Painting trim can dramatically enhance the overall look of a room, adding a crisp, clean, and finished appearance.  Whether you’re refreshing old trim or applying a new color, the right approach will ensure a professional result.  Here’s everything you need to know about painting trim:

 First, gather your materials.  You’ll need the following materials to paint the trim in your home.  (Or, simply hire the best painting company in your area as they’ll have all these supplies already on hand!)

• Primer
• Paint (satin or semi-gloss finish recommended)
• Painters tape
• Drop cloths
• Sandpaper (120-grit and 220-grit)
• Spackle (for filling holes) and Caulk (for gaps)
• Paintbrushes (angled brushes work best for trim)
• Putty knife
• Clean cloths
• Paint tray and liner

Preparation is key.  Prep for your trim painting project as follows:

1. Clean the Trim: Use a clean, damp cloth to remove any dust, dirt, or grime from the trim.  For particularly dirty areas, use a mild detergent and water.
2. Sand the Surface: Lightly sand the trim with 120-grit sandpaper to remove any gloss from the existing paint.  This will help the new paint adhere better.
3. Fill Holes and Gaps: Use spackle to fill any nail holes or dents in the trim.  Once the spackle is dry, sand it smooth with 220-grit sandpaper.  For gaps between the trim and the wall, use caulk to create a seamless finish.  If sanding and spackling seem like messy jobs, they are; it’s often best to simply hire the best local painting contractor and trust the job to the pros!
4. Tape Off Areas: Use painter’s tape to protect the wall and floor adjacent to the trim.  Make sure the tape is pressed down firmly to prevent paint from seeping under it.
5. Prime the Trim: Apply a coat of primer to ensure better paint adhesion and to cover any imperfections. Let the primer dry completely before moving on to painting.

Then comes actually painting the trim in your home.  Follow these steps to paint trim like a pro:

1. Choose the Right Paint: Satin or semi-gloss finishes are ideal for trim because they are durable and easy to clean. Select a high-quality paint for the best results.
2. Cut In with Care: Use an angled brush to “cut in,” or paint the edges of the trim first. This technique ensures that the paint gets into all the nooks and crannies.  Tip: Professional painters are experts at this, so don’t hesitate to hire high quality painters to do the job.
3. Paint the Trim: After cutting in, paint the flat surfaces of the trim. Apply paint in long, smooth strokes to avoid brush marks.  If necessary, apply a second coat after the first one has dried.
4. Remove Tape Carefully: Once the paint is dry, remove the painter’s tape slowly to avoid peeling off any paint.
5. Tips for a Professional Finish: Work in sections, painting one length at a time to maintain a “wet edge” and prevent brush marks. Also invest in high quality paint brushes!  Finding the best professional painters in your area and trusting the job to them is also a good tip – they’ll have quality brushes on hand.

Painting trim makes a big difference in the appearance of a room.  With careful preparation and the right techniques, you can achieve a flawless finish that enhances the beauty of your space.  If it seems like a daunting task, just call on the best professional painting company in your area and trust the professionals to take care of everything.

There are many good professional painters in Northeast Florida, but The Painting Craftsmen is the best painting company Jacksonville FL homeowners have relied on for years.  Our customers throughout Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, Atlantic Beach, Mandarin, and Riverside trust us to paint their homes – inside and out – and we’d love to paint yours as well!

When the time comes to hire a good professional painting contractor and freshen up your living room, bedrooms, or kitchen, you want to be sure you’ve chosen the right color for each room.  Perhaps you already have the ideal hue in mind, but in case you don’t, here’s a list of timeless paint colors for your home:

• Beige – Beiges remain popular and trendy as well as timeless and classic because of the flexibility they afford. The right beige brings warmth to the room and allows you the freedom to design and decorate in the way you want.
• Gray – Gray tones provide a classic look to the interior of any home. Regardless of the style or era of your home, there is a shade of gray that will look ideal on its walls.  If you’re not sure which gray is best for your home, all the best professional painting companies can provide insights and expertise on selecting the best interior paint color.
• White – As any good house painter will attest, white is a timeless choice for a reason – it looks good in any room, on any wall. White rooms allow you to have a “blank canvas,” and focus on the décor, including patterned fabrics, Oriental rugs, paintings and wall art, etc.
• Warm White – Warm whites add a layer of – well, warmth – to the home. If bright white is too stark for you, good professional painters like us recommend warmer whites to soften the feel of the room.

