Drive Around and Ask About Paint Colors

We picked the color of our house by driving around until we found something we liked.

Avoid poor color selections by getting professional advice or by my favorite method, finding a home that you like the colors on and knocking on the door. Most people are happy to share their color with you. It just confirms their selection – and who doesn’t like to know that others like their home.

When Shae and I were building a colonial style home in Vancouver, WA, we drove around the Grant High and Washington Park areas of Portland, OR. Not only was it fun looking at all the old classic homes, but we also found a lot of color options that we really liked. And yes we found our paint color as well – but I did it the hard way since no one was home…I stood on the front porch and took out my paint color fan deck and went through it as fast as I could to match the color. Luckily I escaped, color in hand, before the police arrived!

Double-check the Paint Color

Now – I will warn you. Don’t assume when someone tells you the color of their home that they are correct. Especially if they are a builder(me) or painter that has painted hundreds of homes! All those homes and all those colors get confusing after a while. I once had someone knock on our door and ask me the color of our house. I gave them the color name and they walked away happy to have the color they looked so hard to find. But as I basked in the glory and pride of knowing that at least one person liked the color I had selected, I realized I had given them the interior paint color of the home and not the exterior color. They were of course gone before I realized this. Let’s just hope they checked the color before they bought their paint. I can only imagine what they think of me now! Okay – I digress. But be sure to check that color before you buy it.

Test the Color

A few years back we were building a home for a client that was in Japan while the house was being built. They had picked a nice light blue color that they thought looked great on the color chip. I called in the order and my guys picked up the product. I then left to review other jobs for the day – only to come back six hours later to find the nicest “Smurf Blue” colored house we had ever painted. A couple of international phone calls and e-mails later and everyone agreed – the color had to change. So I started thinking – wait – we painted a home a few years back in a beautiful light blue. Off I went to a past clients home, took a few pictures and e-mailed them, and within one hour we had our new color – and a full size home to confirm it.

But be careful again – get the color wrong and you will hear about it. The following morning before we applied the new blue we had already received two notes complaining about the color and how we would cause all the home values in the area to fall. Come to think of it, it was 2007. Maybe we started the housing crisis with that “Smurf Blue”!

All of this could have been avoided if we tested the color on a wall of the home first. Lesson learned!

Sheen: Matt, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-gloss, or Gloss?

My advice regarding the sheen – on the outside of your home never use a flat finish! It will look dull. I prefer a satin or velvet on the body of the exterior and a semi-gloss on the trim.

Oil or Latex?

You should also consider a professionals advice on whether to use an oil or latex paint, since some of this will depend on what was used originally. Cut out a piece of the existing paint and bring it to the paint store. And if you are not sure, buy a quart of the new product and test how well it adheres to the existing paint.

If you are painting the exterior of your home, consult Fazzolari Custom Homes and Renovations or the painting professionals at our new company, Salmon Creek Painting, in Vancover WA, and we’ll be happy to make an appointment to assist you. We offer a five year warranty on all our exterior painting, which is easy to do with the correct application.

Cement fiber is a durable albeit expensive option.

There are usually four main criteria that drive the siding selection process for homeowners: appearance, cost, maintenance and durability. So let’s take a quick side-by-side look at these criteria:

Vinyl

If cost is your primary consideration, then vinyl siding is definitely your best option. Not only is it inexpensive for the initial installation, there is no ongoing maintenance to pay for. Down sides? Though the appearance can look similar to other lap siding options from a distance, with a closeup look it will be obvious that the product is not true wood siding.

Vinyl siding is manufactured by many different companies and even one manufacturer can sell a variety of different grades. The authenticity of the look and the colorfastness of the siding will vary between manufacturers and grades of quality.

The other concern you might have with vinyl siding is the ability to match your siding in the event that you choose to do an addition to your home or need to repair an area that has been damaged.

Cedar Lap

Cedar lap siding has been a longtime favorite in the Portland-Vancouver area. Stone and brick accents combined with cedar siding make the perfect rustic exterior when set against the beautiful backdrops provided by the scenery of the Pacific Northwest.

Of the three options listed, it does require the most ongoing maintenance. Stain needs to reapplied every 3 to 6 years to keep it protected from the weather elements that it is exposed to in our area. Homeowners who chose this option generally have appearance as their number one priority.

