Posts tagged: Capital Remodeling Incorporated

Apr 08 2009

Capital Remodeling, Inc.

To Whom It May Concern:

 

            What refreshing surprise to find honest, hard-working individuals in today’s world!  In August, I talked to a Capital Remodeling, Inc. representative about getting replacement windows for my house (built circa 1975).  He was very informative and even bought samples.  My late husband and I had researched this once before and had not settled with any other company, until Capital Remodeling, Inc. I liked what they had to offer.  Capital Remodeling, Inc. is the best for quality, performance, and price.

 

            A gentleman from Capital Remodeling, Inc. came on my scheduled day off and measured the windows.  He was very polite and measured each window twice.  I felt that Capital Remodeling, Inc. knew what they were doing.

 

            I received a phone call from Capital Remodeling, Inc. stating that my windows were in and ready for installation.  After it stopped raining, a date was set for November 7th.  It was a rough start, because the truck broke down, but they came shortly thereafter on November 10th.  Capital Remodeling, Inc. sent out 3 able-bodied gentleman who very polite to install our new windows.  I was amazed with their experience.  They removed all the old windows and even vacuumed any residue inside the house.

           

            We had moved all the blinds, and furniture away from the old windows and I watched as the Capital Remodeling, Inc. employees took out the old ones.  My children (Ages 9, 10 and 16) were pleased with the ease of the sliding glass door replacement by Capital Remodeling, Inc. and their bedroom windows.  I was pleased with overall appearance to the house.  It certainly gave it a much nicer look!  Now, since Capital Remodeling, Inc. installed the new windows, there are no more drafts of cold air coming from any of the windows.

 

            I highly recommend Capital Remodeling, Inc. to any one who needs new windows.  Thanks Capital Remodeling, Inc. for an outstanding job well done!

 

Sincerely,

 

Maria

 

Dale City, Virginia

Jan 22 2009

Breaking Away From White Wall Paint from Capital Remodeling, Inc.

Author: Dan Calderwood

Paint is one of the most affordable and easiest ways to change a room. But choosing the right paint colors and right painter for your home can seem like an overwhelming task.

Paint, accessories, fabric, furniture, and flooring should all blend, so take a good look at the room you will be working on, preferably before you choose a paint color, and decide what will stay in the room, and what you may want to move out of the room.

The first thing you should do when choosing interior colors for your home, is look around at colors that make you feel good, happy, and relaxed. These colors are probably already in your home. A few examples are the colors you love to look at in your flower garden, the colors in your jewelry, or pottery, or they can be found in the colors of the clothes in your closet.

The second thing you should do is go to your local paint store and pick up a color wheel, and or sample cards, pick the sample cards that really catch your eye, and don’t be afraid to get as many as you want. Take these cards home and look at them at different times of the day and night, to see how the color will look when the sun shines in on them, or at night when you have lamps turned on, or candles burning. Study this for several days. Be patient when deciding which color feels best to you.

Complimentary colors - are the colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheel.

Harmonious colors - are the colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Like blue and purple.

Tints - are colors with white added.

Shades - are colors with black added.

Saturation - is the amount of color used. The more color, the more vibrant.

Color tone - is the degree to which it changes.

Pastels - use only a hint of color.

Decorating with Paint

When decorating with paint, Use the following ten suggestions for optimal results:

1. First consider the style or decor of your home. This will impact the color. Work out what sort of look or feel you are going for, whether it is urban, contemporary, modern or traditional. Once you know the look that you like and what look will work well with the other rooms in your home, the choice of color becomes much easier. So before decorating with paint, pick the look you are going for so that the paint you choose can help you meet that objective.

2. Decide on the mood you want the room to evoke. If you want a light happy feeling, dark colors will not accomplish that mood. On the other hand, if you want a mood that invokes intimacy, study, and cuddling up with a nice book in front of a warm fire, then darker colors are perfect. Os pick your mood and you will have a better chance of pickin your colors.

3. When decorating with paint you should know that some paints look differently in different lights; then look closely at the natural light exposure the room has. The amount of natural light and exposure to bright sunlight may influence you towards a choice of cooler shades like blues and greens. Less natural light may lend itself to warmer shades. So, when selecting your choice of colors make sure you check how it looks in daylight and artificial light.

4. Decorate with paint colors that compliment the rest of your home, and your things. The color chosen should especially be compatible with the fixtures which are difficult to replace easily, for example the fire surrounds, furniture, or carpets and curtains inside the home. Paint is a lot cheaper to change then furniture is, so choose colors that compliment what you have, or your money savings in using paint to decorate will go down the drain.

