Your home is important because it is your place to sleep, your place to eat, and your place to create memories. It is the first thing people see and it represents you. Maintaining the exterior of your home keeps your house healthy. Paint forms a protective surface on the exterior of your home, safeguarding the underlying materials from weather and moisture. H.J. Holtz & Son can help you keep your home in tip top shape. Below are examples of what we address when we paint the exterior of a home.
This picture shows cracking and flaking. When dry paint splits the top coat, it will lead to the failure of the paint. We need to remove all of the damaged paint by scraping and sanding. Then by adding a quality primer and paint, the exterior will be protected.
Peeling is when paint lifts from the surface because of poor adhesion. We prepare the surface by scraping off all of the loose paint. Then we always spot prime bare areas to seal the wood which promotes adhesion for the top coats of paint.
Wood rot is extremely destructive to your home. This is when moisture gets absorbed by the wood. We remove all of the wood rot and repair with a two part epoxy. If the area is too large, the damaged area will be replaced with wood, PVC or another non wood composite material. Then we will sand, caulk and use a quality primer and paint.
Alligatoring is another thing paint does when it ages. When the topcoats expands and contracts the brittle old paint underneath cracks and lets go of the substrate and it causes cracking and peeling. We sand the surface and use a quality primer to fix the surface.
There are many other exterior problems to look for on your home’s exterior including:
Blistering – on painted exterior walls
Rusting – nail heads and iron fences
Paint Incompatibility – too many layers of different types of paints used over the years
Chalking – when paint decomposes and becomes a loose fine powder
Dirt – dust and debris adhere to the paint film
Fading – premature color discoloration
Mildew and Mold – living organisms that grow and spread
With the proper care, repair, preparation and products, H.J. Holtz & Son can extend the life of your exterior paint, making your home a visually and structurally sound place to live. Call us today for a free estimate so we can help keep your house in the best shape possible!
During the last week of April the Garden Club of Virginia will hold their annual tours of homes and gardens throughout the Commonwealth. Conducted in over 30 towns and cities in Virginia, it is the only statewide home and garden tour in the nation.
Garden clubs in the Richmond area invite you to come along and experience Virginia’s unique mix of tradition, elegance and spring. Beginning Wednesday April 26th you can visit 20 homes and gardens in the Richmond area that offer a sweeping vision of Virginia architecture and landscaping. You may just experience how Downton Abbey might appear in contemporary Virginia.
In addition to enjoying the gardens and homes you will want to note the strategies owners adhere to in protecting the heritage of their homes while still making them feel new again. In the near future you might be planning a graduation party, perhaps a wedding celebration at your home, maybe a golden anniversary. Or you may be thinking of selling your home. If you are, jot down tips you take away from the tour. It could be the particular color chosen to repaint an exterior. Or it might be as simple as an arresting rose hue applied to a front door that refreshes the entire front of the home. What you learn may inspire your own home restoration.
We have provided dramatic interior and exterior renovations to historic homes throughout Virginia since F.D.R. was president. For the past 30 years the team at H.J. Holtz and Son have sponsored the Garden Club tours. Additionally, owners of homes on the tour have often called upon us to help them prepare. This year there are three homes along the Richmond tour that showcase the level of quality we bring to the art of restoration.
The homes are located on Monument Avenue which the Garden Club of Virginia tour guide cites as a National Landmark District, “regarded as one of the most beautiful boulevards in America.”
1800 Monument Avenue. With a view of the Robert E. Lee monument, this “Late Georgian” design with Greek revival detailing was built in 1931 and designed by William Bottomley . The owner, Mrs. Carole Conner, enlisted us to perform interior and exterior detail work. From painting the exterior shutters to having our decorative painters touch-up the original finish in the library.
1828 Monument Avenue. The elegant redbrick residence is owned by Susan Snyder. Designed by Claude Knox Howell, the home was built around 1907. Designer Janie Molster recently brought us into the home for interior painting and plaster repairs. The prep work is indicative of the painstaking restoration that goes into these treasured homes.
