Best Practices From An Exterior Painting Contractor In Chevy Chase
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Since 1989, we have been an exterior painting contractor in Chevy Chase. We have had the honor of painting thousands of homes in Montgomery County.
When you reach out to us for a free estimate, you’ll quickly realize that we are not just another painting contractor. We are passionate about what we do, and with our 35 years of experience, we are committed to understanding your unique needs and delivering the results you desire. Whether you are preparing to sell your home or have a registered historic home, we are here to guide you with our knowledge and experience.
We understand it is difficult to evaluate a few painting proposals and determine which job will look the best and last the longest. It’s like looking at a cooked steak and choosing which has no gristle.
If you can’t see a difference, the natural choice is to go with the lowest price.
When you get an estimate from us, you will become an educated consumer for your exterior painting project.
Let’s jump into why we offer the longest warranties of any exterior painting contractor in Chevy Chase and the surrounding Montgomery County area.
Here are five things you should know if you are looking for an exterior painting contractor in Chevy Chase.
- Proper pressure washing that kills mildew and causes no damage to plants or homes.
- Daily testing to make sure surfaces have a low moisture content.
- Choosing a primer that bonds and flexes with the substrate and the top coats.
- Choosing a premium paint that lasts and is fade-resistant.
- Applying the proper number of coats.
Klappenberger & Son Is Your Exterior Painting Contractor in Chevy Chase
Whether you have a rancher or a big home, consider Klappenberger & Son as your exterior painting contractor in Chevy Chase.
With our 30 years of experience, we can advise you on the best products and methods to ensure your home is protected and beautiful.
In addition to being a painting contractor, we also can do other carpentry and handyman projects around your home.
- Repair rotten wood with wood or composite
- Replace decks and handrail
- Install windows and doors.
This makes us an ideal one-stop-shop to get your most prized position looking awesome!
Exterior Painting in Chevy Chase: What Do We Do Differently?
Proper Power Washing Techniques
When power washing or pressure washing the exterior of your home, we let the chemicals do the work, not high pressure. We leave the high-pressure to Time Share salespeople.
We use the least amount of chemicals that kill mildew and get rid of dirt and pollen collected on the home.
Our cleaning products will not harm your plants or flowers!
FYI – We insist that the chemical stay on for 15 minutes. That’s the amount of time necessary to kill the mold spores.
If not, the mildew will grow back much faster.
The Moisture Meter
It is impossible to feel the wood and know what the moisture content is safe to paint. And believe it or not most painters do not own a moisture meter.
Why this isn’t as important as a paint can opener is beyond me.
FYI – The most likely cause of paint pealing is water.
Almost all paint requires the moisture content to be below 16%.
Choosing the Right Primer
There is no “one size fits all” for exterior primers. Whether you are painting Georgia Pine or pine from Canada, it’s not all the same primer.
What happens if you choose the wrong primer? The paint will peel.
Why?
Because the wood, primer, and top coat of paint are not expanding and contracting at the same rate.
With the sharp changing seasons of Chevy Chase, it is important to have all 3 surfaces expanding and contracting at the same rate.
When choosing Klappenberger & Son we can advise you on which primer will work best with your surface.
Exterior Painting in Chevy Chase: One Coat or Two?
Besides applying two coats satisfies the warranty, it also extends the paint job’s life for years.
For example, the picture on the right clearly shows where someone brushed the edges and seams and then painted the exterior wall with a roller.
The areas that received two coats have significantly more paint left.
Applying a second coat of paint usually adds about 30-35% to the total cost of the job. Considering it can extend the paint job’s life by 5 years, it is a wise investment.
Proper Weather Conditions
We are often asked what season is best for exterior painting. It depends on the temperature. Most manufactures like the temperature to be lower than 90 degrees and above the mid-’30s for at least 24 hours. If paint freezes before it fully dries, then it can lose its ability to cure fully.
Also, if it rains shortly after the surface is painted, the rain can seep through the paint, causing bubbles.
Therefore, it is best not to paint when the chance of rain is above 30-40% for the next 24 hours.
Klappenberger & Son Is Your Exterior Painting Company in Chevy Chase
Not only do we know the ins and outs of painting, but we also have some terrific carpenters.
Whether you have rotten wood trim boards, a loose handrail, or other exterior maintenance projects we have you covered.
