These days, the harmful effects of lead paint are well-known to most homeowners. In the United States, most homes that were constructed prior to 1978 contained lead paint. Prior to the advances in how paint is currently made, lead paint was preferred because it had better color retention and a better-quality finish.

For homes that were built after 1978, the risk of finding lead paint is lower because the federal government banned it from stores. However, there are still quite a few older homes that have not been updated, which contain lead paint. In an older home, it was common that all surfaces could have been painted with lead paint, but there are specific places where it might be more likely to appear. Most of the time, lead paint is found on exterior surfaces like windows and doors, interior trim, railings and staircases.

Today, testing for lead paint has become a necessary part of the home buying process. Regulations require that each home that changes ownership must be tested for lead paint prior to its purchase. The United States Environmental Protection Association dictates that any peeling, chipping, chalking or cracking lead-based paint is a hazard and needs immediate attention. Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or ingest.

Most often, when old lead paint is present, it will crack and chip in a geometric pattern and it also could rub off with a chalky residue. Take notice of these distinct changes in your paint and be prepared to have a professional painter help remove it prior to a new interior paint project.

What exactly are the harmful effects of living with lead paint? They are specific to breathing or ingesting lead dust, or inhaling the fumes from burned materials containing lead paint. A significant amount of lead exposure can result in what is called lead poisoning.

Lead poisoning could impact all the systems of the body in a horrific way. Lead poisoning could damage the body by causing anemia, seizures, impaired muscle movement and vision problems. If the body’s nervous system is overwhelmed by lead it can even impact physical movement and cause other developmental disabilities.

There is an easy way to test to see if you are living with lead paint. If you think that lead is present in your home, you should get a lead testing kit from your local hardware store. To begin the test, you rub a special topical solution on the wall. If the solution spot turns pink, lead paint is present. This test can be limited though – if the walls were covered with new paint recently, the test won’t work. It’s highly recommended that you also check for lead on baseboards, closets and window sashes, not just the walls.

Canabe has an experienced team of professional painters who will provide you with high quality painting results. Contact us today for more information on what services we offer our customers.
For more information on the negative effects of living with lead paint, contact The Environmental Protection Agency’s National Lead Information Center at www.epa.gov/lead; 1-800-424-LEAD.

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Most people spend a pretty penny on their new home before they move in. Along with the hefty down payment, there are usually some fixes and updates that need to be made before you move in. A fresh coat of paint in each of the rooms always seems like a great way to make your new home yours.

It’s often difficult for non-professionals to choose paint colors that are both beautiful and appropriate for the rooms in their home. Because paint comes in a million different combinations of hues, sheens and colors, it can be overwhelming to select the right color for your space. For some added inspiration for painting a new house, check out our article on the top 3 trending 2019 paint colors. 

Latex paint is the most commonly used for its ease of clean up and lasting durability. Latex paint also is more fade resistant than oil and it creates a smoother finish. Oil-based paint is better to use for wood moldings and trim, because it will cover imperfections much better than a latex paint would.

Sheen level is also a struggle to decide upon when painting a new house. The glossier the paint, the easier it is to clean up, so it’s probably best to use a high gloss paint in a kids’ room. Semi-gloss paint is still a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms because it can be cleaned easily. Satin sheens are appropriate for kitchens, baths and hallways because they have a nice smooth finish without a shiny look. If your walls have lots of imperfections, it’s best to choose a flat or matte finish. The best part with this type of paint, is that you can usually get away with one coat.

Using a color wheel is an essential tool to use when you’re choosing paint colors. The opposite colors on the color wheel will sometimes help you create a unique color palette for your home. There are several ways to select paint colors and create different looks:

For a subtle and soothing look:

To create a subtle and soothing look in a space, designers recommend a monochromatic approach. A variety of blue shades will always look good in a bathroom or a bedroom if you want the feeling of calmness. But you overlap the shades of any color in any room you’d like. Any combination of varying shades within the same color scheme will create a tranquil, peaceful environment and a calm ambiance.

