As a Denver painter, Kind Home Painting Co. sees a wide variety of home styles, ages, shapes and sizes. That means we encounter quite a few lead-based homes. If you live in the Denver area and are considering painting your home, you should be aware of how to properly handle lead paint. As we all know, lead-based paint can be harmful and very dangerous if handled improperly.
If you are hiring a professional you should be sure that you work with a lead certified renovator. It’s not against the law to work with painters that aren’t lead-certified renovators. However, lead-based renovations are regulated by the EPA and it is in your best interest to work with lead-certified renovators. As a lead-certified painter we take every precaution when it comes to painting lead homes and we participate in on-going training and certifications. Keep reading to learn what you should be aware of when painting a lead positive home.
What to Be Aware of When Painting a Lead Home
Testing for lead paint
The first thing you need to consider is the age of your home. Lead-based paint was commonly used on residential homes until it was banned from residential use in 1978. So, if your home was built prior to 1978 it is likely lead positive and you will need to test for lead. If your home was built after this it is likely lead-free, but it may still be smart to have it tested for lead if it was constructed close to that date.
You can identify lead paint just by looking at it if you know what to look for. When lead paint starts to deteriorate it will begin to crack and chip off. We usually say it looks like alligator skin when it begins to deteriorate! Your paint could still be lead-based without showing these characteristics. That’s why your painter should always test the paint and not make any assumptions.
The process for testing for lead paint is very simple. A lead test is easily performed by rubbing a lead test swab on the exterior siding of your home or taking a chipped off piece of paint and testing that sample. It is important to test multiple areas of the home for lead as well. Some areas may not come up as lead positive while others may. They will have the results almost immediately.
If your home is lead positive, don’t panic! It is not as big a deal as you may think. The important thing is that your painter is certified to handle lead and takes all the necessary precautions to contain it.
The dangers of lead paint
Most adults know better than to go around putting paint chips in their mouths, but most kids do not (and your pets definitely don’t know any better!). That’s why dealing with lead is all about containment and proper disposal. The last thing you want is to have any paint chips left behind for pets or kids to play with.
One of the more common ways that you or your loved ones may be exposed to lead paint is from dust. Dust from lead paint is one of the biggest issues that occurs when renovating a lead-positive space. Dust from lead paint can contaminate your soil and get tracked into your home. If there is enough lead dust accumulation it can become very hazardous. That’s why it is so important to mitigate lead contamination when painting or performing any other renovations. If your painter isn’t taking the proper precautions when handling lead, it can become a big problem. If you ‘d like to learn more about the dangers of lead paint you can check out the EPA’s Renovate Right Pamphlet.
Our process for handling lead paint
1. Never Pressure Wash A Lead Home
While we typically pressure wash all exterior projects prior to painting, we will never pressure wash a lead positive home. This is to ensure that we contain any lead from spreading or contaminating any areas. Our painters will hand wash the home as necessary to ensure the surface is clean and ready for a fresh coat of paint.
2. No Sanding
We will never sand any of the surfaces either. Sanding will obviously create a lot of unwanted dust. Our goal is to create as little dust as possible. The less dust we create, the safer you, your family and your pets are.
3. Collecting & Disposing of Lead Paint Chips
Now, while our process will ensure as little dust and spreading of lead particles as possible, we may need to scrape areas to prep them for a new coat of paint. As you likely know, lead paint will crack and tends to look a lot like alligator skin. In order to prep those areas, our painters will inevitably need to scrape away that failing paint. Don’t worry though, we will always put down plastic tarps to catch and contain any paint chips. Your Project Manager will ensure that the perimeter of the home and any area being worked on are prepped with plastic. Once our painters are done they will fold up all plastic and dispose of it properly to ensure no further contamination.
4. Provide Painters with PPE
We always provide all of our painters with PPE (personal protective equipment) on lead positive paint projects. PPE is vital for painters to safely handle lead paint. While it is up to them as to whether or not they use the protective equipment, it is required that we provide them with the proper materials. PPE may include gloves, gowns, shoe covers and face protection.