Fiber Cement

One of the aspects of this choice that isn’t listed in the chart above is its high sustainability rating. Being made from a high percentage of recycled material and having a very long life has earned a higher thumbs up from environmental certifiers.

The product can be purchased primed and ready to paint, or completely prefinished. The fact that it is primed on all sides creates a strong seal against the high moisture content that we find in the air year-round in the Pacific Northwest.

The Final Decision

When deciding between these three siding options, determining your priorities will be your first step. If appearance is top priority, then cedar or fiber content may be your choice. These two will also increase the value of your home more than the vinyl. If low maintenance is your greatest priority, then vinyl or prefinished fiber cement will be your best options. All three will adequately protect your home when installed properly by professionals.

As always, if you are looking into residing your current home or are looking to build a custom home, we invite you to contact Fazzolari Custom Homes and Renovations for a free consultation.

Stucco is a great look for some homes but take some precautions and use the right materials when you paint it.

We’ve combined our experience with that of Tony Domine, a coatings consultant at Miller Paint, to give you some tips that can keep you out of trouble when you’re painting brick or stucco.

1. Clean - Any dirt or loose debris should be brushed from the surface. Use a wire brush on any areas of loose masonry to make sure the surface is free from loose masonry debris. Also, we recommend you clean the area with Krud Kutter, which not only removes stubborn stains and grime, but it contains an anti-microbial agent that will help keep mildew from bubbling up the the surface.
2. Dry - With the rainy weather we experience in the Pacific Northwest, this cannot be stressed enough. Bricks and stucco are masonry materials, which means that they are porous. They do not totally shed the water off their surfaces. Check the moisture level of the brick or stucco with a moisture meter. It should be less than 12%.
3. Patch and fill - Cracks, voids and holes need to be filled prior to painting. Don’t expect a layer or two of paint to fill these areas and keep moisture out. If the holes or cracks are smaller that 1/16 of an inch then caulk. If they are larger you should use some like Rapid Coat All Purpose Joint Compound. On brick, feel free to redo mortar if needed.
4. Priming - You might be tempted by products that claim to both prime and paint at the same time. Don’t do it! These products are garbage and will wear off quickly. Instead, get a good primer sealer, like Miller Paint’s Kril, that is 100% acrylic. Make sure it’s flat.
5. Painting - First, don’t use oil based paint for painting over masonry surfaces such as stucco and brick. You will want to use a very high-quality flat 100% acrylic paint. We recommend Miller’s Acri-Lite or Kril products. If you’ve got an especially difficult surface with a lot of stress fractures and cracks, such as those on older homes, you can use specialty paints, called elastomeric paints, that can expand and contract as much as 300%. However, you will also pay a premium price for both the product and the installation, since the paint is generally too thick to spray through the average, professional grade paint sprayer.
6. Application - Spray on the paint and primer then back brush it to achieving the most even coating of paint on these surfaces. Back-brushing pushes the paint and primer into the surface (small holes, mortar joints, etc.) and gives an even finish.

If you like to talk to someone about painting over the stucco or brick on your home, we have established a new painting company in Vancouver WA called Salmon Creek Painting. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and provide you with a free estimate if you don’t want to do it yourself.

If the answer is no, then save yourself a little angst and a lot of time – install a composite roof. They are relatively inexpensive, easily maintained, and the industry standard, even on more expensive homes.

If you answered yes, you notice the beauty and distinction that a roof provides to a house, then read on as we try to break down three roofing choices that are common here in the Pacific Northwest: composite shingle, cedar shake, and concrete tile roofs.

Composite

Composite roofing products come in a huge selection of brands, types and colors. Composite roofs are known for their versatility, and they adapt easily to various applications. In addition, composite roofs are relatively easy to install and may even be installed on top of an existing roof.

New recycled synthetics are an eco-friendly and attractive alternative to traditional asphalt shingles, which make up around 80% of roof replacements. Recycled synthetic shingles provide benefits beyond sustainability such as affordability, durability and attractiveness. They compare favorably to standard asphalt shingles.

