April 8, 2010 at 11:40 am | Uncategorized | No comment
Determining the Cost of a Paint Job
How much does a good paint job cost? Here are some major factors and how we can help you maximize your budget.
- Price is based on surface area; however, other painting companies may purchase more paint than is needed.
If your room is going to need 17 gallons of paint, we will start off with 10 and see how far that goes. We may need 17, but we will buy conservatively. Saving 3 gallons could be as much as saving you $150! If another contractor gives you a flat material price, they’re most likely planning on buying all 17 gallons, therefore charging you for all 17. Wouldn’t you rather hire someone who will be careful and courteous with your money?
- You keep any leftover paint.
Most pigments are custom tinted, and it is very useful for homeowners to have it on hand for touch ups. We help you save money by giving you any leftover paint from the project. Why create a situation where you have to buy more in the future? This will also help with matching the color in the future, if necessary.
- We focus on prep work that lasts. Therefore your next paint job, no matter how far into the future, will be much more simple.
If the only prep work that a student painter or handyman does is scrape away the easily accessible parts, the next time you need to paint the same area, it will probably have peeled in all the same places. It won’t look rejuvenated, nor will it last long. We ensure that your next job will be more than just cosmetic. Since the high majority of time spent on paint jobs comes from doing prep work, we will eliminate the cost of your next job by as much as 60% by reducing the need for it.
- If you are selling your home, we can either only focus on the cosmetic need or put more focus on the details.
Homeowners who are looking to sell their house have different needs, such as higher curbside appeal, marketable color schemes, and paying special attention to points of interest for buyers (such as the color of the front door). Tell us what you’d like to focus on, and we will be happy to accommodate your preferences so that you get the most bang for your buck.
- We use experienced workers who are efficient.
A lot of companies hire students or inexperienced tradesmen who take longer to do a job than an experienced painter. Because of this, they will charge you more. By only using people who specialize in painting, we ensure that every minute is used to the fullest. Our experienced professionals also know how to avoid costly mistakes that inexperienced workers may not recognize.
Remember, all prices aren’t equal; therefore all paint jobs aren’t equal. You could get the same estimate price from two contractors, but the money could go two totally different places. We have very low overhead and skilled painters, so most of the money from the job will go to our professionals who are spending high quality time on your home. We might suggest spending longer on certain parts on your house for reasons mentioned above, but at the end of the day, you are the ultimate boss.
Both Anderson Paint Company and Sherwin Williams offer us great contractor pricing; we will happily pass on our discount to you.
February 18, 2010 at 7:42 pm | featured | 3 comments
Key Factors in Painting Your House
Over the years, an exterior paint job can wear out, fall victim to harsh weather, and chip, peel, or even fade in the sun. If that is true about your home, it’s time to paint again.
First how is the current coat of paint? If it’s is peeling or chipping, then more work will be involved to prep the surface before painting again. Painting over a faltering paint layer that chips and peels will prematurely age the new paint job; skipping this essential prep work is a common sin among inexperienced student painters and fly-by-nighters. If the paint is merely faded or dirty, it will not take much work to lightly clean and recoat it.
Another thing to consider is color. While some people choose to just go with the same color as their house has previously been painted with, you now have the option to pick any color of the rainbow! If you need help, we are more than happy to provide a color consultation to which will merge the house’s style, landscaping – and most importantly your tastes – and provide the best recommendation. Whether you’re going to live with this color scheme for years or want something that’s marketable when you move, it’s important to get this right!
If you choose Elysium, you can be assured that we will consider all these aspects and complete a project that will last long and look great.
One of our 2009 Exteriors on Ann Arbor-Dexter Road.
February 2, 2010 at 12:27 pm | featured | No comment
“Good enough” just isn’t
In the following pages, you will find ample information about our services. For your convenience and quick reference, here are the points we are most proud of:
Warranties that “walk the walk”
We are able to offer longer warranties simply because our craftsmanship makes them possible – by doing thorough work and using quality products, one can afford to offer and stand behind great warranties!
Experience that counts
Unlike fly-by-night handymen or student painters, every project is overseen by an experienced foreman with a minimum of 12 years experience. No exceptions.
Superior craftsmanship
It is an honor to make a living keeping our neighborhoods looking their best, and our passion for the work shows in the details. We know that enough time spent on critical yet often overlooked prep work equates to years of additional longevity for your investment, saving you hundreds to thousands of dollars in the long run.
Consecutive work days, timetables that amaze
We don’t shuffle our crews around. Once work is begun, your home becomes Priority #1, and will be completed to your full satisfaction before we address a new client.
Fair prices, transparent bids
We pride ourselves on integrity and fair, competitive pricing. We guarantee you full, transparent communication for the duration of your project, work within any budget, and fully appreciate that this is perhaps your greatest concern.
Respect for your home and family
Your home is not a biker bar, and your yard is no trash can. We won’t teach your children any new four-letter words, and your property will be left as we find it – not a cigarette butt or fast food wrapper to be found.
Safe sites, green philosophy
We pride ourselves on employing industry-leading safety practices and technology to protect our people and your property. We safely dispose of all paints and solvents, and make donations to credible environmental agencies to offset our carbon footprint.
August 26, 2009 at 6:40 am | featured | 1 comment
Elysium Paint Family
August 26, 2009 at 6:39 am | charts, featured | No comment
How Elysium Compares to the Competition
August 6, 2009 at 2:47 pm | Uncategorized | 2 comments
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