Giving Thanks, Gratitude is a Gift…

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”  I read this quote by John F. Kennedy years ago, but it always stuck with me. It was like an awesome visitor who came for tea and just stayed with me. It never left., and I never did quite mind. The quote serves as a daily reminder to choose to spend my life, LIVE my life, in gratitude. I spend each and every morning in a silent moment of gratitude, and continue on with my day. I find that when I give thanks for everything, it changes the person I am. I walk differently during the day. I see things with an appreciative eye. Gratitude, in and of itself, is a gift. I am grateful for gratitude.

Naturally this spills into everything I, we do, including our business, CertaPro Painters of Mounatinside. Not a single day goes by where Kevin and I don’t give thanks for our customers, for our crews and all the people we pass and consult with on the way. It takes a lot of people in the background to keep a small business well-oiled and running smoothly. We couldn’t do it alone.

We also want to give thanks to all of you that take time out of your busy lives, especially with the holidays upon us, to give us feedback. One customer couldn’t figure out how to respond to a survey link, called me, and then CertaPro called him to note his feedback. This lovely man took so much time out of his own life to make sure it was known that, “It was the best experience I’ve ever had in my life during the 40 years that I have had painters in my home. The foreman and his team were amazing and they did everything that I asked for.”

Another customer reported back to corporate that, “The crew and foreman, Marconi Mendoza, were motivated, extremely neat and polite. The job was completed on the date promised. My husband and I are extremely happy with the job!”

I could go on, but I won’t because I don’t want to make this about us. I just want our customers to know we see the feedback, and we’re so grateful not only for your words, but for the time it took to report it. It means the world to us and the crew!

So to our crew, to the people we’ve passed along the way who have graciously lent us their time and wisdom,  and to our customers-thank you. We are wishing you the happiest of Thanksgivings this year!

VOCs, it’s not just about the paint. Here’s what you need to consider.

As the standard, Patrice and I only use NO VOC paint with all our projects!

Typically, people associate VOCs with paint. You may have heard a lot of buzz about VOCs being a problem. Hence, we thought it appropriate for our first KP Paint Buzz blog!

So what’s the buzz?

First, VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. VOCs can be a big deal if you have low immunity or are allergy sensitive. Recent studies have shown they can cause allergic reactions such as asthma, headaches, upper respiratory infections, rashes, and even cancer. Studies DO show they can be damaging to your health.

In my own experience at CertaProPainters of Mountainside, Westfield, and Livingston we’ve worked with couples who have been divided on the topic. Typically there’s one partner who REALLY cares about the VOC level of the paint, especially when we are doing a nursery. That’s great. And for the other partner who doesn’t, it’s still okay because as a standard, we use zero VOC paint. Typically we work with Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore. These companies have come a long way in reducing, even eliminating, VOCs in your paint. So, it’s almost a non-issue. No fighting if you are painting your home and one of you is concerned and the other isn’t. We don’t use VOC paint.

The one thing you do need to be careful with is oil-based primer. We don’t use it, but if you are doing your painting at home on your own, and you are concerned about VOCs, stay away from oil-based primers!

Did you know VOCs aren’t just paint related?

Beyond paint, there are many other things in your home improvement projects where VOCs threaten to contaminate your home. From wallcoverings, to floor alternatives, you need to be careful BEYOND your paint. Patrice and I read a great article by the DIY Network that had some great VOC considerations ! So,  we felt compelled to share with you. When working on any home improvement project, consider these! Print it out. Hang it on your fridge as a reference to guide you in a low VOC environment! 

It would be next to impossible to entirely eliminate these compounds from your daily life, but follow the go-to rule I apply to every aspect of my life-control what you can control. You can’t eliminate VOCs altogether, BUT you can significantly minimize the amount of VOCs by considering these home improvement tips:

Wallcoverings and VOCs

• Read labels to find low-VOC products and purchase nontoxic paint.
• Use water-based polyurethane that emits fewer gases than oil-based products. For the same reason, natural or low-VOC stains, sealants and varnishes are also healthier choices.
• Avoid vinyl wall covering, as well as vinyl upholstery and flooring. Vinyl is a chemical radical emitting various gases.
• Tightly rolled wallpaper can trap gases, so unroll outdoors to allow gases to dissipate before hanging indoors.

Low-VOC Flooring Alternatives

• Vinyl and synthetic carpets are high in VOCs. Instead, look for natural fibers such as wool, sisal and cotton.
• Although hardwood floors are easy to clean and might seem like a good solution, hardwoods include formaldehydes, and all finishes emit VOCs. A good alternative is presealed hardwood, or hardwood sealed with water-based polyurethane.
• Ceramic tile is inert, emitting no gases. Linoleum is clinically nontoxic. Other allergy-friendly flooring includes bamboo, cork or recycled glass.
• To minimize the VOCs found in adhesives, select low-VOC or water-based products.
• Carpet should include a low-emission level (indicated by a Carpet and Rug Institute tag). Select carpet that’s free of chemicals with a low nap. Avoid installation in damp areas (bath and kitchen). Install with tack strips, rather than adhesive, and make sure a moisture barrier is in place before the carpet is installed.                                                                                                                                                             And remember, feel free call me, Kevin, or Patrice for more tips at CertaPro Painters of Mountainside at 908.228.2075. Also, LIKE us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@kppaintbuzz) to make sure you get your daily home improvement and paint buzz! More importantly, share your tips with us-nothing thrills us more!