​Even professional painters may dread the task of refinishing old neglected, old dock & decks. Pressure treated lumber used on wooden decks and docks are what we see most. For the most part, they tend to avoid rotting, but can look unsightly in a short amount of time. Often the highest-grade lumber is not used and wood repairs are inevitable. 
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As deck wood dries, it commonly begins to split. This causes a myriad of problems, allowing moisture and other contaminates to intrude. This may cause ugly mildew/algae growth. When the wood gets to this stage, there is not much else to do, it’s time for a professional touch. A partial or full refinishing will be needed to save replacement of the wood.

Shortly after construction/installation (wood needs to dry a bit) of your exterior wood you'll want to apply some sort of protection from the elements. Stain is an easy to apply; and most of the quality stains sold today have the necessary sealers combined with them. Make sure your exterior stain is a sealer as well, or you will need to apply varnish as a top-coat protectant.Exterior wood oil, varnish, or an epoxy sealers. Ease of application and longevity are the big differences with these top-coat protective finishes. With today's technology we recommend using a stain with the sealer included. Many are available on the market.

​Clear Wood Finish: As we all know, protecting wood decks and docks with some sort of sealer is crucial to maintain integrity. Clear wood finishes are applied easily. Some of the most common are lacquer, shellac, polyurethane, varnish and wax. They contain little or no pigment and important water repellents. Additionally, most will have ultraviolet inhibitors and wood preservatives. While these clear wood finishes have an amazing aesthetic appeal; they don’t quite have the long-lasting protection needed in Florida’s harsh climate.

​Semi-Solid: Semi-solid or “semi-transparent” stains are a popular choice. Contrary to solid stain, they allow the natural look and feel of wood to remain. Some of the wood’s grain remains visible. Semi-transparent finishes apply easily and look amazing if done correctly. The downfall is they can be high maintenance; usually a yearly freshen-up is required to maintain the fresh appearance and achieve maximum protect

​Solid Stain: Another option is solid body stain. These wood stains have the bold appearance of paint, allowing none of the wood grain to come through. Also, they may lay on top of the wood and could flake or peel as the wood releases. Unfortunately, if this transpires it may be necessary to strip the failing finish before applying new coatings. Make no mistake, the performance of these stains will greatly outlast clear or semi solid stains in general.

​For many years, we used a product from Sherwin Williams named Deckscapes (discontinued) with great success. They have replaced the DeckScapes line with the new and improved SuperDeck series of wood protection products. Although we are not a fan of the semi-transparent SuperDeck; we absolutely love the solid body and the elastomeric versions.

Elastomeric For Wood?
When paint manufactures began producing elastomeric coatings specifically for wood; the zenith of the industry was realized! Elastomeric coatings have always been the go to for concrete, stucco, masonry and roofs. Pro Color has applied these types of waterproofing coatings to masonry for over 20 years with great success and efficiency.
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Elastomeric coatings differ from regular paint and stain is several aspects. The most obvious can been seen in the material’s thickness and consistency. The elastomeric finish has a much higher solid content, causing it to be 3-5 times thicker. These coatings are designed to deter water intrusion and to have “bridging” qualities as to fill surfaces with cracks and blemishes. Including filling splits and crevasses in wood while remaining flexiable.. Elastomeric coatings are the perfect solution for resurfaces & retaining your wood’s integrity.

SuperDeck®
Probably the best overall elastomeric for wood is Sherwin Williams SuperDeck. It’s an elastomeric finish coating engineered for decks and docks. Especially formulated for weathered, damaged wood on horizontal outdoor surfaces, with exposure to the harsh elements. In the Duck Back line, this elastomeric product is formulated to be used on existing finishes.

 SuperDeck Exterior Deck & Dock Coating, just as all elastomerics is to be applied heavy; with a (DFT) dry film thickness of 14-18 mil. This can be achieved by applying two coats 15 mil wet. The dry film thickness achieved with products such as Duck Back to out-perform regular stain.