Conclusion – Precautions to Take When Handling Lead Paint
It is smart to make sure your home is tested for lead prior to any renovations, especially if your home was built prior to 1978. There are a lot of rules and regulations around proper handling of lead. That’s why you should always work with a lead-certified painter that is equipped to handle such a project. Your painter should never pressure wash or sand a lead paint project in order to minimize the creation of lead dust. And lastly, you should always make sure to collect any and all paint chips and properly dispose of them.
If you are looking for a Denver painter that can handle your lead paint project, look no further! To get a free estimate give us a call at (720)-6374805 or contact us HERE. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out!
PREP is arguably the most important step in any paint project, but great prep is especially important for exterior painting. If you want your exterior painting project to last, it is vitally important to perform detailed prep. This rings even truer for Denver home painting where we have rampant weather patterns and harsh sun exposure. You should never expect to be able to just slap some paint on the side of your home and call it good. Without solid prep you are setting yourself up for failure. In this article we will detail the Kind Home exterior paint prep process and the importance of following these necessary steps when you have your home painted.
Paint Prep Steps
For any exterior painting project in the Denver area you should always inspect the home for rotted, damaged boards, dirty areas and loose nails/boards. We always perform the following on any exterior prior to painting to ensure that the surface is well protected and ready for paint:
Pressure wash
Repair damaged gutters
Perform any woodwork repairs
Mask off all windows & doors & protect surfaces
Scrape failing paint
Caulk
Prime where necessary
Preliminary Services (Before Painting)
It’s important that we take care of a few items before your Project Manager and paint crew ever get to the job site. These items include pressure washing, gutter replacement and woodwork. We refer to this stage as preliminary services. Our Preliminary Service technicians will handle this portion of your project 1-2 weeks prior to painting to ensure that everything is complete in a timely manner and your home is ready for our paint crew when it comes time to paint.
Pressure Wash
We pressure wash the exterior of every home we paint. This is a light rinse to rid the home of dirt, cobwebs, debris and oxidation and to ensure that the paint has a clean surface to adhere to. If you don’t clean the surface first, paint will have a difficult time sticking to the exterior and it can cause problems down the line. The pressure wash should take between thirty minutes to an hour and is a non-invasive process. Our Pressure Wash Technician will just need access to your water spigot and all four sides of the home. You’ll want to make sure all doors and windows are closed!
Replacing Damaged Gutters
If your gutters are leaking it is a good idea to replace them. We provide gutter replacement services for any paint project that needs new gutters. The last thing you want is to have a leaky gutter damaging your freshly painted exterior. This can lead to early erosion of your paint, and even worse, rotted or swollen boards.
Woodwork
Woodwork is not a step to be overlooked. You can think of paint as the epidermis of the home. It is there to protect the substrate and fight off moisture and dirt. Over time though, your paint can wear down and allow for that moisture to penetrate the surface underneath. This leads to rotted and swollen boards. If your exterior has any rotting we always recommend getting those replaced. The longer you hold off on replacing damaged boards, the more it will cost you in the long run. Our woodworking team can take care of any and all of your wood replacement needs.
While there are some damaged boards that can get by with fillers and sealants, it is typically better to have them fully replaced. Without fully replacing a board it is at higher risk of failing quicker and allowing moisture to compromise the substrate. Not only will a new board hold up longer, it is more aesthetically pleasing. It is also important to be mindful of boards in areas where snow can build up. These spots on your home will be the first to have failing paint and rotted boards. During this step it is also important to re-secure any loose boards. You may notice loose nails or areas where nails have already popped out. We will be sure to nail those boards back in or use screws to secure them.
We will typically do woodwork repairs the week prior to painting. Our expert craftsman will ensure that every board is perfectly fit in place and ready for a new coat of paint.
Exterior Prep Process
Now that all of the preliminary services have been completed, it’s time for your Project Manager and paint crew to work their magic!
Masking, Taping & Protecting Your Home
It’s important to ensure that paint never gets where it shouldn’t be. That’s why we take extra precaution to protect your home from any paint overspray, spills or accidents. We always mask off all windows and doors and use drop cloths where necessary. The plastic film and painters tape we use to protect these areas will ensure no paint gets through when we’re spraying or rolling paint.
Scrape Failing Paint
We can’t stress enough how important it is to scrape failing paint to create a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to. We always make sure to scrape areas with bubbling and flaky paint. If you fail to scrape these areas the texture will show through. This step can take some time, but it is vital to a beautiful paint job that will last.
