FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My home will not hold paint for more than 3 or 4 years. Why does it keep peeling?

A: There are many reasons why a home will not hold paint. The number one reason is moisture. All homes contain moisture, especially in the winter when our homes are closed. (Our breath, the showers we take, running the dishwasher, etc. will all increase humidity). It is estimated that a family of four produces about 2 gallons of water per day. This water (often refereed to as vapor) can get trapped behind the exterior of your home. When warmer temperatures come in the spring, the sun pulls this vapor through the exterior wall and creates a water bubble that can eventually burst and cause your paint to peel. American Painting Company can recommend ways to slow this process and extend the life of your paint.

Q. What brands of paint do you use and are there "Green" Alternatives?

A: We have tried a while range of products over the years and have found personal favorites depending on which type of surface and look you are going for. We strive to use top of the line paints and stains from Benjamin Moore, California Paints, Sherwin Williams and Cabot's Stains. All of the major brands offering low and zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) pants creating a lower carbon footprint. We try to stay away from "cheap" brands of paint that you will typically find at the big box stores.

Q: What type of painting do you do?

A: We are both an interior and exterior painting company. We have a large base of residential and commercial clients.

Q: My home has rot. Are you able to fix these areas or do I have to hire a carpenter?

A: We offer carpentry services to take care of these problems for you. Depending on the size of the damage we can offer fix bid pricing or a time and materials option. In instances where there is a lot of rot and the paint keeps peeling, it is sometimes cost effective to replace siding with a quality product like preprimed rough cedar or fiber cement composite.

Q: My home is newer and the trim is rotting. Why is this happening?

A: Many homes that were built in the last 20 years or so used finger jointed pine (young soft wood glued together in sections). Rain water penetrates the joints of the pine and causes this soft wood to rot very quickly. We recommend replacing with a PVC composite material that can be painted and will not rot. A popular supplier of this type of trim is called Azek.

Q: I've seen and heard ads for paints that are guaranteed to last for a lifetime. What do you know about these paints and do you apply them?

A: These paints (some companies refer to it as a specialty coating) are unverified. They are not able to provide a client from 15 years ago to show you the product lasts for a lifetime. They are very expensive and can only be as good as the surface they are applied to. These companies manufacture their own product and install it themselves giving very little information on the coating itself. In our professional opinion these companies are not able to provide a lifetime product. Benjamin Moore is owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway group and they don't offer a lifetime product, so why would some local paint vendor??

Q: When is the best time of year to paint?

A: Although many old time New England Painters have a best time to paint, these theories were developed when oil-based paint was the norm. With today's water-based latex technology, the window is much greater for the exterior painting season. Most of the brands offer paints that can be applied down to 35 degrees. Our exterior season usually goes form mid April through late October and sometimes in to early November.