http://abpainting.com/blog/ en pioneerdesign@gmail.com Copyright 2008 2008-05-29T15:39:00-08:00 http://abpainting.com/site/becoming_a_green_company_takes_time_commitment_on_many_levels/ http://abpainting.com/site/becoming_a_green_company_takes_time_commitment_on_many_levels/#When:15:39:00Z Many homeowners understand the inherent environmental risks of a home makeover.  Paint products emit gases known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and materials used by contractors can lead to excess buildup in local landfills. Recent developments, however, have allowed consumers and painting contractors increased opportunities to be more environmentally conscious when remodeling a home.  In order to be socially responsible, a painting company must adjust its business practices and help customers understand the importance of remodeling in the most environmentally friendly way possible. As a company that has always placed a high priority on corporate responsibility, A.Allbright Painting recently started examining its way of doing business and its effect on the environment.  As part of an industry known for using products that have the potential to produce harmful environmental effects, we examined ways that we could change to become more conscious of the world around us. In seeking to quantify our environmental impact, we know that the two greatest environmental impacts come from our fleet of vehicles, which emit tons of carbon dioxide annually, and the VOCs in the paints and similar products used by our company.   As a result of our Green Initiative, we are taking a number of steps in order to reduce the negative impact of our business on the environment.  We now use vehicles that are more environmentally sound, for example, our sales team drives Toyota Scions instead of trucks.  We work with local charities that have a need for our left over water-base paints. We just completed a high-profile 14 story building in Beverly Hills where we were able to recommend using a zero VOC paint with high performance characteristics.  This project used hundreds and hundreds of gallons of paint.  Our Green Initiative also includes a plan for office recycling.   As VOC usage is a concern, we will look at ways to use paints that have the lowest VOCs, yet are still effective for the job at hand.  Additionally, we are educating ourselves on which products, such as thinners and primers, contain the lowest VOCs, but will still yield the same results the job requires. Our commitment to the environment would not be possible without the involvement of all of our employees. They also have shown extraordinary enthusiasm for helping the company to take a leadership position in environmental responsibility. While we have made great strides in the implementation of our Green Initiative, we plan on stepping up our efforts in 2008 and beyond.  Our future plans include offering customers the option of using low-VOC paints, purchasing renewable energy for our offices and examining ways to clean paint brushes that will reduce environmental impact. Being an environmentally responsible company takes time, dedication and the participation of employees and customers alike.  In today’s world, however, it is a concept that is far too important to overlook. Josh is president and CEO of A.Allbright Painting, Inc., a residential painting contractor and color consulting company based in Valencia, California. News 2008-05-29T15:39:00-08:00 http://abpainting.com/site/white_walls_little_green/ http://abpainting.com/site/white_walls_little_green/#When:14:31:01Z  Problem:  White Walls, Little Green - $Solution:  When budget is an issue, start in the room that’s used most. Adding color will provide a finished, functional space to relax. It is often a blessing not to be able to jump into all rooms immediately; having a grace period to familiarize yourself with your new home gives you a better idea of what colors you really want before making costly redo mistakes. A lot can be done in just one day. We have a program called “Painter For A Day” at a special rate that provides eight hours of quality painting craftsmanship to fit your needs.  2008-05-26T14:31:01-08:00 http://abpainting.com/site/going_green/ http://abpainting.com/site/going_green/#When:22:05:00Z By now you have probably heard about the Going Green movement.  This movement encompasses everything from keeping our water, air, and land clean to using our natural resources wisely, to recycling and reducing pollution.  More and more products are being made with recycled materials, and companies are becoming more aware of eco-friendly methods….   But did you know that you can even “Go Green” when you paint your house?      There are now more environmentally friendly paint products that use sustainable raw materials, like soy and sunflower oil and have a reduced amount of solvent, so the vapors being emitted into the atmosphere are much better for the environment and give off fewer odors, too.  Even in the production of these products there is more energy efficiency and less waste.  Next time you paint your house, consider using some of the eco-friendly products out there.    If you are not painting anytime soon, there are lots of ways you can still support the Going Green movement, many of which are simple and easy to implement.  For example, you can leave the car at home - try walking, biking, skateboarding, roller-skating, or taking the bus.  This helps reduce air pollution while also providing great exercise for you!  Leave lights off when you do not need them or keep that refrigerator door closed.  It is amazing how much energy can be saved by remembering those simple things.  Look for products that are made from recycled materials.  Paper or plastic?  Either – but make sure you reuse those grocery bags!  Or invest in some canvas or mesh bags you can use over and over again!  When it comes time for spring cleaning, donate those used and unneeded items you have had in the garage forever.  