5. When decorating with paint, get sample cards and hold them up to your walls in all different lights, also compare them with swatches of fabrics for furniture, window treatments etc. If you collect samples of everything from carpet to curtains, and put together a storyboard, this will help inspire your creativity and make sure you are happy with your final selection, all before you spend any money at all.

6. Before you start your paint job make sure you have bought enough paint. This is especially important if you are having it custom mixed. It can be difficult to perfectly match colors later, so rather than deal with the hassle, know what you need before hand, and be sure to get a little more than you think you need for touchups etc.

7. Decorating with paint is fun, but cleaning paint off furniture and floors is not, so be sure to clear as many items out of the room beforehand as possible, and use drop cloths to protect your floor. Also, make sure the room is well ventilated throughout your painting job so you don’t hurt yourself.

8. Decorating with paint is fairly inexpensive, but you do not want to have to do it every few months, or even years, so spend a little more and make sure you buy a top quality paint. Don’t use poor quality materials, and put all your hard work and planning to waste.

9. Prep your walls well before painting, even the highest quality paints do not adhere well to dirty surfaces. 10. Paint color is one of the most profound and powerful ways to shape our surroundings. Don’t be afraid to go bold, you can always change your paint later if you find you hate it, but chances are you will wish you had used even more color.

Posted by Capital Remodeling, Inc.

Jan 12 2009

Painting Green: Commercial Painting Products and Procedures That Build a Greener Reputation

Author: Steve A. Parker

Going green? In the wake of films like An Inconvenient Truth, presenting a greener reputation to the public may be a matter of business survival. As environmental consciousness becomes a mainstream concern, proving your company’s commitment to green thinking involves adopting practices that make sense for your business and are earth friendly.

Selecting green products and adopting greener practices is not enough. For the most credible commitment and the greatest impact for your company’s reputation, certification is also required to present a best practices reputation for your company.

Greener Commercial Painting Products

A host of new products are entering the market every year to fill the green products niche for commercial buildings. Some of these products are cleaner variants of traditional paints, while others use high tech production techniques to achieve their effects.

100 Percent Acrylic Paint: Using this paint helps out a company’s performance on indoor air quality tests. From a performance standpoint, the 100 percent acrylic paints are a great choice for most indoor applications. They resist dirt and cracking and have a good dry time. From a green commercial painting standpoint, 100 percent acrylics have a very low VOC content, which helps in locations where chemical sensitivities are an issue.

Silicate Paints: For exterior commercial painting projects, silicate paints are a great way to make your facility a little greener. Silicate paints are made from natural materials and are suited for covering concrete, masonry or gypsum wallboard. Potassium silicate binders give silicate paints good adhesion capability, and additional natural minerals add color.

Soy Ester Paint Stripper: Commercial restoration projects are often big sources of toxic products. Thinning agents and chemical strippers create a soup of harmful chemicals. By using products that replace the harmful ingredients with soy esters, your painting project can help improve the green image of your building. Soy esters are also used to make more environmentally friendly graffiti removers. These products allow you to incorporate greener practices with everyday maintenance routines.

Certification for a Greener Commercial Building

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an independent certification program developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The USGBC is made up of building and construction professionals who believe that greener buildings are viable and sustainable.

LEED publishes a set of procedural guidelines for commercial buildings. Participation in the program is completely voluntary. If a company chooses to take part in LEED certification, the company is graded according to its compliance with the LEED guidelines. Platinum certification indicates the highest level of compliance, and is a verifiable credential for companies wishing to establish a greener reputation.

Greener Commercial Painting

If you have questions or concerns about incorporating greener products and practices into your next project, contact your painting contractor for more information.

Posted by Capital Remodeling, Inc.

Jan 12 2009

Setting the Mood: Choosing the Right Paint Colors for your Home

Author: Matt Barker

Picking which colors to paint the interior of your home can be a stressful venture. Following trends can make your home look fashionable one season, but completely outdated the next. What you want is to choose colors that will satisfy you now and in the future.

So how do you choose? In reality, there are no right or wrong colors, but there are poor color combinations. Pairing lime green paint with red accents would look terrible, whereas combining lime green and white looks cheerful and clean. One place to start is to look at what colors and textures are already present in the room, and go from there.

After looking at what you already have, consider what function the room will serve, and how you want to feel when you spend time in it. Don’t be too limited by so-called color rules. If you read a magazine article that you should never use red for a bedroom, you’re going to miss out on a rich array of options. Go with your gut, and select shades that make you happy.

Colors affect us. They can lift our spirits, make us feel tense, or make us feel at peace.

