Apex National Decorators

Choosing the Right Faux Finish

As we continue to look at the traditional and modern types of wall finishes (previously covering wallpaper and painted plaster), we will take a look at the popular styles of faux finishes. We want to take this opportunity to emphasize how much the proper finish or faux application can add depth and character to any private or professional space; the interior of a business (and the condition of the structure as a whole) tells the public just as much about your company and your attention to detail as does a website or a branding program.

Communicate A Feeling with Faux Finishes

Faux finishes have gained an immense popularity in the last decade for both home and business uses thanks to a variety of applications and mixes. The versatility of this wall finish allows it to be used to create textures ranging from sand blasted, translucent, leather, and even a cracked oil painting-style look. Other popular looks include metallic and a weather-worn wood. Applied properly, faux finishes can transform any interior space from bland and corporate to intimate and intriguing, communicating the feel of your business in the common spaces.

Faux Finish Maintenance & Professional Assistance

Cleaning and minor repairs of these finishes is also easier than with wallpaper. While all of the transformative looks discussed can be done yourself, it is highly recommended to hire a professional interior designer to accomplish these tasks in the most efficient and desirable manner possible. Some of the faux finishes do require a familiarity with various types of application and can be very detailed in their execution. The confidence that your efforts will result in the desired effect is well worth discussing your options with an interior design professional. In our next blog entry, we will discuss repairs and maintenance of your wall finishes.

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Exploring Wallpaper and Plaster for Wall Finishes

When designing the interior space of your home or business, an important element to consider is the final look of various rooms via choosing the proper wall finish. In the construction and prep phase, walls are nothing more than drywall that has been arranged to create the final element of the wall’s structure. Of course, bare drywall has an aesthetically unpleasing look and can leave a space feeling empty and still “under construction”, regardless of the elements placed in the room. There are a variety of options to choose from, all of which work to convey a different feel to any interior space. 

Wallpaper Selection and Maintenance

The most traditional, but now seldom used, wall finish is wallpaper. With a nearly endless variety of patterns and designs to choose from, wallpaper is a simple finish but must be applied with care using proper technique in order to hang correctly. Murals also fall into this category, and can be utilized for adding depth of image to a space. The downside of these finishes is not only can they be difficult to install, but they also stain and damage relatively easily. Tears and stains on wallpaper are difficult to repair and clean, causing the space to look prematurely worn. 

Exploring Modern Options: Plaster & Faux Finishes

The preferred modern options for home and business interiors are plaster finishes and faux finishes. Adding a sleek, contemporary look, plaster finishes can be applied with relative ease (except for the quickest-drying varieties, which can be harder to manipulate) and then painted to reflect the desired mood of the space, be it professional, casual or themed. They are also easy to clean and repair and are not susceptible to the easy rips or snags of wallpaper. In our next blog we will take a closer look at faux finishes and how they can enhance your space. 

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Preventing Metal Rust

In our final installment on helping your business and home architectural elements survive the Arizona summers, we will be looking at protecting your exposed metals. A commonly-held misconception in Arizona is that we don’t have to worry about rust too much, as our air is dry and rainwater not as acidic as coastal states such as California. The truth is, salt-infused water and air do not create rusted metal, rather,  all unprotected, exposed metal is subject to rust regardless of environment. It is important for a business or home to take immediate steps to protect their metal elements (be it steel, iron, aluminum, or copper) as it is  difficult to stop the oxidation process once it begins. The damaging effects of this process aren’t just visual – the metal itself can be severely compromised causing a potentially dangerous lack of structural integrity if left unchecked. 

How Rust Forms

Besides exposure to air, exposure to water is paramount in the formation of rust on all types of metals. While water from a hose can cause this, the more acidic rainfall is the most impacting. While the immediate effects of this are not visible, the water and air exposure actually penetrates the core of the metals on a molecular plane, slowly changing the chemical makeup of these very porous materials. Since keeping exposed metal dry is an impossibility, steps must be taken to prevent the molecular bonding from occurring by separating the elements of water and air from the metals. 

Keeping Metals Rust-Free

The first step in the process is to completely clean the metal, removing any dust, dirt, or surface rust, as you don’t want to trap these intoxicants in the metal. Ensuring the metal is fully dry, it can be painted with a protective barrier paint and primer, or coated with wax or a clear varnish. It should be noted that primer and paint is usually only recommended on iron or steel-based metals [As noted previously, acrylic coatings offer excellent color retention, and enamels, durability]; as copper and aluminum are normally utilized as architectural elements for their signature looks. In these cases, a clear varnish is recommended to protect the metals and retain the desired finish. 

Apex National hopes you’ve enjoyed learning about how to protect your walls, woods and metals during the heat and rain of Arizona summers. Next month we will continue on to other topics and helpful hints in keeping your home and business looking their best. 

Wood Protection in Arizona Summers

The intense wind, rain and dust elements of the summer monsoon season can wreak havoc on exposed elements on home and business structures; in previous blogs we have taken a look at how to minimize or prevent  damage, but what about the intense exposure of the sun? It is not uncommon for Phoenix area temperatures to reach above 110 degrees for three to four months a year – the extreme heat and exposure can quickly wear out exposed wood elements, causing discoloration and brittleness, if left unchecked. 

Choosing Latex, Enamel Paints & Stains 

The most common defense against weather erosion on outdoor wood is a 100% acrylic coating; acrylic technology offers exceptional color retention and light reflective value [LRV] for eaves, trim and other wood building features.  The best choice for wood elements, such as doors, frames, fences, trellis', play equipment, etc ... that may get leaned against or sat upon, or are subject to abrasions are enamels;  satin, semi-gloss or gloss sheens. Either stains or enamel coatings applied in multiple layers serve as the best all around protection for these types of exposed  elements, as they better protect surfaces against natural or chemical agents that can quickly leave the substrate looking prematurely damaged. Separately, it is  recommended to choose a water-repellent stain or coating to preserve the natural look of the wood, but typically, applied alone, these products offer poor protection against scuffs or scratches. 

Before You Begin: Preparing & Choosing Your Wood 

Before applying any type of protective coatings, however, new wood should be properly prepared prior to application. Proper preparation of wood surfaces is accomplished by 'weathering' the wood with water (from a bucket or hose) two-three times, allowing it to dry completely between waterings; this is necessary as it helps the wood adjust to natural shrinking and enlarging cycles that come with exposure to moisture. If at all possible, get involved in the selection process of the wood, as different wood types offer varied characteristics . Cypress is highly recommended among the decay-resistant woods available due to an extra-strong tolerance for the Arizona summers. We’ll conclude our Arizona summer weather series with our next blog entry where you'll learn how to protect the metal elements in your environment.