This past week my daughter was the art teacher for the day at her school. We won it for her at the school auction because we know how much she loves painting and being creative. So all weekend, we heard how much she enjoyed it and it got me thinking just how important painting is for a new home. Unless you're planning to do faux painting or murals, it may not be as creative as my daughter's work or as refrigerator worthy, but paint is crucial and all paint jobs on new homes are not created equal.
So what's important to know about paint on a custom home in Tampa. Here's my list:
- Moisture Barrier & Sealant: Most people don't realize it, but a home's exterior paint is its protection from the elements, specifically water. Of course, the roof, windows and doors are important, but it is the paint on the stucco or siding that is equally or more important. That's why a good elastomeric coating is critical. These sort of exterior paints, which are typically acrylic, have the ability to stretch. So when a home's materials expand and contract, this paint continues to protect the home without cracking.
- Name Brand: There are a lot of different brands of paint. That's why I feel it's important to get a brand that is durable and will last. We use Sherwin-Williams paints. Most builders use cheaper builder grade paints that end up needing repainting 2-3 years after a home is completed. That's simply not what most people expect or want.
- Reliable Installers: I think I could say this for any area of home construction, but just because you use a good product doesn't mean a thing, unless you have a good installer. Nothing is truer than with painting. I've seen a lot of shoddy paint jobs that are due to poor installation. Sometimes it's poor coverage of the material and other times it's simply an unsteady hand.
- Prep Work: There is a lot of prep work that goes into a good paint job. Plenty of caulking, sanding and cleaning. So if poor quality caulk is used or the surfaces aren't clean and smooth, you can guess the quality of the paint job.
- Staining: Yes, I know it's not painting, but it's typically done by the painter, so it makes my list. When you get the right brand (Minwax for our homes), good installers, and the prep work is done well, proper stain work really comes down to being patient. For example, it can take a bit of trial and error in order to match the stair treads to the hardwood floors. Even when these are the same wood species, it's always a challenge that takes time to get right.
I believe that a new home's painting really makes it special. It is the finishing touch that everyone sees. Not only does it allow a homeowner to be creative (maybe not as much as my daughter), but it is a barrier against the elements. As a card-carrying skeptic, I have to say that not all builders feel the same way, so if you are considering building a new home in Tampa, ask the builders about the items above. The answers may surprise you.
Jon Solomon
Comments(0)