A. Allbright Painting Blog

Lifetime Painting Companies in Los Angeles

If you have ever taken a trip to view some of the old ancient ruins of the Roman Empire, I am sure this thought never entered your mind, "I wonder why this Coliseum does not look new anymore?" A thought like that would be silly, as you know that nothing last forever. Many factors contributed to the deterioration of the Roman and other ancient buildings: sun, water, heat, storms, and so forth.

 

Even with the common sense that we all have, that nothing stays new forever, there are still paint companies offering lifetime warranties on your home if you'll hire their staff and use their products. Have you ever had a door-to-door paint salesman knock on your door in recent years and try to sign you up for a paint system that will be backed by a lifetime warranty? To be even more deceiving, some companies don't even call it a "paint" but a "coating." Let us offer you a quick piece of advice before signing on the dotted line for a "never paint again" type product. Remember the ancient ruins of the Greek and Roman Empire. All of that marble, stone and granite is breaking a part and turning to dust once again. Oh, and the noses of famous statutes never seem to be visible too! In other words, a paint product, a coating, or even a plastic wrap on your home will eventually fail.

 

So why then are there companies offering lifetime coatings, and is there any benefit at all to considering using it, putting the warranty issue aside? First, companies offering paints and coatings with lifetime warranties are really just trying to make a quick buck. They have a good product that they feel is worth 10x the cost. So when they give you a bid on "installing" this paint on your home, the price tag will be quite high. They are hoping that if there ever is a problem with your home, that they have more than enough in profits to fix the area of concern. Otherwise, if you move from your home, the warranty is typically void. I have been out to homes that were painted 10 years ago with these "Never Paint Again" products to give a bid on repainting them with quality house paint, because the products were failing! So, my theory is true that a number of these companies go out of business within a few years, which is never a good thing if your paint begins to fail.

 

The paints on the market today are better than they were even 5 years ago. Even the lifetime warranty paints I've mentioned in this article have a lot of good materials to make them a good product. But every paint, no matter what brand it is will eventually fail in certain ways. To evaluate if the paint is failing, typically all you have to do is wipe your finger across the surface. Ifyour finger looks like it has chalk all over it, your paint has begun the process of aging. If it does not start to chalk, another sign is that paint begins to get very dirty and becomes harder to clean. Eventually, you will have to repaint because the color has changes do to so much dirt that has stained the finish. Lastly, a coating or paint will fade in color. Even with ceramic and other quality materials, the sun will play its roll in causing the paint to change color.

 

So the next time you get a call from a salesman asking you if you want a product that will last a lifetime, be prepared to take out a loan or spend a lot of cash for a product and service that should cost a lot less. Lastly, remember that a warranty is only as good as the company itself.

Color Consultant and Designer Philippa Radon Takes on New York City

Other than the love of being in a City that feels and breathes like a ‘real City’, I enjoy the walking.  Much like being back in London which is also a ‘walking city’ - there is so much to see that you miss when stuck constantly behind the wheel - which is more an LA lifestyle.  The NY architecture, people, markets, store fronts its just an abundance of noise, color, and activity.

But life in the City is hot and humid this time of year, while walking across town to my next job I stumbled upon this scene which had NY kids and adults alike taking the plunge to cool down. It was quite liberating, had I not had a client to visit I might have well joined in.  The NY parks and water fountains which dot the City provide great refuge for the locals from all the concrete - and are a lunch time oasis spot. More NY to follow ...

Philippa Radon

Allbright’s Summer Painting Newsletter to Santa Clarita Homeowners and Beyond

Our latest Newsletter for Allbright will launch tomorrow. View the Newsletter.

When is the Best Time to Paint Your Home?

A question that is often asked by California homeowners is, “When is the best time of year to paint my home?”  The answer depends on several factors, the most important one being whether it is the inside or the outside of one’s home that needs painting.  If you happen to not be from California, have not lived here long, or just curious, we hope to shed a little light on this inquiry. We’ll also briefly explain a few benefits as to why you should paint your home.

The best time of year to paint the interior of your home in California is easy: anytime!  However, there may be a few benefits to waiting for the winter or rainy months because paint contractors like to keep busy year-round. Sometimes you can find extra savings by waiting till right after Christmas, which is typically the slowest season for most of us in the construction field.

The best time for exterior painting is right now!  That’s right, when it is hot and sunny and we have little rain, painters love working outside!  The greater Los Angeles area is typically blessed with good weather year-round.  Therefore, if the summer months do not work for you, painting the exterior can be done just about any month of the year.  As long as there is no rain in the forecast, your exterior can be painted.

