Beckham

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Home Improvement

Man painting exterior of house. Home Exterior Blog Post Featured Image

May 26 2023

The Best Time Of Year To Paint Your Home’s Exterior

When Should I Paint My House?

You have spent hours collecting color samples, painting strip after strip and pondering on the right color choice for the exterior of your home.

You finally narrowed down to the perfect paint color with a paint property of latex or perhaps oil, depending on your durability choice or what was available in your area.

With all the necessary materials and tools at hand, it is now time to paint… or is it?

Painting is not a task that can be done year round. It takes careful consideration and planning to ensure your house paint not only cures flawlessly but improves your home’s curb appeal too. The quickest way to ruin the appearance, and value of your home would be to paint it at the wrong time of year and end up with ugly cracks, failing paint, and a bigger bill to remove the failed paint and start fresh…

Believe it or not, many homeowners do not take into consideration when is the best time to paint the exterior of their home. So with that in mind, when is the best time to paint your home?

There is no magic hour or day to look out for when finding the perfect time to paint. The key to an appealing, yet durable finish is the weather.

Ideal weather for a day of exterior painting

The weather forecast and temperature fluctuation during paint application plays a huge part in the curing process. To achieve the perfect coat, it is a great idea to look up the weather in your area prior to painting day.

Look for a day in the near forecast that is warm and sunny with no rain or wind on that day or surrounding days. The perfect weather will allow the paint to set and cure within an appropriate amount of time.

Checking the ideal weather for when painting exterior of home

Avoid cold and rainy days as they could lead to prolonged or uneven curing (affecting the lifespan and durability) of the new paint job. If it has already rained, allow a day or two for the surface to dry or else the moisture and cold could attribute poor adhesion, chipping, peeling or cracking paint.

What Are The Best Temperatures For Painting?

Now that you know that it is going to be sunny and warm, with little chance of high winds and inclement weather in your area. Perhaps you’re wondering what are the perfect temperatures for painting outside?

Knowing the temperature ranges for the type of paint you have is good to know when looking up the weather and researching the best season for you.

Each type of paint is different and allows various recommended application temperatures. You should be able to get this information from the paint manufacturer that you purchased paint from or the label on the side of the paint can.

Generally the minimum and maximum recommended temperatures for the application of latex or acrylic based paints should be between 50° – 90°F and oil based paints between 40° – 90°F. It is recommended to stay within the recommended temperature range or risk the paint taking too long to cure, uneven curing, cracking, non-optimal surface properties, etc….

Fluctuation amongst the temperature from day to night could affect the newly spread paint. Starting early and taking the day to examine each coat and make corrections here and there can allow for an appropriate drying time. Try your best not to paint in direct sunlight, the sun can often heat up the surface you’re painting by an additional 10° – 30°F.

Ideal Application Temperatures For House Painting

Latex Based Paints: 50° – 90°F
Oil Based Paints: 40° – 90°F

If the weather and temperatures are not yet within these ranges, wait for your painting season.

What Is Your Painting Season?

It is nearing the end of January and many stores like Home Depot, Costco and Walmart are beginning to bring paint supplies to the front of their stores and to the aisle-end displays. What does this mean? Is spring cleaning amongst us, is painting season near?

If you happened to grab some of these materials on your way out, it is probably a good idea to do some research on when your painting season is.

Depending on your state, and the part of the country you are in, it is a good idea to know when the best time of year to paint is. Many states have warm and dry days in the spring and some have them in the fall.

Painting brush image for home exterior blog post

Most states, like my home state of Arizona, have various climates with temperature fluctuations throughout the year. For example, in northern Arizona, it may be a good idea to paint in late spring after the winter snow storms have ended to avoid any spring showers or fluctuating temperatures. Whereas in southern Arizona, you can paint almost year round except for the hotter summer months and parts of the rainy monsoon season that follow.

Generally speaking, you’ll want the best weather and temperature you can get when painting. It is a good rule of thumb when painting to avoid hot, cold, rainy and high humidity days (RH above 40% is high).

