Help Us Find a Home In Need

Greenwich, CT – (June 9, 2011) – With food and gasoline costs on the rise, homeowners continue to face challenges in making ends meet in today’s economy. They’re often are forced to set priorities, and painting the outside of the house can be low on the list. A.G. Williams Painting Company recently opened its new office in Old Greenwich, CT, and, as part of its commitment to local communities, is seeking nominations to “Find a Home in Need” in Greenwich or Stamford to receive the donation of a free exterior paint job (retail value $15,000,00*) this summer. 

A.G.Williams, a recognized leader in the residential and commercial painting industry in Westchester andFairfieldCounties, looks forward to giving back to a homeowner who has made a difference in the community. “We want to recognize a person or family who is active in the community and is working hard to make ends meet,” saysPaulViggiano, Director of Business Development and Marketing. “The economy has forced that homeowner to neglect the appearance of the house, so paint is peeling, a painting contractor is not in the household budget, and the job is too big to handle alone.” 

 People who want to nominate themselves or a member of the community can access the “Find a Home in Need” nomination form on theA.G.Williamswebsite at www.agwilliamspainting.com/homeinneed. Requested information includes a description of the homeowner being nominated, including community involvements and special circumstances, and a description and photographs of the house. The deadline for submitting nomination forms is June 30.

 A.G. Williams Painting Company is located at26 Arcadia RoadinGreenwich, with headquarters at411 Pelham Avenue,Pelham,NY, 203-618-0058 and 800-227-1906 

 About A.G. Williams Painting Company

A.G. Williams Painting Company, Inc. a family-owned and -operated residential and commercial painting firm, has serviced the tri-state area for over 100 years, since 1906. Founded byArthurGeorgeWilliams, A.G.Williamsis in its third generation ofWilliamsfamily ownership under the leadership of grandsonsGeorgeP.WilliamsandArthurG.Williams, with office locations inPelham,New York, and Old Greenwich, Connecticut. The company is a recognized leader in the residential and commercial painting industry through its state-of-the-art precision interior and exterior painting, powerwashing, wall coverings, faux finishes, expert design services and high quality carpentry.A.G.Williamsproudly maintains an unparalleled tradition of honesty, integrity, and professionalism.

Decorative Painting – Murals, by A.G. Williams Painting Company

Did you know that murals can be painted onto your ceilings, walls and trim? We can also paint murals on canvas and hang them like wallpaper. This is a beautiful way to express yourself or create a mood for your home. Have fun with your mural. Come up with a concept or describe a design to our team of specialists, and we can create a world that you, your family and your guests will love. Children’s murals are a hot trend, as you can create a playful image of your child’s favorite characters.

Ask your A.G. Williams Painting representative for more details about murals or visit A.G. Williams Painting Company at: www.agwilliamspainting.com. Click on our showcase to view murals and decorative painting we’ve performed throughout Westchester, Fairfield and New York City.

Picking colors can be difficult enough…What about picking the right finish for you?

Very often homeowners will select colors and think that the color selection process is complete. In many instances, some of the details are forgotten. One of the most important and vital details to making sure your colors flow the way you want them to, is to select the right finish. Flat, matte, eggshell, satin, pearl, semigloss and high gloss offer so many different options for us. Where do we begin?

Traditionally, it has been preferred by many that the ceilings are painted white in a flat finish, the trim is painted the same color white as the ceilings in a semigloss finish and the walls are a color in a flat finish. Although this classic format is still beautiful, be aware of your many different options. For example, many designers have been specifying to paint the ornate trim and walls the same color, just a different finish. Eggshell walls with satin trim has been very popular in 2010. Even though using the same color, with the slight difference in sheen, you still get a different level of light reflection to slightly change the appearance of the colors. It makes for a beautiful contemporary look.

Flat paints are traditional and have the lowest level of sheen in paints. Therefore, flat paints will reflect less light and have less resins on the top coat. Flat paints are not washable and are more likely to scuff easily, however, the low level of sheen helps when hiding surface imperfections. If you are not having detail prep and/or skimcoating on your walls, flat paint is a great option. For a more elegant and washable appearance, the eggshell finish is sheik. Eggshell has a slight level of sheen and more resins than a flat paint, which allows the homeowner to scrub/clean the surface better than a flat paint. An eggshell finish, however, is not recommended if you are not having detail prep performed but are still expecting completely perfect walls. The sheen levels in the paint will show all surface imperfections. Another disadvantage to eggshell finish is that it does NOT touch up. Any time you touch up eggshell paint, you need to paint from corner to corner, otherwise, the touchup will “flash” or show.