1839 Monument Avenue. The house was the first major independent commission by the noted Richmond architect, W. Duncan Lee, who was 23 when the home was built in 1908. The owners, Dr. and Mrs. Roger Tutton, had our team perform interior and exterior painting, exterior carpentry work, caulking and other “finesse” touching-up.
If you are considering interior or exterior renewal of your own home give us a call to see how we can bring new life to your own Virginia treasure.
As you welcome friends and family into your home, the front door makes (or breaks) the first impression. There is nothing more striking than a high gloss door. It has a smart, elegant feel that will catch people’s eye. More and more Richmonders are choosing this distinguished look to differentiate their home and create a unique look.
This door is getting ready to be rejuvenated. We have removed it from the residence and brought it to our shop. We secured the opening at the house with plywood. We also removed all of the hardware.
It’s very important to remove visual evidence of old paint. We achieve this by sanding, using heat or a gel paint and varnish remover. We sand the door and fill in any large holes or dings. Then we let these spots dry and repeat the process. Our craftsmen apply one or two coats of Brushing Putty or Swedish Putty to give the surface a new skin. This fills in surface imperfections such as wood grain. Then we sand the putty down to a smooth finish and prime with an oil base undercoater. Any scars or dings that were overlooked are repaired while we sand the undercoater smooth.
Using our state of the art spray booth in our studio in Richmond, Mark Woodson, our spray specialist, applies two to three coats of Fine Paints of Europe Hollandlac Brilliant, custom tinted to Benjamin Moore 2121-10 Gray, while sanding in between. This is a very thorough, time consuming process.
When the door is completed we re-install the hardware and door at the residence. The final result is a beautiful, polished door that reflects the home owners personality and becomes a welcoming, dramatic addition to their home. Call us to schedule a free estimate so we transform your front door from ordinary to extraordinary.
Preparation is key to a successful paint job. The same can be said about power washing. Envirowash, a power washing company that began in 2001, specializes in low pressure, power washing — a soft, low-pressure power wash using heated water at 190 degrees and a mild detergent removes grime, mold, algae, and atmospheric pollutants.
Envirowash and H.J. Holtz & Son have successfully worked together for 10 years, primarily because we share the same philosophy. Owner James Herbert recognized that both companies have the same sense of pride in serving our customers. We show the customers respect and treat them with integrity while providing excellent work.
Power-washing Before Painting
Photo courtesy of Envirowash, Inc.
It is important to to power wash before you paint so you have a clean surface to which the paint can adhere. Polluants also destroy the integrity of the paint, so they need to be removed before any painting begins.
Envirowash protects all of the light fixtures with bags, and uses blue painters tape and canola oil to protect hardware. They also water the plants before, during and after the power wash to keep the landscape protected from the mild chemicals.
Power-washing In Between Paint Jobs
Power-washing is not only a critical step in preparing your exterior surface for painting, it is also instrumental in maintaining a healthy environment for your family. When your home’s exterior is not periodically cleaned with environmentally safe solutions and pressure washing, mold, mildew and other pollutants can grow. To prevent this health hazard (and to keep up your home’s curb appeal) periodic pressure washing does the trick!
At H.J. Holtz & Son we strive to have a commitment to excellence. We pride ourselves on being honest, having integrity and a thorough knowledge of our craft. We are using superior materials while providing excellent customer service. When we partner with other companies we expect they share the same values and Envirowash is one of those companies.
Our partnership with Envirowash is a win, win for both companies. H.J. Holtz & Son knows that Envirowash will prepare the house properly for a fabulous paint job and we will execute that. Both companies are members of the PDCA (Paint and Decorating Contractors of America) and are continually educating our teams about the latest techniques and materials. It’s a wonderful partnership that will continue to grow in the future.
We are proud members of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA). I’ve been heavily involved in our local chapter for years and my dad held leadership positions at both the local and regional level for over 30 years. I was honored to have been selected to participate on a panel at the PDCA’s national convention in 2015. I’ve included some more information about the PDCA below.