Composite shingles are made from recycled materials, and many products are easily recycled. The majority of composite roofing materials are a combination of plastics, fiberglass, sawdust and rubber. In fact, some composite roofing products are made primarily from recycled hoses or tires. Some companies manufacture composite roofing materials with recycled wood and plastic.

Composite roofing materials are the ideal choice if you are in the market for something that looks clean and is easily affordable. This type of roofing material requires little maintenance, and it can be walked on without causing damage.

The biggest drawback to composite roofing is durability. In addition, composite roofs have a tendency to blow off if the wind gets too high. It is also important to note that composite roofing materials will scar if they become too hot and they do not offer the dimensional look that you get with cedar shakes or concrete tile.

Cedar Shakes

In the Pacific Northwest before the 1950s, you had two choices when it came to roofing. If you did not have much money, you bought a composite roof. If you had money and were in the market for “a good roof,” you went with cedar.

These days, when builders and owners choose cedar they are often going for the visual effect over any other considerations.

A cedar shake roof is composed of 24-inch pieces of cedar that have been split from the log. They are beautiful and rustic and will last around 30 years if you use high quality products.

Cedar is quite expensive as a roofing material and can even be more expensive to install. The installation is tedious and requires a certain level of craftsmanship and expertise so pieces can be fitted without the possibility of leaks.

Cedar shakes treated with preservatives combine the qualities of natural products with a chemical treatment that resists growths, such as algae, moss, and lichen, that may reduce the life of a wood roof. Shakes also can be treated to reduce their flammability.

Cedar shakes provide performance with traditional appeal, making them a common selection for historic houses (the cedar shake roof can trace its use back to Native Americans who used it on structures for its natural pest and weather resistance.) One more thing in its favor is that cedar roofs do come from a renewable resource.

Concrete Tile

Concrete roofing tiles have been used all around the world for hundreds of years, becoming quite popular in the Pacific Northwest over the last few decades.

Concrete shingles, concrete panels, lighter-weight tiles and simulated wood shakes are manufactured from an assortment of fiber-reinforced cement roofing products. Some concrete tiles are coated with thin metals, enamels or plastics, while others are made with recycled material.

Concrete roofing tiles generally are more expensive than other types of roofing material. And installation is expensive as well. When we were building a showpiece home for the “Parade of Homes” here in the Portland area, we had a roofing supply company donate the material for a new concrete tile roof. Little did we know that the installation costs would easily eclipse the cost to purchase and install a composite roof. The look, however, was just the right touch for this high-end home.

Concrete tiles are available in traditional barrel and flat, interlocking shingle/shake styles. However, concrete tiles are one of the heaviest roofing materials so extra support is often needed in the roof structure prior to installation. For this reason they are not ideal if you plan to replace a composite roof with a concrete tile one.

The benefits of concrete roofing tiles vary from one product to the next, however, normally they all require low maintenance, have an extremely long lifespan (50+ years), offer quality fire protection and are resistant to insects and deterioration. A number of concrete tiles mimic wood shakes, but have improved durability and fire protection that you just cannot get with real wood. Concrete tiles can impersonate slate or clay, while alleviating structural problems caused by those even heavier authentic materials.

In the past, the earlier types of concrete roofing materials had problems with curling, breaking and color change. However, improvements in technology have helped to overcome such dilemmas. Choices for color and style are expanding. In addition, by mixing cement with certain additives, cement roofing products are becoming lighter and lighter.

Which One to Buy

As I said at the beginning of this article, if you don’t really notice roofs on homes, then go with composite. If you really want something rustic, then cedar is a nice choice. If you are going for maximum durability, then concrete tile is your choice. I’ve used all three in my professional life, and each homeowner who made an informed decision has been happy with their choice.

As always, if you are looking into upgrading your current home or are looking to build a custom home, we invite you to contact Fazzolari Custom Homes and Renovations for a free consultation.

1. Up close inspection. Each year, in the spring or summer, take the time to do a close up visual inspection of your exterior siding and trim. You will be looking for areas where the paint has begun to bubble, peel or chip. You will want to look closely at the exterior trim around the windows and doors, corner trim, and siding ends or joints. Watch for any bare spots or places where the paint seems to be lifting away from the surface in any way.
   

   This is what can happen if you get too close to your paint with a pressure washer. Now you've got to touch it up, too.

