Photo Credit: Reena Bammi

Elastomeric coatings were developed in the 1950s to answer the problems of paint cracking and peeling on masonry substrates; concrete, concrete block, cinderblock and stucco. Most substrate materials, particularly masonry, will contract and expand when exposed to heat, weather, moisture in the form of humidity and other climatic conditions. Elastomeric coatings are formulated to handle the expansion and contraction without cracking, often lasting for years longer than regular house paints.

Preparation is the Key to Success

The key to a successful elastomeric coatings project is (to paraphrase the Real Estate industry); preparation, preparation, preparation. The substrate to be coated must be properly prepared to receive the elastomeric coating.

• The surface must be cured and have a pH of 9 or less
• The surface must be free of any mold-release agents, dirt, grease or other contaminants
• Cracks and surface irregularities should be filled with an appropriate caulk or sealant and a surface conditioner (basecoat/block-filler) applied to the entire substrate
• Temperature should be between 45 and 100 degrees F
• There should be no rain or freezes forecast for 48 hours following the coating

When the conditions are appropriate and the preparation completed, the first coating of the elastomeric may be sprayed or rolled onto the substrate. After a sufficient cure-time, the second coating may be applied. For previously coated surfaces where an elastomeric coating was used, only one coating of a new elastomeric may be required for weather proof protection, but this should be back-rolled to remove any pinholes.

Potential Problems

Problems of cracking or peeling of finished coatings projects are most often a problem with the substrate, not the elastomeric coating. The most common cause of peeling is moisture migrating from within the substrate to the surface. The water causes bubbling which breaks and peels. The causes of the water may be from leaks within the building, improperly flashed or sealed eaves or roofing, or inadequately caulked or sealed door and window frames. These should be dealt with by eliminating the source of water penetration and the application of elastomeric caulks.

A high pH is also a common cause of peeling on new masonry surfaces. The alkaline salts migrate to the surface loosening the adhesion of the coating resulting in bubbling and peeling. To check the pH of masonry a “pH pencil” is used. The pH pencil is made from a material that reacts to the alkaline by showing a color range based upon the pH level, when in the presence of water. These pencils may be acquired from a number of sources. The surface to be tested should be clean and dry. Spritz the area to be tested with distilled water, then draw a line with the soft pencil. The pencil line will soon take on a color that represents the pH level and is compared to a color graph to obtain the pH measurement. This test is quite accurate and easy to perform.

Local Conditions in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia

In the Washington, DC area the weather is subject to extreme changes as influenced by the proximity to the coast, the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac River and the swampland on which the city was build. The humidity is high as are other negative atmospheric conditions that might affect residential exterior painting projects. Elastomeric coatings are an important element in weather and atmospheric protection in the DC Metro area, often being recommended by professional applicators and coatings technicians, particularly for masonry substrates.

What can be the ‘good’ in the present crisis? The economy has tanked, the banking industry is in chaos and the US auto industry is on the ropes, so what good can come from this? For one thing, prices have fallen on goods and services. For companies with a cash reserve or a little left on their credit line, this may be the best time for capital investments, replacing worn out business equipment and renovating the office, warehouse or factory. Material prices and labor will never be lower.

The current economic situation has businesses cutting costs everywhere they can. People have been laid off, expenses cut, capital expenditures deferred, raises and bonuses postponed indefinitely, but is this the right tactic? Smart investors say that when everyone else is selling, it is the time to buy. This country and the rest of the world have faced crises before and we have survived, even grown stronger. Now is not the time to lose faith and quit.

One of the best ways to stimulate the economy is to judiciously spend a little money and this is a good time to do just that. With depressed material and labor prices in evidence everywhere, the dollar spent will go a lot farther that it will after the recovery is in full bloom. Don’t delay your maintenance and remodeling plans as delays will only cost you more down the road. Maintenance and remodeling have to be done; the fact is the functionality, viability and value of an office building, factory or warehouse facility needs to be maintained.

Our Best Pricing is Available Right Now

With professional assistance from the experts at Premiere Painting in Washington, DC, you can plan and execute your renovation project, now. Our staff will assist you in making sure that your dollars are stretched to their fullest, while still giving you the highest quality in material and labor with no cutting of corners or sacrificing of the integrity of the project. This may be the best time to get the very best in commercial painting services. Call Premiere Painting for your commercial project in the DC Metro area, including Maryland and Virginia.

A few advantages of using Premiere Painting in Washington, DC, commercial painting company:

• High-grade professional equipment (and the cost and worry of malfunctions is placed solely on us)
• Consistent output, color, and finish
• Standard procedures that involve working with your schedule
• Full access to our own clean up supplies, and knowledge of minimizing mess during a job
• Experience with electrostatic painting techniques, and access to all necessary materials and equipment for it
• Options for ongoing paint maintenance on a regular schedule

Premiere Painting does small and large projects in both residential and commercial painting. Companies that use Premiere Painting for regular paint services include apartment and condominium buildings, retail stores, office buildings, industrial/office parks, churches, hotels, convention centers, shopping malls, and any other commercial buildings. Contact us today for a quote on your DC company’s commercial painting project.

