One great inexpensive decorating style is to keep the main walls in your house white or off-white and decorate with bright “summery” colors or with two complementary or contrasting colors such as tangerine and teal, or violet and yellow. This technique is great for keeping a room light and simple, but also modern and personalized. One of the most uplifting color combinations is yellow and turquoise. These two colors together create a fun and “beachy” atmosphere.

A few different ways you can use accent colors in a room is to:

• create an accent wall
• intall white chair rail and paint the higher wall an accent color
• use decorating items like pillows, throw rugs, curtains or flowers
• or paint some decorative items in a room, such as a end table

If you would like help with color consultations, or if you’re ready to paint and would like a free estimate, give Lancaster Painting a call at 209-634-1111. We serve Modesto, Turlock and the surrounding areas of Central Valley.

There are two categories of deck preservatives used by house painters and homeowners: sealers and stains.

• Sealers are typically translucent and come in completely clear and tinted varieties.

Clear sealers have no colorant, but they absorb deeply into wood and work as a waterproofing agent. While clear sealers are useful in preventing cracking, they do not block UV rays, so your wood deck will still fade over time. For effective protection, professional painters recommend reapplying this product once each year.  This type of protection will also build up over time with multiple applications.

Tinted sealers work similarly to clear sealers, but have more protective characteristics. Because tinted sealers have some colorant added, they are more resistant to UV rays and do not fade as quickly as clear sealers. This is the most common product used on most decks, since it provides good protection against graying and cracking while allowing the natural grain of the wood to show through.  The darker the color of the tint, the more protection against graying the product provides.  Tinted sealers usually last 2 years on decks, and up to 4 years on vertical surfaces such as fences or railings.

• Stains are closer to paint than sealers in the way they function. While they do slightly absorb into wood, stains remain closer to the surface and create a film barrier. All stains have water-repelling properties built in, but they also provide more coloration to outdoor woodwork. Stains range from semi-transparent (clear enough to see the wood grain) to dark solids; they can come in nearly any color, and typically last 3-5 years.

Semi-solid stains are much like semi-transparent stains, except that they have a deeper color and show less of the natural wood grain. They provide longer protection and can also be tinted in nearly any color.

Solid stains are practically indistinguishable from paint; the primary difference is that solid stain doesn’t have a sheen or reflect light. Providing a thick, colored film, solid stains can be made to match or coordinate with the colors of your home siding. Just like paint, they must be applied in two coats, and they typically retain their strength and color for 4-5 years.

One final consideration in choosing a deck preservative is whether to use oil or latex/water-based products. We recommend using latex products since they are better for the environment, are easier to apply and clean, and are less likely to grow mildew.

Lancaster Painting offers professional painting services throughout Central Valley. As an experienced painting contractor, we have the knowledge and skills to protect your deck and home exterior. We gladly service the Turlock, Modesto and the surrounding regions of Central Valley.

The answer is: if the paint is mixed properly, the color should remain true to the color swatch when applied to a surface. However, there are a few environmental and psychological factors that can affect the actual color and the color’s appearance.

Environmental factors include:

• 

  same color, different sheen

  Light. Both the type of light and amount of light can affect color. Natural, incandescent, fluorescent, LED and halogen lighting will all slightly alter the way a color appears in a room. For instance, some lighting will cast blue tones whereas others might cast yellow tones. Therefore, it is very important to choose a color in the prospective room’s natural lighting.

• Sheen. The type of finish you choose also affects the color. Flat paint has a chalky appearance in finish, absorbs light, and can make a color look slightly lighter than the swatch color.  Glossy paint will typically make a color look darker because the sheen will reflect the light, causing the color to be darker.  Eggshell or Matte generally stays very close to the swatch color because it neither reflects nor absorbs light.

Psychological factors include:

• Metamerism. This is the scientific word for when our eyes play tricks on us. This phenomenon is when colors look different to the viewer under different circumstances. When selecting paint colors, we automatically compare colors to the surrounding shades and colors. For the most true impression of a color and its value, look at color individually either by paint-sampling or by using large single swatches when selecting a color.
• Comparison. We also might psychologically compare a color to what the wall is currently. Hold a paint chip up under a yellow or red wall, and the color will automatically change to your eye. This is another effect of metamerism. Look at a color against a white background or against your trim color for the truest representation of your color selection.

If you have any additional questions, give Lancaster Painting a call at 1-800-PAINTING. We service Turlock and the surrounding cities of Central Valley.

Since most standard paints are filled with VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) and harmful metals, these paints can jeopardize air quality in a home. Paints that contain strong VOCs have been proven to be potentially carcinogenic. Paints used in the home are now required to meet state regulations for safety, however, some paints still contain these harmful chemicals.

Using Low or No-VOC paint ensures a healthy atmosphere for your home. Eco-friendly paints are highly-recommended for nurseries, bedrooms, kitchens, and rooms with high-occupancy.

If you are concerned with the performance of green paints, rest assured that these paints are getting better all the time. Benjamin Moore’s Natura® and Sherwin Williams Harmony® are both Zero-VOC paints with great durability and longevity.

Choosing paints can be a complicated decision, so be sure to discuss it with your professional painting contractor or retailer who will know all the current options that are available.

If you have any further questions, call Lancaster Painting at 209-634-1111. We provide professional and quality painting services to Turlock, Modesto and the surrounding cities in Central Valley.

This year’s chosen recipients are Roy and Bobbie Baker, of Turlock, who have dedicated more than 15 years of their lives to serving children through foster care. Opening up their home and showing unconditional love to vulnerable and sometimes difficult children, they have shown true character and dedication.

According to Aspiranet, the nonprofit organization that the Bakers work with, Roy and Bobbie “are two of the most giving and kind people you can meet.” They work with children of all ages, providing individual care and attention to their various needs. While Roy has a full-time job outside the home, Bobbie devotes all of her time to serving the children that are placed into their home. They provide such a caring, accepting environment that many of their former foster children continue to keep in contact and visit them.

Because of their faithful service to children in need, Roy and Bobbie have not taken the time or money to perform some of the exterior updates and maintenance that it could use. We at Lancaster are excited for the opportunity to help them out in this way, and our crews and volunteers will be arriving at their home this Saturday, February 25, for a day of fun and service!

Keep tuned for more details! We will post pictures after the event.