"Mike is fantastic. He did what he said he would do and the place looks amazing. He is a hard worker, honest, reliable and friendly. I left my door open for him to do interior painting. Highly trustable. I will hire him for all of my future staining and painting projects. A+++"
"Very great rates. Extremely professional, polite, and clean. Guerra and Sons treated my home as if it was their own. I had my interior painted, deck painted, and fence stained. They did not leave any messes and couldn’t be happier with hiring them. They did such a great job, my neighbor got their information and had work done as well. Very thankful to have come across them and would recommend to anyone in need of their services."
"We are so happy with the work he did on our house! He painted the yellow brick on the front of our home and the before and after speaks for itself. It looks like a completely different house! Everything looks so much cleaner, brighter, and more modern. He was professional, dependable, and really took his time to make sure the job was done right. You can tell he genuinely cares about the quality of his work and about making sure his customers are happy. We couldn’t be happier with the finished result. If you’ve been thinking about having your brick or exterior painted, I definitely recommend reaching out to him. Great work, great service, and someone we would absolutely hire again!"
"I had a hole in my wall that needed to be repaired. Ensar fixed the drywall and painted the area afterward. It turned out really nice and you can barely tell there was ever any damage. I?m very happy with the work!"
GT Custom Paint is a painting contractor that delivers quality service that is both efficient and professional. We have been serving residential, commercial, and light industrial customers in Central Illinois for more than 40 years. When your home or business needs a facelift, there is only one company to call for guaranteed quality. No job is too big or too small for us. Quality is our mission and each client is our priority.\n
"Very responsive and friendly! They got back to me the very same day and had someone out to fix our fence the next day! We will definitely be using this company again in the future!"
We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity, and quality work. We are experts in our trade and will do our best to keep you as educated as we can on your particular task or project. We look forward to earning your business!
Yes, staining or sealing a cedar deck or fence is highly recommended to extend its lifespan, typically by five to 10 years. While cedar is naturally resistant to mold and mildew, it can still fall victim to moisture, sun exposure, and rot over time. Applying a treatment creates a protective shield that helps prevent splintering, fading, and decay, preserving the wood's strength and appearance. A combination stain and sealer often provides the best protection, as it soaks into the wood grain rather than just sitting on top. This offers superior defense against UV damage and rot and lasts longer than a sealer alone. To maintain the wood's natural look, consider using a near-translucent stain. You should plan to reapply the stain or sealer every two to three years.
Manufacturers use a different process and formula for exterior paint versus interior. The exterior formula has to withstand elements like temperature, UV lighting, moisture, wind, and debris. Interior paint doesn’t need to be as tough, only exposed to dust, scratches, dents, scuff marks, and the like.
Generally, these steps are included in exterior house painting:
Prepping and protecting the areas not being painted
Scraping away loose paint
Cleaning off dirt, grease, and debris
Caulking gaps and openings
Priming with a quality paint primer
Painting the prepared areas, including trim and accents with chosen paint finish
Adding a second coat
Cleaning up the site and disposing of tape, plastic, and drop cloths
Applying a sealer or topcoat after staining wood is highly recommended, though not always strictly required. A sealer protects the wood from moisture, UV rays, and weather-related issues, which is especially important for outdoor surfaces like decks and fences. It also enhances the stain's durability, prevents fading over time, and gives the wood a cleaner, more professional-looking finish. For some indoor applications, a sealer may not be necessary, depending on the type of stain used and the level of protection needed. It's always best to check the stain manufacturer's recommendations and consider the wood's intended use and exposure when deciding whether to apply a sealer.
Yes, you can and should paint or stain pressure-treated wood to help prevent the boards from cracking. However, you must wait for the wood to dry out completely before applying any finish. Freshly treated wood can take weeks or even months to dry; a common recommendation is to wait three to six months. To check if the wood is ready, perform a simple water test: drip some water onto the surface. If the water beads up, the wood is still too wet and needs more time to dry. If the wood absorbs the water, it is dry enough to be painted or stained. You can proceed with building your deck or fence while the wood is still wet, but you will need to wait to apply the paint or stain.
The Edwards, IL homeowners’ guide to painting services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The cost to paint the interior of a house depends on size, layout, type of surface, and more. Learn what factors can influence your total in this guide.
How much does it cost to paint a room? Learn what you’ll pay to give your space a makeover, depending on room size, paint type, the pro you hire, and more.
You’ve likely heard of it, but do you actually know what milk paint is? Churn up some helpful info about this product and what it’s best for in our guide.