2. Maintenance Tools. For your exterior inspection, you will want to have a ladder that will allow you to examine the upper portions of your siding and trim, as well as the lower areas. You will also want to carry a paint scraper and a wire brush with you in your tool belt or handyman’s apron. Having your tools with you as you do the inspection will allow you to address problem areas immediately, as you find them.
3. Loose paint. If paint is beginning to bubble or come loose, the best thing you can do is to remove it. Use your paint scraper to remove anything that isn’t tightly adhered to the siding or trim. Don’t be afraid of removing too much. If the paint is loose enough to come off with a scraper, then it is also loose enough to allow water behind the paint. With the long months of rainy weather we experience in the Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR areas, water damage is an important issue to protect against. Once you’ve scraped off any loose paint with your scraper, use your steel brush to clean away any loose flakes and give the surface a final prep for you paint touch-up.
4. Mildew Stains. This region’s damp weather can also increase the chances of mildew developing in shaded areas of your home. Watch for the signs of black spots that begin to appear on your paint surface. Mildew must be treated before painting over it. Use a bleach solution that is one part bleach to four parts water to scrub the area. Be careful not to spill the solution on your clothes or drip it on the landscaping below. Then rinse the area well with clear water.
5. Touch ups. After you have fully inspected the entire exterior of the home and scraped away any loose paint, it is time to apply your touch up paint. Always make sure your siding is thoroughly dry before beginning this process. Moisture can stay in your siding long after the surface has dried. Any moisture trapped under new paint is likely to cause it to lose its bonding to the surface and the problem will re-occur. If there are areas around your trim where water may be finding its way behind the paint, you may need re-apply a fresh bead of caulk to make sure the area remains water tight. Use a brush to go over each repair spot with primer. Once the primer is fully dry, apply two coats of your exterior touch up paint to your primed areas on the siding and trim.
6. General Cleaning. In addition to doing your inspection and repairs, there may be times that you simply want to wash away dirt and grime that has begun to accumulate on your siding. High pressure washing of painted surfaces is NOT recommended unless done by a professional. This could actually damage your finish and cause more problems. Spraying your siding with normal water pressure from a garden hose and using a soft long handled brush to loosen up any dirt, should be all you need to do to bring back the luster of your painted finish.

With a professionally painted finish and some TLC, you can extend the life of your home’s exterior paint to the longest length of time possible.

If the paint finish of your home has gotten beyond the maintenance stage, we’d be more than happy to introduce you to our paint professionals at Salmon Creek Painting, the newest member of the Fazzolari family of companies (that’s 2 if you’re counting). Our estimates are always free!

We’ve decided to come back to our series on high-end finishes with an installment meant for Spring: High-end exterior home finishes.

You see you can spend a lot of time during a project considering all the interior finishes that go into a major renovation or new home. The kitchen alone offers an array of cool gadgets and beautiful fixtures from which you can choose. But you should take as much care in selecting the finishes outside of your home, because that’s where you are projecting the true quality of your home to the world.

Beyond Curb Appeal

Curb appeal not only shows the quality of your home to the world, it can also help you sell your home. First impressions matter, and your curb appeal is the first impression people get when they come to the home. There is a lot of information out there about simple curb appeal updates, like this Better Homes and Gardens article. But we’re talking about more than simply taking care of the basics such as nice grass, weed-free beds, pruned plantings and tidy landscaping. We want to add some special touches that add a real high-end feel to a home.

Copper Accents

We’ve incorporated copper accents into several homes, and it’s a really good way to add an accent to the front of a house. We’ve installed copper roofing sheets above front bump-outs. What’s great about them is that as they weather the copper changes color and can give a newer home an old-world look. You also can add copper gutters or downspouts. It’s a classic touch that although expensive can really make the front of a home stand out.

Water Features

Whether you’re using waterfalls, small ponds, or bubblers, there’s no doubt that a water feature, if done correctly and tastefully, can add a welcoming touch to any home. Here in the Pacific Northwest, many homeowners create bubblers out of small basalt columns (3-4 feet tall) that are cored lengthwise. Then they add a water source, reservoir, pumps and small rocks. These are a nice and easy feature to install and can have a great impact for modest cost. You can check out some basalt columns here.

