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JOB PLANNING

Surfaces & Areas

When you are considering painting, we first recommend that you identify what surfaces and areas need to be painted. Below are some questions that can help you get started.

Interior

Walls
  • Are minor drywall repairs needed for small holes or water damage
  • Do you want an accent wall color?
Ceilings
  • Are the ceilings dirty or water stained?
  • Are there any stress cracks?
  • Do you want to have the ceilings white, the wall color, or a separate color?
Trim
  • Is your trim currently painted? Please note, we can paint currently stained trim, though this is a more intensive process.
  • Do the baseboards need to be repainted?
  • Do the baseboards need to be caulked on the edges?
  • How does your crown molding look?
  • How do your windowsills look?
Doors & Door Frames
  • Are your doors currently painted? Please note, we can paint currently stained doors, though this is a more intensive process.
  • Are your doors/door frames starting to chip or show wear?
  • Do you want to change the color of your painted doors?
Closets
  • Do you want to paint the inside of your closets? Please note, this will require emptying your closets.

Exterior

Trim
  • How do your soffit and fascia look? Are they starting to peel?
  • Do you have painted trim around windows that need a fresh coat?
  • Please note, we always recommend replacing rotting/damaged wood prior to painting. This is not a service we currently offer.
Siding
  • Is your siding peeling or cracking?
  • Do you want to update the color of your home’s siding?
  • Please note, we always recommend replacing rotting/damaged wood prior to painting. This is not a service we currently offer.
Stucco
  • Are you starting to notice hairline cracks in your stucco?
  • Do you want to change the color of your stucco home?
Doors
  • Do your exterior doors look worn?
  • Do you want to update the color of your front door?
Wood
  • Do you have wood beams or vigas that need a preservative coating?
Roof/Chimney Pieces
  • Roof and chimney pieces are often painted to match the house or the roof color. Do they need a fresh coat?

COLOR PLANNING

Choosing Colors

Choosing paint colors is a highly personal decision. While we do not offer formal color consultations, we can offer online resources for helping you choose a color. See below for a link to Sherwin William’s color picking software.

When trying to select a color, we recommend purchasing a sample of paint and painting it on a poster board. You can then move the poster it throughout the rooms in your home, and during different times of the day. This method will show how the color can vary depending on light and give a better representation of how it looks throughout different areas. We do not recommend painting directly on your walls.

Sherwin-Williams and Dunn Edwards offer color samples for a small fee. They can even match existing paint colors or colors that you use in your home (e.g., in your fabrics or artwork). Please reach out to your local paint store for more information.

Choosing Sheens

Sheen refers to the amount of reflected light coming off a painted wall. Paints can be made using different levels of sheen. When choosing a sheen, there is typically a trade-off between shininess and wash ability. In general, as the amount of shine increases, as does the washability.

Below are some of the most commonly used paint sheen categories and the surfaces they are typically applied to:

  • Flat – Creates no to very low reflectance when dry. Typically used on ceilings and walls in low traffic areas.
  • Satin/Eg Shel – Creates a low to medium reflectance when dry. Typically used on walls.
  • Semi-gloss – Creates a medium to low-high reflectance when dry. Typically used on trim (e.g., baseboards, doors, door frames) or in areas prone to moisture.

Different products and different paint brands use different sheens. When we bid your project, we can let you know what specific sheen options are available to you.

When selecting a sheen, it is often beneficial to go to your local paint store and view their sheen guides in person. This will ensure that the sheen is truly the one you want in your home.

Andy's Painting Company | House Painter in Albuquerque NM