Wherever you reside, there is a season that will best suit you for painting. Take note of which seasons has the least amount of inclement weather where you reside and you’ll know when the best time of year to paint is. Or you could always venture to your nearest Home Improvement store and see what their paint specialists have to say…

Couple painting home interior wall. Home Interior Painting Blog Post Featured Image

May 25 2023

When To Paint Your House – 5 Useful Tips

Beckham Home Improvement 0

When was the last time you painted the inside of your house?

Painting your house can be fun, it colorizes, adds character and invokes emotions in us. Painting should be part of home maintenance aiding in protecting your walls, wood frames and metal in your home. Paint forms a protective layer that is good at protecting and preserving your home for years to come. The general rule of thumb is to paint the inside of your home every 5-10 years. High traffic areas, like playrooms, should be painted every 5 years while bedrooms can be painted every 8-10 years. General wear-and-tear or moving into a house from an era where lead based paint was used should be reason enough to paint your home this season.

Many people stay home during the winter months due to cold temperatures and snow days. Think about it, many companies need relatively warm and dry weather to do their job – construction workers, road workers, painters, concrete workers, etc. Of all the things to do in your home during the winter season you probably thought home improvement was out of the question. Well, that’s not entirely true. Winter is a great time to make improvements to the interior of your home and lucky you, winter is still here for nearly another month.

Painting your home’s interior might seem like something to save for the hot summer months, but think again! The dry and cool air inside your home during the winter months actually benefits the newly applied paint. Paint applied indoors should be applied at the right temperature, that is why many professionals recommend winter months for painting the inside of your home. For instance, you want the temperature of the air, the wall surface and the paint to be between 60-80 degrees fahrenheit to achieve a beautiful even finish. So before the next snow storm, pick up some painting materials to transform the inside of your home before spring.

Tips For Interior Painting

Achieving a flawless paint job is not just based on the temperature, but also knowing what to do and what not to do. Here are some useful tips and tricks to know before you begin painting your home:

1. Compare Price & Performance

Staircase sketch for comparing prices for Interior Painting Blog Post

Whether you decide to tackle painting yourself or hire a pro you should always compare prices. If you’re looking to hire a professional painter you might not know this but winter weather typically means slower business for home improvement companies. This translates to contractors being more competitive in the bids they are giving out. Business is slower in the winter for contractors and construction in general, you can really score some good deals in the off season. Also compare bids by the types of paint or materials being used, you can ask the painter what they plan to use, that way you’re not comparing apples to oranges. Contractor grade paints should not be assumed to be better than the higher end paints available at your local home improvement store.

You should also compare the price and performance of the paint material being used. There are more than a few name brand paints available, some of these you might even find at your local home improvement store such as Home Depot or Lowe’s. The big names in paint include Behr, Benjamin Moore, Glidden, Sherwin-Williams and Valspar to name a few. All of the name brand paints are offered in several tiers or levels of performance, you can think of these as contractor grade, good, better and best. Typically contractor grade paints come in being the cheapest, and then two to three higher tiered paints ranging from $15-60 per gallon. We advise you set a budget for your project first, and then decide what paint and performance options you desire for your home. Performance characteristics of interior paints might include paint and primer all in one, one coat hide, superior scrub resistance, cooking / grease resistance, high or low gloss (sheen), etc… Consumer Reports recommends choosing sheen and color first and then choosing a paint that scores Very Good or Excellent in hiding cover, they find that the ‘economy’ paints don’t perform well.

Pro Tip: Hiring contractors in their off season is a great way to get a discount for any home improvement project, not just painting. Landscaping, for example is similar to painting season, contractors are less busy in the wintertime.

2. Paint Prep: Use Tack Cloth To Clean Your Walls

Task cloth for interior painting blog post

If you plan to tackle painting by yourself or you want to prep for the painters, then this tip is for you! When it comes time to paint your walls, baseboards, door and window trims, you want to make sure that there is not any dust or debris on the surface. Not cleaning these surfaces prior to painting can cause your paint to have bubbles or blemishes. Using a tack cloth can aid in the cleaning process prior to painting. Tack cloths are basically cheese cloths treated with a tacky material such as beeswax. Gently wiping walls with the cloth so that any debris and lint is caught by the tacky material is ideal, but make sure not to apply pressure when doing this because the wax can be transferred.