Choosing a classic or timeless color for the walls of your home can bring you a sense of peace.  After all, these tones are classics for a reason – they’ve stood the test of time and proven that they look good for the long haul.  This means that as long as the walls don’t get damaged by pets, kids, furniture, etc., you’ll likely be able to enjoy the new paint job for several years.  A good professional painting contractor will ensure the painting is done right, and you’ll be able to sit back and relax in your newly painted room.

There are many good local painting companies, but The Painting Craftsmen is the best professional painting company Jacksonville FL homeowners rely on for interior and exterior painting alike.  Our commitment to quality sets us apart, and we’ve taken care of homes throughout Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, Mandarin, Riverside, and throughout Jacksonville for years.  Our customers trust our eye for detail, commitment to high quality work, and our outstanding customer service.  When it’s time to paint your home, call on The Painting Craftsmen.

You’ve chosen the best exterior paint colors for the siding and trim, budgeted appropriately, picked up your supplies, and maybe even taken time off work for your big house painting project, and now you’re ready to begin.

The first part of any exterior house painting project is lots of prep work.  You’ll need to scrape, sand, caulk gaps, etc., but before you do any of that, there’s an important prep work step that cannot be skipped: pressure washing.

Many homeowners wonder, do I really need to pressure wash my house before painting?  What are the benefits of power washing a house before it is painted?  Here’s why it’s important to pressure wash your home before painting it:

1. Remove Grime – Pressure washing your home removes grime and buildup. Cobwebs, mold, mildew, insect nests, mud, sand, and salt are all removed with a high-quality pressure washing job, particularly when done by a good professional pressure washing company with the best quality equipment.  If you don’t power wash your house before painting, you’ll paint right over the dirt and debris, which can cause the coatings to fail.
2. Remove Old Paint – Pressurized water and cleaning solution will remove not only dirt and insect infestations, but also loose and peeling paint. When this peeling paint is washed away and removed by pressure washing, it will make it much easier for you to do subsequent prep work of scraping and sanding.
3. Review Repairs – After pressure washing your home’s exterior, all grime and loose paint will be removed, and you’ll be left with a “blank slate”, ready to prep and paint. Just as importantly, good pressure washing will reveal any areas of your house that are in need of repair prior to painting.  You’ll be able to more easily see rotten wood, holes, gaps, warped wood, rusted nails, and other areas that will need to be handled as part of the prep work.

Don’t skip the pressure washing.  Pressure washing cleans debris away from your home and gets it ready to receive primer, paint, or stain, and ensures those topcoats will adhere better and last longer.

Exterior house painting is a big project, and most homeowners opt to find the best local painting contractors to do the job.  Great painting companies employ great painters who know how to complete the multitude of prep work required, including pressure washing, and ensure the exterior painting looks great and is done correctly and thoroughly.

There are many great painting services in Northeast Florida, but The Painting Craftsmen is the best painting contractor Jacksonville FL homeowners trust with their homes.  Our commitment to quality and our eye for detail make us the trusted painting company in Mandarin, Ortega, Riverside, Southside, and throughout Jacksonville and the Beaches.  Give us a call and let’s get started planning your exterior painting project!