The kitchen for instance, is typically a place where family and friends gather, snack, and engage in friendly conversation. This is a great area to use bright, cheery colors that promote feelings of well-being. Yellow has long been a popular choice for this room, but be mindful of the shade you select. Lighter shades of yellow are associated in our minds with happiness and freshness, while on the other hand, a dull shade of yellow reminds us of sickness and danger.

The bedroom is your place of refuge from the rest of the world. If you want to give the room a sensuous feel, light red paint can envelop you in feelings of passion. Pink is the classic color for romance, but can be too feminine and overpowering for many people. Blue is a great choice for the bedroom if you want to create an area of stillness. The color blue promotes feelings of tranquility and has a calming effect on the mind. Blue also acts as an appetite suppressant, so be mindful of this when painting your dining room area!

When you’ve decided on what mood you want to create as well as the color family you want to use, be sure to paint a fairly large square on your wall. Don’t rely on paint chips, as the color can end up looking different on your walls. A paint chip also can’t give you an accurate idea of how the room as a whole will mesh with the new color. Your furniture, the amount of natural light in the room, and the type of flooring you have, all play a part in how color will look in the room. So you need to have a fairly large sample area to properly judge.

Selecting paint color can be intimidating, but remember to go with your gut. If you love a color and it evokes the feeling that you want, then chances are good that you will be happy with your choice for many years to come.

Posted by Capital Remodeling, Inc.

Jan 12 2009

Eco Friendly Paints

Author: Tony Neshtyak

In this article, we will learn about them eco friendly paints. During the curing and evaporating process, paints release their solvents in the atmosphere. You remember our articles explaining solvents right?

The release of these Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) into the atmosphere, can precipitate effects ranging from Ozone Depletion, to smog, and yes, to Global Warming too. Public sentiment has only been getting stronger in the past few years, and unlike the 1990’s, where the introduction of Green paints bombed, the latest revolution is not going to end.

 

The crux of the matter however, is that painting experts maintain that, despite what the marketers say, paints without VOC’s don’t perform as well as paints that have them. They claim that they require more coats to achieve the same finish, and are not as long lasting.

However, with VOC’s being linked to dizziness, and asthma, public demand is only getting stronger, and the industry has no choice but to respond.

One solution, is to use Latex Paints, that are water based, with an acrylic resin acting as a binder. In addition to being environmentally friendly - Water based means no more VOCs - Latex paints have several other advantages over traditional paints including washability, and better opacity (Ability to completely cover another color).

Of course, being water based means that the Latex paints cannot be used to paint iron, as it will speed up the rusting process. Even so, there is a distinct trend towards latex paints, and new innovations are popping up everywhere.

The term ‘Green Paints’ can not only refer to the overt effects of the paint itself, but the manufacturing process that is followed in order to obtain the paint ingredients. For example, Titanium Dioxide, is widely used in paints for it’s whiteness, and for the fact that it has high ‘Hiding power’. This refers to the refractive index of the material. If the refractive index is high, it will provide greater opacity when it is disbursed in a solvent.

 

However, Titanium Dioxide is manufactured by processes called the sulphate, and chloride processes that resulted in diluted Sulphuric acid being created as a by product. These were dispersed into the sea, prompting debate on whether or not this was acceptable. It also meant that all substances that were dissolved in the acid, would also be released into the sea.

Quite apart from more efficient manufacturing practices, Titanium Dioxide, when applied as an exterior coating, reacts with sunlight causing smog. The International Agency for research on Cancer (IARC), has also classified Titanium Dioxide as an IARC Group 2B carcinogen, which means that it is probably an agent leading to the promotion of cancer in humans. Despite this, Titanium Dioxide is widely used.

Given the serious health and environmental damage that paints can have directly through their effects, as well as indirectly through their manufacture, Eco Friendly paints are set to have a major impact on the industry, as well as changing the way we view paint.

Posted By Capital Remodeling, Inc.

Dec 08 2008

Home Improvement 101 - Painting Tips

Author: Build WriteWell

How To Paint Home Painting Tips

Color is used to influence how the size of the room feels

The desired Effect
Your Color Choice
Expand space? Use cool, light, or dull colors; minimal contrasts
Shrink space? Include warm, dark, or bright colors; maximum contrasts
Lower ceiling? Try warm colors and dark tones
Raise ceiling? Use cool colors and light tints
Shorten room? Best to use warm or dark colors
Lengthen room? Cool, light, or dull colors; limited contrasts
Hide an undesirable feature? Surrounding color

Tip: Prime Mistake With 5 coats of paint on the wall a person asked his paint supply store why he couldn’t cover the stains on the wall. ” Did you prime” he was asked? “Yes - I used some leftover latex from the garage”. It was explained that latex paint isn’t primer. Primer provides bonding and stain blocking. Paint provides durability and color. Both are needed for a good job. Original “Kiltz” primer dries quickly and has been found to be one of the most stain blockers. Stain Blockers absorb instead of covering up the stain - so be sure the primer is completely dry to prevent bleed through.