Your kitchen is probably one of the most used rooms in your home, leaving your cabinets and walls looking the worse for wear. Don’t worry – there are home improvement options available. The most expensive, of course, is being complete cabinet replacement. In this difficult economic time, full replacement may not be a viable option. So, you can opt for a more affordable project: re-painting cabinets and walls using a licensed, bonded and insured kitchen painter in DC.

There are several advantages of using a kitchen painter. DC homeowners can save valuable time by hiring one of our kitchen painters to come in and paint for them. Additionally, color experts can help you choose the right colors and tones for your kitchen, giving you the re-assurance that your kitchen colors will result in the look and feel that makes your space a warm and inviting gathering place for your family and friends.

Once the painting is complete, you can continue to improve the look by adding hardware and updating lighting. Keeping it simple and affordable is the new trend of 2009. DC Homeowners should contact the kitchen painters at Premiere Painting to learn more!

1. Are they bonded, licensed, and insured?
2. Do they have adequate years of experience?
3. Are they compliant with OSHA and other safety regulations that are standard in the industry?
4. Have they received professional accreditation with the PDCA?
5. Does the company offer a detailed list of everything their service includes, in writing, before the project begins?
6. Is there a wide range of services offered, in case you want to expand the contract (such as requesting exterior painting in addition to interior painting)?
7. Do you just get the painting service, or will you receive advice from a color consultant to make sure you’re making a good investment?
8. Are the painters skilled in faux painting techniques that offer more variation in finishes?

There is also a great value in using a local residential painter. DC painting companies rely heavily on word of mouth reputation, so you are likely to get a higher level of customer service than you will with painting services contracted through a large, national chain retailer.

Schedule a consultation on your home improvement painting project with painters that have the experience and credentials that ensure excellent service. Call Premiere Painting now to speak to a DC residential painter.

• Country Chic: For a classic, rustic look with a stylish twist, opt for earthy colors like dusty yellow, robin’s egg blue, cinnamon red, or sage green.
• Pure Minimalist: For a clean, airy look, opt for light gray, champagne, or creamy off-white.
• Hip & Modern: For bold trendsetters, try silvery gray or a combination of gray tones, soft “heather tone” purple, or bright coral.

As always, you should lean toward lighter colors in small rooms, with the possibility for a bright or dark colored accent wall. Also consider choosing neutral wall colors if you plan to put your home on the market in the near future. You can always use accessories and window treatments to satisfy your craving for color while you wait to sell. However your home may not be a great match for just any of the 2009 painting trends. DC homeowners are encouraged to speak with a home decor professional to make sure their paint choices matches the style and and fixtures of the rest of the home. Call Premiere Painting for a professional color consultation.

There are many places to find inspiration for your walls, including your favorite pictures, pillows, vases, and more. Premiere Painting offers color consulting in DC and can help you design a room with complimentary colors to make your new look contemporary, inspirational, country…whatever you want it to be. Our color consulting experts are also help you coordinate colors between rooms to ensure that your look flows smoothly from room to room while giving each a unique appearance and added vitality. And, specific colors can be added through a variety of accent pieces and walls giving you a creative outlet to really let your personality shine through.

Utilize color consulting DC to give your home or business the look and feel that you want to give it. Trust the experts who are licensed, bonded, insured and accredited at Premiere Painting - your color consulting experts!

Our professionals have what it takes to complete your DC exterior painting project.  Whether it is choosing the right exterior colors/shades, selecting state-of-the-art products, or working with considerate crews who keep your residential property protected, Washington DC residents choose Premiere Painting!

DC Exterior Painting Tips & Ideas:

• Pay attention to details – Does your home have brick areas that wont be painted? Make sure to consider this when it comes to selecting your colors and also take note of siding, shutters, mouldings, and other accents
• Find inspiration inside your home – Which interior colors inspire you? Your exterior should be an extension of the color palette and decor of the inside of your home
• Add size with the element of light – Do you want to expand the appearance of your home’s exterior? Using lighter colors can help you to achieve this

Get More DC Exterior Painting Ideas from Our Website

Find out the top tricks for choosing the right colors and painting processes to achieve your ideal look!  Our color specialists can give you the top DC painting ideas to help you do this.

1. Refer to Your Neighborhood’s History – how are other homes in your neighborhood painted/decorated?  This will help guide you in the right direction so that your can make your home look different yet still make an appropriate statement.

2. Let Nature Be Your Guide – Pay attention to your surroundings for palettes from your yard’s trees, flowers, and greenery.  These earthy hues may inspire and your own landscape will provide the perfect backdrop to your home.

3. Refer to the Color of your Roof – This is something that may impact your color choice since it will most likely need to coordinate with your exterior paint.  View our DC painting ideas gallery!

Looking for interesting ways to refresh your home’s exterior?  Find out the top Washington DC painting and color trends from our experts. We’ve painted some of the most beautiful homes in all the DC metro area!

Want to be Different?
Here are some great shades you rarely see that can give your home some personality:

• Lavender with purple trim (sounds unusual but experiment with different shades to find the right match for your home)
• Deep navy blue with white trim (very patriotic looking and perfect for DC homes & residences in the surrounding areas)
• Dramatic greys with a dark or light trim ( more conservative than the other two, but looks great!

View our residential gallery for more Washington DC painting and color trends