For a more elegant look:

An elegant look is easy to create with a palette of neutral colors. Neutral colors such as coconut, almond, latte and clay are very popular right now. When most of the room is painted one of these elegant colors, you can accent with other splashes of color. Whether it’s a bright-colored throw, pillow or vase give you lots of flexibility in quickly changing the feel of the room. The lighter hue of color you choose, the more spacious the room will appear.

For a more vibrant look:

Choosing vibrant colors like orange, gold, red and dark purples can help create a unique space that stands out. Be sure to choose two colors next to each other on the color wheel for a visual contrast as one will stand out from the other. It’s best to pick a focal point when you are painting a room – it will help you choose the color more quickly. You can use paint colors to highlight any interesting aspect in your room – visible stairways and other unique accents will definitely stand out when you use vibrant colors.

Kids Room:

It’s always important to choose paint colors that will not need updating often when painting a new house, but there’s one room that will need updating every two to three years – your kids’ room. Kids rooms don’t always have to be in primary colors or pastels – there are some amazing color choices for kids rooms these days. Try to choose colors that inspire creativity and imagination for your kids. Their environment should be a place where they can enjoy spending time.

In smaller rooms, neutral colors tend to work best. White, beige or gray are the most basic neutrals and will help the rooms feel larger. You can have the kids get involved in choosing more colorful accents like pillows, rugs, wall decals, and bedding to complement the room.

With the right paint color and a little imagination, you can easily change the look and feel of a room. Whatever the shape and size of your room, it’s always best to hire a professional painter to do the work. Professional painters can help you choose an eco-friendly paint can be helping the keep the air you breathe safe and they are knowledgeable about paint that features low odors and zero VOCs.

Hiring a professional painter is important and at J Canabe, we have special color experts who can work to find the right paint in the perfect color when painting a new house. Contact us today for more information.

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Owning an older home has its advantages – the everlasting charm of antique woodwork, large windows with delicate panes, and detailed cornices. However, maintaining these beautiful features can be challenging – especially for the larger, more intricate windows that are often part of an older home.

Repainting windows may seem like an ordinary task for any professional painter, but older, larger windows may present some unique challenges when repainting, so it’s best to hire a professional with the right window painting expertise. The challenges may be the intricate glass panes that are smaller and ornate, different hardware, and weather stripping, which may make it more difficult to paint around.

The type of paint used on windows is crucial because even indoor windows can face drastic temperature fluctuations and moisture from condensation. Because of this, you will need an expert to choose the right paint that will endure the differences in temperature. Choosing the right paint will also extend the life of the windows, especially if the intersections of wood and glass are sealed with paint.

Preparation when repainting windows is the best way to avoid mistakes and drying issues. As part of the prep, the professional you hire should first clean the windows with an industrial washing solution. The painter should also remove the old paint from the glass with a single-edge blade. They should also protect the glass with painter’s tape and sand along the edges of it.

It’s essential for the paint to cover all the necessary surfaces of the window. Although it can be time consuming, in order to get complete coverage, the painter should also remove all the hardware from the window (window latches and handles). It’s best if the painter removes the window sashes prior to painting. If the sash is painted in place, it can cause the window to be stuck when the paint dries completely.

Painting over weather stripping could also impact how smoothly your windows will open and close, so it’s best to avoid this from happening by covering the weather stripping with tape. Covering the window glass with tape can also be quite time consuming, but it makes all the difference at the end of the project. For any mistakes on the glass, the painter can also scrape it off later with a razor blade.

As far as planning for this type of project, the painter should recommend that the job start early in the morning, so that there’s an adequate amount of time for the paint to dry and so you can close the windows at night as well.

The right painting professional should be able to anticipate any issues that may come about during the process. Be sure that you’ve chosen someone who comes with strong references, a great track record, and years of experience. At Canabe, we’ve got a team of highly-qualified, professional painters in New Jersey who can help make your older windows look new again. Contact us for more information or for an estimate on this type of project.

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Paint colors are not always easy to choose – especially when you first move into a home and it’s a blank canvas. Color consultants are trained professionals who can provide guidance on how colors can transform the look of the rooms in your home.

If you’re indecisive about colors, hiring a professional color consultant is probably the best option – especially if you’re overwhelmed by the millions of paint color choices out there. These professionals are trained to know what colors complement each other. They will come to your home and help you create a unique color palette that will help you easily make your choices.

