Painting & Decorating

INTERIOR PAINTING

• Fine Painting
• Decorative Custom Painted Finishes
• Gilding
• Lacquering
• Venetian Plaster
• Wood Staining and Finishing
• Wood Graining
• Distressing
• Drywall and Plaster Work
• Water Damage Restoration
• Wallpaper Removal & Hanging
• Paint Removal
• Complete Spray Painting Services
• Finish Carpentry
• Concrete Floor Finishing

EXTERIOR PAINTING

• Fine Painting & Staining
• Paint Removal
• Entry and Garage Door Refinishing
• Rot Repair and Replacement
• Sash Restoration
• Power Washing
• Shutter Replacement
• Garden Furniture Restoration
• Storm/Screen Restoration and Replacement
• Deck & Fence Cleaning, Repair, and Finishing

CONSULTATION SERVICES

Color and decorating consults are standard inclusions when you employ our firm for the execution of your work. However, we also offer these services separately upon request. In addition, Steve Ragsdale offers paint failure consultations, and both Grace & Steve are trained to test for the presence of Lead Based Paint. Grace is also a certified REGREEN trained professional, and offers green consulting and project management services. All consultation services are billed at an hourly rate – please call for details.

Check out our Photo Galleries to view examples of our work!

LEVELS OF SURFACE PREPARATION OFFERED

When it comes to the upkeep of one’s home, deferred maintenance of surfaces often results in more costly repairs down the line.

In order to better accommodate our clients’ varying levels of painting and decorating needs, we have decided to formally offer five different levels of surface preparation in the work that we do.

These levels were developed around the Painting & Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) Surface Preparation Standards and are as follows:

Level 1 (Basic)

This surface preparation level requires basic cleanliness of surfaces to ensure the adhesion of new finishes to the surfaces to which they are applied. Preparation includes the removal of surface dust, dirt, obvious loose paint and other surface contaminants by washing, light power washing or pressure washing, hand cleaning including the use of a duster brush or broom, and mildew treatment. This level of preparation ensures that subsequently applied coats of paint will adhere to existing paint coats. This level of surface preparation does not warrant that previously applied paint coats are well adhered to each other or are well adhered to the substrate. Under this level of preparation no alteration of the existing surface profile shall be attained. This level of surface preparation is normally recommended only on sound or slightly deteriorated surfaces.

 Level 2 (Standard)

This surface preparation level requires basic cleanliness of surface to ensure the adhesion of new finishes to the surfaces to which they are applied, as well as the examination of existing coatings to assess their adhesion. With this level of surface preparation, good adhesion and longevity of finish is of primary concern and appearance is of secondary concern. This level of surface preparation includes that described in Level 1 plus other procedures necessary to create a sound surface for repainting including solvent cleaning, basic patching/filling, caulking, light sanding/abrading, and “feather edge” sanding. Under this level of surface preparation, Adhesion by Tape Tests are performed to assess the adhesion of previously applied paints. When poor results are obtained at isolated locations, then more aggressive surface preparation methods including power tool cleaning, high pressure washing and hydroblasting, chemical stripping and abrasive blasting may be recommended at these isolated locations. If it is determined that the poor adhesion of existing coatings is not isolated, but is widespread, then Restoration/ Resurfacing is required. Under this level of preparation the surface profile is not altered unless due to the removal of unsound previously applied paint, and that only obvious existing defects causing abrupt surface profile differences exceeding 1/8 inch or 125 mils will be corrected. This level of surface preparation is normally recommended only on sound, slightly deteriorated and moderately deteriorated surfaces.

 Level 3 (Superior)

This surface preparation level incorporates the requirements of Levels 1 and 2 with added emphasis on the quality of appearance of finish painted surfaces. This level of surface preparation includes filling, patching, taping cracks in drywall and properly dealing with “nail pops,” approximate matches to existing textures, and thorough sanding to minimize existing runs, sags, brush/roller marks, and the surface profile of cracked and peeling areas, and other existing surface defects. Under this level of preparation the general surface profile is retained but defects causing abrupt surface profile differences exceeding 1/16 inch or 62.5 mils will be corrected. This level of surface preparation is normally recommended only on sound, slightly deteriorated and moderately deteriorated surfaces.

Level 4 (Supreme)

This surface preparation level incorporates the requirements of Levels 1, 2 and 3 with even more emphasis on the quality of appearance of finish painted surfaces. Under this level of surface preparation, all necessary preparation techniques will be employed to improve the quality of appearance except Restoration/ Resurfacing. Thorough filling and sanding will be accomplished to eliminate defects causing abrupt surface profile differences exceeding 1/32 inch or 31 mils. This level of surface preparation is normally recommended only on sound, slightly deteriorated and moderately deteriorated surfaces. 

Level Five (Restoration/Resurfacing)

This degree of surface preparation is required when existing conditions indicate that the surfaces are severely deteriorated or there is substrate damage. Existing coatings may be completely, or nearly completely removed (for example stripping to repaint rather that stripping to stain). Abrasion, chemical removers or applied heat may be employed in order to remove a failed coating and/or to expose a failing substrate. Substrates may have to be completely replaced, repaired or resurfaced

PRODUCTS OFFERED

Benjamin Moore, our preferred paint provider, offers a wide variety of products to accommodate our clients’ needs. Feel free to explore available options by using Benjamin Moore’s “Product Selector”, or just leave it to us! Our knowledgable staff knows how to pick the right product for the job!

Our preferred product lines include:

Aura is a low VOC, self-priming product and is available as an Interior product in matte, eggshell, satin and semi-gloss sheen levels, as an Exterior product in flat, low lustre and semi-gloss sheen levels, and as a special Bath & Spa product (matte finish).

Regal Select is a low VOC product and is available as an Interior product as a primer and in flat, matte, eggshell, pearl and semi-gloss sheen levels. As an Exterior product, it is available in flat, low lustre and semi-gloss sheen levels.

Advance is our favorite low VOC product for trim, delivering a comparable finish to traditional oil-based trim products. It is available as a primer and in satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss sheen levels.

Arborcoat is our top choice for waterborne exterior stain solutions. It is available as a clear coat or in transparent, semi-transparent, translucent, semi-solid or solid colors.

 If you’re hiring below your standards because you think you can’t afford the best – think again! Give us a call – we are confident that we can work up a plan that fits within your budget while maintaining the integrity and aesthetics of your home.

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