Whether you’re making a change in your own home or doing a project on another, you can’t go wrong with adding trim. The word “trim” refers to almost every applied decorative element you can think of. Baseboards, door and window coverings, chair rails, picture rails and crown molding. Trim can increase a home’s value and resale value. It adds visual interest and is an inexpensive way to bring beauty to your home. It can give it an upscale feel if that’s the look you’re going for.

Crown Molding

Crown molding makes any room look nicer. Crown molding is sometimes used to dress up the joint where the wall meets the ceiling, and various decorative trim that can include chair rail, and picture molding. These are used to add interest to walls or ceilings. Consider the style of your home and the height of your ceiling. Ceilings that are 10 feet or higher should use the rule of thumb and allow 1” of width for each foot of ceiling. This is just a guide though. You can still have crown molding with a low ceiling just keep it to scale with the room. Sometimes you can combine more than one type of molding for the look you want. If you have a uniform ceilings throughout your home then using the same molding will create a nice flow. If you have different heights of ceilings in your home then you could go with a different ones in a couple of areas.

Baseboards and Casings

The purpose of baseboards is to cover the joint between the wall surface and the floor. Baseboards protect the bottom of the wall from such things as a wet mop or a vacuum cleaner. They’re also meant to cover the uneven edge of flooring next to the wall while protecting the wall from kicks, abrasion, and furniture. Case molding is the trim that is used around a doorway, window or archway and defines the overall character of a room. It is often times the most visible part of the trim and are primarily used to cover the gap between drywall and the door or window frame. There are 4 types of casings. Low-profile casings lay flat against the wall and give a finished look. High-profile casings lay flat and are layered to create more depth. The modern casings are minimal and have clean lines that blend rather than standout. The traditional look is simple in style and similar to low-profile because they usually lay flat.

Pulling It All Together

Trim can be nailed, screwed or glued to the wall. After the installation is complete it should be cleaned and sanded. Any holes, dents and cracks should be filled and smoothed out. The walls are taped and the trim is painted. A well-trimmed room is something special and the baseboards, casing and crown all relate to each other in their style, proportions, sizing and finish. Done well it gives the appearance that this home is well-crafted and solid.

Trim Installation, Interior & Exterior Painting, Color Consulting & More in in Katy, Stafford, Tomball & Houston Texas

Poorly installed trim can make a home look cheap. If it’s done right and is well kept it will benefit the value of any home. Contact A&E Painting & Renovations today to have trim add beauty to your home!

When it comes to painting the ideal situation is to get it done quickly and with beautiful results. You want the finished product to be worth the time and effort it took. Many people ask themselves, “Should I use primer, or can I forget this step?” Primer is a relative of paint and gets overlooked a lot. The idea of primer can be confusing and has only gotten more confusing with the creation of paints that include primer. Just like makeup foundation allows for a flawless finish of your makeup, paint primer does the same for surfaces. It works to seal the surface so the paint will adhere to the surface rather than soak into the wall. If you’re not planning on using professionals then there are things you need to know about primer.

Primer Acts like Glue

When primer is applied it’s not so much about the coverage, it’s more about the adhesion. If you want the paint to stick to the walls then primer is what will make it happen. If you are painting surfaces that are cracking or peeling then you’ll need primer first. You will also need primer if you’re painting a surface that hasn’t been painted before. If you’re trying to cover a bold color you may need primer.

Primer Can Hide Flaws

Primer works great to cover stains and smells. It will block the smell of grease and cigarette smoke. Choose a stain blocking primer regardless of the color you’re trying to cover. These primers will ensure your walls not only look good but smell good too.

Primer Hides Repairs

Areas that have been repaired with spackle or new texturing will need primer before they are painted because spackled areas will be noticeable. To get a seamless look with the paint you’re using you’ll need primer.

Different Paint Jobs & Primer

The paint project will help you determine whether or not you should use primer. Is there a lot of moisture in the area? Is the area glossy? If so, primer is needed. There are different types of primer depending on the project so consult with the experts at the store about the kind of primer you’ll need.

What about Paint + Primer?

Paint + primer became popular about a decade ago. The idea was to have an all-in-one paint. These formulas of paint have gotten better with newer technology and can save lots of time while also providing a beautiful result.

A Final Primer Tip

When you buy your primer ask them to add a little bit of umber to it. This will make the primer a light gray color and will accentuate any imperfections. This giver you one last shot at fixing it before the final coat of paint goes on.

Interior & Exterior Painting, Color Consulting & More in in Katy, Stafford, Tomball & Houston Texas

Using primer can be confusing. If you want to hand the job over to professional painters then contact A&E Painting & Renovations to complete the job. Give us a call today!