Caulk
Caulking, as we all know, helps to seal up your exterior and protect it from the elements. It is especially important to caulk all seams and receding nail holes. At Kind Home Painting Company we use Shermax Urethanized Elastomeric Caulk . This is a high quality caulk that was created to stand up to the harsh weather patterns we experience.
Some of the areas we will always caulk include:
Spaces around windows
Spaces around doors
Seams where two boards meet
Recessed nail holes
Newly replaced boards
It’s important to note that you do not need to caulk all nail holes. We will only caulk the recessed nail holes to ensure that no moisture can seep through the board. If you caulk nail holes that are flush with the board you will be able to see the caulk and that added texture, which can be unsightly.
Priming
Priming, priming, priming! Our painters will always prime any bare wood, newly replaced boards or boards that have taken a beating and could use the added protection. At Kind Home Painting Company we will always prime the first few boards at the bottom of your home. This is to protect those areas from snow and the general wear and tear they are susceptible to.
We also pay close attention to valleys on the roof line where snow can collect and sit for long periods of time. These areas are typically the spots where paint will fail the quickest and boards will rot due to the extended exposure to moisture. To ensure that your paint job lasts we use peel bond primer. This primer is stronger than regular primers and will help seal the surfaces and provide a smoother finish.
Painting
Most homeowners don’t realize how long the prep process takes. This is where our painters will spend the majority of their time when working on your paint project because they understand that a paint job is only as good as its prep. Once we’ve completed all prep and your Project Manager has confirmed that everything is up to our standards, our painters will get to the fun part! The painting portion of any project is typically the fastest. We always spray our exteriors to ensure a smooth, professional and even finish. This is when you can kick back and watch your exterior transform before your eyes.
How to Prep for Exterior Painting
We hope that this article gave you insight into our prep process and what it takes to perform a beautiful paint job that will last for years to come. For inspiration for your Denver exterior paint project be sure to check out our Instagram.
If you would like a free painting estimate, you can fill out our form HERE. Thanks for reading and happy painting!
As basic as it may sound, white has been a trending paint color in 2022. This may be a result of the modern farmhouse craze or an attempt to battle the fading we often see here on Colorado homes. Either way we love this clean, timeless, and chic paint color. Every time we go out for a color consultation it seems like white is top of mind, but there is an overwhelming amount of white paint color choices. Even though it is a simple shade, narrowing it down can leave clients stressed and unsure. With that in mind, we thought it might be helpful to share with you the top white paint colors for colorado exteriors.
Pure White SW 7005
Pure White is a classic and we’ve mentioned it countless times on our Instagram account as well as over on our other site, Kind Home Solutions. This is a great white to use on your trim if you’re looking to create a lot of contrast and get a nice sharp pop against your body color. Pure White has just the smallest amount of yellow and black. This helps keep it warm enough to be used on an exterior, but it will look quite paper white to the naked eye. This is one of the most common exterior (and interior) trim colors we see clients go. This makes sense because of how reliable and simple it is. It can work with warmer body colors too, but generally we prefer to use it to contrast cooler body colors like cool grays and blues. That being said, we wouldn’t often recommend Pure White on the body of your home. It can feel quite stark, which doesn’t generally suit the style of most Colorado homes.
Alabaster SW 7008
If you want a white that doesn’t feel “too white” then Alabaster is a must try. You can think of Alabaster as a slightly toned down version of Pure White. It would be considered a fairly true white, but it has a little more warmth and depth that helps it appear just a bit softer than Pure White. This softness can be especially great for homes here in Colorado where we receive a ton of sunshine. When the sun hits your house it tends to amplify your colors and makes them appear brighter and more intense. Alabaster is harmonious because it really compliments the earth tones we see on most homes. It also goes great with stone and the surrounding landscaping associated with Colorado homes.