Make it a group event, grab some friends and spend a day cleaning up a local park.  Be as creative as you like!    2008-05-14T22:05:00-08:00 http://abpainting.com/site/maintaining_exteriors/ http://abpainting.com/site/maintaining_exteriors/#When:16:21:01Z Just like your car, the exterior of your home is vulnerable to the effects of the outdoors: dirt, dust and pollution.    Every type of siding and trim (stucco, concrete block, asbestos shingle, wood clapboard/shake, aluminum and vinyl) is susceptible and will gather dirt and dust over time.  In more humid areas, exterior siding and trim are vulnerable to mold and mildew.  The combination of dirt and mildew is not only unattractive, but will prove to be more costly to refurbish.  Mildew especially will weaken the paint, and will lead to the necessity of painting prematurely.  Mildew can also cause wood rot and masonry to weaken and crumble.    The presence of dirt, mold, and mildew can also cause more immediate problems, especially if you are planning on repainting the exterior of your home.  Paints are designed to adhere to a specific type of surface, but the presence of dirt and/or mildew acts as a layer between the surface and the paint, and keeps the paint from adhering properly to your home.    In preparing to paint the exterior, it is crucial to take the time to properly wash the surface.  It takes more than just water!  The trained professional knows to use a specially formulated product that washes away dirt, while destroying mildew.  It is best to mix this solution with bleach and water, and then power wash with a special tip to avoid scarring the exterior of your home.  By taking this important step, you have now provided the proper surface for your home to retain its new coats of paint.  For more exterior ideas check out our portfolio.  2008-05-05T16:21:01-08:00 http://abpainting.com/site/color_consultation/ http://abpainting.com/site/color_consultation/#When:16:51:02Z Why work with our Color Consultant? For most, choosing the right colors for one's home is a daunting task. There are literally thousands of colors and shades to choose from!  Despite the availability of color cards to tape on the wall and sample quarts to test possible choices, it is not uncommon to find that this only furthers the color confusion.  What to do?  Perhaps a Color Consultation is just what you need! A trained color consultant has the ability to determine the space, interior or exterior, to consider lighting and architectural detailing, and to discuss your preferences and prejudices to colors.  Combining this information with the knowledge of color chemistry, the color consultant can then help you select colors that meet your criteria while also providing a personal appeal that is harmonious and balanced that will resonate with you.  After all, we want to love the colors we live with.  2008-04-22T16:51:02-08:00 http://abpainting.com/site/a_place_to_start/ http://abpainting.com/site/a_place_to_start/#When:15:34:00Z QUESTION: We recently moved and cannot afford to redo our new home all at once. Where should we start?  The best place to start is the room that is going to be most used on a daily basis. Adding color to the room will provide a finished feel in a functional space while introducing the color palette you can work from for the rest of your house at a later time.  Any re-design project can be overwhelming, so having a comfortable space to gather ideas and to plan color choices for the next stages is valuable.  It is often a blessing in disguise to not be able to redo all rooms immediately.  It creates a sort of "grace period" that enables you to familiarize yourself with your new home, and gives you a better idea of what colors you really want to implement in the rest of your home before committing an entire repaint that you may find you do not like.  At A.Allbright Painting,  one day can make a big difference.  One of our trained professionals can paint a bedroom, kitchen, or living room (or more, depending on size).  We have a program called Painter For A Day at a special rate that provides 8 hours of quality painting craftsmanship to fit your needs.  So go ahead… choose a room, and let us help you take the first step towards beautifying your new home!  2008-04-07T15:34:00-08:00 http://abpainting.com/site/chain_of_command/ http://abpainting.com/site/chain_of_command/#When:15:38:02Z Here at A.Allbright Painting, we are always looking for new and improved ways of doing things to become as efficient and effective as possible in order to serve our clients.  From our office procedures to new tools and products, we are striving towards perfection in all we do (or as close as we can get, anyway!)  So far this year, we have already made many changes, including a new Field position called a Project Manager.  The Project Manager has many job duties which cover a plethora of responsibilities!  From customer service, to leadership on the job, to scheduling, job planning, and quality control, to constant training in the field, these guys are definitely busy!  We now have two Project Managers who are each responsible for several jobs at any one time.  Since they can't be in four places at once (but wouldn't that be handy!), they depend on the next in command - the Crew Leader - to run each job sucessfully.  It is the job of the Crew Leader to ensure that customers are happy and that the job runs smoothly.  And of course, what would a job be without a Crew?  Depending on the size of the job, each Crew Leader has at least one or two other guys with him to complete the work.  Some larger jobs can even have crews of around five at one time!  While all our of Field Employees are painters, we also have several Apprentices who work alongside the Painters and Crew Leaders as they learn and master the artful trade of painting.  