Of the roof window types, skylights and functioning “roof windows” are the most popular. This blog will discuss the differences between the two, and lead you through pros and cons, like:

• natural light
• additional ventilation
• UV damage in your home
• Leaking due to poor installation techniques

If you live in North GA and would like a professional opinion or complimentary quote, please get in touch at your earliest convenience. We are the leading window replacement contractor in Johns Creek and elsewhere in the area, and we’d be happy to hear from you.

The Difference Between Roof Windows and Skylights

The essential part of this discussion is the difference between skylights and roof windows. By knowing which is which, you can better judge what window works for you. So what’s the difference between both?

Technically, what is a Skylight?

A skylight is a fixed frame of glass in your ceiling that cannot be opened. This frame style’s popularity revolves around its ability to pour in natural light. You might hear window installers refer to this window as “not vented” or “non-powered.”

What is a Roof Window?

A roof window is a type that you can open for ventilation. Like the skylight, it brings in natural light with the advantage of adequately circulating air. Our Roswell window replacement contractors usually call this window type a “dormer.”

The Pros and Cons of Skylights

Skylights are nice features, but they have their pros and cons. Here’s what to know before deciding to put in a skylight.

Skylights bring in more light to dark spaces. Since the sun doesn’t hit every part of the house, these fixed window types assist in bringing natural light to a room, even ones with no other windows. Skylights have cons as well; while this window adds style, you should be concerned about interior damage.

The damage sometimes happens from improper installation or poorly made panes. A proper, sturdy skylight is made with a low-e coating that protects the home from UV rays and heat damage. Furthermore, bad sealing can lead to devastating leaks in your home.

The Pros and Cons of Roof Windows

When deciding between roof windows and skylights, you need to consider both pros and cons. One pro is ventilation. A dome window allows the user to ventilate indoor air properly. One con to think about is random placement. While you might think installing a window above the bed is a good idea, it’s best to consult a professional window installer first to get a second opinion.

While deciding on what window style to pick for your roof, consider getting a professional opinion from an expert in window replacement in Cumming, GA. Bear Mountain Custom Painting offers professional feedback for its customers and will help you find the best window to accentuate the room and bring in more natural light. Contact us for a free quote today. We are also known as the leading window replacement experts in Alpharetta, so don’t hesitate to get in touch regardless of your specific location in North GA.

Molding is a popular technique that simultaneously enhances a room’s appearance and covers your walls and ceiling imperfections. Panel molding is a process used on recessed or flat surfaces. These molds are common on mantels, doors, and walls. There are many types of molding to consider, and two formal options you might be considering include wainscoting and judges paneling—read on to explore the differences between these elements.

If you would like a complimentary quote from our expert painting contractors in Cumming, or if you need to speak with a house painter in Alpharetta, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

What Is Wainscoting?

It can be hard to memorize every single type of panel molding. However, you only need to know two today: wainscoting and judges paneling. Here are a few points on what you should know about the wainscoting panel type.

1. Wainscoting is not the molding name; it is a type of panel molding.
2. This panel type is decorative and spans about 32” above or below floor level.
3. Wainscoting is always a panel piece. The most common type of wainscoting is wood.
4. Some people also call wainscoting a sectional wall treatment.

What Is Judges Paneling in Home Molding?

Judges paneling is similar to wainscoting in a variety of ways, with one being that they’re both wood paneling types. The main difference between judges paneling and wainscoting is that judges typically takes up entire walls. Additionally, judges paneling refers to the process of installing woodwork up to the ceiling.

The Difference in Wainscoting

This paneling system is often confused with judges. Wainscoting appears closer to floorboards in rectangles or squares. Here’s a distinct difference: the rectangles you see toward the bottom of a floor are wainscoting; these wood panels provide character and dimension to a space. The designs in wainscotting often appear like horizontal picture frames on the lower half of a wall.

Why Should You Use Wainscoting?

While it looks beautiful, wainscoting does serve a purpose. Since wainscoting is close to the ground, it creates a barrier to protect the wall from chair and table damage.

The Difference in Judges Paneling

These panels are usually rectangular shaped; this common style is a recurring pattern of rectangles and squares. While the rectangular designs in wainscoting typically appear horizontally, judges paneling utilizes vertical rectangles.

Why Use Judges Paneling?

Judges paneling covers wall blemishes and prevents wall damage. While it protects walls from damage, it will be cheaper to replace judges paneling if ever necessary than it would be to repair a wall. With this option, you don’t need to go through extensive construction to enjoy your space again.

