How to Select the Right Commercial Wood Flooring

Posted on March 18, 2022 by bafcorp20

When it comes to installing new commercial flooring, you are likely aware of the gaining popularity of wood floors. From solid wood and hardwood to laminate wood, engineered wood, and many more, the options for a new wood flooring system are abundant, but not all are the right choice for you. Continue reading to learn some tips for selecting the right commercial wood floors for your business, plus who to trust in Central Indiana for superior commercial flooring services that stand the test of time.

Commercial Flooring Services Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Commercial Wood Floor Considerations

There are several considerations to address if you want to make the right wood flooring selection for your place of business. Among the more important considerations are the type of workplace environment within your commercial building, as well as any related or subsequent conditions that might affect wood floors, such as humidity levels, daily foot traffic, and of course, budget.

Some Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing New Wood Floors:

↪ Do you want your commercial wood flooring system to look perfectly polished?

↪ Do you prefer a more rustic or natural finish?

↪ What’s your flooring budget?

↪ Does your budget allow for higher-quality materials? What about a post-install protection plan?

↪ Do you have radiant-floor heating? If not, do you want heated floors?

These questions and more can be answered with the help of a qualified Indianapolis commercial general contractor who specializes in commercial flooring services. Below some common types of commercial wood flooring sold on the market today so you are better prepared to make the right decision for your business or commercial property.

Solid Wood Floors

Solid wood flooring is just that, solid and dense wood. It comes in many colors and levels of rustic-like looks. But keep in mind that solid wood floors will naturally mark and scratch overtime. This makes it a good choice for property owners and business owners who prefer the “lived-in” or countryside look. It is also highly recommended for those who want a low maintenance option. Some places are prone to imminent wear and tear, like child or doggy daycares, vet offices, music venues, skating rinks, or dive bars. Overall, solid wood flooring is a stress-free option for those who like a natural look and feel. If scratches and marks are not an option for you, then this is probably not the best choice for your property.

Also, properties with heated floors are not good matches for solid wood. Likewise, commercial properties located in regions with fluctuating humidity levels are not good matches for solid wood flooring. This is due to the fact that solid wood expands in heat and contracts in cold, which can cause warped or loosened floorboards and other aesthetic challenges. A simple and quick moisture test can tell your commercial general contractor whether solid wood floors will be a lucrative choice for your business or not.

Laminate Wood

Laminate is a synthetic material. Although it is not real wood, this type of flooring is made to replicate the look and feel of real wood floors, but without all the wear and tear. For those who want flawless wood flooring, laminate is the best option. With a real look of wood, laminate flooring offers property owners a scratch-free and mark-free surface, all the time. With a little routine maintenance and gentle cleaning, laminate floors can last a very long time. And the best part is, they are very affordable! They come in infinite styles, sizes, and colors so customizing your interiors is easy to do.

Engineered Wood Flooring

For business owners and commercial real estate developers who want real wood floors but cannot because their property is in an area with fluctuating humidity or has underfloor heating, engineered wood is a great choice. Engineered wood floors are basically a top layer of real hard wood that is bonded to a bottom softwood base. This allows property owners to have a real wood look and feel, even if they have heated flooring or a property that otherwise wouldn’t work well with real hardwood flooring. They come in basic tongue and groove versions, which look like nailed-down boards, or they can come in floating or click versions that look close to the tightly lain laminate floorboards you’ve seen before.

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for superior commercial flooring services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We retain the latest technologies and resources to deliver professional installation for all commercial flooring types, including wood floors, vinyl floors, laminate floors, tile floors, stone flooring, concrete floors, floor coatings, carpeting, and much more.

What is White Box Commercial Real Estate Construction?

Posted on March 15, 2022 by bafcorp20

You know how realtors suggest removing or hiding all personal items from your residence before an open house? Some will even encourage home sellers to repaint in a more neutral color palate. Well, this real estate sales strategy is known as depersonalization, and it helps potential buyers visualize their own lives within the dwelling and ideally, feel motivated to make an offer. In the commercial real estate industry, such blank canvas benefits apply in a similar way. What’s referred to as white box real estate is a valuable tactic for filling up unoccupied commercial buildings and spaces with quality tenants.

As a commercial real estate developer or building owner in the same predicament, you would be wise to consider white box remodeling or construction. Continue reading to learn more about white box real estate construction, including which commercial remodeling company to trust for expert advice and craftsmanship.

White Box Commercial Construction Indianapolis 317-253-0531

White Box Construction Finish

White box construction finish is also called vanilla shell or vanilla box construction finish. This type of construction finish is just that: a blank, white canvas ready for a new tenant to take over. It is a space that has been remodeled or constructed in a way that has it prepped for complete tenant improvement remodeling. The average commercial white box finish would be up to code, plus have all utilities set up, electrical work done, ceilings finished, walls finished and ready for painting, and base floor ready for preferred flooring. White box remodeling or construction also incorporates design details that prepare it for a potential build-out.