We are very proud of the excellent team we have assembled here, and are glad we can offer our customers the very best! 2008-03-25T15:38:02-08:00 http://abpainting.com/site/more_than_crayola1/ http://abpainting.com/site/more_than_crayola1/#When:21:20:00Z Choosing the right finish can be tricky, but choosing the wrong finish can be even worse.  There are a variety of finishes (also called sheens) to choose from, and each finish has its own unique benefits and draw backs.  While different paint companies offer some varied finishes, the most common include: flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss.   Flat finish (or its equivalent) is easily touched-up and often provides the most cost effective solution.  For example, if you own a rental property and find yourself painting or touching up the paint job, you may want to consider using flat paint for all the walls.  One draw back to flat paint is it cannot be scrubbed without affecting the surface.  It does, however, offer the ability to hide minor flaws in drywall surfaces and is the easiest to touch-up.  Another common sheen is called eggshell.  It is the least glossy of the enamels and often considered an upgrade from flat paint.  Enamels offer varying degrees of resistance to moisture and scuffing, but do not touch-up easily and often cannot be scrubbed without burnishing. Semi-gloss paints are commonly used in bathrooms and kitchens due to their resistance to moisture.  Gloss paints are usually reserved for trim work, and offer a high degree of resistance to fingerprints and moisture.  A consultation with a professional will help you determine which sheen best suits your individual needs.   Call A. Allbright Painting for more information or for a free estimate today! 2008-03-13T21:20:00-08:00 http://abpainting.com/site/its_time_charity_giveaway_2008/ http://abpainting.com/site/its_time_charity_giveaway_2008/#When:14:52:59Z And now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve all been waiting for!  The 3rd Annual A.Allbright Painting Charity Giveaway is here!  Each year one deserving family is chosen to receive $5000 of painting services for their home.  Here at A.Allbright, we look forward to the opportunity to give back to our community by donating our time and resources to help those in need.  In fact, we love it so much that this year we are raising the bar and will be giving $7500!    In 2006, the recipient of our Charity Giveaway was Silvia Aguila, a hardworking, recently widowed, single mom.  Her husband Carlos, age 40, died suddenly of a stroke, despite the fact he had no prior problems.  Silvia worked six days a week as a manager at Burger King to make ends meet, and was left to raise their two children, Xochitl and Jose.    The winner of our 2007 Giveaway was James Little and his family.  In 1999, his younger sister was killed in a hit-and-run auto accident leaving behind seven children to care for.  Not wanting the children to be separated, James, his mom, and his sister took in all the children to care for. Employed as a dishwasher, he struggled to make his paycheck last, as all their money went to taking care of the children.    Each year we find that the decision is harder and harder to make, as there are many deserving families.  We are looking for those who are in great need of a new paint job on the interior and/or exterior of their home, but who cannot afford it.  Once all the stories have been submitted, they are narrowed down to the top five deserving families.  Those five stories are then presented to the entire A.Allbright Painting team to vote on which one they feel they can make the biggest difference.  The winner is announced the day before Thanksgiving, and the actual work is done after the holidays.    Okay, Santa Clarita Valley, it’s time to start thinking about who you can nominate for our 2008 Charity Painting Giveaway.  The rules are simple: mail, email, fax, or go to our website to submit stories of families in need who deserve this gift.  Be sure to include the contact info for the family you are nominating, as well as your name and contact info, should there be any questions.  Include a story about the family, making sure to explain why you think they ought to be the winners of our 2008 Painting Charity Giveaway.  If you have pictures of their home, send them along!  It’s up to you!    The deadline for submission is Friday, November 16th, 2007.  Start submitting stories now! 2007-09-11T14:52:59-08:00 http://abpainting.com/site/welcome_to_the_team/ http://abpainting.com/site/welcome_to_the_team/#When:22:54:00Z A. Allbright Painting would like to welcome Terry Seward to our team as our newest salesman. Terry was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley with his 10 siblings.   He played baseball at Notre Dame High School, and later at Los Angeles Valley College and Loyola Marymount University. He has experience working in construction, real estate, and advertising, and he loves the diversity and styles of different homes.  In 2006, he had the opportunity to travel to Italy with his family.  He is currently enjoying single living in North Hollywood, and spends his time visiting exhibits such as the Picasso/Brach exhibit in New York City’s Museum of Modern Art.  He is a great addition to the A.Allbright Team!    A.Allbright Painting would also like to welcome Kelly Swain, the newest addition to the team!  Originally from Ohio, Kelly has been living in the Santa Clarita Valley since she was sixteen.  She graduated from Pacific Union College in Napa Valley, CA, and has experience in the Interior Design field.  Her main job duties as our Resource Manager include scheduling all jobs and crews, and the many details that go along with that.  She enjoys decorative painting and spending time with her family.  She currently lives in Valencia with her husband and two children. We are so thankful for these new members of our team!  Welcome to A.Allbright, Terry and Kelly!  2007-08-24T22:54:00-08:00