There are even custom colors, which they can blend to compliment colors that already exist in your home. Whatever the level of color consultation you’re searching for, these are some of benefits of hiring a color consultant:

Time Savings
Home and business owners usually spend hours going over paint color choices when they’re redecorating their space. It’s really not a productive use of time – you could be spending time on more important things.

You can save an extraordinary amount of time with a color consultant because they’ve already chosen the best color combinations for your space. Usually, a color consultant will provide an appropriate palette and give you samples to try. Then you can determine what is most suitable for the space you’re having painted.

Cost Savings
Anytime you purchase a paint sample it costs money. With a color consultant, you can cut costs on the number of samples you purchase and eliminate using the wrong color. These professionals know how to stick to a budget, which leaves you more money for furniture and accessories.

Why paint with a color that looks good in the can, but not on your walls. When you don’t sample paint colors, it can be quite a costly mistake. Paint samples can save you hundreds of dollars in paint costs.

The Latest Color Trends
It’s difficult to constantly keep up with the latest color trends. When people consider the resale value of their home or office space, they will want to choose colors that buyers might prefer. Hiring a color consultant can help you determine the colors that are currently trending for the year and which ones will attract buyers.

Coordinate More Than Color
Whatever space you’re interested in painting, you may consider adding to an existing color scheme with accent walls and shades or tints. A very monochromatic color scheme may not work in your home, so a color consultant can look at your existing rooms and suggest ways to achieve a better color balance.

Because there are thousands of different paint colors and finishing styles to choose from, it’s so much easier to have a color consultant choose the right colors for your space, like kids room paint colors for example.

At Canabe, our color experts will collaborate with you on the best color options. We will teach you how to showcase the true beauty of your space. Paint color choices can highlight unique areas of your home or office, and we will help you select the best colors, tones and hues that will complement one another. 

If you need validation or guidance before a painting project, contact our color consultants – they understand how to manage color choices appropriately, resulting in a home or office that you can take pride in. Contact us today for more information on our services.

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Homeowners say that choosing a color for one room can be somewhat intimidating, but what happens when you have to choose a whole house paint palette? Considering all the different types of rooms you have will help you develop the right color palette for your entire home.

Of course, a professional painter will have advice on color choices, but it’s ultimately up to you to choose the right colors. Here are some easy steps to follow prior to choosing the colors for your whole house paint palette.

First, you should walk through the house and identify the spaces you can see from each room. Take special note of any adjoining rooms, look down the hallways and walk through the kitchen and living room. You may want to start with the room that’s most centrally located, like the living room or kitchen, and then work your way around the rest of the house.

When you have a certain hue in mind for the main room in your home, it will make it easier to choose all the whole house paint palette. Start painting samples of that main color on the wall so you can see what it looks like in the light and dark. From that point, you can choose a complimentary or contrasting color for the next room. Bold colors can provide excellent contrast and soft, neutral colors will be more complimentary.

For the next room, you can continue to build your whole house paint palette with shades of the same hue or contrast color. Don’t forget that you can also make the room pop by painting the trim a bold color. In an open floor plan, most of the rooms in the house are visible at once, so picking colors that work together is more important. Perhaps using shades or tints of the same color can work well in this type of space.

No matter the type of painting project you’re trying to accomplish, from professional cabinet painting to painting indoor wood paneling, we have an expert team that can help guide your color choices. Contact us for more information on our services.

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Whenever you begin to search for a painting contractor, it’s wise to take your time and understand exactly what to expect. Professional house painters usually have their own guidelines when giving an estimate, but there are also certain industry standards that should be followed.

No matter how experienced the painter, they will still need to earn your trust. As a paying customer, you should have all of your questions answered and feel completely comfortable you’re hiring the right expert. Prior to the estimate, the professional house painters should share references and other information about their experience. It’s also helpful for them to share before and after photos of other residential painting jobs as well.

Although speaking on the phone may be efficient, it’s best to request that an estimate be given in person or in writing. Regardless of the method you use to connect with professional house painters, you should expect to hear back from them shortly after your initial contact.

