10 Interesting Facts About Wallpaper

If you want a new look for your room, and you want more than "just paint" consider the beauty of wallpaper. After all, if you think of wallpaper as clothing for your walls, you will soon realize that there are endless possibilities found in this versatile wall covering.

Just a short time spent in your local home improvement store and you will soon discover the wallpaper choices available today range in price from very low to truly over the top. And when it comes to patterns, colors and quality you could spend several days looking at all there is, and still not find exactly what you want, simply because the choices are so varied.

But what is it about this wall covering that has kept it around for years? For some it is the elegance it offers with just a bit of work, for others it's a form of artwork, and for others it is a way to combine all the colors in the room into one focal point. With the many ways that wallpaper is used today, one has to wonder if the inventors of wallpaper had any idea that what started off as a way to duplicate hand painted walls would still be around centuries later. Consider these interesting facts about the origins of wallpaper.

1. Wallpaper was first used in China in 200B.C. As the Chinese passed this knowledge to other cultures, the uses and methods of making paper improved with each generation and as other cultures added their own touches.
2. In 1841 Jean Bourdichon painted 50 rolls of paper with angels on a blue background for Louis XI of France. The paper was used to decorate his various residences. Other of the elite set, soon began hiring painters to create these painted paper wall coverings for them.
3. The oldest known pieces of European wallpaper still in existence are from 1509 and were found on the beams of the Lodge of Christ's College in Cambridge, England.
4. In 1675, Jean-Michel Papillon, began making block designs in identical, repetitive patterns on rolls of paper and wallpaper as we know it today was born.
5. Americans began using wallpaper in 1739, when it was introduced by the Philadelphia printer, Plunket Fleeson.
6. In 1778, Louis XVI issued a decree that required the length of a wallpaper roll be about 34 feet.
7. Around the turn of the 20th century wallpaper pasting machines were invented.
8. During the 1920s nearly 400 million rolls of wallpaper were sold, resulting in the decade being dubbed the Golden Age of Wallpaper.
9. After WWII, wallpaper was improved with plastic resins which made it more durable, washable and stain resistant.
10. The United States Guild of Professional Paperhangers began in 1974.

Wallpaper has definitely come a long way from being painted by hand. Today technology has added to its durability, design and uses. So, if you are looking for a new look for a room take some to check out some wallpaper.

For more information on wallpaper and painting visit www.c-hpainting.com.

Article independently authored by Janet M Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of C-H Painting.

Exterior Home Painting

When looking to purchase a new home we often can easily envision our couch filling the living room and our family crowded around the dinner table during the holidays. It seems very simple to change the inside a home to fit your needs and style, but what about the exterior? What can one do to update and renovate the outside of a home to make sure it fits with their particular needs and styles? The answer is exterior home painting.

No matter what type of material covers your home, it can be customized through a variety of paint colors and options. Many painting companies offer more than just painting services; if your house is covered in wood paneling it can be re-stained the same color or a darker shade to meet your needs. Siding and brick can be painted to adjust the look of the home to complement your landscaping and the look you are trying to achieve. While it doesn't seem like it, a coat of paint or stain can go a long way in updating the look of your home and making sure you enjoy every part of the place you call home. Many companies also offer deck or porch painting as well, which allows you to make sure the home and its outdoor living spaces match in color and flare.

It is suggested to use professional painting services, especially for the outside of your home, mainly for the convenience factor. Climbing up ladders, finding the correct paint color, and trying to fit the time into your busy schedule can be a task in itself, so hiring professionals is a convenient way to ensure the job gets done, and gets accomplished correctly. Professionals also have access to the proper tools and equipment that will make the project a quick and painless experience while you can be assured that you get an exceptional result. Professional companies also know what type of paint to use for different building materials and be sure to use products of correct quality. The generic brands you can easily find at the store often do not provide the results and lasting effect that higher quality products will. Also, before painting the house needs a thorough high pressure washing, a tool that many normal homeowners do not have access to. While it may not seem like a terribly important step a proper cleaning is imperative to achieving the wanted result.

Often homeowners choose not to do utilize professional painting services due to the fact that costs are much higher. However, considering all the supplies that must be purchased, including equipment rental costs, professional services are very reasonable. Furthermore they offer the peace of mind that the job will be done correctly (be sure to choose an insured company) and not fade too quickly or need to be redone because of errors. Ask questions and do your research to find the best company for your needs and before long you too can be the proud owner of a fully finished home with great curb appeal!

For more information on painting the exterior of your home visit http://www.c-hpainting.com.

Article independently authored by Matthew Eddington. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of C H Painting.

Painting a Home - Whether Interior Or Exterior, a Painting Contractor Can Provide Better Results

Painting companies are a dime a dozen. However, just because there is a flood of companies offering professional painters does not mean that there is an abundance of quality or reliability. Service companies are notorious for not showing up on time, if at all. Many people have heard of a neighbor pre-paying a sizeable deposit or down payment for service work to be performed and then having the contractor never to show to do the work. Finding the right person for the job involves more than relying on the phone book. Word-of-mouth referrals and consumer testimonials are a sure-fire way to sift out the masses and find the top quality painting contractors.

While it is considered "old school" business practices, there are a few exceptional painting contractors that will conduct business on their word alone. Understandably, the majority may require some additional written work authorization form or contract. Selecting a painting service, whether it is for interior painting or exterior painting, can take a little time.

The first step is to get estimates from local painters and have each explain exactly what the process this estimate entails. If the estimate quoted seems too good to be true without a plausible explanation, it may be. By asking each painting contractor what steps will be performed, the homeowner will get a better idea of the process and be able to compare painters across the board.

A good price is not the only basis for choosing a painting company, however. See what payment schedules are available. The majority of every service company will require a percentage of the estimate quoted be paid before any work gets underway. Rarely is there an exception, but they are out there.

A few service companies will not require any payment until the job is completed and to the homeowner's satisfaction. Old school practices such as this strongly emphasize that quality and attention to detail will be at the core of services being offered. Even though the price quote may not have been the absolute lowest, quality and a good work ethic justifies paying a few extra dollars in order to avoid being burned.

Often painting companies will offer other services for which the homeowner may wish to take advantage. Staining and refinishing, pressure-washing, and even wallpaper applications can supplement the paint contractor's repertoire. A homeowner may not realize that there are other options for the interior than just paint.

Which ever job has been completed and after it has passed muster, make sure to ask for several business cards to hand out. With it being so difficult to discover exceptional service professionals and results, once a homeowner does find a quality service company, be sure to keep the phone number handy and talk them up to friends and neighbors. Repeat business is the only way to increase the chances of getting good results and many times a future discount on services.

Many websites provide additional information on the topic of painting the exterior or interior of homes and staining decks and woodwork. One such site worth visiting is http://www.c-hpainting.com.


Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of C-H Painting.

C & H Painting Website Design

C & H Painting is proud to announce the design of their website.

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