Don't skimp on the quality of Paint you use!

If you’re tempted to save a few dollars by trading down to a lower quality interior paint, it’s important to know what you’re giving up in the process.

Here are 12 reasons top quality 100% acrylic latex interior paints are worth the money:

• Better adhesion. The superior “binder” in these paints helps them grip any surface.
• Better hiding capability. Top quality paints can often conceal the color below in fewer coats, saving the time and money needed to apply additional coats of paint.
• Better spatter resistance. These paints are less likely to throw off flecks of paint while you’re applying them.
• Better flow and leveling. Top quality paints go on evenly; brush and roller marks tend to flow out and become unnoticeable.
• Better touch-up. If you have to touch up your paint job at a later date, it won’t be noticeable when using a top quality paint.
• Better stain resistance. These paints tend to keep dirt and grime from sinking in, making for easy cleaning.
• Better scrub resistance. Even if you have to scrub hard to remove a stubborn stain, top quality paint is tough enough to take the scrubbing without damaging the surface of the paint.
• Better burnish resistance. Lower quality paints get shiny when they’re scrubbed; top quality paints have less of a tendency to do so.
• Better block resistance. Ever notice how it’s hard to open a window after it’s been painted? Top quality paints are less susceptible to sticking.
• Better print resistance. Windowsills and other face-up surfaces can be imprinted when objects are placed on them. When painting horizontal surfaces, use of a top quality paint in an eggshell (rather than a glossier) sheen will minimize this problem.
• Better mildew resistance. If you don’t like mildew, don’t compromise on paint quality.
• Better fade resistance. You’ll probably sweat bullets choosing just the right paint color. Make sure your color lasts by using a fade-resistant top quality 100% acrylic 

  

In the Remodeling business people always are concerned about "how much is it going to cost", and rightly so. Remodeling cost can be high depending on what your project is.

Families want their Remodeling projects done and want their home to Sparkle. Never fear help is here! There is an answer to the question  "is there a way for me to save  gobs of money on my home improvement dream and not skimp on quality?

Why Contractors off season is best time to do a project                 

The demand for work is typically is early spring to mid-November. It gets very busy at the beginning of spring because people are itching to get things done. Thus the Demand is heavy and supply can be low for qualified contractors. The law of Supply and demand goes in effect, and prices go up.

Planning ahead will save big bucks! So, If you are on a budget and want to get things done the best time to remodel is not necessarily a "when: but a "what will save me the most money". 

If you plan ahead you will reap the rewards of some extra cash in your pocket and an amazing remodeling project. First of all start looking for your contractor in the spring/summer when everyone else does. 

1. Contact that company and see if they offer or are willing to do you work on the "off Season". If not go to the next person you feel confident in. Do this until you find someone you trust to work with you on price
2. Best time to get best price would be suggesting that project start between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Caution: If you feel that you can put up with the stress of home remodeling during the holiday season, it may be well worth it to your pocketbook. At the same time if you have a little ones running around you might want to negotiate for just after the holidays say first or second week in January. You should still be able to enjoy some great saving.
3. MORE SAVINGS: If you plan on this early enough you can also start gathering your material if you are supping them. For most stores change of season brings clearance items. The home improvement industry is no different. Big box stores have to make room for the new products and you can find some fantastic items at some great prices. Save your receipt in case what you buy is broke or doesn’t work. Make sure it is returnable and make sure there is no time limit to return or it is in the time frame the work will be completed.  
4. Our company Affordable Luxury Painting and Remodeling encourages "winter work" We would be happy to work with you within your budget in most cases. Please visit our website at aluxurypainting.com
5. or call us at 630-664-4333 email: renexpros@gmail.com

Help for tired worn out cabinets!

Spring is here and thinking about getting a new kitchen, but just now quite ready to make the investment. Never fear help is on the way. With a little bit of elbow grease and some tenacity you can make those old cabby's look new in a jiffy!

Sure its going to take some time but if you stay with it you will be spending what you saved on a fun vay-cay!

So here we go with our step by step guide

1. Clean cabinets with tsp. found in all home improvement stores. Make sure cabinets are decreased.
2. Lightly sand
3. Prime, let dry at least 30 hours use a FOAM ROLLER to prime with. THIS WILL GIVE YOU THE SMOOTHEST FINISH.
4. After 30 hours Sand with lower grit sand paper than you used in step 2
5. after sanding take a few "tac clothes" (sold at Manards/home improvement stores) and wipe down getting all dust off of cabinets.
6. Put second layer of Primer
7. Let cure for at least 24 hours.
8. Sand again use tact cloth again.
9. Start painting first coat again use a foam roller for smooth finish
10. Let first coat cure for 24 hours or longer
11. Sand with fine grit paper and wipe down with tact cloth
12. Paint second coat. use foam roller and let cure for at least 24 hours.
This should be enough unless you want to do a 3 coat, follow same procedures.

