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Crown Molding: A Simple Yet Effective Renovation Tactic

If you want to give your home’s interior a quick upgrade without adding on or totally redoing your home’s architecture in the process, consider crown molding in all rooms. You can also place crown molding in just the main rooms of the home, such as the family, living, and dining areas and still make a large impact on the impressiveness of your home’s interior. Crown Molding: A Simple Yet Effective Renovation Tactic

Crown Molding: A Simple Yet Effective Renovation Tactic

Learn why crown molding is a wise choice for simple home renovation. When you discover how effective this remodeling tactic can be to improving your home, you’ll start looking forward to the date your contractor arrives to make your renovation ideas a reality.

Crown molding adds dimension

Crown molding is a decorative frame that is placed along your upper and lower walls, creating a definition between a room’s ceilings, floors, and walls. When you add crown molding to a basic square or rectangular-shaped room, you give the space greater definition.

This remodeling technique is especially beneficial to large and spacious rooms that have little architectural character. To further enhance the appeal of crown molding, consider repainting the walls in the rooms you wish to treat or adding accent colors to existing walls.

Crown molding is versatile

You can select crown molding in a variety of thicknesses, styles, and designs. Basic crown molding is just a baseboard-style design that is often narrower on the wall connecting to the carpet, but thicker where the wall meets the ceiling.

More ornate crown molding has ledges and etchings to create a more elaborate effect in the treated rooms. Consider basic crown molding designs for children’s rooms and bathroom areas, and more decorative designs in living rooms and other main rooms.

Crown molding adds value

The addition of crown molding to your home can make your house more valuable. If you plan on selling your home in the near future or you already have your house on the market and want to make your property stand out, talk to your remodeling contractor about options for crown molding available within your budget. Excellent American Painting & Handyman Service will help make your home renovation ideas come to life; contact us for a quote today.

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Update a Vanity, Change a Bathroom

Update a Vanity, Change a Bathroom

You’ve been giving it the ugly eye for a while now— that ugly vanity cabinet.  The whole bathroom really could stand an update, though, so you have resigned yourself to making the best of things until you have the time, funds, and motivation to see you through a whole bathroom remodel.

Maybe it isn’t exactly awful, but when you direct your guests towards the bathroom, it makes you feel uncomfortable to know what they are about to see. You are much trendier than your bathroom gives you credit for.

Why subject yourself and your guests to a bathroom you hate when a simple vanity bathroom vanity and sink update could change the look of the entire room?

Update a Vanity, Change a Bathroom

Updating Your Existing Vanity

There are multiple options at your disposal when it comes to the budget-friendly route of modernizing your current vanity. A skilled professional can:

  • Tint a stained vanity with a darker stain color, or freshen it up with paint
  • Replace the doors and/or drawer fronts with a more modern profile
  • Replace the knobs and/or pulls
  • Replace the countertop and/or sink
  • Replace the faucet fixture

Some or all of these updates can be applied to your existing vanity to make it look brand new (or just the right amount of old if that is your aesthetic).

Replacing Your Vanity

There are three main options when it comes to replacing your bathroom vanity.

  1. Buying a prefinished vanity
  2. Ordering a custom built vanity
  3. Repurposing an existing piece of furniture as a vanity

There are no wrong choices here. This is an opportunity to express yourself, whether it be through the clean sleek lines of a white shaker style vanity cabinet, or the distressed contours of an upcycled vintage buffet.

Hiring a Professional

No matter which type of vanity you choose, hiring a skilled professional to install it is the smart choice. There are several things to account for during a vanity installation including:

  • Attaching the vanity securely to the studs
  • Ensuring that the vanity is level
  • Making sure that the vanity lines up well with any side walls
  • Disconnecting and reconnecting or rerouting the plumbing
  • Cutting interior parts of the vanity to allow for the plumbing

A skilled professional will have the tools and know-how to meet any potential challenges that arise and deliver a beautiful result.

Unlike many other well-established remodel companies, at Excellent American Painting & Handyman Services, updating a vanity is not too small a project. Contact us today to find out how we can help you modernize your bathroom and turn it into a room you are proud of with this simple improvement.

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Find Profit in Unwanted Problems: Buy Flips with Bad Windows

Flipping houses isn’t the same as it used to be. Whether it’s because of the changes in the economy, increased use of databases by companies to find low-hanging fruit, or how the idea has been popularized by a series of home improvement shows, it’s harder and harder to find traditionally profitable homes. One of the best strategies is to find homes that have an unpleasant but relatively inexpensive rehab requirement: novices in the industry will think the problem is far more complicated than it is, and major companies have a checklist of risk factors that make them dismiss homes sight unseen. So look for homes with moderate problems, such as old windows.