​High build coatings will protect and resurface your old/worn wood and decks/docks for wonderful outdoor enjoyment. They have a way of enhancing outdoor spaces while protecting for wood for many years to come.

​ If you have made the decision to embark on a home improvement project, you have a variety of things to contend with. One of the first questions that you need to address is whether you will hire professionals for your proposed project or whether you can do it yourself.
 
 Of course, you need to determine exactly what you will and will not be doing when it comes to a home improvement endeavor. You need to delineate specifically the nature and extent of home improvements you will undertake.
 
 Another key consideration that you must address when you are contemplating a home improvement endeavor is budget and finance. You need to develop a definite budget and have a reasonable action plan as to where the money will be coming from for your home improvement project.
 
 You may be in a position at which you have money in the bank that permits you to pay for your home improvement effort as it progresses. On the other hand, if you have a more ambitious home improvement or remodel project in mind, you may lack the cash on hand necessary to pay for a project from your pocket as it progresses. You may be in a position where you need to obtain a loan to assist with your home improvement plan.
 
Home Improvement Loan
 There is a specific type of loan available today specifically for a person who wants to fund a home improvement project. A home improvement loan typically is secured with a supplemental mortgage on the residence. With this type of financing, you need to make certain that you have the equity necessary in your residence before you submit an application for this type of loan.
 
 There is no specific formula regarding the equity available in your residence sufficient to support a home improvement loan application. With that said, and with the uncertainty that exists with the housing market since 2007, you will want to have some breathing room when it comes to the equity in your residence and the amount you want to borrow for a home improvement loan.

Line of Credit
 Another type of financing option that might be available to you when you want to finance a home improvement project is to open a line of credit with a lender. Typically, the line of credit would be opened through the lender that has your home mortgage.
 
 With a line of credit, you apply for and obtain approval from a lender to seek incremental loans from that institution as you require that type of assistance. Unlike a home improvement loan, which has a specific purpose, a line of credit does not have this type of focus. Generally speaking, if approved for a line of credit, you technically use the money available through that arrangement for nearly any purpose. Typically, a line of credit is secured by your residence. In that sense, it is a type of home equity loan.
 
The Biggest Mistake You can Make by Financing Home Improvements
 A person who essentially pays cash for home improvements tends to be more conservative with spending than an individual who obtains financing. There is just something about spending "real money" as you go along with a home improvement project that tends to contain spending, at least to some degree.
 
 The biggest mistake you can make if you obtain financing for a home improvement project is to overspend. You simply cannot think of a home improvement loan or an equity line of credit as some sort of blank check, because it is anything but.
 
Budget then Borrow
 More than a few people base what they are going to do for a home improvement project based on how much money they can obtain through a loan. In reality, that definitely is putting the cart before the horse.
 
 If you want to embark on a home improvement project, you need to budget first, then borrow (if necessary). You need to draft a conservative and yet realistic budget, and then begin the process of determining how you will finance your efforts. Consider discussing your plans with other folks who have embarked on home improvement efforts similar to your own. They may have solid suggestions for budgeting strategies you can employ on your own home improvement project.
 
 You will also want to nail down bids from different providers and painting contractors that you will need for your home improvement endeavor. If you are doing work yourself, this is also the phase where you will get your own cost estimates for material and supplies.

​ Like many people, when weather permits, you enjoy spending time out of doors. In fact, your home may come complete with a patio with a great deal of yet to be realized potential. If that is the case, there are some steps that you should consider taking to enhance the look, feel, and usefulness of your patio. In no time at all, you can convert your patio into a real showpiece, a space that will be the envy of your family, friends, and neighbors.
 
Included on the list of items that you will want to consider incorporating into a redesigned patio are an iron patio door, iron windows, and iron patio furniture.
 
Iron Door Onto Patio
 A classy addition to a patio is an iron door that permits egress onto the space from inside the residence. You have a variety of options when it comes to an iron patio door. These can include selecting from a significant array of premade options. In addition, if you are so inclined, you can have an iron patio door custom made to really realize a vision you have for this important space at your residence.
 
