Painting cedar shake houses requires thorough surface preparation, including cleaning, scraping, and sanding, followed by a high-quality stain-blocking primer and a durable topcoat.The lifespan of the paint job depends on factors like climate and the prep work, but expect to repaint every 5–7 years for optimal protection and appearance.

Since 1997, we’ve been renewing, refreshing, updating and beautifying homes in the Central Maryland areas with a new coat of paint. Our residential painting starts with quality surface preparation techniques that insure a clean-professional result that will last for years. We use only quality, low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint products that will provide the interior, or exterior, of your home with a premium finish.

SUMMER & CEDAR – Heat and humidity can harm cedar shingles, causing them to dry out, crack, warp, and age prematurely. Excessive moisture, particularly in extremely hot weather, can also lead to decay and insect issues. Staining and painting can help prevent & protect.

Fall is the perfect time to restore and protect your home so that when next summer rolls around you can be the envy of the neighborhood.

We do a lot of house painting in the Catonsville area and one of our specialties is restoring and painting cedar shake homes. Here is an example of an amazing transformation after extensive cedar repair and painting!

BEFORE & AFTER! “The time has come to show the before and after pictures of our house. Thank you to, Jonathan Zawacki, Hands on Painters…our house is beautiful. So exciting…to (see) this big cedar shake and it not the ugliest on the street.” ~ Erica G.

If cedar shake siding is installed and maintained properly, it will last for 30 years or more! 𝘖𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴, 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘤𝘦𝘥𝘢𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘢. On this one, we needed to blend the old shingles with new ones. We used WoodScapes® Exterior House Stain, which offers rich, beautiful coverage. It has a self-priming formula that enhances appearance and provides exceptional protection and resistance to peeling.

The lifespan of the paint job depends on factors like climate and the prep work, but expect to repaint every 5–7 years for optimal protection and appearance.

It’s the middle of summer and the sun and heat can play havoc on your homes paint. House paint fades due to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, moisture, pollution, and poor-quality paints, with darker, brighter, and organically pigmented paints fading fastest. To prevent fading, choose high-quality, exterior-grade paint with a lighter, more inorganic pigment, use a higher sheen, and apply multiple coats. Regular washing and selecting an appropriate color for your climate can also extend the life of your paint.

• Colors will fade slightly when exposed to intense sunlight. As the coating ages, the fading can become more noticeable. Slight fading is acceptable,

           provided it is gradual and uniform so as not to be noticeable. Excessive chalking of the paint film will cause colors to appear lighter.

• Interior-grade colorants used outside will fade.

• Adding more tint to the coating than is recommended.

  

• Interior coatings may also fade if they are near windows and there is significant sunlight exposure.

We use superior quality Sherwin Williams paints like:

Emerald®
Duration®
Resilience™
SuperPaint®
A-100®
WoodScapes®

These paints are designed to sustain intense heat and UV rays.  Most especially SuperPaint® Exterior Acrylic Latex delivers outstanding performance and protect against the elements. Cold and frosty or hot and humid, this formula goes on smooth and resists fading and peeling. And thanks to its advanced acrylic resin technology, you’ll enjoy outstanding adhesion and color retention. SuperPaint offers a dirt-resistant and mildew-resistant coating.

As many homes in our area still have trees on some sides, uneven color fading can occur. This is our forte to pay attention to correct preparation and application of our products. Having been in the Catonsville area for so many years. We know how important independence day celebrations are. Sometimes power washing can extend the life of your paint and temporarily brighten your home. And when the festivities have passed, serious work can be done to restore your homes beauty. Summer allows for long days of proper work.

We use high-quality drop cloths and tarps to protect the soil and plants beneath. We ensure that these materials are large enough to cover the entire area where paint might fall. Drop cloths are spread out and securely fastened to prevent them from moving around and exposing parts of your landscaping. We also us plastic sheeting to provide an additional layer of protection for delicate plants or areas where you expect heavy paint activity. Plastic sheeting is particularly useful for covering large areas or for plants that are particularly sensitive to paint exposure.

With summer right around the corner, May is the perfect time to repaint your sunroom, stain your deck, or freshen your front porch.

