Alba Painting, LLC

Sterling Heights, MI

painting tips

5 Tips to Help You Improve Your Curb Appeal

Your home’s exterior is the first thing people see when they arrive at your home. Does your curb appeal make visitors regret coming, or invite them inside? Here are some tips that can help you improve your home’s curb appeal so all your guests feel the need to enter your home.

Add Flower Boxes

Brighten up the exterior of your home by installing flower boxes around the house. These boxes are not expensive and can be placed on your porch or windows. Once you have the boxes, next you will need soil and flowers. Don’t forget to water them!

Switch your Mailbox

Whether you have a mailbox on the street or attached to your house, a small upgrade here will make a big difference. This shows you pay attention to detail and care about the look of your home.

Plant a tree

There are many different tree types that can make your home more unique. A tree will help to freshen up your yard and if placed correctly and will match with your home perfectly.

Clean the yard

A clean yard is necessary for your curb appeal. This includes the grass, landscape, and driveway/sidewalk. A quick power wash will make your sidewalk and driveway look new again.

Apply a gallon of extra paint

If your exterior paint job is looking slightly patchy, an extra gallon of paint is a great way to fix it. Simply go over the bad spots and reapply paint.

Overall, the best way to improve your curb appeal is to get an exterior paint job done by a professional. When you’re ready to take that next step, give Alba Painting a call at 586-251-6563.

Surface Preparation Techniques to Help You Paint Like a Pro

Happy young family renovating their home, they are covering the furnishings with a protective plastic sheet and painting the walls, the boy is helping his mother

Alba Painting is sharing these painting preparation tips to make your next project easier than ever! Read our tips below to excel on your next project.

  1. Purchase higher quality materials
    If you’re painting a room in your home, you want it not only to look good, but you want it to last. A high-quality paint will not require extra coats, will look amazing on your walls, and will last longer. Combine that with a good brush and roller, and your paint job is bound to last beautifully.
  2. Cover your furniture and valuables
    If you have items in the room you don’t want paint on; drop cloths are the solution! These will protect items in your home from getting unwanted paint marks on them while you complete your project, and they won’t break your budget either. You are going to need a few of these to cover the floor and more.
  3. Patch up your walls
    Before you paint, it is essential to prep the surface you are painting to check for any cracks, holes, or marks that may cause issues. Grease or stained spots can be brushed with soap and water. Holes and damages can be covered in spackle and then sanded and painted over. If you don’t complete these crucial steps, then your paint job may be left looking unpleasant in those areas.
  4. Remove light and outlet covers
    This step is super easy and is essential to your project. Don’t leave areas behind the coverings unpainted. This will create more work for your next paint job and will look unprofessional.
  5. Wait for dryer days
    When the weather is humid and damp, paint takes longer to dry and drips more consistently. Avoid humid weather for the smoothest outcome on your paint job.
  6. Know your wall’s texture
    Walls with more texture will require a thicker nap on your rollers, and less texture will also require a thin nap. Keep this tip in mind when purchasing your paint supplies.
    Now that you are a painting expert, you are ready to begin your painting project. If you have any questions and need a painting professional, contact Alba Painting LLC! No project is too big or too small for our hardworking team. Call today at 586-251-6563!

How To Paint Your Ceiling

To most homeowners, painting may seem like an easy and fun weekend project. However, when it comes to painting your ceiling, it can be more complicated than expected. Read our tips below on how to paint your ceiling.

First, you will need to remove all furniture, if possible, to avoid damage. Then clean the ceiling of any dirt, bugs, or marks that you may see. If there are cracks or holes, repair them with a spackle. You will also need to remove any fixtures or hardware in your ceiling.
The next step to preparing your room is to place drop sheets and covers along the floor of your room and to cover any larger pieces of furniture that couldn’t be moved with a drop sheet. Then apply painters’ tape around the tops of your walls to protect them from being covered by a new coat of paint. Once it is ready and clean, you can begin to sand out the ceiling to be completely level and prepared to paint.

Now you are ready to start painting! First, you will need to prime and paint over any stains as they will be more challenging to cover. Next, paint the edges where your ceiling meets the wall with a brush and try your best not to get any paint on the walls.
After painting the edges with a brush, it is time to get rolling with a roller. Start in a corner and go back and forth slowly. Low nap brushes are best for smooth ceilings, and if you want a little texture, use a 1/2inch – 3/4inch nap brush. When rolling your ceiling, do not paint over the same spots to avoid overlapping. Once you have completed your first coat, do the same thing again for a second coat, this will ensure there are no spots or blotches that a guest could notice.
Thank you for checking our painting tips this week! Call Alba Painting LLC today if you need professional painting services.