Now, one of the best reasons to get your home painted, inside or out, sooner rather than later is quite simple:  painting adds substantial value to your home.  One recent report we read on home values said that painting the exterior of your home could have an average return on investment of 142%.  When the stock market and economy is still so uncertain, people around the country are starting to invest more time and money into their home. 

Please remember this final tip:  a little bit of careful and ongoing maintenance to your home will only increase the value of your home and do little harm to your pocket book.  In other words, if you keep up on the appearance of your home, there will be no need for costly repairs in the future.  A.Allbright professional paint and painting company can provide the necessary services to keep your home in top-notch shape and help you save money in the long run.

Allbright Paint Special

Try our new Allbright Paint during the month of July and receive $10 off your 1^st gallon. Mention this blog to get your discount!

Allbright Color News by Resident Color Consultant: Philippa Radon

The Benefits of Using Premium Quality Paint

How to Hire a Painting Contractor in Los Angeles

Before hiring a painter for your next paint project, ask yourself: "What kind of painter do I really want?" We can agree on one thing that we all want a good paint job that will last, right? If so, finding "Mr. Right" takes a little bit of research! Lets dig a little deeper and determine the specific type of paint contractor that is right for you! 

I typically put painters into three categories: A true professional, a paint company who works in your area but is not very professional, and, what I call the "pot and brush" painter: he shows up with a bucket and a brush, ready to paint. 

 

Pot and Brush Painter 

You've all seen this type of painter on a number of occasions. You can identify him when Monday morning comes around and he doesn't show up. He will arrive in his "classy", rust-bucket sedan, leave when the surf is good, and get the job done on his own time schedule. When he begins to paint, you might find a few paint drips on your carpet, floors and windows, but the overall surface will look decent. He will also give you an incredible price too. Lastly, when he finishes you will typically be calling another painter or cleaning company to clean up the mess he left you. 

 

Community Painter, but not Real Professional

Your "community" painter (seen around town here and there) is normally good at what he does but lacks professionalism. A non-professional would be described as: one who has a staff of painters but may not have company trucks, uniformed employees, does not always return phone calls promptly, no job sign and sometimes runs a little late to appointments. He also has his own agenda when it comes to painting your home instead of making you and your needs a priority. This type of painter usually prices jobs that are more appealing to most homeowners at a quick glance. 

 

A True Professional 

The painting contractor that I hope you will use is a "True Professionals." This is the company that will NOT let you down. This contractor will paint circles around the others listed above. Although you might have to pay a little more to get a professional painter, you will be glad you did in the end. A true professional runs his business with integrity and can be trusted. A professional will not let you down but strives for 100% satisfaction. He or she will return calls promptly, listen to all your concerns, identify a solution that meets your needs and will get the job done with an incredible staff of professional, uniformed and clean painters. Professionals painters will make painting your home an enjoyable experience from start to finish.  

The Importance of Going Green with Paint

Why go green with paint?

Today’s paint carries far fewer toxins than its ancestors (lead), but Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) and other paint chemicals remain hazardous to people, air and water.  “Every time someone opens a can of paint, we do damage to the environment.”  It’s called a CO2 event.  In some cases, air quality is worse inside than it is outside.  We need to do all we can to make the indoor air quality better for everyone.  Although ever-tightening standards and regulations have slashed VOC emissions, they remain a major threat to health and air quality, the EPA reports.

The Risk

Indoors, highly concentrated VOC’s pose an off-gassing risk to its occupants.  Outdoors, VOC’s that leave building environments create harmful compounds that contribute significantly to smog.  “In 2002, paint & coatings emitted over 2 million tons of VOC’s from the off-gassing,” the EPA reported in its 2008 Sector Report.  Other paint toxins are discharged in wastewater that flow to our waterways and then out to sea.  Did you know that Americans dispose of nearly 70 million gallons of architectural paint each year? 

Green Guardians

Perhaps it’s no surprise that the nation’s toughest environmental watchdog is located smack in the middle of its dirtiest air: Southern California.  The South Coast Air Quality Management District (founded in 1947 as the Los Angeles County Air Pollution Control District) generally leads the U.S. environmental charge.  Southern California’s legendary smog can be crippling, especially during peak painting summer months.  SCAQMD’s highly developed standards are the most stringent in the country, and many eco-watchers expect the district’s paint standards to become the baseline for national benchmarks in the near future. 

Allbright Paint 

We here at Allbright Painting know all about green standards of paint because we got a surprise visit from the AQMD after they read the SCV Business Journal article in April 2009 regarding our revolutionary new paint process.  Upon their visit, they discovered that Allbright Paint could possibly set the new benchmark for how paint is brought to the American public.  They said, “If you can do it, then we know it’s possible for others to follow.”  Not only does our paint meet the AQMD standard, it shatters it because of all the other “green” aspects of air quality components it has:  less warehousing, storage facilities and shipping (another big CO2 event).  They mentioned that we may be given the highest award – The Crystal Award - something they’ve never given out from their location.

