"He was honest and on time. He was a perfectionist. He cleaned everything when finished. A great price and value. We are having him back in two weeks, and he will be our only painter. Thank you! We are more than satisfied. What a relief to have the work of finding a true proffessional done for us!"
"I had a great experience with this contractor. I needed a quote on many projects and they were very versitile. I ended up only needing them for a painting project, but they did a great job, no hassle, they were the first and just about the only one who responded to my request on H.A. The price was very fair and the quality and efficiency of the work was greater than my expectations. I will continue to use this company in the future."
"Very professional, covered all of my furniture, had drop cloth on the floors. When they were finished my rooms and hallway was cleaned and looked beautiful. They are amazing, I highly recommend. They are who I will call for all of my painting projects."
"Called, he called me back a few minutes later and instead of charging me for a service call, he walked me through the fix on the phone in less than 5 minutes! Very professional and courteous. I would definitely hire him for future work!"
I have 25 yrs of high level experience in the industry. I’m a pro at all things paint, including faux finish. I do drywall repair, texture repair and wallpaper as well.
"My microwave oven broke right before the Thanksgiving holiday. Help!!! I called By All Means And More and, as usual, they rescued me. They installed my new microwave very quickly. They came just a few days after I called them and put me into their schedule as an emergency. I have used these guys for all sorts of construction and fixes around the house. They are friendly, courteous, clean and always do what they promised to do. They clean up after themselves beautifully. Their list of references is a mile long. ?"
"Assessed the project within a 2 day timeframe ; provided a quote within a 1-2 day timeframe. Was patient in our approval process to get the job. Went above and beyond work asked of him outside the initial quote, without blinking an eye. Provided professional wall repair and professional painting. His work and his workers were professional and are proud of their work. Never said "he couldnt or wouldnt" do what I asked of him. Completed the job in a timely manner and corrected only a couple minor flaws the same day. Highly recommend for more work and will use this contractor in the future.
Contractor did not call me (harrass) to find out if quote was good or if he got the job. He was patient in our approval process even though it only took 2 days to approve."
"They have already been to my house three times! They put up my trampoline for me, Stained outdoor furniture for me, And then I have asked them to do a lot of other odd jobs. They work the whole time and are super professional!"
"We called Machen for an estimate to tear off our old roof on our house and detached garage. They were very responsive and Jodi even came out on a Saturday to give us an estimate. He was very knowledgeable regarding the materials and products we needed, and we were impressed that he actually climbed the roof to take all of the measurements, where other contractors we had contacted did not. The estimate we received was fair considering that the roof deck would need wrapped and the amount of ice guard we needed. Jodi and his team were on time every day and got right to work. They took their time on the job and were very conscientious about the work performed to ensure it was done correctly. Jodi takes a lot of pride in ensuring the job site remains neat and takes a lot of care to ensure they thoroughly clean up before leaving for the day. We ran into heavy rain halfway through the project and Jodi even came out on the weekend to ensure that the roof was water tight before the rain hit. The new roof looks great and we are very pleased with the end result!"
Limewash and whitewash are two techniques used to give brick a light, matte finish, but they differ in composition, application, and permanence. The best choice depends on your aesthetic goals and the specific surface.
Composition
Limewash: A natural and environmentally friendly option made from limestone, water, and sometimes pigments. It is breathable and soaks into porous surfaces like brick.
Whitewash: Traditionally made from lime, water, chalk, and binders, but a similar look can be achieved with watered-down white paint. It is paint-based and sits on top of the surface.
Appearance and Finish
Limewash: Provides a natural, textured appearance that allows the brick's character to show through. It offers a more traditional finish.
Whitewash: Creates a softer, more opaque finish, often used for a rustic or shabby-chic style.
Application and Permanence
Limewash: Is semi-permanent and can be removed, making it a good choice if you might want to change the look in the future. It requires more skill to apply and cannot be used on previously painted brick.
Whitewash: Is a more permanent solution. It is more forgiving to apply and can be used on painted brick. However, because it sits on the surface, it can trap moisture.
Ultimately, if you want a breathable, natural, and reversible finish for unpainted brick, limewash is a great option. If you need a more permanent, opaque coating that can be applied over painted surfaces, whitewash is the better choice. Whitewashing may also be more economical, costing approximately $1.40 to $4.20 per square foot.
Staining pressure-treated wood is a recommended practice. While inherently resilient, it's not impervious to moisture and UV exposure. Staining treated wood is feasible and recommended for enhanced protection and longevity. Applying stain and sealant safeguards against degradation, prolonging its life span. These measures shield the wood from environmental threats while augmenting its aesthetic appeal, ensuring your investment endures the test of time.
If you want to achieve a deeper, darker stain color, wait 5 to 10 minutes before wiping it off. However, wipe it off faster for a lighter tone. When wiping off the stain during this part of the process, be sure to work in the direction of the wood’s grain for best results.
Ultimately, overapplication of stain can compromise the deck's appearance, durability, and longevity. It may result in an uneven finish, with excess stain pooling, dripping, or drying into thick patches. It can also obscure the wood's natural grain and texture, detracting from the desired aesthetic. Moreover, excessive staining may not fully penetrate the wood, leading to poor adhesion and premature wear. Additionally, thick layers of stain are prone to peeling, cracking, and blistering as they struggle to bond with the surface.
It’s best to use an exterior latex acrylic paint to promote maximum adhesion to composite decking. This flexible paint type can better cope with the natural expansion and contraction that can occur with composite deck boards. Oil-based paints won’t adhere as effectively and are more likely to crack and peel as the boards flex. Testing whether your chosen paint will stick on an inconspicuous section or a spare board is a good idea.
The Hopedale, OH homeowners’ guide to deck staining services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The best time to stain a deck is when it’s dry but not too sunny. How often you restain a deck depends on climate and wood type, but every two to three years is normal.