You’re getting tired of the same ol’ kitchen, but what’s the best way to update or refresh it?  A total renovation can cost a fortune, but a deep cleaning and a few new fixtures are not enough of an update.  The solution that more and more Riverside, Southside, Ponte Vedra, and San Marco homeowners are discovering is custom cabinet refinishing from The Painting Craftsmen!  Here’s the scoop on why our artisan cabinet refinishing services are a great way to update your kitchen:

• Easy – High quality cabinet refinishing companies make it easy for you to get the look you want for your kitchen. All you need to do is find the best local cabinet refinishing service, book a free estimate so you can meet with a member of the team and describe exactly how you want your updated kitchen cabinetry to look, review the estimate, and schedule the work!  Good painting and cabinet refacing companies take care of everything for you.  If you want new knobs and drawer pulls, we’ll order them for you.  If you want a specific color, we’ll get it mixed exactly how you want it.  All you need to do is let us know what you want, and we’ll take care of it!
• Affordable – Custom cabinet refinishing is the cost-effective way to redo your kitchen. A total renovation can cost a lot of money, especially in the current market where materials – in particular building materials – can be hard to locate, expensive to procure, and slow to be delivered.  Save money by calling on a high-quality professional cabinet refinishing company and let the craftsmen create the feel of a new kitchen by simply refacing or refinishing your cabinets!
• Total Customization – When you hire a good cabinet refinishing service to update your kitchen cabinets, you are in control of the outcome. Great cabinet refinishers provide total customization, which means you choose the paint or stain color, the design details, the hardware, everything.  More and more homeowners are choosing cabinet refinishing because they can customize the look they want for their own kitchens.

There are many great cabinet refinishers in the area, but the best cabinet refinishing company Jacksonville FL homeowners rely on is The Painting Craftsmen.  We specialize in cabinet refinishing and have honed our skills to perfection.  Give us a call and let’s get started on your kitchen cabinet refinishing project!

You know the bedrooms or living room in your home need to be repainted, or maybe even the entire exterior of your house needs a fresh coat of paint.  The next step is to choose the right colors, but how?  Use our tips for testing paint colors to find the best color for your home!

1. Determine the general tone you desire. Do you want a bold or dark color, or a neutral?  Do you want to stick with generally the same tone that’s already on the wall, or start fresh with a vibrant new color?  If you have a general idea of the value, intensity, and hue you want before you head to the paint store, you’ll be less likely to be overwhelmed by the color selection.
2. Use an app. There are many apps that allow you to upload a picture of your house or room and then apply different colors to the image to get a general idea of what the area would look like in a certain color.  These apps can be very useful, especially if you’re going into the repainting project with no idea what color to choose.
3. Confer with a professional. All the best professional painting companies offer help with color selection.  If you’re not sure what color will look best on your home’s exterior or in a particular room, and you don’t want to hassle with an app, call on a good local painting contractor and get input from the pros who work with paint every single day!
4. Choose your top picks. Zero in on your favorite colors and pick up swatches from the paint supply store.  Or you may choose to order a small sample can of each of your top color options.
5. Put color on the walls. Tape the swatches up on the wall, or if you ordered samples, apply a small amount of each color to the walls.  It’s best to apply the swatch or paint sample to several areas in order to see what the paint looks like in daylight, shade, next to certain objects, etc.  You need to get an idea of how the color will behave in all settings and scenarios.
6. Get second (or third) opinions. Once the swatches or paint samples are up, call in family members and trusted friends to help make the decision.  If you need yet another opinion, you can call on a local professional painting service and trust the pros to offer sound advice.
7. Make your decision! Once you’ve gone through these steps, it’s time to make your final decision.  Choosing which colors to paint your living room, bedroom, kitchen, or exterior is a big decision, but don’t get hung up on it.  You may need to just find the color you love and get painting!

More and more Northeast Florida homeowners are choosing to call on professional painters when the time comes for a fresh coat of paint.  The Painting Craftsmen is the best painting company Jacksonville FL homeowners rely on for repainting the exterior, applying a fresh coat to the interior, refinishing cabinetry, and more.  Our technicians are highly trained and skilled painting contractors with a passion for doing high quality work and taking care of customers.  Our customers in Ortega, San Marco, Southside, Riverside, and along the Beaches love the work we do, and we know you will too!