Painting Prep Recommendations From Major Manufacturers

Pro Tip: Never skip prep, the short amount of time you spend prepping is a fraction of the time you’ll spend fixing any mistakes! Failure to properly prepare your surfaces prior to painting can mean wasted time and money on both materials and labor if you have to paint again. Nothing sucks more than having to sand your walls and paint again because of paint that fails to adhere in some places or have excess dust bunnies sticking up and out of the paint.

3. Purchase Quality Painting Materials

Aisle of paint buckets for Interior Painting Blog Post

This goes well with point #1. Compare Price & Performance. The first point is to understand how price and performance vary, most of the time you get what you pay for. It should go without saying but when painting your house, you want to use high quality paint and materials that will apply smoothly without hassle and last for years. When it comes down to picking the right paint, this can be mind numbingly frustrating (look at all the options on the photo above) there are seemingly hundreds to choose from. First off, you do not want the cheapest paint that you find because this paint typically requires additional number of coats, has low scrub/scratch/mar resistance, or will not last as long as a higher end paint. Instead, you want to look for a high quality paint, typically one that has higher solids, creating a better paint build, higher scrub/scratch/mar resistance, etc…

Do some research on what paint is available in your area, unless you live in the middle of nowhere, you should have access to all of the major paint brands. We recommend reading reviews online or even going to your local home improvement store and asking the workers in the paint aisle for their recommendations and why. As far as paint brushes, rollers and rods: do your research and don’t be afraid to test them for lint transfers and brush fallout. If you are using them as testers and you see them shedding, then you know for sure you don’t want to use them for a project as important as your home. We typically prefer the lint free Wooster paint roller, foam rollers are also an excellent alternative.

4. Paint From The Ceiling Down – Work Top Down

Start painting your ceiling before anything else, this allows the ceiling to dry. Let’s say you painted the walls first and now you’re thinking I should have done the ceiling too. Well now you could potentially have paint running down your nicely painted walls. If you have crown molding then do those next. Try to do things in a clear thought out process, make steps for yourself, and allow each painted section a bit of drying time before moving onto the next. Cutting in closely is very important. You can do it before painting the walls, but many experts believe it is more efficient to paint the walls then cut into the wall with a paint brush for a flawless finish. An expert trick is to have a bucket of paint instead of a can. This allows less tipping accidents and you won’t end up with different shades (paint cans are more susceptible to differing shades). Next come the windows, pay extra attention to detail when painting your windows. Since the window areas allow light to shine through they act as focal points of rooms, it can showcase imperfections that you might not notice elsewhere. Lastly, doors. If you want a beautiful finish on your doors, take the extra time to unhinge them and lay them horizontally to paint. This will allow an even coat.

5. Clean & Reuse Your Paint Brushes and Rollers

When it comes to painting your bedroom, living room or kitchen it can get tedious. There are many areas to be painted including the walls, windows, door trims, ceilings and baseboards. Whether the sun is starting to go down and you begin losing light or you are getting too tired, you start to realize this could turn into a two-day job. In this case you may not want to buy new brushes and rollers, so preserving them can save you money and a trip to the store for new ones, not to mention you’re being environmentally friendly by not wasting more materials than you need. The old hack to clean brushes and rollers was to spray or soak them in water and soap, a great trick if you plan to paint the next day. This can only be done so many times before your brushes/rollers get depressed, faded, etc… This is only recommended for same color paint jobs and only one day apart. Multiple days apart and multiple colors can result in mixing colors/streaking on the wall, bristles/nap coming loose on the wall etc…

Painting professionals recommend these highly effective ways to preserve your brushes and rollers. Place them in a bag if you are looking to preserve them for only a few hours, the second way is placing them in a sealed air-tight bag and leaving them at room temperature. This will lock in the moisture and prevent them from hardening. Place them in the fridge, putting your brushes or rollers in a sealed air-tight bag and placing them in the refrigerator overnight can preserve them by keeping them cool. Make sure to set them out and allow them to warm back up to room temperature before using them again.

WikiHow recommends various methods for preserving, cleaning and reusing paint brushes to save money and be conscious of the waste you generate when painting your house.

How To Reuse Paint Rollers.