Be sure to request an official walk-through with the painter – this allows you to point out problem areas and confirm exactly how you wish the job to be done. As a courtesy, the painter should call you the day before to remind you of the appointment day and time.

Professional house painters should wear boot covers on their feet or offer to remove their shoes entirely before entering your home. Be open and honest with the painters about your vision for the space and any concerns you may have. A prepared painter will also take measurements, snap pictures or video and take notes.

The painters should also give you a list of products and materials they need, including the type, grade and finish of paint. They should also go over the steps start to finish prepping, priming, setting, removal, painting, wallpaper hanging, and cleanup procedures.

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To make it easier for you to narrow down the choices, it’s wise to use a tool that the professional painter relies on – the color wheel. There are about 7 million colors distinguishable to the human eye and using a color wheel helps separate colors into “families” and will showcase all the different hues as well.

It’s best to rely on a professional painter’s advice when you’re choosing a color. Whatever room you’re working with, try to pair two different colors together instead of a different shade of the same hue.

The three color families you’ll find when using a color wheel are:

• Primary Colors: All colors come from primary colors, except white. Blue, yellow and red are the primary colors; only true combinations of these three colors will make secondary colors.
• Secondary Colors: If you mix equal amounts of two primary colors it will create secondary colors. The combination of red and blue colors make violet, blue and yellow colors make green and red and yellow colors make orange.
• Tertiary Colors: To make a tertiary color, mix one primary color with larger amounts of another primary color. For instance, one part green mixed with two parts yellow will make lighter green.

Using a color wheel will help you combine a cooler color with a warmer one, for a beautiful contrast in your room. The color wheel can make it easier to choose your paint and wallpaper colors, but it’s probably best to seek advice from a professional.

Connect with us to consult with our color experts – they have great color advice and can answer any questions you may have as you choose colors for your next indoor project.

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Residential painting is the first step towards decorating the house. Residential painting jobs are not as simple as they seem. It is much more than just application of color to the house. Selection of the color can itself be an overwhelming task to most of the owners and they may find the choices of color quite mind-boggling.

Points to Keep in Mind While Selecting Colors

Choice of shades: While selecting the colors, the house owners must be careful to make the different forms look harmonious and congruent to each other. While it is not uncommon for house owners opting for residential painting jobs to select completely different colors for each of these rooms and even four different walls in the same room, it must be kept in mind that the residential painting should create a soothing atmosphere within the rooms, so that the residents feel comfortable and relaxed.

Weather resistance: Another thing to remember is that residential painting jobs involve both the interior and exterior painting. It is natural that different shades will be selected for these two parts of the house. The paint selected for the exterior of the house must be weather resistant so that the damage is minimal even when the weather is harsh.

Complimentary colors: many house owners go for different colors to decorate the walls residential painting. In fact, many of them opt for wallpapers which provide a wide variety of ready-made designs. Using complimentary colors can provide a scope for great variation in shades, which have become a very popular concept with owners of modern residential units.

Other Essential Painting Services

Application of colors is only one of the steps involved in painting. There are other activities involved in delivering the best results out of residential painting jobs:

Repairs: walls which have withstood the test of time often develop damages. It is important that at the start of the residential painting process, the painters identify such damages made to the wall and repair them. If this is not done, the damages will aggravate and the paint will chip off very soon. Companies offering residential painting services are experts in sporting these damages and taking corrective action so that the problems are nipped in the bud.

Finishing: After the paint has been applied, finishing techniques are applied as part of the painting service. This involves opening the surface of the walls so that no brush strokes are visible and any uneven surfaces are leveled. If the residential painting covered the exterior of the house, in that case, a special weatherproofing coating might be applied ensure that the paint remains unaffected by the harsh outside weather.

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Less Rain and More Gain

Precipitation is one the major weather issues that can affect winter house painting. Winter is a great time to approach the painting project which will always be weather dependent. Winter is typically the best time for interior painting because the air is drier during this time. It’s not just exterior paint jobs that are affected by moist conditions. Interior painting can also be affected by the moisture caused by storms. Weather isn’t something people can control and rain can put a delay on the project’s schedule by days and sometimes weeks. For this reason, if there is a tight time window for completing the job, consider having it done during drier months.