The sunroom is often the favorite room in the house. A fresh coat of paint will brighten it up and enhance your enjoyment.

We take great care to protect your windows and flooring while cutting in and painting your ceiling.

May is a great time to resurface your deck.

Preparation is key to ensuring longevity and durability of your deck.

We clean the deck using a deck cleaner and a stiff brush, and then rinse thoroughly. After the deck dries, we sand any rough spots to ensure a smooth surface. If any repairs or wood needs to be replaced, that is also a part of our process. We use Sherwin Williams products and  this is their recommendation on the difference in stain transparencies.

Clear, transparent and semi-transparent stains work best on new wood, and nicely show off that fresh grain.

Semi-solid stains are a great choice for decks that get a lot of use. This option shows some grain while hiding more wear and tear.

Solid stains are best fit for decks with older, more vulnerable wood, surfaces with many blemishes or when you want to go bold with color.

We use a brush for detail work and to work the stain into the wood, but then use a sprayer for large, flat surfaces, followed by back-brushing to ensure proper penetration and an even coat.

When it comes to the front porch, there are more elements to consider. The deck of the porch, the railings, support posts, ceiling, and steps are elements that require inspection and consideration.

Often there can be rotted flooring that needs to be replaced before the painting can begin. Color choices need to be made for the different parts of the front porch. Matching the step risers with the front of the house wall or considering a complimetnary color. The flooring can be stained or painted. And ceiling colors also need to be considered.

We are proud to use Sherwin Williams Paint and this month we’re featuring theColormix® 2025 Forecast: Capsules

For those looking for colors that tell the unique story of their home, our Colormix® 2025 Forecast: Capsules provides four inspiring palettes, expertly crafted from the year’s most trend-forward and immersive hues. “This forecast aims to tell the deeper stories behind the colors inside of a home through quiet luxury, joyful risk-taking, modern mindfulness, and building a better world for all, where everyone can find something to suit their space and style,” says Sue Wadden, Director of Color Marketing. These palettes make it easy to craft thoughtful, personal style in your home while keeping you well ahead of the color curve.

Creating a cozy haven of airy serenity is easy when you start with the right color palette. “Chrysalis offers minimalist, raw neutrals perfect for creating serene, uncluttered spaces that evoke a sense of calm and simplicity,” says Wadden. The soulful, nature-inspired hues of Chrysalis call to mind a slower pace, effortlessly crafting anchored, peaceful spaces of sanctuary. Deep, rooted earth tones like Grounded and Sealskin balance with subtle neutrals like Shiitake and Studio Clay to evoke a sense of stability, restfulness and comfort. Wind these tonal hues throughout the home to tie spaces together and infuse an overall easy vibe. The shades of Chrysalis bring endless versatility and combine in a myriad of ways to bring the laid-back influence of simple, minimalist style within reach.

Classic doesn’t have to be synonymous with staid. The colors of Wellspring reflect stability and tradition, but they also offer a fresh, reinvigorating perspective. “Drawing from heritage-inspired tones,” Wadden says, “Wellspring brings timeless elegance and a sense of history to modern interiors.” Curated to reflect enduring beauty, this palette is thoughtfully balanced to maintain an updated, current feel. Rich, sophisticated hues like Outerspace and French Roast bring depth and elegance to any space. Their dark undertones create a dramatic and calming atmosphere, making them versatile choices for any home or style. Pair them with the throwback golden tone of Bosc Pear to infuse freshness or keep it classic with a creamy neutral like Oyster White.

Kindred’s charming palette of diverse hues evokes the comforting but eclectic vibe of a patchwork quilt. These shades speak to the notion of carefully woven, intertwined belonging. “Kindred embraces warm, community-focused colors that foster connection and create inviting, cozy environments perfect for gathering,” according to Wadden. Unexpected and whimsical at heart, it also lends a cheerful, friendly tone. From the warmth of neutrals like Redend Point and Creamy to the rich, saturated tones of Red Tomato and Dark Night, Kindred’s thoughtfully balanced hues give space for everyone to find themselves in this palette, allowing for an infinite array of unique and authentic expressions with these hues.

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