How long should your new-home builder’s paint last?

Five – ten years is my first answer…but that is not my final answer. There are many factors that determine the lifespan of a paint job. Beyond the obvious variables, like climate and damage caused by moisture, there are other considerations.

 

The sun does play a big part in the breakdown of a coating. The sunny sides of the house (southern and western sides) will wear at a faster rate than the shady sections. The type of surface also is an important factor. Painted stucco usually holds up better than wood. Wood can actually be one of the toughest surfaces to keep paint on, especially “new growth wood” like that which most new homebuilders use.  Wood from “old growth forests” is no longer available. That wood was denser and more stable and the paint job lasted longer.

 

Quality acrylic resin-based paints have come a long way.  They don’t fade as fast, are more flexible, and breathe.  A two-coat job is almost always better than one coat. Probably the most important aspect to a long-lasting paint job is a good prep job. This involves aggressive scraping and sanding, as well as intensive caulking and filling to lock out moisture. We place a high priority on prep work at A. Albright Painting, and we only use the highest quality materials. Anything less would be a waste of time.

 

Do what it needs! At A. Allbright Painting, we keep track of your paints and colors and can blend in areas to match throughout your home when using our paint. We would be happy to break down a project proposal to cover only what needs to be done and skip areas like the stucco or shady areas that are still in good shape if money is tight.

A Practical Questionnaire to assist with Color Selections

Choice of color is intensely personal:  Color combinations have profound effect on our mood and well being.

1. What color appeals to you? 
2. Investigate your closet. What is predominant?
3. Experiment.

 Flooring:  Flooring is the key element of interior design, the basis of every room, and represents the largest surface area of the home.  It is the surface we are in constant physical contact with.

1. Is your floor a reflective or matte surface?  i.e. wood, stone or carpet. 
2. Is it the dominant color of the room?

 Atmosphere: Perhaps you have a specific picture in mind, or are attempting to copy an illustration, take into account the variables in light and scale.  Walls are more than just back drops.  Color can be decoration enough, especially if the color is strong.

1. How do you want the room to make you feel?
2. Do you envision the overall effect to be warm or cool?  Spacious or cozy?  Tranquil or energetic?
3. Furniture and artwork.  Look to them for inspiration.

 Dark & Light Colors: Dark colors can work well in small rooms and can create intimacy, and can add strength, but you need consider the lighting to avoid colors sinking into black.  Light, warm colors feel open and expansive and elegant.Shades of whites can feel stark, uncluttered, cool, minimalistic and clean.

1. How big is the room? 

 Lighting:  Incandescent bulbs give a warm glow to some colors.  The blue white light of fluorescent fixtures cools off colors considerably, halogen fixtures tend to sap and flatten colors.

1. What kind of lighting do you have?
2. When will the room be used most?
   1. How much natural light is there?
   2. Will this be affected with the addition of window treatments diffusing the light?
   3. Does the room get more light in the morning or afternoon?
3. What color are your lamp shades? A white paper shade throws a much cooler light, for example, than a natural silk or parchment shade.

 Accent Walls:  Consider using different colors for the walls, ceiling, trim, even the floor in the same room.Color does not have to mean bold hues lavishly applied.  Even if you don't want to live with strong colors, don't assume that a mix of colors isn't for you.  Some of the most beautiful rooms are combinations of neutrals creatively used. Consult with your A. Allbright Painting consultant for further advice.We’re always available to help you, and we’re up to date with all the latest color trends and products.

A. Allbright on the Style Network

Watch Clean House "The Gossett/ Flynn Family" airing September 17  

Clean House, Episode 704, will be airing on The Style Network Channel and will focus on Tracy and Tim Flynn, a hip and eco-friendly couple expecting their first baby in July! A. Allbright Painting was brought in as an expert to give advice on safe and environmentally friendly paint products. We recommended a product that has virtually no smell and is made from chicken eggs (collagen). This is a new product on the market that we have been trained in using.

We transformed their nursery, guest room, office and wine room. Other eco-friendly vendors on board to help are Crate & Barrel, Vinotemp and BabyUniverse.com. This episode will premiere on Wednesday, September 17th and rerun for the life of Clean House. Each episode will air approximately 5 times during the premiere week and, on average, 4 - 7 times each 60 - 90 days. (See showtimes.) We are excited to share this with you. Please feel free to give us a call if you have any questions or any need for eco-friendly paint advice.