Iron Windows
 In addition to installing an iron patio door, give thought to incorporating ironwork into, around, or over the windows that may face onto your patio. You can do a great deal in this regard to harmonize an iron patio door with the windows. In the end, this dual use of ironwork will make a particularly dramatic statement when it comes to your patio.

​Iron Rear Doors and Windows and Home Security
 In discussing iron doors for your patio or back of your residence, mentioning security is important. The reality is that by adding iron to the doors or doors at the rear of your residence, together with doing so with windows as well, is a solid step in really beefing up the security at your home. The fact is that iron doors and windows are about as close to impermeable as homeowner (or renter) can get. In addition, research indicates that the presence of iron doors and windows at a home serves a strong deterrent to criminals in the first instance.
 
Iron Patio Furniture
 Perhaps you are not ready for an iron patio door of some type. Perhaps you're not ready for iron windows. On the other hand, perhaps you've made the decision to take the ironwork at the back of your home a step further. In these scenarios, consider iron furniture as an addition to your patio.
 
You have a tremendous amount to select from when it comes to iron patio furnishing. Indeed, you have options that include furniture that can work on your patio, or even in your garden or on your lawn. For example, an iron lattice work type bench would be an interesting and welcoming addition to a space on your lawn, perhaps next to and in the shade of a tree.
 
In this day and age it is quite easy to come by the whole package when considering iron doors, windows, and patio furniture. You can find iron themes that tie together doors, windows, and furniture. In addition, and as has been referenced earlier, it is also possible for you to have iron furniture custom made to meet your vision and particular patio needs.

​Iron Fence
 Another addition that you might want to consider is an iron fence of some type surrounding your patio. As is the case with doors, windows, and chairs, you have a great deal to select from when pondering an iron fence for the rear of your home, for encircling in some manner you patio.
 
In addition to an iron fence of some type, a similar trellis may prove to be a welcoming addition at or near your patio. You can utilize this type of trellis in a myriad of ways, including for climbing flowers or for different types of vegetables. The addition of a trellis, coupled with an ideal plant of some sort, will add a lively vibrancy to your patio.
 
Expense of Ironwork for Your Patio
 You do not need to break the bank in outfitting your patio in different ways with iron items, including doors, windows, and furniture. With a bit of homework, you will be able to identify iron options for your patio that fits within your budget. You can explore not only resources in your community, or in locations nearby, but on the internet as well. You will be able to identify a number of reasonably priced merchants that sell or make the types of iron items you are considering for your patio.

​When you make the shift into a new home, you enjoy all the looks mostly the paint, but years later the paints come off or dull. However, this should not demoralize you because the Jacksonville Painting Company is here to make certain you have the best makeover for your house. They have the proficiency to know what paint will oppose all the weather conditions. Here, you will find some points that you should consider in choosing the perfect firm.  

​Consider the beliefs and performance of the firm you are about to hire. For starters, you should ask your family and friends where they have hired painting contractors for their homes. You can also go online and find satisfactory painting professionals that have many reviews from different clients. From here, you will understand more about their quality if they come highly suggested by many clients.  

The firm should be registered with the state. When you visit these firms, you should check their certificates and call the local authorization agency to confirm if the licenses are genuine and current. They should also have insurance to cover your painting project. Be sure if it is current. 
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For the ideal look of your house, it is necessary that the house painting professionals use the correct kind of paint. This is very determining with who you choose. Be sure to confirm what they use and it is important to do more research on the paint before it is utilized in your house.  

​Inquire about the procedure of the makeover as well as the cost. There are many considerations when giving a house a face-lift. The preparation and application of the damaged areas determine the outcome. It may cost you more if the painter has a lot of preparation, such as scrapping the harmed spots and smoothing them before repainting, but it is a very important process. 

​Contact Pro Color Jax Painting to have a good paint job applied to your Jacksonville, FL. Home. The professionals with decades of knowledge and experience!

​Fast, FREE estimates 904-293-4600