Nacre SW 6154
Many of the homes we paint here in Colorado feature some kind of stone or brick element. Beyond just protecting these elements throughout the painting process, we want to make sure your paint color complements your brick. One of the most common brick colors is traditional red brick and our favorite paint color to pair with red brick is Nacre. Nacre has a lot more warmth than the above mentioned whites and that additional depth really helps it coexist with red brick. The trick to finding the right paint color for any brick is that you don’t want the contrast to be too high. Since red brick is typically darker than say a blonde or light gray brick, you want to make sure you aren’t pairing it with a trim color that is too stark in contrast. Nacre works particularly well when your home is all red brick. However, if you do have some areas that require a body color just be sure to select a paint color that is on the warmer side and avoid cooler tones.
Greek Villa SW 7551
Greek Villa is a great paint color if you’re looking to create a pop of contrast without sacrificing warmth. This classic Sherwin Williams color can be used on both interiors and exteriors with amazing results. It’s clean, bright, and has a slightly yellow undertone that pairs beautifully with browns, reds, greens, and taupes. Greek Villa is quite a bit warmer than Alabaster so it makes for both a great body or trim color. This is especially true if you are trying to mimic the very popular modern farmhouse style and you don’t want a white that is too stark. This is an absolute go-to for our color consultants, so you can feel confident that you’re selecting the right color with Greek Villa.
Shoji White SW 7042
Over the past few years, Shoji White has risen to the top of the most popular white paint colors list. Shoji White is a very dynamic white that feels both inviting and modern. This is thanks to it’s combination of gray and warm undertones. Colors like Shoji White that can feel both timeless and contemporary have become more and more popular. Shoji White’s complexity creates a bit more interest while other colors can be flat and lifeless. It bounces between undertones which allows it to work with both cool and warm features. Much like Greek Villa, Shoji White is a great option for trim or body on your Colorado home. We’re confident we’ll continue to see more and more of Shoji White for years to come.
Most Popular White Paint Colors for Colorado
This list sheds some light on the most popular white paint colors we’re seeing on Colorado homes. Colorado is known for its natural elements, so it’s often important to make sure your home feels cohesive with the natural surroundings. This is true whether you are part of an HOA or not. White paint colors that compliment the Colorado landscape help make your home feel cohesive rather than stark. This lends to a sense of harmony. If you’d like more paint color inspiration and suggestions be sure to follow us over on Instagram where we post pictures of our work including the paint colors used on each house or contact our office to schedule a color consultation.
The great painter debate – should you spray or roll exteriors? The answer might surprise you, because your home has a huge impact on whether you should spray or roll your home. This is a pretty controversial topic within the painting community, but we’re here to breakdown the question, is spraying or rolling your exterior better? Read on to learn the pros and cons of both exterior painting techniques.
Pros and Cons of Rolling Your Exterior
Paint rollers have been around since 1940 and Sherwin Williams was the first company to bring them to market. Rollers revolutionized the painting industry by speeding up the paint process and giving painters a better tool to cover larger surface areas. Nowadays, paint rollers come in a variety of sizes and thicknesses to help with any painting project; exterior or interior.
Pros of Rollers
Great for large, smooth surfaces
Cheaper than paint sprayers
No brush marks
Great for back-rolling to press paint into porous surfaces
Cons of Rollers
Thin coats can be uneven
Roller soaks up more paint so you use more product
More expensive than brushes
Rollers can’t be used for painting joints, corners, or smaller surfaces
Pros and Cons of Spraying Your Exterior
Paint sprayers and spray guns have actually been around longer than paint rollers. The first hand-held, air-powered paint spray gun was invented in 1907 and there have been many evolutions of that product since. We often find that clients who don’t like paint sprayers had a bad experience with them at some point. Paint sprayers from 30 years ago were quite different than the ones used today. Modern commercial paint sprayers have many benefits and have been optimized for residential and commercial use.
Pros of Sprayers
Thicker, more even and uniform coats
No paint waste as paint is not absorbed like with a roller
Works well on uneven surfaces
Faster and better application
No brush or roller marks
Cons of Sprayer
More expensive than rollers and brushes
Need experience and practice using them to be effective
Noisy compared to a roller
Exterior Painting – Spray vs Rolling
Now to the real question; which of these tools is better? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t so black and white. When it comes to our exteriors we tend to use a sprayer because it’s more efficient, offers better coverage, and gives a more professional finished quality. That being said, it’s important that your painter can utilize both of these tools because that’s what they are – paint tools. At the end of the day these tools can both be utilized to provide the best paint job. For example, if you are painting brick, stucco, or some other porous surface, you will want to use a sprayer to apply the paint and have another team member following with a roller to “back-roll” the paint in. Back-rolling helps to press the paint into the surface and get into those little nooks and crannies.