            If you are looking for the appearance of flat but want the wash ability of the eggshell for your walls, matte finish is an excellent choice. Matte finish has a slight sheen to it, which is in between the flat and eggshell. Many of the new waterborne premium finishes with low or no VOC do not offer a flat finish, but offer a matte alternative

            Semigloss finish has more resins and sheen and has a harder more durable finish. Semigloss sheen will also accentuate the detail, which is why it is used primarily on trim. Satin is similar to the semigloss in sheen can also be used on trim. Because of it’s durability and ease of cleaning, semigloss is used very often on the walls and ceilings in bathrooms and walls in kitchens.

            High gloss finish is very seldom used on a residential area. The premium high gloss oil paints are no longer available, therefore, a latex or lower grade of oil is usually specified. To apply a high gloss paint, the surface needs to be prepared with extreme detail, otherwise, it will take in so much light even the slightest nick will be magnified. Before choosing a high gloss option, be sure to ask your painting contractor or color consultant before applying.

               I hope this information proves useful. Selecting colors can be difficult enough, but don’t forget about the selection of finishes. If you have any further questions or need assistance in color or finish selection, ask you’re A.G. Williams Painting Company representative. We can also refer you to our team of color consultants who can help you choose the colors that are right for you.

Visit www.agwilliamspainting.com or call 1-800-227-1906 for more information.

“A.G. Williams Painting Company has locations in both Westchester & Fairfield Counties. Since 1906, we have been providing the tri-state area with the finest in interior painting, exterior painting, decorative finishes, carpentry, residential painting and commercial painting. Our team of painters are trained in their craft and are all full time employees. We offer exterior home maintenance programs, offseason discounts, customer rewards programs and senior citizen discounts. We have painted a home in every neighborhood. Ask for references in: Pelham, New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Rye, Harrison, Chappaqua, White Plains, Irvington, Hastings, Briarcliff Manor, Dobbs Ferry, Tarrytown, Yonkers, Armonk, Pleasantville, Thornwood, Hawthorne, Scarsdale, Hartsdale, Bronxville, Putnam County, Greenwich, Old Greenwich, Cos Cob, Riverside, Byram, Darien, Westport, Norwalk, New Canaan and many more towns.”

It is important to select your painting contractor wisely…

Be sure to ask your contractors for a copy of their home improvement license, worker’s compensation and liability policies. Also, ask to be named additionally insured before all projects. Check to see if they are EPA certified to perform RRP projects if your house was built before 1978. Yes, accidents can happen to anyone, but better to be safe rather than sorry.

View this link to read the full story: “House fires in Bronxville Tuckahoe started by painters”

Why should I use a color consultant on my painting project?

Why use a color consultant? Colors don’t always look on a wall the way they do on a paint chip. Lighting conditions, a home’s orientation and surroundings, surface textures, and existing design elements all influence how a color appears. Our Certified Color Consultant will guide you through the sometimes confusing process of color selection, helping you achieve your vision of your home, interior or exterior.

 

 

Painting your child’s room? Does paint smell bother you? Looking for an environmentally friendly paint that still PERFORMS?

Check out Benjamin Moore’s Natura paint line. Be sure to ask your A.G. Williams Painting representative for more information. Natura is available in all of the markets we service including: Pelham, Scarsdale, Bronxville, Chappaqua, White Plains, Larchmont, Greenwich, Stamford, and your local area as well.

Helpful Exterior Staining Tips

A.G. Williams Painting’s Benjamin Moore representative was kind enough to put together some tips of the trade for us to provide for our clients. Here are some tips about Exterior Staining that we hope you will find useful.

EXTERIOR SIDING STAINING TIPS

1) Stain doesn’t stay mixed the same way paint does.  You’ll need to stir the stain frequently during application

2) Rough surfaces hold more color than smooth surfaces

3) To ensure proper stain penetration and even drying results, avoid applying stain in direct sunlight.

4) Stain from the top down to avoid drips and spatters from spoiling previously stained arrears.

5) Apply stain in the direction of the grain of the wood.

6) To be sure you will be pleased with the final color results, select an inconspicuous place on the actual wood you will be staining and spot test the stain.

7) If using a pressure washer be extremely careful to work in the direction of the wood grain.

8) All the prep products mentioned are concentrated and can be applied with a pump sprayer, a garden hose applicator, or pressure washer.

9) Stronger mix ratios are not necessarily better or work quicker, stronger ratios can be harder to neutralize and remove from the wood.   