We like using Duration paint for cabinets in eggshell finish
you can also use Rustolium or other name brand cabinet paint. A little shine is best can even use a semi gloss. Rustolium has nice products for cabinets.

If you feel up to it take doors down and set up a "painting area". You can do all priming, sanding and 1st coat of paint. You can even change the hinges if you want to to modernize!

Look up ideas and suggestions on "painted cabinets" There are no rules, so have fun creating something personalized and interesting or if you just want a quick refresh this project will be a breeze.
Good luck
Laura Mesich

Summer time fun time!

Ah . . . living in the Chicagoland area is sure a lot of fun. I mean with in a 40 mile radius we have access to great fun. We have Lake Michigan, great museums, zoos, food, country roads, miles of forest and natural habitats, and many awe inspiring places to visit.

The downside  is we only have about 3 months to enjoy all of these amazing  places and to get all of our summer home improvement projects done. Do we stay home all weekend and pull weeds, paint the garage, and powerwash the house or go to Great America????

We have a  few tips to not spend your short few weeks we have left of Summer breaking your back to to strike a balnace between summer chores and summer fun.

1. Break task down to a certain time limit. For example if you want to weed your landscaping. Set a time and stick to it. You be surprised what even 15 min. can do.

2. Buy tools that can help. You can cut down on cost if you look in to used equipment. Sites like Craigslist, yahoo groups and facebook can get you what you need on the cheap. I posted I wanted to buy a screen tent for camping on Facebook and a friend offered to borrow me hers! I save $$$ for a item I need only 1 time.

3. Look for High School kids to help. They might be looking for some quick cash. Some kids might be trying to make money for camp or mission work this can provied a win win situation for everyone.

4. Make a plan so you don't bite off more than you can chew. Stay focused and don't get overwhelmed. Who wants to spend all weekend working on their house!
break it up into manageable task and striking a balance between getting it all done in our short season and having fun!

5. Hire a pro to help you out. Even if it is a few tasks it can help. Set a budget and see what you can get done with that dollar amount! Seek help for things you don't know how to do or you don't like doing. In the long run it my "pay" to pay someone to do the things that you can do yourself.

For example, we had a person call our company Affordable Luxury Painting and Remodeling to do a repair on something they could of taken care of themself, but didn't have a tall enough ladder. They would have rented a ladder, but they had no way to transport it with out renting a truck. They could have gone to Home Depot and rent one of their trucks, but the time and money and energy it would take just seemed exausting so, it was easier and more efficient to hire a pro.

The time is ticking in Chicagoland, but by thinking through all the options, making a realistic plan you can easily make progress on you "summer to-do list" and enjoy the rest of the fun summer activites!

The color of the moment GRAY! - Illinois Blogs - Naperville Patch, IL

The color of the moment GRAY! - Illinois Blogs - Naperville Patch, IL

The color of the moment GRAY! - Illinois Blogs - Naperville Patch, IL

The color of the moment GRAY! - Illinois Blogs - Naperville Patch, IL

Do it yourself Painting!

With easter fast approaching, isyour home company-ready? If not, there’s still time to do something about it. You can dramatically upgrade your décor in just a weekend – or even a day — by doing some interior painting. And this type of remodeling is affordable even in the gift-giving season, typically costing a do-it-yourselfer less than $100 a room.

Why is it that we tend to spot the deficiencies in our décor just before family and friends are due to arrive?

In the throes of day-to-day living, most of us become somewhat blind to the condition of our rooms, including their color. But when it really counts, we take a harder, more critical look. All too often, we don’t like what we see. When that happens, we are left with a couple of options: We can panic. . . or paint!
Nothing changes the appearance of a home interior faster, or more effectively, than a fresh coat of interior paint. And, giving a room an entirely new appearance at holiday-time will help lift your spirits and that of your guests.
What’s especially nice about painting just prior to the holidays is that you can even choose colors that are just right for the season, as long as you’ll still love them when the day is done.

Assuming that your pre-holiday painting is focused on rooms that will be filled with people, keep in mind that paints with higher levels of sheen will be more stain-resistant and easier to clean. Certainly the woodwork, but even the walls, in gathering spots like the kitchen, kids’ playroom, and rec room should be done with semi-gloss paint. To make cleaning even easier, be sure to use 100% acrylic latex interior paint.
And keep in mind that top quality latex paint offers another nice advantage: It’s a “green” product with very low odor; plus, any minor odor it does have will dissipate very quickly. Even if you paint only a short time before your guests arrive, no-one will catch a whiff of it!

I suggest that to save money do your bedrooms your self. Have the pros (that would be us) paint the "company" areas. Family room, kitchens, baths people use. These are the rooms you want to look professional.