Find Profit in Unwanted Problems: Buy Flips with Bad Windows

Old windows are finding their place in the new housing market. Along with other features such as preserved wooden floors, cobblestone driveways, and antique fixtures, old windows are becoming an attractive point you can list when putting your property on the market. If you want to tap into the market that likes antique or classical features but you can’t leave the windows as-is, retrofitting might be precisely the solution you’re looking for. Here’s why:

Old wood-framed windows add charm and durability.

Older styles are rarely duplicated in mass-produced window frames, and windows are often one of the main features of curb appeal for drawing potential buyers to a property. Additionally, the older construction methods and even the specific types of wood used to build window frames make them sturdier and easier to repair than modern frames.

Retrofitting can add all of the advantages of insulation and water-sealing.

One of the main reasons why people want to replace their windows is because the current ones have a problem. Whether it’s water dripping in through the corners during a storm or a continual draft that just can’t seem to be plugged up, both of these problems and more can be solved through retrofitting and repairs. It also offers short-term savings: while replacing the windows might save you in energy costs over the next fifteen to twenty years, retrofitting is the better choice since you plan on selling. If you’re considering turning the property into a rental, just be very clear about utilities in the lease agreement.

Go to Excellent American Painting & Handyman Service for window replacements and all of the other touch-ups you need to get your new properties ready for the market.

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Repairing Wood Defects Will Improve the Look of Your Home Vastly

Even with a fabulous paint job on the interior and exterior of your house, your residence still might not look its best because of the condition of your home’s wood. If portions of your inside or outside wood features contain defects, your entire property will start to look shabby and lose value. Repairing wood defects will improve the look of your home vastly!

Repairing Wood Defects Will Improve the Look of Your Home Vastly

Exterior Wood Trim

The trim on the exterior of your home will often get cracks, wood rot, or the existing paint stripped off due to harsh weather conditions. When this happens, it lowers the curb appeal of your home, because the defects will be quite visible. If your entire house doesn’t need repainting, you can merely get the damaged pieces of wood replaced, repaired, or repainted to restore the look of your home.

Wood Siding

If you have wood siding on your house, even just having one or two bad slats can take away from the otherwise beautiful aesthetic of your exterior. Don’t wait until the damage spreads to take action. Once the wood is repaired and repainted on those particular slats, the outside of your house will once again look gorgeous. Your neighbors will think you’ve had brand new siding installed.

Interior Baseboards

On the inside of your house, baseboards can start to look worn and dirty from age, furniture banging against them, or other types of wear. They can also get long cracks from water damage or additional stresses to the wood. Bad baseboards will make any room look less stylish. Repairing those baseboards so that they look like new will immediately improve the look of your rooms.

Wood defects are something that you shouldn’t ignore if you want your house to look its best and retain its value. For information about how to get your wood repaired, please contact us today. You’ll be amazed at how much better your home looks with smooth, beautiful wood throughout your property.

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Six Electrical Repairs & Replacement Tasks You Should Not Overlook

The old safety warning that most accidents happen in the home is accurate. While we may feel the safest in our homes, it’s essential to double check the infrastructure of where we live to make sure everything is in good working order. Six Electrical Repairs & Replacement Tasks You Should Not Overlook

Here’s a checklist to ensure your house is up-to-date and safe.

Six Electrical Repairs & Replacement Tasks You Should Not Overlook

Get some GFCI Wall Outlets 

If you blow dry your hair in the bathroom, or if your toaster oven is on your kitchen counter, it is vital that your wall outlets be equipped with a ground-fault circuit interrupter. If your appliance comes in contact with water, or if the device detects abnormal electrical flow, the wall outlet will turn off and thus protect you from a potential ground-fault. For standard wall outlets, we recommend the receptacle type because they are not expensive and can easily be installed.

Listen to Your Circuit Breakers

The most effective way to keep yourself safe in regards to electrical safety is to listen to your circuit breaker when there’s a problem. For example, if your breaker trips immediately after resetting it, then that is an indication that something is severely wrong and you should call an electrician immediately to check it out. Repeatedly pressing the breaker is not a good idea – that will just more likely cause an electrical fire.

Buy a Portable Fire Extinguisher for your House

Install a portable fire extinguisher in your kitchen or basement to protect you and your family in case of fire. However, check the class type of your extinguisher. If you’re cooking a meal with olive oil, for example, and a fire starts on your stove, you will need a Class K fire extinguisher to put out that fire. Water alone won’t be sufficient. If you have a fire extinguisher already, double check its class type and make sure it is equipped to put out the right kinds of fires.