Ceilings are supposed to blend into the background and they can be all but forgotten until a water stain appears, or an area becomes discolored, or you have to make a repair.  When that time comes, how do you paint your ceiling the right way?  Our tips can help you plan your ceiling painting DIY project!

1. Gather your materials. You’ll need dropcloths, painter’s plastic, painter’s tape, rollers and roller covers, an extension pole, roller tray, and brushes.  You’ll also need a step ladder.  Of course you’ll also need to have your paint and primer on hand.  We recommend high quality interior latex primer and paint.  The paint should be flat or matte finish, and though white or very light neutral colors are generally recommended, there is still room to get creative in your color choice.
2. Cover and protect. Before you open the first can of primer, take the time to cover and protect the room. Move out any furniture you can and cover remaining furniture with painter’s plastic.  The more you clear out the room, the easier it will be for you to move around inside the room and set up your ladder and work unencumbered, and the less you’ll have to cleanup later.  Arrange canvas dropcloths over the floor and push the edge of the dropcloth all the way up to the wall trim.  Remove as much from the ceiling itself as possible.  For example, remove light coverings so that just the bulb is exposed, and remove vent covers.  You can cover fan blades to make cleanup easier after the project is finished.
3. Set up. Set up your ladder and be sure that between your ladder and the extension pole, you can safely reach all areas of the ceiling.  If there are areas you can’t reach, you’ll need to borrow or invest in a taller ladder, or hire a great local painting company to do the work – they’ll have all tools, ladders, and materials to do the job right!
4. Tape walls and features. (Note: If you’ll be painting the rest of the room, you can skip this step, since you’ll paint the walls when you’re done painting the ceiling.)  Use long strips of painter’s tape to mask off the wall where it meets the ceiling.  Press the tape firmly into place so that no ceiling paint seeps underneath the paint and onto the walls.  If you have exposed beams or other features on your ceiling, you’ll need to tape off these areas as well.
5. Apply primer. Don’t rush or skimp on the primer step!  The right high-quality primer will fill in dents and gaps, form a barrier against stains, and create a smooth surface for the paint to go over.  One coat of primer may be adequate, but let it fully dry and then assess the coverage; a second coat may very well be needed.
6. Apply the topcoat(s). If you chose a good primer and applied it well, you will likely only need to apply a single topcoat of ceiling paint.  Just like you did during the primer step, though, let the first coat fully dry and then assess it for coverage.
7. Put everything back. When you’re happy with your painted ceiling, put the room back in order.  Remove the tape, reinstall light fixtures or vent covers, roll up and either discard or launder dropcloths, and arrange your furniture back as you like it.  Then, sit back, look up, and admire your work!

Like any painting project, ceiling painting can be a breeze, or it can become a hassle, depending on how much time you have, how much patience you have, and what type of planning goes into your DIY project.  Skip the hassle altogether by calling on the best professional painting company in your area and letting the pros take care of the entire project!

There are many great painting contractors in town, but The Painting Craftsmen is the best painting company Jacksonville FL homeowners trust with their Mandarin, Atlantic Beach, San Marco, and Nocatee homes.  We love what we do, and we take great pride in transforming your home into a place you truly love.  When the time comes to paint your ceiling, or take care of other interior painting, exterior painting, or cabinet refinishing, trust the job to us!

Painting trim is detailed work and takes skill and precision to master.  Pro tips from an award-winning local painting company (us!) will help you achieve great results when painting the trim in your home!

