In the past few years “green” eco-friendly buildings have been receiving a lot of notice. Most of this attention has been directed at constructing new green buildings. But those wanting to restore an older house or business are also finding more products and services available to them. Cork flooring was used extensively in mid-century homes and is popular again today as a green alternative.Photo courtesy of Arciform LLC Refurbishing older cabinets, rather than replacing them... more

A common reason for re-painting is the desire for a fresh, clean surface. But simple repainting will not remedy the most common cause of paint discoloration: mildew. Mildew is the common name used to describe mold and its discoloration, which often appears as black, green, or brown fuzzy, powdery, or slimy patches. Since mold is a parasitic fungus its web-like body can eat through and into porous painted surfaces.... more

Knowing when to paint is just as important as knowing what to paint. Painting under the best weather conditions, at optimum temperatures, and allowing adequate drying time ensures good surface adhesion. Low temperatures and rain Obviously, paint is not going to stick when it is raining. But, it is best to stop painting at least eight hours before anticipated showers. Some paint can labels go further, advising stopping 24... more

We have all heard the stories about the professional painter who comes to a site, eyeballs it, and knows exactly how much paint to buy. Professional painter and author Jack Luts (The Complete Guide to Painting Your Home) claims to always know how much paint will cover the exterior of a home by counting the rooms and hallways inside a home. His single-coat exterior formula is to allow one gallon of paint for each room in... more

Color by the Size Color is the least expensive way to remodel a room to fit any lifestyle. Before beginning any interior painting project, size up the room — don’t just measure the area to be painted — but decide if the space should feel expansive or cozy. Color is a subtle, yet fundamental, design element. When used properly it changes the room from a space to an experience. Color and harmony... more

Interior painting is probably the least expensive (per square foot) home improvement project you can do. There are three types of paint used for interiors: flats, satins, and semi-gloss. Flats and satins are generally used in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. A word of caution: flat paints do not stand up well in high traffic areas and they do not clean up well if dirt or smudges appear. It is not recommended to use... more

Both interior and exterior architectural coatings fall into two general categories: latex or water-based paint or oil-or alkyd-based paint. Contractors and do-it-yourselfer’s select latex for its good performance and ease of use. Latex moved from 30% to 35% of paint sales in the 1970’s to over 80% of architectural coatings sold today. While the pigments in latex and oil-based paints are often the same, different... more

Knowing that you’re doing right by Mother Earth is now as easy as opening a paint can. But not just any paint can. The Horizon line of zero-VOC interior and low-VOC exterior, paint from Rodda Paint, is the only complete line of paint to earn certification from Green Seal® the national organization that certifies high-performing products that are environmentally responsible. ”Demand for our Horizon paint has increased as our customers become more conscious of using products that are environmentally... more