Baby Proof Your Cabinets and Closets

Children are naturally curious, but you want to keep their curiosity in check. Update your kitchen and bathroom cabinets with child security locks. There are different kinds available, but the most useful varieties will be tamper-resistant for children but comfortable enough for adults to open without a key.

Stock up with an Emergency Supply Kit

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, you should keep “a battery-powered radio with extra batteries, canned food and a manual can opener, flashlights and battery-powered lamps for power failures” in your house in case of an emergency. Keep your kit in a safe place and let everyone in your home know where its located.

Update Your Smoke Detectors

Of course, you should check the batteries in your smoke detectors, but we recommend you also update your detector to alert you in case of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home. This could be caused by a gas leak, and since it has no scent, it is called the silent killer. You can easily buy combination detectors that both alert you in case of smoke caused by fire and carbon monoxide.

We hope you will keep you and your family safe with these tips. If you need help updating your home for safety this Summer contact us.

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Create a Focal Point in Every Room Using Paint

If you’re looking for an economical way to update the look of your home and create a focal point in various rooms, using interior wall paint is the perfect solution. By using spectacular colors, whether in your living room, bedroom, bathroom, or any other room in your home, you can create looks that you and your family will love.

Create a Focal Point in Every Room Using Paint

Living Room Paint

To create a focal point in your main living area, paint a full accent wall behind your sofa. Choose a bold color for a dramatic look, such as red or purple. For a serene look, opt for a pastel yellow or very light green. If you prefer neutrals, then select a darker shade of your current wall color. For example, if your walls are beige, then use brown for your accent wall. If your walls are gray, use a darker gray for the accent wall. For white walls, choose a soft cream color as your accent paint.

Bedroom Paint

In a bedroom, a fabulous way to create a focal point is to paint the wall behind your bed. You can use color on the entire wall or just the area that spans the width of your bed from floor to ceiling. If you have a door in the bedroom that leads out to a patio or balcony, you can use that wall as a focal point instead by painting it with a coordinating hue that matches the rest of your bedroom decor.

Bathroom Paint

Even in a small space like a bathroom, you can use paint to create a focal point. If you have a freestanding tub, paint the wall that your bathtub sets against with an attractive color to draw attention to that area. Alternatively, you can add color to the wall behind your vanity and mirror. Only use color on the space that spans the bathroom vanity and then paint all the way up to the ceiling. This type of paint job creates a gorgeous look whether you have a single sink or double sinks. To catch the eye, you can even use paint with a little bit of sparkle in it.

Interior paint can be used to update the look of any room in your home. For more information about interior paint colors and the different ways to use them, please contact us today.

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Specialty Exterior Paint Jobs that Will Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

If you want to improve the outside look of your house, but you don’t want to invest in a complete paint job, you can choose to refresh specific areas to give your property better curb appeal. Three of the best places to update the exterior paint are on the front door, the garage door, and the window shutters if you have them.

Specialty Exterior Paint Jobs that Will Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Front Door

The front door is what most people focus on when approaching a house. When your front door stands out, it gives your home a more welcoming and trendy appearance. Instead of staying with a plain wooden door or a neutral-colored door, opt for a bold shade to create a distinctive look. Red is a popular choice and looks great with traditional architecture. Blue is a fabulous option for a house with a contemporary style. Yellow works well for a residence with a transitional design.

Garage Door

Because the garage door takes up a large area of space at the front of your property, you’ll want it to look its best. Choose a secondary color from your house as the color for that door. For example, if your house has red-colored brick on the front with little flecks of beige in it, opt for beige for your garage door. For a home with a solid color, if you want the garage door to blend in, then try choosing the same hue but a shade lighter or darker. If you want the garage door to stand out, then select a contrasting neutral color, such as white with a blue house or black with a house that’s painted green, for example.

Window Shutters

If your house has exterior shutters, painting these a bright color will bring interest to your home. You can match the color to the front door or match it to the garage or use the same color as your trim to coordinate the look. If you’re interested in a bold appearance, use the same color as your front door for the window shutters on either side of the door, then use a different color for the remaining shutters. For a two-story home, you can even use one color for the lower-floor shutters and another color for the upper-floor shutters.

For more information about how to spruce up the exterior of your home with paint, please contact us today. We do interior and exterior painting and can make your home look fresh and new again.