Kind Home Painters back-rolling the exterior of a Denver stucco home
For smoother surfaces like trim, wood, lap, vinyl, or metal siding, spraying is a much better tool to utilize because you won’t have any of those roller marks and you can angle the sprayer different ways to ensure you are getting full coverage on each board. Ultimately, one isn’t inherently good or bad. These are both great paint tools that should be utilized under different circumstances. To see some of the exterior paint projects we’ve sprayed and back-rolled, check out our gallery HERE. And for more inspiration for your next paint project, be sure to take a peak at our Instagram!
If you would like to get pricing for your project you can submit for a free estimate HERE.
Denver bungalows can all feel quite similar, but a great way to have your bungalow stand out is to paint the trim. Bungalows here in Denver tend to be brick, so the bulk of an exterior painting project revolves around the trim. It’s very easy to think the only options you have are white! Although there are some white paint colors that can look great on your trim, we want you to know all your options. Below we’ve got a list of some of the best trim colors for Denver Bungalows. If you’re considering an exterior painting project, keep reading to get inspired!
Top 5 Trim Colors for Denver Bungalows
Nacre
Many of the brick bungalows in Denver and the surrounding areas are made up of red brick. Red brick comes in a lot of variations ranging from orangey-red to schoolhouse red. But there is one trim color that we feel always works with red brick: Nacre SW 6154 from Sherwin Williams. Nacre is not a stark, cold white. It’s added warmth helps it harmonize with a lot of different red brick colors. We also love that Nacre isn’t too yellow, which can make it feel dated. It offers a nice contrast without being too sharp. It also has a creamy base with a little bit of gray that helps to keep things modern and fresh.
This is technically not a Denver Bungalow, but this will help you see Nacre against brick!
Black Fox
If you’re looking for a very contemporary and interesting color for your bungalow trim then you have to check out Black Fox SW 7020. This is another great color option from Sherwin Williams and it’s especially beautiful if you have bronze windows. Black Fox is a deep brown with a heavy gray undertone, which makes it feel really modern and dynamic. We particularly like this trim color for Denver bungalows that feature brown brick or bricks with a brown undertone. It’s different and a fun way to make your home stand out.
Sage Green Light
Green has been immensely popular this year and it’s also a great option for a trim color on a bungalow that isn’t a standard neutral. The trick to finding the perfect green color for any exterior project is to make sure the green you select has a good amount of gray in it. Greens can look overly saturated and bright so we really love that Sage Green Light SW 2851 has a lot of depth and feels quite toned down overall. You can definitely play with the saturation, but when it comes to greens we always recommend that you pick up some samples to confirm your color before beginning your project.
Dover White
Dover White SW 6385 is an absolute classic from Sherwin Williams. It’s a great white option for bungalows because it does a beautiful job of creating contrast without feeling like a stock white. Many whites are just too white for a bungalow, so make sure you select a white that has some kind of undertone to it. We prefer a warmer tone like you see with Dover, but you can try more tan options if you’re concerned about the yellow undertone. Dover White feels very clean, but also more historically appropriate for the bungalow style of home when compared to brighter whites like Pure White.
Dovetail
No list is complete without mentioning some kind of gray. Grays can be very tricky especially when you’re working with a brick structure, but we love how dynamic Dovetail SW 7018 is. This is a darker gray with a slightly warm red undertone. This undertone really helps the trim and brick feel unified while also checking off boxes for our gray lovers out there. If Dovetail feels a little dark you can always try its lighter counterpart, Acier for something a little less deep. These grays work with a variety of brick colors, so they are definitely worth checking out!
Picking the Perfect Trim Color for a Brick Bungalow
When you’re working on an exterior painting project involving a brick bungalow it’s very important to factor in your fixed features. Fixed features are things like your brick, stone, or roof shingle color. Since these items won’t be changing, your trim color needs to work within those parameters. Sometimes it’s easy to fall in love with a trim color that you see on another home, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will work on your home or with your fixed features, so be sure to get samples and keep an open mind. There are so many colors that will look beautiful on your home and we hope this list helps inspire you and your next painting project.