1. Supplies – First, there are a few supplies you need on hand for any great paint job, including trim painting: sandpaper or sanding blocks (100- or 120-grit), putty and knife, painter’s tape, dropcloths, paint brushes, paint try and/or pail, and of course the paint itself (high quality interior latex paint).
2. Clean – You’ll need to clean the surface of the trim or else your hard work will be in vain and the paint won’t apply correctly. Use a dry cloth to wipe away spider webs and dust.  Follow with a damp cloth to clean away grime buildup.
3. Sand & Make Repairs – After cleaning, go over the trim with your sanding block or sandpaper. The purpose of this is primarily to dull down any shine, but it’s also good to smooth down any imperfections.  If you see nail holes, dents, or cracks, fill them with the putty and smooth them over as you go.
4. Painters’ Tape – Painter’s tape plays a key role in achieving crisp, clean lines in your paint job. Take the time to apply long strips of painter’s tape, usually at least several feet long, and press the tape firmly onto the wall next to the trim you’ll be painting.  Be sure to press hard so the tape adheres firmly and evenly to prevent trim paint from seeping onto the walls.
5. Coatings – If you’re painting bare, unpainted wood trim, you’ll need to first apply at least one coat of high-quality interior primer. Let the first coat dry, and if you still see bare wood, apply a second coat.  Once primer coats have dried, finish with a smooth coating of high quality interior latex paint.  You can pull up the painter’s tape while the paint is still wet.

Once you’ve applied your final topcoat, just stand back and admire your good work!  It’s amazing what a difference a great trim painting job can make to the look of the room, and thought it’s careful, time-consuming work, it’s well worth it when you see those crisp, clean lines and bright white trim!

Great local painting companies can take care of the interior painting for you, too, including all trim work.  There are many good Jacksonville FL painting companies, but The Painting Craftsmen is the best choice for high quality work that will last.  Our expert interior painters are known for their eye for detail and precision as well as efficiency, and we’re the trusted painting contractor to homeowners throughout Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach, Ponte Vedra, Riverside Avondale, San Marco, and Mandarin.  We specialize in high quality coatings and great customer service, so if you’d like the job done right, call on The Painting Craftsmen!

White is a perennial favorite ceiling color and almost always looks fine in any room.  However, there is no rule that says a ceiling must be painted white!  If you want to consider alternatives to white paint for the ceilings in your home, here are our top recommendations:

1. Bold Walls, Pale Ceiling – If you like going bold and have painted your walls a bold color, paint your ceilings a much lighter hue of the same wall color. Paint supply stores can add white to your wall paint color until you reach a tone you love for the ceiling.
2. Single Color – In the right conditions, namely in a room with a large window and high ceiling, paint all walls and ceiling – trim too – the same color to create a bold and striking look.
3. Above Trim – If you have a picture rail or chair rail, paint a darker tone below the rail and choose a paler hue of the same color above the rail and on the ceiling.
4. Blue Like Sky – Pale blue is a popular alternative to white, in part because it’s reminiscent of blue skies. If your walls are white or otherwise neutral but you’re looking for a pop of color, try a pale shade of blue or bluish green.
5. Yellow for Warmth – Painting your ceiling a yellow tone can add instant cheer to the room. If your kitchen has white cabinetry and walls, add a lively pop of color with a yellow ceiling.  Or to make a den or family room cozier, a pale gold or yellow tone on the ceiling adds warmth to the entire room.

When it comes to choosing wall paint and ceiling paint, your options truly are endless, and that can become overwhelming.  When you find the best painting company in your area, though, you can trust the professionals to take care of you throughout your project, including helping you select the paint colors and sheens you want for each room in your home.

The Painting Craftsmen is the best Jacksonville FL painting company and the trusted professional painters serving Atlantic Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Mandarin, Riverside and Northeast Florida.  Our highly trained technicians have an eye for detail and a passion for remaking your home into the home of your dreams.