Tip: Don’t like the Dust from sanding drywall Mud? Use a drywall wet-sander (Sponge with abrasive on one side) . With a damp sponge - use the coarse side for sanding and the fine side for smoothing. Wood Window painted shut? Try applying the paint to the window and the sash in separate processes. It is recommended to remove the sash when possible. Use a utility knife or sash knife to cut the paint before opening the window.

Tip: Break Time? Place Brush or roller in a plastic bag.

Break Time overnight? Double Bag and place in your refrigerator.

Tip: Painting a large area like a entire home? Sprayer Rentals are available for minimal $.

Tip: Paint Roller extension handle. It extends and is adjustable.

Brushes and Rollers
Selecting the right brushes and rollers is a crucial step in making your paint jobs look better while helping you to do your work more easily and efficiently.

Brushes : So many sizes and styles - How Do I Choose?
:-) Like anything in life knowledge is they key. If you are like myself this might seem like too much information. However - It is the little things that make the work go smoothly. Much of what has been learned here has been learned the hard way. I will try to share with you what has been learned from my mistakes along with tips from painters and the help of Sherwin-williams.

A paint brush is an ideal choice when painting trim, corners and small areas. Also, a specialty paint brush should be used for projects like painting furniture, decks and railings.

When selecting a brush, you will want to consider the following :
Bristle Type -
Nylon and polyester bristle: These synthetic materials are designed to hold their shape with todays popular latex paints. A good quality nylon and polyester blended brush is the best choice for all latex paints and coatings. Many painters prefer a synthetic brush for oil coatings as well.
Natural China bristle:High-quality natural China bristle brushes have qualities that control oil-based coatings for better flow and leveling for the smoothest finish. A natural China bristle brush is the best choice for oil-based paints, stains and varnishes

Brush Styles:
Angle sash: Bristles are precisely trimmed at an angle that allows painters to hold the brush more comfortably while painting trim and corners. Brush ends are rounded for a smooth , gradual paint stroke.

Trim:
Trim brushes have a straight cut-line and are also used for painting trim and corners. They can also be used for larger areas. Some painters prefer a straight edge versus an angled cut. Trim brushes also have rounded ends.

Wall: A wall brush is a larger brush with a straight cut-line. It is better used for larger areas like walls or side paneling. A wall brush has square ends.

Brush Size : Personal preference is always a factor in choosing a brush width, but a good rule of thumb is For small spaces, tight trim areas, touch-ups and detail work 2 1/2 to 3 inches: For any trim and corner work 4 to 5 inches: For larger areas like walls or side paneling a roller may come in handy or use a good Brush Quality.

You made it this far! You are incredible! Thanks for reading - really hope this helps.

