http://mainepainting.com/blog/ "When You Want it Done Right" en-us Nucleus CMS v3.32 © Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://mainepainting.com/blog//nucleus/nucleus2.gif http://mainepainting.com/blog/ http://mainepainting.com/blog/index.php?itemid=4
Make sure that the painting contractor that you use has liability insurance, at least a million dollars in coverage. If he does, he should be able to provide you with a certificate. His agent should be able to fax you a copy in minutes.

Secondly, make sure that they have workman's compensation coverage for all their employees. They should also be able to prove this. If someone gets hurt on your property and the contractor does not have proper workman's liability coverage, you could be liable.

Finally, make sure that the price that they give you is a firm proposal and contract for a fixed amount that specifically lays out what services and materials they are going to provide.

Be very wary of the "estimate". These are open ended and can often end up with the final project costing much more, because it was only an "estimate".

Maine Painting does not use estimates for our house painting services. We provide you with a firm proposal and contract that will never be increased unless you approve additional services not covered in the original contract, and you and Maine Painting sign a change order form.

One last thing. . . Be sure to check references! Especially if you are going to give them a deposit. There have been some "painters" that disappeared after they got the check.

By the way, any painter that's painted for at least a year or two can provide two or three references of people that liked them, even if everyone else didn't. Maine Painting lists every customer as common practice. Feel free to call any of them.]]> General http://mainepainting.com/blog/index.php?itemid=4 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:33:03 -0400 http://mainepainting.com/blog/index.php?itemid=5
Both types of siding require special paints best suited to the application. Not every painting contractor would know how to prep the siding or what products to use. They are very different than wood siding applications.

Maine Painting has extensive knowledge and experience in both vinyl siding and aluminum siding paint applications and can offer a long term warranty to back it up. So, give us a call for a free detailed written proposal and make that vinyl or aluminum sided house look new again!
]]> General http://mainepainting.com/blog/index.php?itemid=5 Thu, 22 May 2008 00:45:00 -0400 http://mainepainting.com/blog/index.php?itemid=3
The best exterior coatings are those that bond well to the substrate surface being covered while providing a durable, protective finish. One of the primary requirements in a durable exterior coating is being able to expand and contract through temperature and season changes over time while remaining well bonded to the surface it is protecting.

The best exterior solid paint coating currently available is proven to be a 100% acrylic paint. In my opinion, the very best of those for the last few tears has been Sherwin-Williams Duration®. It come in two sheens, flat and satin. Satin will be the most durable on any surface and will wash and stay clean more easily. Flat will have the best hiding abilities and is what I recommend for older homes that have a rough surface. A higher sheen of this type of surface tend to accentuate the defects.

For homes that are finished with stain, I recommend Sherwin-Williams WoodScapes® and Sherwin-Williams DeckScapes® . The are very high quality acrylic stains. Solid stains will last longer than semi-transparent or transparent stains simply because they contain more protective pigments.

Yes, these products do have a higher cost. But the majority of the cost of virtually any painting project is the cost of labor. If you are going to spend that much on labor why no make the job last as long as possible by using the best products? However, you will find Maine Painting estimates to be very competitively priced even though we always use the best and usually the highest cost materials.]]> General http://mainepainting.com/blog/index.php?itemid=3 Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:08:11 -0500 http://mainepainting.com/blog/index.php?itemid=2
A good painter will not only look for problems as they prep and paint your home, but they will also caulk all butt joints, windows, doors, etc. They will also replace any damaged window glazing. Often painter's will also do some light carpentry to replace missing or damaged shingles, clapboard, or rotted sections of fascia or other wood components. Any of these area can allow for moisture to get in begin to deteriorate your home.

The main forces that can damage your home paint job are sun, water, mold and mildew. These all take their toll on your home every year. Here in Maine, the south side of the house tends to get the most sun damage resulting of color fading and deterioration of the paint of stain. The north side of the house or any areas that they sun hits the least are more prone to mold, mildew and moisture problems.

The most common areas that wood rot is found is at the bottom of posts or door jambs and in window and door sills. The butt joints of door and window trim is another good area to check. Also any low area on corner boards that are close to the ground or in plantings where they cannot dry. A careful inspection of your home should be made each year. ]]> General http://mainepainting.com/blog/index.php?itemid=2 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 19:01:23 -0500 http://mainepainting.com/blog/index.php?itemid=1
If you want your home painting in the spring, then you need to enter into an agreement usually before the first of the year. If you want it done in the summer, it's best to get it settled before spring.

Stan]]> General http://mainepainting.com/blog/index.php?itemid=1 Sat, 9 Feb 2008 13:04:28 -0500