Hire Bear Mountain Custom Painting for Paneling Services

Home molding is an exceptional process that enhances your home in various ways. It easily elevates a space while allowing you to cover a room’s imperfections. From installing a sectional wall treatment to installing panel molds to the ceiling, there is plenty you can do to customize your room’s layout with wood wall molds.

Bear Mountain Custom Painting offers homeowners professional carpentry services along with specialized services, including the installation of wood mold paneling. We’re ready to chat with you about the differences between wainscoting and judges paneling and booking your first carpentry job—contact us today!

We are also known as the leading house painters in Buford, GA, painters in Westfield, and house painters in Duluth, so get in touch at your earliest convenience.

You’ve thought long and hard about how to make your home more interesting – should you paint your house green or red? Install board and batten siding? What about bay windows? We urge you to consider crown molding.

It adds class to every home, and experienced professional painters and carpenters should have no problem working with it. Furthermore, it will increase your home value, and the timeless look won’t deter potential buyers over time.

Keep reading to learn more about adding crown molding to your home, and if you would like a complimentary quote from our house painters in Cumming, GA, get in touch!

Crown Molding Increases Your Home Value

Crown molding can enhance a home’s aesthetic appeal, potentially increasing its value. The National Association of Realtors states that buyers often perceive such architectural features as indicators of a higher-quality property (NAR, 2020). A study from the Journal of Real Estate Research (2018) suggests that crown molding may increase home sale prices by up to 3%, depending on regional tastes. Additionally, Zillow’s 2019 report found listings mentioning ‘crown molding’ sold for 29% more than those that didn’t, suggesting a strong correlation between this feature and higher property values. These findings don’t establish causation, and many variables are at play, but it is a good sign nonetheless.

Crown Molding Creates a Warm Atmosphere, Even With High Ceilings

This casting technique gives more weight to tall ceilings; instead of feeling empty, vaulted, or cathedral, ceilings feel fuller. This technique wins over every prospective buyer—it’s a beautiful touch that makes every space feel expensive and classy.

Crown molding bridges the gap between wall and ceiling, giving the room a finished look (Architectural Digest wrote about this is in 2019). In rooms with tall ceilings, molding can lower the perception of height, creating a cozier atmosphere. Using double or triple stacked moldings can emphasize the grandeur of the space, while contrasting color between the molding and the ceiling can highlight architectural details. Molding can also function as a decorative shelf for ambient up-lighting, casting a warm, subtle glow onto the ceiling. Its versatility makes crown molding an excellent choice for high-ceilinged spaces.

Artfully Disguise Irregularities

An aging home is likely to show more defects than newer construction. Even when a home has irregularities, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with the house. It could be an indent in the wall is starting to bother you more now than it did when you moved in. If you don’t like how a spot in a room looks, cover it with crown molding.

The crown molding technique is flexible. It allows you to cover up as much or as little of an area as you like. This is an excellent camouflage technique to use if you don’t want anyone noticing obvious mistakes in the room’s walls and ceilings.

Cracks Be Gone

Cracks happen in every room, and they can be an eyesore. Sometimes, cracks are a sign there may be a foundation problem. While you can use plaster to fill the hole and paint to cover it up, it may still be noticeable. The best way to completely seal off cracks is with crown molding.

While these are all good reasons to use crown molding in your home, make sure to avoid covering gaps that extend toward the middle of the wall or ceiling. In this case, it’s best to hire a professional to inspect the damage and work with you to plan and execute a proper solution.

If you’ve thought of doing something different to your home for the longest time, this is your sign to try something new. Our award-winning house painters in Alpharetta use crown molding as the finishing touch to achieve the level of elegance you desire for the rooms in your home. Contact us today with any questions you may have and to book your paint job.

How Much Does It Cost To Install Crown Molding?

HomeAdvisor estimates that homeowners typically spend between $2-$8 per linear foot for professionally installed crown molding. However, elaborate designs and premium materials like hardwood could cost up to $25 per foot or more. Labor costs can also fluctuate based on local rates and the complexity of the project. Do-it-yourself installation can reduce costs, but it requires skill and precision.

Call Our Expert Contractors For a Complimentary Quote

While we are the leading house painters in Roswell, GA, house painters in Johns Creek, and elsewhere throughout North GA, our team of carpenters can also install the perfect crown molding solution in your home. Get in touch for your complimentary quote today.

Being able to hit refresh on your home with a new paint job is the best feeling. Open your mind to using colors you’ve never considered before and explore your interior design style. However, if you are looking to repaint your home’s interior, you first need to prep the space. If you want to know more about how to prep for an interior house painting job, follow this guide to understand the process.

Why Is Prep Work Important Before Painting?