10) If possible, complete the siding finishing within one week of surface preparation.

A.G. Williams Painting – “Painting with Pride and Passion for Over 100 Years”

www.agwilliamspainting.com

Exterior Maintenance can extend the life of your existing paint job

At A.G. Williams Painting, we firmly believe in maintaining exteriors to prolong the life of your existing paint surface. Maintenance painting will help prevent small damages from becoming major repairs, which as you know, turn into major headaches. It also helps your home maintain that freshly painted look. There are several components to a strong exterior painting maintenance program that will help keep your home in great shape for years to come.

Annual powerwashing is one of the most important aspects of maintenance. Now, this does not just mean spraying bleach and water onto your home. A thorough powerwashing, performed by professionals with the correct products, will cleanse the surface of your home to help remove mold, mildew, fungus and other surface pollutants. These surface pollutants can damage paint film, thus causing it to peel. When neglected, mold and mildew will become embedded in the paint and will become much more difficult to remove in time. Powerwashing will help prevent peeling and will also keep the house looking clean. Sometimes, however, powerwashing with too much pressure can loosen the existing paint film and leave your home’s surface uncovered in areas and susceptible to damage. This is why it is important to have a professional painting contractor or powerwasher clean your home. A professional should notice, before they begin washing or in the early stage, that the powerwashing may cause your paint to loosen or flake off. They should notify you before continuing so that you have the option to properly coat those areas, repaint the house or perform a much lighter powerwash. The paint loosening up is not necessarily bad, it just means that the bond between paint and surface has been loosened in those areas and you should have touchups performed.

Gutter cleaning is usually a service that is bundled in with the powerwashing. The outside of your gutters should be handleaned to remove any drip marks from water spillage. More importantly, the inside of the gutters should be cleaned out to remove any debris which can cause clogging. A clogged gutter can cause water backup which eventually can cause interior damage. Cleaning the leaves and debris out of your gutters during the fall season is important to prevent the debris from freezing during the winter months, thus, causing ice damming. Leader baskets should also be checked for overflow and replaced as needed. Leaders can also be flushed clean to allow proper water flow.

What would maintenance painting be without the actual painting? Well, a good maintenance painting program should mostly entail cleaning to prevent the need for painting, however, there is no such thing as a maintenance free paint coating. Therefore, some room should always be allowed for touchups. In many cases, the window frames need to have the caulking checked and recaulked to prevent drafts and water seepage. Sometimes, a few spots may show signs of peeling and may need some attention. It is smart to build some hours of touchups into your maintenance program so you can handle some unexpected damages to your home.

Ask your local professional painting contractor about a custom tailored maintenance program for your home. If you, the client, are in their best interest, they should jump at the opportunity to make sure your home is in good hands.

www.agwilliamspainting.com

A.G. Williams Collaborates with Junior League of Pelham and Makes Donation

The Junior League of Pelham’s provisional class will be busy this weekend wrapping up their renovation of the reception area of the Family Services of Westchester in Mt. Vernon. The renovation is this year’s provisional class project, a regular part of the JLP’s volunteer training for incoming members. A grand re-opening of the newly renovated space is scheduled for February 4 at the site. Co-chaired by provisional class members Tyson Newton Stephens and Alicia Brizzi, the class coordinated the donation of items such as chairs and plants, created a children’s corner adorned with local artwork donated by students from Nelson Mandela High School in Mt. Vernon and collaborated with Pelham-based AG Williams Painting Company who generously donated their painting services and all paint supplies.

********

PAINTER FOR A DAY FOR ONLY $399.00!

Our new Painter For a Day Program has gotten a great response from our clients and
has been a success. Take advantage of the offer this February while the low rate
lasts! Think about the possibilities and the convenience of having a professional
painter in your home for the day.

Look around your house and let us know what you’d like to have painted and we can
give you an indication of what we think can be done in a day. If you are interested,
ask your A.G. Williams representative about extending the program over a several
day period. See the details below.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Interested in a Painter for a Day for ONLY 399?*

Normally as much as $600, our Painter for a Day
Program is being offered to you for as little as
$399! This includes standard incidentals/
equipment and 8 hours of painting. Clients are
responsible for the cost of the paint, and leave
the rest to us!
Here are just a few ideas of what we can do:
· Perform touch ups throughout the house
· Repair light water damage and paint
· Paint walls in a powder room
· Repair cracking caulk on your moulding
· Paint doors and door frames
· Clean and Polyurethane existing woodwork
in some areas
· Project too big? Ask about the Painter for a
Day Program over a period of several days!