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Our Best Carpentry Services

We at Excellent American Painting LLC have teams who are willing to do our best carpentry work while we are remodeling or painting your home. Decks with signs of rot or numerous cracked wood can become a severe structural safety hazard down the road. We will be more than glad to take care of that problem for you now while we are working on your home. You will have the satisfaction of knowing your deck was fixed by top-notched craftsmen.

Our Best Carpentry Services

We can also help you with installing new trim on the exterior of your home. We provide full renovation services so you can have the kitchen you’ve always wanted, or a beautifully finished office space. Do you want your home to look more modern or a breath of life? We will be more than willing to install brand new wooden floors. Get rid of those old laminated flooring or that ragged old rug and make your life simpler with wood flooring.

Our teams are amazing artisans, providing your home with finished works of art. We are thrilled to use the best products to ensure your home lasts even longer. Our teams at Excellent American Painting will make sure it is done right the first time and within your budget, so you don’t have to go looking for another company. We pride on our perfection. And for your protection, we are also fully bonded and insured. We have been serving homeowners and businesses throughout the Collin and Denton counties for many years, providing the best custom work in the area and we will continue to do so.

Give your home remodeling project the attention it deserves by hiring our team of experts. Remember, we are your number one remodeling specialists in the Frisco Texas area. We are available seven days a week, so us a call at 214-938-1088.

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Keep Your Kitchen Design in Working Order with a Work Triangle

Home renovation programs show you all the different ways to can make your kitchen shine. A new, sleek backsplash can add a pop of color. New granite or quartz countertops add value and make your kitchen instantly more luxurious. Adding a kitchen island can give you more counter space and open up the kitchen for more conversation. But all of these glamorous design changes are founded in tried and true design principles. So if you’re giving your kitchen more than a surface-level face lift and rearranging everything, don’t lose your kitchen work triangle.

Keep Your Kitchen Design in Working Order with a Work Triangle

What’s the kitchen work triangle?

Most of the tasks you complete in your kitchen involve three things: the refrigerator, the sink, and the stove top. Many of the tasks also involve walking from one to another during the course of preparing meals or cleaning out the refrigerator. If you want to have an efficient kitchen, make sure your design includes a clear walkway between the three points. This forms the kitchen work triangle.

The devil is in the details when it comes to the kitchen work triangle. The major points can’t be too close to each other; the different work zones will start to take over each other’s counter space. If two people are working in the kitchen at the same time, then tight quarters could easily lead to frustration. Ideally, each triangle leg should be four to nine feet in length. If you’re incorporating an island to your kitchen design, make sure it stays out of the triangle.

There are also additional suggestions for the amount of counter surface area given to each work area. Sometimes the work triangle can grow into a rectangle to incorporate a microwave or a dishwasher. Depending on how you use your kitchen, you might divide your kitchen into different zones for food preparation, baking, cooking, and cleaning rather than a triangle based on efficient movement.

Whether you’re redesigning your kitchen’s whole layout or you’re upgrading the surfaces, go to Excellent American Painting & Handyman Service to get it done right.

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List It or Love It Again?

In a departure from the instant gratification sell-and-move-up climate that has dominated the housing market for the last few years, many of today’s savvy homeowners are reevaluating whether investing a few dollars in a remodel might just transform their existing house into the home of their dreams.

List It or Love It Again?

Minor damage can make a major impact on your daily life, and many homeowners are surprised to find how inexpensive it can be to replace a cracked porcelain sink or to install new high-efficiency light fixtures. From replacing sun-baked siding to new shutters to fresh interior paint, in many cases, a minor face lift is all that is needed to give your home a new lease on life.

Sometimes you need to expand your options.

Whether you have outgrown the space available in your home or simply gotten tired of making do with oddly shaped rooms and awkward storage spaces, winter is a great time to consider an interior remodel.

Always hated that tiny half-bath off your bedroom? Knock out a wall and that large storage closet you never knew what to do with becomes the perfect space for a soaking tub in your new master bath.

Love that your kids are musically inclined, but dread the hours of practice time each night? We can turn the basement into a soundproof music studio.

Love to entertain, but hate having people jostling for elbow room in the living room? Add that backyard deck that you’ve always wanted and double your entertaining space!

Is your home worth the investment?

Before you scrawl your John Hancock across the bottom of that real estate listing form, take a moment to look around objectively. If you do sell your home, would you be looking for another house in the same area? Is the location convenient? Do you have neighbors you enjoy? What about the quality of the schools and parks?

If thinking about these attributes brings a smile to your face, maybe all your current home needs is a little TLC from the experts at Excellent American Painting & Handyman Service to make you fall in love with it all over again. Contact us today to see how we can help!