For any remodeling job, big or small, homeowners must do prep work to avoid frequent disruptions during the process. This concept also applies to painting projects. It’s critical to prep your walls beforehand, which a practice the pros call surface preparation. Delays in projects like painting can make the process more frustrating than fun.

Reasons To Prep Your Interior Walls for Painting

Getting the interior ready for a renovation is essential for several reasons. However, if you haven’t ever tried to paint your walls before, you may wonder what the point of surface preparation is. The primary purpose is to ensure the paint adheres to the wall; if it doesn’t, you will need to go back over a second or third time. Find out the other reasons below.

Professional Painters Appreciate Prepping

If you hire a professional painting company to come and paint for you, they’ll appreciate you prepping ahead of time. Most of the time, professionals don’t clean the walls unless they’re painting the exterior, so they recommend performing surface preparations before they arrive.

You Finish Your Project Earlier Than Expected

You can sometimes complete your project earlier than expected by prepping the walls, even if you have more than one wall to coat. Additionally, early prep work protects your belongings and floors, safeguarding you from having to replace any valuable items.

Things You Should Do Before Painting Your Home’s Interior

Now that you understand the importance of prep work, you might feel stoked to start the process. Here are the things you should do to make the process easier for the professionals, protect your belongings, and ensure fantastic results.

Remove Rugs and Mats

Firstly, you will want to remove rugs and mats from the room. While they’re pretty and help stop dirt from smudging the floors, these items are vulnerable to dripping paint. Here’s something to remember: paint is a liquid, and as careful as your professional painter might be, paint can still splatter, staining rugs and mats. Store fabric items in the basement or a closet until the paint dries.

Take Down Your Pictures and Wall Decorations

Unfortunately, there is no way to paint underneath wall decorations or framed pictures without getting anything on the back, sides, or front. Before doing any work, remove your photos, clocks, posters, candle holders, and mirrors. You will want to set aside anything that can get in the way.

Cover Your Furniture

Your furniture is also susceptible to damage, and the painting crew will have difficulty navigating everything. The painting process is an excellent opportunity to rearrange your furniture. You should focus on moving larger furniture, such as the couch, coffee table, and TV stand. Move the furnishings to a storage unit or another room in the house. Relocating furniture creates fewer mazes and more walking room for the painting team.

Store Any Small Items

Don’t forget the smaller details! If you have knick-knacks lying about, pick them up and move them. If you leave small things around, someone will likely step on them by accident. Evade the chance of replacing broken heirlooms or novelty and decorative items by putting them in a new location.

Get Your Walls Ready

After you’ve gone through and cleared out the space, it’s time to wash your walls. This step can be easy and fast, but it might take time if you have to go through multiple floors. Start by using a duster or dry rag to remove cobwebs, dirt, and dust.

Next, use a mix of water and detergent with a sponge or rag to remove stains and other blemishes. This step is essential if you want to ensure your walls can hold the primer, paint, and finisher. Make sure to clean the walls 24 hours before your scheduled time to ensure they have time to dry.

Things To Avoid Doing Before Painting Interior Walls

While you might think you’re doing all you can to prepare your walls, you may be doing a few things wrong. Avoid catastrophic mistakes by learning what not to do before painting your home’s walls.

Don’t Remove Your Lighting

Lighting is essential. Unless it comes from a small table lamp, you should ensure there is ample lighting in the room. If you have a room with poor natural light, use floor lamps. Floor lamps help you see what you’re doing and make sure you’re painting in the right place.

Don’t Rush the Project

Don’t rush through a project if you’re painting the walls yourself; it might feel great to accomplish a painting job in under three hours, but rushing can affect your results. You also want to avoid rushing the cleaning process, as remaining dirt or moisture can complicate the painting process.

Don’t Just Pick a Color

It’s best not to pick a color on a whim. Randomly choosing a color may lead you to accidentally pick a shade that looks different in your room’s light or is out of stock. Work with a professional interior painter in Alpharetta, GA to find the best set of colors for each room. They’ll be the experts you can go to for paint color advice.

Tips for Prepping Your Home’s Interior for Painting

If you still struggle to rearrange your furniture to make room for the painting crew, you might need additional tips on prepping your home’s interior walls.

Ask a Professional Painter How Much of the Floor You Should Cover

It’s always best to ask the professional any questions you may have about protecting the floors. Compared to other renovations, painting is more likely to ruin the floorboards if you aren’t careful. They will recommend what type of masking to use on the surface, such as a plastic tarp.

Make the Most of Your Professional Painting Experience

Always make the most of your professional painting team. Ask questions, be hospitable, and communicate. Open communication makes the process easier for both parties.