Custom Art

This is my favorite way to add high-end finishes to the exterior of a home. This is especially good because you can have a talented sculptor or glass-blower create something custom just for your home. I like metalwork for homes and have turned to local artist Vlad Sumchenko of Art of Rain to create some really stunning pieces.  Some of my favorite pieces are his downspouts, which are made from copper and can be architectural or can flow the water into water wheels, fish mouths, or kettles. We’ve used these on projects with the Parade of Homes and installed them on others and the owners love them.

If you live in the Portland or Vancouver, WA areas and are looking for some special touches for your home, call Fazzolari Custom Homes & Renovations at (360) 571-7027 or fill out our form for a free consultation.

John Fazzolari takes you on a tour of an aging-in-place addition to a home in the Vancouver, WA area. If you’d like to read about some details of the project, check out our blog post on the Vancouver aging-in-place addition.

If you’d like to know more about this important topic, we have a multi-story aging-in-place series that will walk you through the issues and choices you have.

Now that we’ve turned our clocks back in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR, it is getting dark earlier and earlier. Throughout the Pacific Northwest, we’re missing the sun, so you can be sure that paying attention to your lighting this holiday will keep your Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations festive and bright. Remember, the right lighting can do wonders for your home, making rooms look bigger and the décor seem fresh and inviting.

Interior Lighting

Before the relatives arrive, be sure to check the lighting in your home. Move systematically through the house inspecting the lighting in each room. Change out any light bulbs that are burned out with new, energy efficient ones. Clean off lamp shades, ceiling fans, and chandeliers to ensure maximum brightness.

As you work through each room, note places that seem dark or incorrectly lit. Then you can decide how to remedy the issue. You can relocate your current light fixtures or purchase new lamps to fill the spaces. Table top lamps work great for task lighting and augmenting ceiling can lights. Floor lamps add brightness to larger areas where there is no access to a table. Replace bulbs in nightlights or consider purchasing new nightlights to make your home more comfortable for overnight guests. A nightlight in the bathroom can help eliminate slips and trips, and one in the guest room is ideal for visitors with small children.

Dramatic Lighting

Now that you’ve covered the basics, you can consider more dramatic lighting to give your home a festive look and achieve that mini-renovation you’re after. Adding LED lights to a room is an energy efficient way to add some sparkle. For example, you can tuck LED rope lights above your kitchen cabinets as an invisible accent. (You may also want to check out a story we did recently on LEDs: Converting Your Home to LED Lighting: Is It Really Worth It?)

LED "candles," many of which flicker, are popular choices for dramatic lighting because they last a long time and are family- and pet-friendly.

Add votive candles to table top displays and bookshelves for even more decorative lighting. I like the new battery operated votives that turn on and off with the flip of a switch. With those, you get all the glitter of a real votive without any of the fire hazzard.

Also, a strategically place uplight can show off a simple houseplant or illuminate a dark corner with style.

Exterior Lighting

When you are reviewing your lighting situation for the holidays, don’t forget about the lights outside of your home. Most of us augment the lighting and decoration outside our homes for the holidays in December, but tend to neglect exterior lighting at Thanksgiving.

For starters, check that all the bulbs in your outside fixtures are working and are bright enough. Walk outside your front door at night to discover spots where you may encounter unsure footing. Add some lighting along the path that guests will take when returning to their cars at night. Simple solar garden lights can augment your exterior lighting and are easy to install. You could even create hand-crafted luminaries to line your walkway on Thanksgiving.

Gratitude

Take a little time this holiday season to give your home a mini-renovation. Both you and your guests will be thankful for it.

Choose the right room

Creating an accent wall with paint can be a quick way to add life to a room. This wall in an entry adds depth and drama.

If you are hosting Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner this year and want to inject some new life into your home before the guests arrive, consider carefully which room you want to paint. You may not want to spend your time repainting the guest room if your guests are not traveling and staying over. If you plan to host a traditional seated dinner using the best dishes, the dining room might be the right choice. If your family and friends are more casual, congregating in the kitchen or around the TV watching football, repainting your den or kitchen might make more sense.

Consider carefully how you use your spaces throughout the year and at holiday time. If you have narrowed your choices down to a select few, consider the condition of the walls and the intricacy of painting. When choosing between two rooms ask these questions:

• How big are the rooms?
• Are there lots of cabinets and countertops to paint around?
• What is the molding like?
• How easy will it be to move the furniture?