Common Finished Elements of a Vanilla Box:

▢ Roofing
▢ Walls
▢ Ceilings
▢ Windows and Doors
▢ Concrete Flooring
▢ HVAC
▢ Hot Water
▢ Electrical Work
▢ Standard Lighting
▢ Bathrooms/Drinking Fountain
▢ Fire Protection Systems
▢ Stairs
▢ Elevator

Considerations for a White Box Remodeling Job

If you are leaning towards white box construction or remodeling for your commercial building, it is important to discuss all terms and conditions of the job with your commercial general contracting company before any work commences. The classification of vanilla shell construction can vary among commercial contracting companies, so it is important to confirm the job expectations in clear and unambiguous detail.

Turnkey Tenant Improvement Construction

A white box construction finish certainly provides an opportunity for turnkey tenant improvements. This streamlined approach allows commercial tenants to customize the interior of their space in a way that optimizes their business’s daily operations, staff productivity, client satisfaction, and overall success. The secret to a successful white box construction or tenant remodeling job is to choose the right Indiana commercial general contracting company.

Are you looking for a qualified commercial construction company to help you with your white box real estate or tenant improvement needs? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for licensed and insured tenant improvements and remodels in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve commercial and industrial clients all throughout Central Indiana.

What to Consider When Choosing Interior Paint Colors

Posted on March 11, 2022 by bafcorp20

If you’ve been there before, you know that choosing an interior paint color for your business or income property can take an obscene amount of time. But it really doesn’t have to! By learning a few short-cut strategies for choosing the perfect paint colors, you can cut your selection process time in half. And with these helpful tips, you can also say good-bye to paint color “trial and error” from now on!

Continue below to learn which factors to consider when selecting interior paint colors, plus who to trust for superior commercial drywall and painting services in Central Indiana.

Commercial Painting Drywall Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Short-Cuts to Picking a Paint Color

Whether for your business, income property, or real estate development, you want to come back from the store with the perfect paint color selections that will deliver the look and feel you’ve envisioned for your space. But in order to do this efficiently, you will need to learn some useful shortcuts for selecting a paint color. Below are some tips for achieving this.

Consider the “Tone” of the Space

Start by considering the type of mood you envision for the space. If you are looking for a restful, serene ambience for lobbies, hallways, restrooms, meeting rooms, living rooms, or bedrooms, consider choosing softer tones like blues, grays, and taupe colors. But if you want a more vibrant feel for spaces like breakrooms, kitchens, or children’s’ playrooms, you might do well to consider brighter tones like yellows and reds. By defining the mood first, you instantly narrow down the selection of paint colors for the intended application. But be sure to also consider lighting when making your selection.

Find Details in Décor

Use the details you find in the surrounding décor to help you match a proper paint color. Perhaps you have a favorite painting or eye-catching bookcase, or maybe an area rug or awards collection? Use these favored items or focal points to help you decide on a palette for the room.

Match Your Furniture

If your interior space is already furnished, use the color schemes and textures of your furniture to help you find the right paint color for the walls and trim. However, if your space is not yet furnished, the best tips for choosing a paint color is to hold off! Wait until you have chosen your furnishing so that you can use them to narrow down your paint selections.

Test Your Color

Always test your paint color once you have chosen it. Take a small test sample with you and test it on a small corner or area of your space. Allow it to dry completely to achieve its true color, and then see how it looks with the surroundings. Generally, home improvement stores sell samples for a few dollars, while others might offer it for free.

Trust a Professional

Especially for commercial offices, landlords, and real estate developments, trusting a professional commercial drywall and painting company is the safest way to achieve the best possible outcome in terms of color schemes, finishes, and craftsmanship. The appeal and interior ambience of your business, regardless of industry, plays a large role in your overall success. Take the time to choose your interior and exterior paint colors with the help if a licensed and insured commercial contractor in Indiana.

Are you ready to spruce up your commercial property for the spring season with a drywall renovation and fresh paint job? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for commercial drywall and painting in Indianapolis, Indiana. We work with clients all throughout the state.

Today is International Women’s Day!

Posted on March 8, 2022 by bafcorp20

Today, March 8^th, marks the annual International Women’s Day! And here at BAF Corporation, we are proud and honored to celebrate this important and highly anticipated day with all women around the world!

Let us commemorate International Women’s Day together by learning more about its meaning and how you can show your support this year and every year ahead!