Better brushes bring better results.
High Production Brushes: These brushes are recommended for painters looking for superior paint pick-up and release. High Production brushes deliver great results in less time. They pick-up and release more than 25 percent more paint than any other brush on the market. High Production brushes are available in a nylon/polyester blend for latex coatings and in a white China/polyester blend for oil-based coatings.
Nylon/Polyester and 100% Nylon Brushes:
A specific blend of nylon and polyester filaments make this brush a fine finishing tool that is very durable and easy to clean. The white nylon tips are precisely flagged and tapered for a sharp cut-line. These characteristics have made this line the most popular choice for latex paints for the past 15 years. Although nylon is a soft material, it is also the strongest and most expensive material in a paint brush. 100 percent nylon brushes offer extreme durability, even when used on rough or abrasive surfaces. 100 percent nylon brushes are finished using several hand-trimming steps to create a superior cut-in paint brush.
Black and White China Bristle Brushes:
By nature, Black China bristle is stronger and thicker coarse hair, which makes it the perfect bristle to use with oil-based paints and epoxies. The highest quality Black China bristles available are used in the Contractor Series line. White China bristle, by contrast, is soft and thin. A white China bristle brush is the perfect tool for stain, varnishes, polyurethanes and clear coatings. It lays these topcoats on with a glass-smooth finish. White China bristle brushes are suitable for oil-based paints if a softer flex tool is desired.
Black China / Ox Hair Blend Brushes: Ox hair is extremely fine and soft, creating an exceptional tool for fine finish work.
Roller Covers: Rollers help you paint large, flat surfaces in much less time than a brush. They are also excellent for use on all walls, stucco, concrete or any other flat surface.
Here are some options to consider when purchasing a roller cover:
Roller Cover Materials:
Nylon/polyester:
Synthetic roller covers are ideal for applying latex paints, They resist matting and hold their shape for a smooth finish.
Natural fiber covers: Roller covers that are made from natural fiber include mohair and lambs wool. They are ideal for oil-based coatings.
Blended covers: Roller covers made from a blend of natural and synthetic fibers are excellent multipurpose covers and can be used with all paints.
Roller Length: Standard roller length is nine inches.
For smaller areas, a four-inch or seven-inch roller cover. Larger area - walls & floors, 14-inch & 18-inch rollers may increase productivity.
Pile Depth : Roller covers vary in nap length.
The nap is determined by the SuRfaCe TeXtUrE to be painted.
1/4-inch, 3/16-inch: For very smooth surfaces like metal doors and plaster. 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch: For smooth and semi-smooth surfaces like drywall. 3/4-inch: For semi-rough surfaces like wood or a textured ceiling. 1-inch, 1 1/4-inch: For rough surfaces like stucco or a heavily textured ceiling. 1 1/2-inch: For extremely rough surfaces like concrete block.
Roller Quality As with brushes, the initial extra investment in higher quality rollers and covers will pay off in the final look and ease of application. Lesser quality roller covers may leave streaks or nap fibers on the painted surface.
Polyester Knit: Specially formulated for today is latex coatings. The highly crimped fibers offer the best protection against matting. Soft Woven: Rivals polyester knit in popularity. Recommended for both latex and oil coatings, they do a fine job with gloss and semi-glass coatings. Wool/Polyester Knit: Fifty percent of the roller cover fiber is natural wool, which allows for greater paint pick up and delivery. Fifty percent is polyester, which helps the roller keep its shape during prolonged use. The blend results in an excellent balance of productivity and low matting. Merino Sheepskin: Pick up and release more paint than any other roller cover. Many painters use Merino Sheepskin exclusively for any type of coating, claiming it lasts a long time with proper care. Mohair: Features a blend of soft natural angora mohair with synthetic fibers to produce the smoothest finish possible with a roller cover. Recommended for use with gloss and high gloss coatings. Brushes & Rollers Portions of above material was edited material from Paint Supplier

Tip: Painting Straight Lines is one of the hardest things to master. A Painting Edger may be used. When this edger is used two problems often occur. Bumps of Ceiling Texture are hit making a crooked line or paint gets on the edge of the roller. To prevent both of these problems place a painters metal shield or a straight trowel with tape over the edge against the ceiling. Your roller now rolls freely and if paint was on the roller it will go onto your trowel instead of the ceiling! (Stiff Paper or thin cardboard may substitute the trowel)
Tip 2: Using tape instead of the above method. Place the tape down the wall one eighth of an inch. When the tape is removed it will look like a caulk line and will not be noticed! If the paint is on the ceiling however It stands out! Remember to remove the tape immediately. Painter Friendly Tape is very deceitful. Seven Day tape should really stay on Seven minutes. One day is the max for any tape.

There are periods when to dare, is the highest wisdom. William Ellery Channing

By all means, do not say, If I can; Say, I will. Abraham Lincoln

You may wear out, but never give up.

Posted by Capital Remodeling

Dec 05 2008

Paint Problems which we face

Author: Budda Oliver

Common areas where these problems occur first are places where there are high levels of direct sunlight, water collection, or other highly exposed areas of your home. Some of these areas include corners, window sills, door sills, edges, rooflines, etc.

Common Symptoms of Aging or Failing Paint

Fading Paint

Probably the most common problem occurring with aging paint is fading. Constant direct sunlight changes the chemical composition of the paint, leading to a lack of sufficient protection of your home. Highly faded paint can lead to other problems such as cracking or warping of wood. Applying a fresh coat of paint is the only way to fix this problem. Fading or poor color retention can also be a result of chalking of the coating.

Blistering Paint

Blistering paint is one of the many symptoms caused by water penetration or extremely high humidity levels. Blistering paint appears as just that: small to medium bubbles or blisters under the paint film, usually occurring on wood materials.

Blistering paint may also be caused by the paint being applied to a hot surface. If a coat of paint is applied to a surface when it is too warm, such as heated by direct sunlight, the vapors from the paint may become trapped under the paint film as the paint dries too quickly for it to escape. Similarly, if paint is applied to damp or wet wood, the moisture may become trapped in the same manner. Dew, rain, high humidity, and low quality paint or insufficient preparatory work will also contribute to paint blistering.

Posted by Capital Remodeling