Alpha Applications & Renovations
Arlington, VA 22207 703-536-9443
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Painters Articles
Should You Hire a Painter or Do It Yourself?
A good painting contractor will produce better results than most DIYers—and finish faster. But because they don't have to pay for their own labor, lots of homeowners grab rollers and brushes. Before taking the painting plunge, consider the following.
How to Choose Paint
Eggshell. Latex. Semi-gloss. Oil. There are so many vocabulary words surrounding types of house paint, you might think you need a dictionary. Consider this our primer on figuring out what’s in the can and where to use it.
Swatch Your Step: How to Pick Paint Colors
Visit any paint store, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the rainbow coalition of colors—most paint manufacturers produce hues by the thousands, not dozens. So how do you choose?
Tips on Painting a Room
Repainting is the easiest, most cost-effective way to redo a room’s décor. Before you grab a brush and roller, here are some tips on how to paint like a pro.
Exterior Painting Tips
Repainting is more than redecoration. Modern paints are formulated to withstand severe swings in temperature and resist fading, shrinking, cracking, and peeling. But you’ll get good results only if the job is done well. Here are some tips.
How to Find a Painting Pro
Unlike other trades, you don’t need special training or a truck full of tools to paint one room or an entire house. But who does the painting can have a dramatic effect on how well the job is done—and how much you’ll pay for it.
Working with a Professional Painter
On painting projects that last more than a few days there are things you can do to help the job run smoothly, finish on time, and produce the best possible results.
Protecting Your Family from Lead Exposure
As long as it’s in good condition, lead-based paint probably isn’t a hazard; but scraping and sanding changes that. Over the years it’s become clear that the dust produced by renovation work can be just as harmful as ingested paint chips.
More Articles »
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