    Expert advice on safe and environmentally friendly paint products. 

Set your Tivo for Clean House "The Gossett/ Flynn Family" episode.

Direct TV Channel 326 and Time Warner Cable Channel 130
Premiering tomorrow, Wednesday 9/17/08, 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM
Running again on Thursday 9/18/08

Clean House The Gossett/ Flynn Family - Niecy Nash and her team of experts give a young couple expecting a baby a green make-over.

Voted Favorite Painting Contractor in LA - Daily News “Readers Choice” - 2008

Thank you LA for voting for us.  We are very honored!

Here is the write up:

A.Allbright Painting, Inc. in Valencia, California, along with a dependable staff of approximately 35 employees, is now celebrating 21 years of Craftsmanship, Commitment and Creativity focused on residential and commercial painting.  They are passionate about giving their clients an experience they don’t expect from contractors.  They call it the “A.Allbright Experience” and that’s why they say “Expect Brilliance.”  They’re an Award Winning, Full Service painting company offering Exterior and Interior Painting, Custom Cabinet Refinishing, Faux Finishes, Carpentry, Venetian Plastering, Wallpaper Removal & Installations, Color Consultations (to help you pick the right color).  A.Allbright is proud to be the first painting contractor to receive accreditation in California by the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA).  Joshua Abramson, President of A.Allbright has made innovative contributions to the painting industry from writing industry articles, speaking around the country to developing One Step Estimating, a software program which has set the standard for the industry to help painting contractors estimate accurately and consistently.  Other accomplishments include being named the national “Who’s Who of Painting Contractors in 2007” by American Painting Contractor’s Magazine.  Their work has been featured in Sunset & California Homes Magazine, Extreme Home Makeover, etc…  It’s no wonder that the Los Angeles Daily News readers have named A.Allbright Painting “Best of LA, Readers Choice Favorite, Painting Contractor.”  Congratulations!

 

Becoming a “Green” Company Takes Time, Commitment on Many Levels

Many homeowners understand the inherent environmental risks of a home makeover.  Paint products emit gases known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and materials used by contractors can lead to excess buildup in local landfills. Recent developments, however, have allowed consumers and painting contractors increased opportunities to be more environmentally conscious when remodeling a home.  In order to be socially responsible, a painting company must adjust its business practices and help customers understand the importance of remodeling in the most environmentally friendly way possible. As a company that has always placed a high priority on corporate responsibility, A.Allbright Painting recently started examining its way of doing business and its effect on the environment.  As part of an industry known for using products that have the potential to produce harmful environmental effects, we examined ways that we could change to become more conscious of the world around us. In seeking to quantify our environmental impact, we know that the two greatest environmental impacts come from our fleet of vehicles, which emit tons of carbon dioxide annually, and the VOCs in the paints and similar products used by our company.   As a result of our Green Initiative, we are taking a number of steps in order to reduce the negative impact of our business on the environment.  We now use vehicles that are more environmentally sound, for example, our sales team drives Toyota Scions instead of trucks.  We work with local charities that have a need for our left over water-base paints. We just completed a high-profile 14 story building in Beverly Hills where we were able to recommend using a zero VOC paint with high performance characteristics.  This project used hundreds and hundreds of gallons of paint.  Our Green Initiative also includes a plan for office recycling.   As VOC usage is a concern, we will look at ways to use paints that have the lowest VOCs, yet are still effective for the job at hand.  Additionally, we are educating ourselves on which products, such as thinners and primers, contain the lowest VOCs, but will still yield the same results the job requires. Our commitment to the environment would not be possible without the involvement of all of our employees. They also have shown extraordinary enthusiasm for helping the company to take a leadership position in environmental responsibility. While we have made great strides in the implementation of our Green Initiative, we plan on stepping up our efforts in 2008 and beyond.  Our future plans include offering customers the option of using low-VOC paints, purchasing renewable energy for our offices and examining ways to clean paint brushes that will reduce environmental impact. Being an environmentally responsible company takes time, dedication and the participation of employees and customers alike.  In today’s world, however, it is a concept that is far too important to overlook. Josh is president and CEO of A.Allbright Painting, Inc., a residential painting contractor and color consulting company based in Valencia, California.

White Walls, Little Green - $

 

Problem:  White Walls, Little Green - $

Solution:  When budget is an issue, start in the room that’s used most. Adding color will provide a finished, functional space to relax. It is often a blessing not to be able to jump into all rooms immediately; having a grace period to familiarize yourself with your new home gives you a better idea of what colors you really want before making costly redo mistakes. A lot can be done in just one day. We have a program called “Painter For A Day” at a special rate that provides eight hours of quality painting craftsmanship to fit your needs.