Many things effect how often you will paint your home. Some dark colors are more effected by sun exposure and may need recoating more often than lighter colors. Some areas of your home receive more exposure to sunlight and the elements than the rest of your home. The length of time between paint jobs is also affected by the amount of preparation put into the previous coating. Things such as trees, clinging vines, and sap can also cause you to have to paint more often.

This problem typically occurs because the columns have not been treated with wood preservative on the inside (or core) of the hollow column. This allows moisture to be wicked from the inside to the outside of the column, where it then causes the paint to flake away from the wood. You can treat the problem by installing an IPexterior plug approximately 8" down from the top of each column (note: if column wall is less than 3/4" thick you may use the IPinterior plug). See similar questions...

Some degree of chalking is normal. Some paint manufacturers have even touted this as a "self-cleaning" process. However, excessive film erosion can result in unsightly heavy chalk. Excessive chalking is caused by the disintegration of the paint film during weathering. Some common causes of heavy chalking include application to an unsealed surface, overspreading the paint, or poor quality paint. All can lead to premature breakdown by the weather. See similar questions...

Maybe you're tired of dealing with peeling paint and rotting clapboards. And you wonder, "Will another coat of paint really hide the weather-worn condition of my wood siding? And even if it can, is it worth the cost?" Or maybe you're thinking about replacing warped hardboard siding...or getting rid of dated asphalt or asbestos siding...or eliminating dented metal siding...or giving a fresh, contemporary look to masonry walls. See similar questions...

Moisture levels of exterior wood are normally lowest in September and October. Temperature and humidity are typically ideal for proper drying during the autumn months when most house painters paint their own homes (this rule does not apply to the Pacific Northwest where it sometimes never stops raining). See similar questions...

acrylic topcoats are typically the best due to color retention properties and flexibility. It is important, however, to use an oil based primer before using the acrylic topcoat when painting over bleeding woods like Redwood or Cedar. A complete acrylic system may be used on all other non-bleeding woods. See similar questions...

Not recommended. The exterior is an attractive looking textured vinyl clad steel which is hot rolled laminated to the cabinet. If you try to paint the exterior it would easily chip. See similar questions...

No. We do not require anyone to be home while we are painting, but we will need the windows and doors unlocked, as well as the garage door, so we can open and close them from the outside while we work. See similar questions...

If it hasn't been painted since it was built, sooner is better. Experts recommend re-coating every 5 years after a one-coat application, and 7 or 8 years after a 2-coat application. See similar questions...

The most common cause is moisture. But blistering can also be caused by painting in direct sunlight, inadequate surface preparation, or using a low quality exterior paint. See similar questions...

One exposes the paint with infrared heat for 20 to 60 seconds. Usually you can remove all layers down to the initial primer coat. This is a very rewarding experience to see the paint come off in soft sheets. You will not burn the wood you are removing paint from. scraping soft paint does not create dust or lead vapors. Dust is created by the scraping dry paint. See similar questions...

Yes! We offer a Dura-Styrene shutter #049, which is paintable. Also, our standard Dura Finish Color-Through colors are paintable by a new product by Sherwin Williams “Krylon Fusion” paint. See Sherwin Williams for warranty and instructions. See similar questions...

There are restrictions relative to making modifications to the common elements - the exteriors of buildings, the common grounds and some interior building components. Click Service Forms and complete a Modification Request. The Board of Directors must approve your request before you begin any modification. See similar questions...

Each Homeowner is required to maintain the exterior features of their home. All exterior maintenance must follow the Architectural Guidelines established by the Homeowners Association. See similar questions...

Crickets are attracted to buildings by bright exterior lights. Changing commercial lighting to sodium vapor lamps and home lighting to yellow "bug light bulbs" greatly reduces the numbers of crickets attracted. In addition, heavy ground cover (such as ivy) should be minimized in landscaping, especially next to the building. Sites where crickets could harbor, such as piles of lumber and bricks, should be removed. See similar questions...

Yes, any finish you can think of can be used with ICF’s, there are no limitations; and in fact, stucco or EIFS is much cheaper to apply over an ICF wall. See similar questions...

The City does not regulate paint colors. However, "Shaker Village Colors," a publication describing historic home colors, is available at no charge in the Planning Department office. See similar questions...

Oakland has several programs to assist senior, disabled and low and moderate income homeowners with repair and rehabilitation of their homes. See our repair/rehab page for more information. See similar questions...