You may decide not to paint an entire room at all, but choose to paint one wall of a room as an accent. This is a great way to inject a little new life into a room without revamping your entire color scheme.

Choose the right color

Once you’ve decided on the room to paint, you’ll need to choose the right color. Perhaps you like the color you originally selected for the room, but just want to clean up the walls with a fresh coat of paint. This is a great solution for a fast fix. Some of my clients have even done this when their children colored on the walls with crayon. They were having a difficult time removing the drawings, so ultimately decided to paint over them. Problem solved.

Color matching can be difficult if you haven’t planned accordingly. I recommend that everyone keep samples of the paint colors in their house. If you don’t want to store old paint cans, simply paint a square of the color on a clean sheet of paper and label it with the color name, paint brand, and number. That way you’ll always have an easy time of matching your colors. Otherwise, if you take a sample chip to the paint store, they can come very close in matching your colors.

If you are in the market for a new color, consider something that blends with your current decorating scheme. Remember, you want to freshen your look in a day, not redecorate your entire house. Miller Paint has great northwest colors to choose from and locations throughout Oregon and Washington. They even sell designer paint like Devine Color. It is a great place to start.

Prep and Paint

When you get ready to paint, remember that preparation is key. You will want to wash all the walls that you are planning to paint, repair and sand any imperfections, and carefully tape off the surrounding areas – molding, ceiling, windows, etc. – with blue painter’s tape. Use drop cloths to protect your floors and furniture, because nothing is worse than starting a quick home project and ending up with accidents and a mess. Send the kids out to play, put the cat out, and clear the deck when you’re ready to paint.

When you begin painting, pay careful attention to the cutting in and roll the walls with smooth, crossing strokes like a “W” until the entire wall is covered. Use a primer first or choose a one-coat paint designed to cover color if you are changing your color scheme.

When you are finished, close the paint cans tightly, clean your brushes thoroughly, and remove the tape carefully. After the paint dries, replace your furniture and enjoy your home’s new look, just in time for the holidays.

*Interested in more painting tips? We’re planning to share more detailed information on painting like a pro in the months to come. What would you like to know? Let us know in the comments below.

During the fall and winter months, your home is a place to gather with family and friends, a place to unwind from the stresses of the day, and a place to sleep snugly each night. Follow our Fall Fix Up tips to ensure that your home remains your safe haven.

No unwanted visitors: As the weather turns wetter and cooler, everyone heads indoors. That goes for many unwanted pests like mice, squirrels, birds, and more. To keep these unwanted visitors from invading your house, do a little pre-season pest-proofing. Make sure to clear away foliage and tree branches from your foundation, roof, and windows and make sure that any edible material in your garage is safely stored. Use caulk to close any cracks or holes before you encounter a problem. And consider hiring a pest control professional to resolve any problems you find.

Dry dock: If you’ve lived in the Northwest for any length of time, you know that the rainy season is a long one. Everything becomes water-logged and sodden. It is important to keep you house dry to avoid any major damage that water can cause and to provide your family with a safe haven from the rain.

This fall be sure to check any place on your home that may allow water to enter – weather stripping, cracks and crevices around pipes, outdoor faucets and foundations, roofs, gutters, downspouts, rainchains, etc. A simple visual inspection can alert you to trouble that can often be repaired quickly and inexpensively by a do-it-yourselfer. Take the time to check your house for potential leaks can keep you from washing money down the drain later.

That’s hot: When the temperature drops, we naturally snuggle in to the warmth of our homes – unless the heating system is malfunctioning. Before you find yourself shivering and looking for another sweater, inspect your heat source while it is still warm outside. Test your furnace and replace the filter. If necessary, hire a professional now for any repairs. It may be cheaper and definitely will be faster in the off season. Clean your fireplace. Inspect the chimney for birds, the damper for functionality. Chop and store firewood in a safe, dry location.

If you are in the market for a new fireplace or woodstove, join me at the Portland Fall Home and Garden Show to discuss your options and fuel your imagination.

Previous posts in this series:

Part 1: Tips for Cleaning Up Your Yard and Garden

Part 2: Tips for Cleaning Your Garage