Painting the exterior of a home in Denver can be a very large project. Many of the homes in downtown Denver are anywhere from 50-100 years old with styles ranging from Queen Anne Victorians down to smaller brick bungalows. These homes are part of the city’s history, so it’s important to honor their design with the right color schemes and paint products. In this article, we’ll be comparing exterior paints and determining which paint product is best for your Denver home.
Painting Denver Homes
As a well seasoned Denver painter we’re very familiar with the wide variety of styles featured in our city. Homes range from small to massive and there are particular styles that we like to focus on. These styles include Denver Squares, Victorians, Bungalows, Tudors, and Mid-Century Modern homes. Most of these particular styles of homes were likely built anywhere from the late 1800’s to the 1980’s. That means the paint products originally used were quite different from the paint we see on homes today. The right exterior paint product can have a huge impact on the overall look of your home.
Painting Lead Positive Homes in Denver
We’ll go into lead paint protocols more in another article, but if your Denver home was built prior to 1978 you need to have it tested for lead before you paint. Lead paint lasts incredibly long, but due to it’s heavy lead content it was deemed unsafe for use. It was more or less discontinued by the end of the 1970s. When you repaint a home that was previously painted with lead paint, your main goal should be to contain any and all lead chips. There are several steps that go into lead safety protocols, but the first step is to have your home tested for lead.
As a lead certified painter, Kind Home Painting Company will test your home for free if it was built before 1978. This lead test is conducted at your paint estimate and the results are available within minutes. You can also purchase a lead test and do this yourself, but keep in mind that not all lead tests are approved by the EPA. If you or your painter tests for lead make sure multiple surface areas are tested. There are some areas that may have been replaced since the late 70s, while others may have pre-existing exposure.
Is Sherwin Williams the Best Exterior Paint for Denver Homes?
One of the most popular exterior paint brands on the market is Sherwin Williams. It’s widely recognized across the globe as a leader within the paint industry and for a good reason. Sherwin Williams has high quality, durable, and vibrant exterior and interior paints. But is it the best brand for painting Denver homes?
Although Sherwin Williams brings a lot to the table and is widely available, it’s not the best exterior paint for your Denver home. On most exterior painting projects painters will use a satin sheen. The satin sheen has a little bit of shine, which helps significantly with durability. However, the shininess can be amplified in direct sunlight. That shine is necessary for exterior products, but it doesn’t fit the historical look and feel of these traditional Denver homes.
If you have to go with Sherwin Williams for budgetary reasons we suggest you make sure you select historically accurate colors and color schemes. Sherwin Williams has done a wonderful job of compiling these colors in their Historical Collection. This collection was curated and carefully categorized to help you select paint colors that are appropriate for Denver Squares, Victorians, Bungalows, etc. If Sherwin Williams is your best paint option then we suggest you begin your color search there.
What’s the Best Exterior Paint for Denver Homes?
To really honor your home’s history, you need to use a paint that features a more “matte” finish. This can be hard to find in Sherwin Williams current options without sacrificing durability. This is where Benjamin Moore comes in. Benjamin Moore has made a name for itself by focusing on first-rate quality, a luxurious finish, and rich paint colors. This commitment to excellence and incredible track record within the industry makes Benjamin Moore our top choice for painting the exterior of your Denver home.
We’ve tested out several Benjamin Moore products and our personal favorite is Aura Exterior. Aura is Benjamin Moore’s highest rated exterior paint product and for a good reason. It has unmatched longevity and exclusive Color Lock technology. These features result in a depth and richness to the paint that is unparalleled within the industry without sacrificing any durability. It also comes in a low luster finish, which is significantly less shiny than other paints like those at Sherwin Williams. This means your home will look and feel much more historically accurate. With this paint product we provide a 12 year, no-exclusions paint warranty.
Exterior Paint for Your Denver Home
When you’re lucky enough to have one of these historic homes here in Denver, it’s your responsibility to maintain and uphold the characteristics that make these homes so beautiful. The right paint product, sheen and historically accurate paint colors are critical to honor the history of these homes. For paint color ideas and historically accurate color schemes that will suit your Denver home, be sure to check out our Instagram and Pinterest page where we post regularly.