This is a long way of saying that we are fans of this well-respected organization and are eager to participate in our local chapter’s annual charitable paint project for a non profit agency. We collaborate with other members, contractors and suppliers. Participants donate their supplies, time and talent to this event.
This year United Methodist Family Services was chosen as the recipient. UMFS is a nonprofit agency that provides a comprehensive array of programs to meet the needs of high-risk children and parents to enable them to overcome challenging circumstances and succeed. Their mission is to be an unwavering champion for high risk – children and families and collaborating with communities to help them reach their full potential. Take a look at the video below for a peek at what we did!
Approximately 50 volunteers arrived bright and early on a Saturday morning. From H.J. Holtz & Son alone, we had over half of our company participate, to paint the common areas, family room, foyer, kitchen, and halls of four cottages. We also hung a mural in the administrative office. It was a satisfying day knowing we were refreshing the cottages for the residents. Giving back to our community is invaluable and we are so happy we have the resources to participate in this annual project.
About the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America
The Painting and Decorating Contractors of America was founded in 1884 and is the only trade association dedicated to the success of painting and decorating contractors. Nearly 2,000 contractors in America and Canada are proud members of this organization. PDCA is recognized and supported by many industry manufacturers and suppliers as the premier organization committed to helping painting and decorating contractors improve their business.
The demand for our craftsmen to paint stained woodwork is increasing substantially here at H.J. Holtz & Son. Whether it is a wall, trim details, a bookcase or cabinets we can change the look of your home. A little paint can provide relief from the wood, create a clean look, brighten the room and sometimes can make it look more formal. Even just a little painted trim can make a huge difference.
Styles change over the years and color preferences and decor vary from person to person. If you have dark wood where you would prefer a brighter, lighter environment, you don’t have to grin and bear it merely because you’ve been told it is impossible to paint light over dark successfully. With proper preparation and the right paint and company, you can have a redesigned look.
Our craftsman first wipe down the wood with a degreaser because many people use wax to clean and moisturize wood. In addition the moisture on your hands leaves residue that needs to be removed so the degreaser addresses these issues. Then we sand and use a primer that promotes adhesion. We like Sherwin Williams Extreme Primer, Zinsser Pigmented Shellac and Stix. It is very important to let it dry overnight and cure, then it can be painted any finish the customer chooses. The difference is overwhelming.
Below are some gorgeous photos of our customers painted stained woodwork. If you are interested in updating your home or just wanting a change call us for a free estimate or visit our Design Studio for many more ideas of how to improve your home.
These two toned grey painted cabinets blend beautifully with the stone backsplash, stainless steel appliances and pewter lighting. They brighten the kitchen and create an inviting atmosphere. Benjamin Moore AF-685 Thunder (upper cabinets) and Benjamin Moore HC-168 Chelsea Gray (lower cabinets).
This faux finished room was once a dark stain wood. The distressed finish not only opens the room but also gives it an antiqued look. Plus the wallpapered ceiling adds dimension and interest.
The bright white trim of the railing and risers accentuates the wood on the stairway creating a cleaner and more modern look. Benjamin Moore White 01.
The dark wood paneling surrounding the fireplace painted off-white creates a much larger space. The window trim and mullions were also painted in the same color to maintain a unified look. Having a neutral space lets you add a pop of color with your furniture or accessories. Farrow and Ball Slipper Satin 2004.
These grey bathroom cabinets blend beautifully with the marble floor and countertop. The light fixtures, faucets and knobs accent the color. Farrow and Ball Blackened 2011.
This blue front door in a wonderful accent against the brick exterior. When it is opened into the entrance it blends beautifully with the rest of the home.
Clearly, when you paint stained woodwork, the results can be beautiful, practical, and rejuvenating all at the same time. If you’re wondering how this technique might be used in your home or business, just give us a call. We’d be happy to host you at our one-of-a-kind design studio to see this technique first hand. Use the form below to contact us, or just give a call at (814) 358-4109.