Wrap paint brush/roller in plastic.
Wash off paint with soap and warm water.
Clean brush/roller with paint thinner.

Summary: Tips For Painting Your Home

In summary there exists a season for painting your home as much as there is a season for spring cleaning. You can score some excellent deals with contractors by hiring them in their off season. Compare price and performance of the paint you or your contractors plan to use. Don’t forget to clean your walls, Prep is Key, make sure your walls aren’t dirty before painting. Use quality painting materials and always paint your ceiling first, start top down when painting. And if your painting project extends into a second day you can clean and reuse your painting brushes and rollers saving time and the environment.

Tools around small house. Home Improvement Blog Post Featured Image

May 25 2023

4 Home Improvement and Organizational Tips to Elevate Your Home

Beckham Home Improvement 0

Whether you are the entertainment center of your neighborhood or just appreciate a home in order, the appearance of your home will have an impact on your own mentality towards it. Coming home to a full garage or a disorganized backyard is never what we want, and disorganization often comes from things not having a designated spot on the shelf. Thankfully, there’s plenty of tips and tricks out there for how to create the organized home of your dreams, and we’re even going to share a few of those ideas with you below.

1. Elevate and Declutter Floor Spaces In Your Home

Elevating your home and keeping it clean and organized might seem like a difficult task at the outset. We recommend starting from the ground up by elevating the floor spaces in your home first. Doing this first forces you to remove your clutter and rethink your storage spaces. Plus, it really is a no brainer, considering floor surfaces are one of the first things we notice when entering a new space. You will notice a big difference when walking through a clean and organized room, especially one with a seamless floor coating that brings the whole room together. Floor coatings have traditionally been used in garages, workshops and patios, but are more often finding use within the home as well such as in kitchens and bathrooms.

Having a good looking floor that is easy to clean and maintain can also help you keep organized. It’s easier to spot when items are out of place atop a vibrant floor coating, especially in a garage or workshop area. Floor coatings are especially useful to mechanics and hobbyists working on their cars or projects, finding bolts and misplaced tools is much easier compared to looking for items that blend in with traditionally dull concrete. Slide-lok floor coatings are excellent for this because they are seamless, durable, easy to clean, chemical resistance, waterproof, and come in an endless variation of colors and blends.

2. Transform Your Garage Into A More Useful Space

Organization can be particularly difficult for those with an active lifestyle, or those working on their home themselves. Lots of tools and accessories tend to take up all available free space on shelves and cabinets, so a specifically designed organizational unit can make a world of difference in terms of cleanliness and efficiency. Choosing a garage storage system that takes this into consideration is just as important as its durability and cost.

Organized and clean garage space for Home Improvement Blog Post

Anyone who has a lot of toys like motorcycles or boats knows that a home garage is a perfect place to store them as well as fix anything that goes wrong. Coating your garage floor is a great way to protect it from spills or wear over time. People who also enjoy working on their own cars know how important a coating can be when a spill inevitably happens. A quality floor can also make a garage a more inviting place to spend time if you need the extra space when hosting a gathering at home.

For even less frequently used items, like seasonal decorations or winter tires, overhead storage is a no-brainer. Preserving floor space without sacrificing convenience is seemingly impossible without a reliable overhead storage organizer. Slide-lok’s solution is not only durable with a more than adequate load capacity, but is also a simple enough design to not even notice, unless you’re intentionally looking for it.

Protecting and improving your garage doesn’t just stop at the interior. A quality garage door can not only improve how it looks from the outside, but also can save you money if you keep your garage properly heated or cooled, depending on the season. Having a well-maintained garage that can hold up to large parties as well as major projects on cars or staging areas for DIY home improvements is always an attractive and useful feature of any home. If your home doesn’t have a spare room to make into a den or may not be ideal for entertaining large parties, then investing in the garage as a dual purpose space may be something to consider. Making your garage as versatile as possible will always be a safe investment for both your time and money.