Issues with Ventilation

Most of today’s premium paint is manufactured to be safe but they do still contain poisonous chemicals. As part of any reputable New Jersey house painters’ rigorous safety and health program, the use of proper ventilation is a must when working on a painting project. During the summer, many clients are happy to open their windows wide to let in the fresh air through their homes. Although, is that something you could cope with when dealing with freezing temperatures that are below double digits. If ventilation is not an option while painting the residence, then winter time is not a good time to paint. We would recommend renovating when warmer temperatures come about.

Dry Air Means Faster Drying Times

Humidity does increase in New Jersey’s warmer months and this causes increased air moisture. That causes paint to need an extended amount of time to dry. J Canabe Painting will only use premium painting products with their clients, but the humidity still generally causes issues and still has a marginal effect on the paints. Extreme humidity is when the most problems occur. The dry air that’s experienced in winter heavily assists with drying paint, which means our painting contractors can stay on schedule and get the job done faster.

Lower Temperatures

This does sound like a counter to the point mentioned above, although, the cooler temperatures we experience during the winter still might have a slight effect on how fast the paint does dry. Summer does bring about issues with humidity, but the warmer temperatures also assist with the drying process. During the winter, with lower temperatures, the paint may take just a little bit longer to dry. Comparing this is still only a minute issue to our state of the art industrial standard heaters that are used to make sure your new paint job is running on schedule.

Each season comes with its own personal weather condition and should be taken into consideration when planning any paint job. J Canabe Painting knows exactly how to manage winter house painting and all the weather conditions that come with each passing season.

If you are considering painting your Northern New Jersey home this winter, call an expert painter, J. Canabe Painting at (201) 804-7600 or contact us through an online inquiry to schedule an estimate.

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Small, Simple Steps

If you are unsure of where to start with color choices, experiment in a small, inconspicuous area, or try an accent wall. An area that’s quick to complete is recommended so you can see the results quicker to change it or be happy with it. This process can be quite an adventure. Use your favorite color from furniture, décor, dishes, or artwork to use as the main color or an accent color.

How Will the Color Affect Your Mood?

When choosing a color, think about how you want to set the room’s mood. A bedroom needs a soothing, relaxing setting. Neutrals and cool colors can create a restful feeling while bolder colors can add too much drama.

Dining areas need a stimulating and sociable feel or more of a formal appearance. Contrasting warm colors and some bolder colors can contribute to the atmosphere. Neutrals and deeper blue-greens can give a more formal feel.

Lighting is Very Important

Have you ever wondered why paint stores have a light box to test the paint chips? Natural daylight will show the true vivid paint colors. The fluorescent lighting can cast a sharp blue tone. Incandescent lighting will bring out yellows and warm tones. This helps ensure you’re not using a strong color that can overpower the walls but it still may be effective as an accent wall.

Play with Colors

For a more active space, think about introducing intense, bold colors. Even if you prefer the room to be lightly-colored, select colors that are a bit more saturated than a light pastel or off-white. Light color can feel stark and bright when it’s on all of the surfaces in a single room. Although, two or more, closely related pastels will add a luminous effect.

Boost confidence by testing the selected color on large areas of a wall or poster board. Do not be afraid of stepping beyond your comfort zone. Use colors like olive green or chocolate brown as a main color or accent color. You can add a little more drama with vivid paint colors on the ceiling. A tinted ceiling can dramatically improve the room’s appeal.

Use Monochromatic Schemes

If you feel that one color is too boring, there is an option of creating subtle or bold variations that are within a color group by contrasting the paint finishes. As an example, closely related colors should be used, or try one color in different paint finishes for the trim and walls in a space.

One color used on trim and walls can take on a new meaning when different finishes are being applied. Here is an example, trim and wall colors can be the same hue but use an eggshell paint finish on walls while using a semi-gloss finish on the trim. The color is the same but will appear differently on each of the surfaces.

J. Canabe Painting Company in Lyndhurst, New Jersey proudly serves as painters in North Jersey, counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Union, & Somerset. Give us a call to schedule your color consultation today! 201-804-7600

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