Some things you can do to make your experience better:

• If the crew is small, consider running errands while they work, and give them a timeframe of when you’ll return.
• Give the crewmembers a restroom to use, offer them water, and be welcoming.
• Make sure your pets and children are out of the way while the painters work.

If you’re planning to give your home’s interior a fresh coat of paint, ensure you hire the best team of interior paint contractors in Cumming, GA area from Bear Mountain Custom Painting. Our painting crew is knowledgeable about all aspects of the painting process. Reach out to us with questions about scheduling your interior home painting job.

You can pick your dream home, but you might need extra help selecting the right siding. If refreshing your home is at the top of your list, you might want to update your home’s siding. Don’t start ripping the cladding off yet—find out what you need to consider before getting new siding.

Look for Signs of Damage

Before making any changes to your home, it’s essential to look for signs of damage. Doing so will give more reasons to get something new or replaced. If you don’t know the tell-tale signs of siding damage, here’s a brief overview of what to look for:

• Holes
• Wood rot
• Warping or cracking
• Poor insulation

These issues are essential to know so you can take care of your home’s siding. The exterior walls do more than boost your curb appeal—they keep the home safe from outdoor elements. Keep yourself safe from the outdoors by scheduling an inspection with a professional siding specialist.

Understand Your Siding Choices

Updating your home is exciting, but you need to know your options before making a decision. This includes the benefits of each siding choice. Just because your home needs new siding doesn’t mean you can’t pick something that fits your style.

How To Pick the Right Siding for Your House

The right siding for your home starts with your vision. Pay attention to the cost per square foot, weather resistance, and maintenance needs when evaluating your choices. These factors can alter your options.

We recommend the following siding types:

• Brick
• Vinyl
• Stucco
• Shiplap

It’s okay if you don’t know what to pick—your concern could be choosing the best color. To find the right cladding shade for your home, here’s what you should do:

• Explore the neighborhood and see what colors are popular.
• Observe your home’s exterior elements, such as the roof and front door.
• Learn about your home’s style. A Victorian home looks great with bold colors and textures.

Know the Cost of New Siding

It’s essential to know how much new siding costs. If you pick something that is too high-maintenance, you’re going to need to put more money aside for frequent upkeep. Make a list of the cladding you’d like and write out the different benefits of each one, their drawbacks, and how much they cost per square foot.

Here are tips to follow for budgeting new siding:

• Sort through your options.
• Seek financial advice.
• Always work with a professional.

Whether you’re updating your home for fun or to boost resale value, a guide filled with things to consider before getting new siding can help you make the right choices. If you need siding professionally installed, contact Bear Mountain Custom Painting. We offer homeowners high-quality home siding installation services in Cumming, GA. We can’t wait to assist your home improvement journey!

With the New Year quickly approaching, now’s the time to look over the most popular exterior house colors and create a list of what to consider next year. Take a look at our favorite picks for paint colors and siding styles you should think about trying on your home’s exterior.

Wood-Style

Regular wood attracts termites and other gross insects—ditch wood for something similar, such as siding that resembles authentic wood. You can still pull off your mid-century style home or cabin with siding that looks close to wood.

Wood-style paneling is better than normal wood, as it doesn’t warp, and there are no insects to fret over. Add in stainless steel metal banister systems to accentuate the wood look more. Stainless steel makes a home feel more modern.

Caramelized Pear

You don’t want your home to look like an orange, but you don’t like the lemon look either, so what warm tone do you pick? Go for caramelized pear paint! Caramelized pear is the most neutral tone between yellow and orange—it highlights your home’s most necessary parts, including youthfulness, joy, and energy—which every homeowner loves.

You can balance this color with white windowpanes and gray or brown roof tiles. These small changes will give your home the “main street” look.

Combined Colors

The earthier, the better! Between now and next year, there will be a significant rise in two-toned combos, such as green and brown. The best way to achieve this look—without sacrificing style—is to divide it up geometrically.

You can use separations to help balance the colors out well. Vertical parts could pull the entire house together even more by providing a better balance between the two-toned colors.

Burgundy Red

Consider taking the traditional red many people use on barns and splashing it onto your home in a different hue. Give your home a bold statement by choosing burgundy red as your next exterior color to enter the New Year with.

Burgundy red is a beautiful color that fits into any season, home style, and general mood a homeowner is trying to portray. Burgundy red is a fantastic color choice because it represents strength, longevity, and durability—which a home buyer would want to invest in. Like the other popular exterior house colors to consider next year, we think burgundy red is one of the best choices for homeowners looking for something refreshing.

Bear Mountain Custom Painting is all about the latest painting trends, and we want to help you find a color that matches your personality and mood. Contact us to learn more about the best paint colors for your home from our professional exterior house painters.