3. Make Your Backyard More Convenient And Enjoyable

More often than not, the garage isn’t the only space that could benefit from some cleanup. Backyards are an entertainment focal point whenever the weather permits. From gardening to casual campfires to parties on the deck, there is always an excuse to spend time outside. No matter what activity brings you outdoors, there will be some tools to bring along with you. Gardening has a litany of small tools that should all stay out of the elements, as does grilling and many party essentials for those with a love for entertaining. Maybe you need to hang these tools up or maybe you even want to store them away. Either way, a combination of Slat-Wall organizers and cabinets are the perfect solutions to install nearby.

A backyard trend that has been growing in popularity is people turning their sheds into a creative space. Of course that means these oftentimes small spaces need to be as organized as possible. Sometimes called She-Sheds, these spaces can become cramped even when adding very few things to the interior, so smart storage solutions are paramount. As with many secondary home spaces, investing in custom storage solutions isn’t in the budget, so finding quality modular storage solutions is at the top of the to-do list. Wall-mounted solutions are often the easiest to install while still keeping important floor space available. Slide-lok has a few solutions with the space-saving slat-wall systems or you can even tuck away some extra storage space above using overhead storage racks.

Larger projects like these that will improve your property value are often put off because it may be too expensive or you can’t find a way to fund it. If you do your research, you should be able to find an option that works best for you. One result you may find appearing often in your search is a home equity loan. This type of loan is one of the most common ways people afford big home projects. With it, you are able to borrow against the existing equity you’ve already built up within your home. Using money you’ve built up within your home to further increase the value of your home makes good financial sense in the long run.

4. Frequently Organize Spaces Inside The Home

Whether you’ve lived in the same home for decades or just moved in, your home never looks quite as good as it did in the photos or at the open house. If you look at any home staging photo, the first thing you will notice is simplicity and organization. As more and more families downsize and move to smaller homes, things pile up and your home’s overall aesthetic may become even harder to achieve without proper storage inside your home.

Linen closets are a hotbed for disorganization, often because of their construction. Being in the bathroom or along a hallway leads to very deep and narrow spaces that are hard to effectively utilize. If changing up your bathroom is something that you’ve been thinking about, then take advantage of a custom look with a modular closet system. Custom-designed closets and cabinets are very cost-inefficient, especially when they use inferior materials like particleboard and last no longer than the alternatives. A modular system allows you to get a custom look and feel without compromising. This is great for those who want lots of shelves, drawers, or even a combination of shelf towers and hanging sections for dress clothes.

Organized closet space for Home Improvement Blog Post

Pantries are another often-overlooked organizational disaster that could use some serious help. With different products all in various sizes, it really is no wonder how it becomes such a mess so quickly. For things that are often grabbed first when snacking or making lunches, baskets are great for keeping them together but out of the bulky boxes, making it easier to organize as well as speeding up the process. Cleaning and organizing your pantry makes your time in the kitchen not only feel more efficient, but you’ll also find yourself enjoying your time in the kitchen that much more.

Enjoy Your Home And Make It Your Escape

Our homes are not just a retreat from the bustle of the daily grind, they also provide ways that we express ourselves. Protecting our canvas both inside and out should be higher on everyone’s list and often begins with simply organizing the things that have no place. Home organization not only lowers stress from home projects, but it also allows you to be creative without being held back by random annoyances. In addition to the personal and health benefits from improving and organizing your home, it is also reassuring to know that you have one of the best homes in your neighborhood because it is yours.

May 25 2023

Choosing The Right Colors To Paint Your Garage

Beckham Home Improvement 0

Right now, a lot of us are still social distancing and staying home during this pandemic. Spending an extensive amount of time at home has forced us to relax a little and spend time on our homes and more importantly, on ourselves. In the meantime, we’ve picked up new hobbies like baking banana bread, moving around furniture, buying new patio sets, making tie-dye shirts, gardening and so on. We are sitting at home and looking around the house trying to find projects that will consume our creative minds..

I get it, I can say that I began to clean up around the house and even completed some small home improvement projects because I feel I have more free time at home. Recently I cleaned up the garage all by myself because I never had the time to do it before. Now, I can attest that it makes my home look a million times better… no more cobwebs, leaves and dust. Large areas like the garage are have essential uses for parking our cars, organizing holiday decorations, tools and equipment or maybe your garage is a playroom or a home gym. Whatever it is utilized as, the garage can become a multi use space that you can enjoy with family and friends all while increasing the value of your home.