A great paint job is the result of great planning, hard work, a lot of prep work, and high-quality tools and materials.  However, there are a few tools that are essential in giving your home a good looking and long-lasting paint job.  Here’s our list of the tools you need to paint like a pro:

1. Good Quality Paint Sprayer– If you’re painting your home’s exterior, you’ll wear yourself out if you try to paint the entire surface with a brush or even with a roller. Instead, a good quality paint sprayer will make the job go smoothly and efficiently.
2. Good Quality Brushes– For interior and exterior jobs alike, a high-quality brush makes a huge difference in how the paint goes on, and how the results look.Trim is neater and lines are cleaner when you have the control of a good brush, and a great brush will hold more paint and won’t leave bristles sticking to your newly coated walls.
3. Good Quality Roller Covers– A high quality roller cover will ensure your walls get coated evenly and efficiently. Just be sure to select the appropriate nap on the roller cover for the type of paint you’re using and the type of surface you’re needing to cover.
4. Extension Pole– By attaching your roller to the end of a good extension pole, you’ll be able to reach those high areas and may be able to get the job done without hauling ladders all around your house.
5. Painters Tape– Don’t just use masking tape when you tape off your work area.Paint will seep underneath general masking tape.  Instead, use painter’s tape that is specifically formulated to keep a crisp line and prevent paint from bleeding through.
6. High Quality Paint– Low quality paint is thin, runs down surfaces, spatters off your roller, and requires numerous coats. High quality paint is thicker, levels well as it’s applied, hides uneven surfaces and patched areas better, and covers primer generally in a single coat or in two coats at the most.

Skip the prep altogether and avoid spending hours of your precious time on a painting project by calling on a great professional painting company to take care of everything for you!  Homeowners in Riverside, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Mandarin, and throughout Jacksonville call on The Painting Craftsmen. We’re the best painting company Jacksonville FL homeowners trust for their painting projects, and we’re the best choice for your interior and exterior painting projects too!  Call our office to get started!

Part of each painting project planning involves selecting the right sheen level for the room.  You wouldn’t want a high gloss paint on the walls of your bedroom, or would you?  Is matte paint alright for the bathroom?  These are questions that most homeowners struggle to answer, so we’ve put together a quick list of the ideal sheen levels for each room in your home.

The best sheens for interior rooms:

• Kitchen: Eggshell, Low Lustre, Satin, Pearl, or Semi-gloss
• Bathrooms: Eggshell, Low Lustre, Satin, Pearl, or Semi-gloss
• Bedrooms: Flat, Matte, Eggshell, Low Lustre, Satin, or Pearl (TIP: Avoid painting Flat paint in young kids’ rooms – you won’t be able to successfully scrub away crayon marks or other toddler “wall art.”)
• Living Room / Dining Room: Flat, Matte, Eggshell, Low Lustre, or Satin
• Ceilings: Flat or Matte
• Trim: Satin, Semi-gloss, Gloss, or High-gloss
• Doors: Satin, Semi-gloss, Gloss, or High-gloss

The best sheens for your home’s exterior:

• Doors & Windows: Low Lustre, Satin, Pearl, Semi-gloss, Medium Lustre, Gloss, or High-gloss
• Trim & Accents: Low Lustre, Satin, Pearl, Semi-gloss, Medium Lustre, Gloss, or High-gloss
• Siding: Flat, Low Lustre, or Satin

Once you’ve decided on the best choices of paint sheen for your painting project, invest in high quality paint, do the required prep work, schedule the time on your calendar, and let the painting project begin!  Or, of course, you can trust your painting project to the best painting contractor in your area instead!

The Painting Craftsmen is the best painting company Jacksonville FL homeowners trust with their house painting projects. We specialize in high quality paint jobs done right.  Our technicians are highly trained and have extensive experience painting all types of homes.  Our expert Project Coordinator will even help you decide on the perfect sheen, color, and material for your specific project. If your Mandarin, Riverside, Avondale, San Marco, or Atlantic Beach home needs a fresh coat of paint, The Painting Craftsmen is the best local painting company and the best company for the job!