If you are in the early phases of renovating your garage or are thinking about it, you are probably pondering all of the different things you could do, what to add and maybe even take away. It could be furniture, floor coatings, storage space or wall paint. Whatever it is, you may find yourself with a tough decision when it comes to the design and colors you want to embolden this large space with. This is very important because colors can complement each other and make your garage look aesthetic and beautiful, but sometimes colors can clash. The colors of the walls, storage systems, and floors are really up to you, but here are a few guidelines that can help with choosing the right color combinations for your garage.

Choosing The Right Color Paint For Your Garage

Try to bring together all the colors of your home and its environment to really highlight the improvements and aesthetic of your home. Aim to create a fun and enjoyable environment that you’ll love to spend time in and that will increase your home’s value.

Follow our recommendations and your garage will become your new favorite space in your home. The wall color in your garage is a huge deal as it complements the aesthetic and can set a light tone in the area. Picking the right wall color can be difficult, but instead brainstorm about how bright you want your garage to be. If you plan to use the garage as a workshop, you want good lighting, therefore you should pick lighter colors. Remember, choosing white can be great as it will create lots of light, but it can feel boring and shows dirt quite easily. Light gray, tan, beige, yellow, and light blues are some popular wall colors because it allows light to come in and it isn’t so high maintenance when it comes to dust and scuffs. Contrasting those colors you could make a statement and invoke lots of emotion with dark and bright colors such as a deep and dark red, bright yellow, dark blue, or even black.

Garage Makeovers With Different Wall Colors

Choosing The Right Garage Floor Color

Garage floor coatings can be a great investment in improving the look and function of your garage. They provide a decorative and protective finish to the existing concrete making it easier to clean and providing vibrant color to the space. Floor coatings have become increasingly popular in commercial and residential garage applications because they are high performance and low maintenance. Whether your garage is used as a workshop or an area to hang out, you will want an easy to clean floor that also looks good and complements the aesthetic of your overall garage and home.

There are many types of floor coatings and their physical qualities vary drastically. From acrylic floor coatings to epoxy, polyurethane and polyaspartic chemistry, these coatings vary in adhesion, durability, price and customization. Floor coatings can be as simple as a solid color or use pearlescent metallic pigments and even flooring chips and flakes, the color options you have are truly endless.

Slide-lok recommends you choose an epoxy or polyaspartic garage floor coating for their relatively good price and high performance qualities. As for colors, when it comes to the garage floor we’ve seen it all done before, and I mean we’ve seen it all! From entire glitter floors to all black and gold colors and even glow in the dark floors. Personally I love colors that are complementary to the overall aesthetic of the garage and home, but don’t let that shy you away from fun colors such as red, green, blue or even gold. It is your space, make it fun and choose a color option that you will love seeing everytime you step into your garage.

Choosing Garage Storage Systems and Accessories

Consider adding additional garage storage such as slatwall, overhead storage racks, wall shelves, or even cabinets. There are a lot of accessories to choose from, but taking the time to measure your area and plan for what your garage would need most is a really good way to get started. As far as color, go for complementary colors that go well with your wall and floor colors. Slatwall for instance comes in 3 colors: graphite, beachwood and silver. Depending on your garage’s aesthetic these items could be the focal point of your garage, really highlighting your tools, gardening equipment or cleaning supplies.

Choosing The Perfect Garage Door Color

The garage door is the largest entry point of the house that can make or break the aesthetic of your home. For example, a faded garage door can make your house look older, but a newly painted door can make your house look beautiful and can increase the value in your home. When it comes to color, you really want the garage door to pop, to do this repaint the door and surrounding trim so that it complements the exterior paint of the house. If you want to go the traditional route, paint a few shades darker than the exterior paint. You want to make sure that the color you choose is not too contrasting or is not the same color of your house. Doing this can make your home look overwhelming or make the garage door invisible.

For more inspiration see How To Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal. You’ll see a few examples on how different colors can really improve the appearance of a house, or even how certain colors can detrimentally affect your curb appeal.

All Color Chip & Flake Blends

Get a head start on your home’s garage makeover. See our 41 standard flooring chip and flake blends below. Let us know in the comments which color you’d want on your garage floor.