BAF Corporation Construction Company Indiana — #BreaktheBias – Women’s International Day 2022

The Significance of International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is a global holiday that is celebrated every year on March 8^th all across the world. This day is held in reserve to commemorate and observe the cultural, political, and socioeconomic accomplishments and triumphs of women. This special day memorializes and honors women of all ages, religions, ethnicities, and nationalities!

Throughout history, International Women’s Day founders and advocates successfully applied their resolutions by organizing rallies and events in support of women’s voting rights, gender discrimination, glass ceilings, stereotyping, inequality, and more. Today, the International Women’s Day organization is continuing to make moves in the direction of women empowerment.

International Women’s Day 2022

Last year’s International Women’s Day theme was #ChooseToChallenge, which was meant to inspire society to challenge gender stereotypes and biases against women in the work field, at school, and in the home. This year, the International Women’s Day campaign takes it a step further with the theme, #BreaktheBias, which speaks to the ongoing biases against women, both intentional and unintentional, that influence and propel gender inequalities. The official website for International Women’s Day is transparent with their message behind this year’s #BreaktheBias campaign, stating, “Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough, action is needed to level the playing field.”

How to Show Your Support on International Women’s Day 2022

Would you like to share in the honor and show your support of International Women’s Day this year? Join in with everyone in support of International Women’s Day by posting a selfie to social media posing with your arms crossed like an X (see photo above) and with the hashtags #BreaktheBias and #IWD2022!

BAF is a Certified Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE)

In addition to being avid supporters of International Women’s Day, BAF Corporation is proud to be a woman-owned business. In fact, we are a Certified Minority and Women’s Minority Business Enterprise (WBE) Company with the City of Indianapolis. This is an impactful and important aspect of our business because we believe in equality and fairness for every employee in any industry.

Would you like to learn more about us? We are happy to share! Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 to speak with a licensed and insured commercial general contracting representative in Indianapolis. We serve clients all throughout the state of Indiana.

Indianapolis Commercial General Contracting and Design Build Services — Contact Us Today 317-253-0531

How to Decide if You Can Afford to Remodel Your Business

Posted on March 4, 2022 by bafcorp20

When it comes time to seriously consider a commercial remodeling project, the key and communal question is, “can I afford a remodel right now?” If you are asking yourself whether or not you can fit a remodel into your current budget, you are not alone. For this reason, it is helpful for you to become more familiar on all that is required of you financially for your particular business remodeling goals. This will help you develop a rudimentary cost estimation, which will tell you if you can afford to remodel or not.

Continue reading to learn some considerations for achieving accurate cost foreseeability and budget analysis for a desired commercial business remodeling.

Business Remodeling Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Fitting a Remodel into Your Company’s Budget

Financing

When you are sweating the upfront investment of a commercial office or business remodel, don’t. Many commercial contracting companies are willing to offer flexible financing packages and incentives that help business owners fit a remodel into the budget and ultimately, add value to their property. Whether interior or exterior, commercial construction financing can be the answer to your business remodel or renovation concerns. Take note that some commercial general contractors do not offer financing options. But there are still other types of financing options that may be available to you.

Loans and Refinancing

Banks are eager to help business owners succeed. Many will agree to provide a business equity loan for commercial remodeling purposes, especially if your business already has good credit and credit history. And don’t forget about property owner equity lines of credit, business equity loans, second mortgages, and even commercial contractor loans.

Talk to your banker to learn which, if any, loan options you qualify for, or your options for refinancing your business’s credit agreement. They will be able to examine your financial portfolio and make full-informed recommendations with your best interests in mind. You may even want to consider a separate company for a business equity loan or lines of credit.

Tenant Improvement Allowances

Tenant remodels and leasehold improvements are much different from conventional commercial construction projects since they are intended to be an investment for a business owner. Tenant improvement (TI) allowances are sums of money made available to tenants by the landlord to cover some of the cost of needed remodeling work. Such allowances are usually stated on a per-square-foot basis, and most common for new spaces since more renovations are needed to finish the project. Check with your commercial management company or landlord to see if you have TI benefits.

Seek Out Professional Advice From a Commercial General Contractor

Talk to an experienced commercial construction company in Indiana to determine how to plan and organize your remodeling budget. An Indianapolis commercial general contracting team will be able to help you find affordable alternatives and cost-cutting advice that will get you the upgrade your business needs!

Are you looking for superior commercial remodeling in Indy, but you are not sure where to begin? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for superior commercial general contracting services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We work with clients all throughout the state.

Top 3 Financial Benefits of Commercial Space Planning

Posted on March 2, 2022 by bafcorp20

The real secret to being successful in business is having a well-thought-out plan. Commercial space planning and design are two essential business development strategies that can set your company up for long-term economic success. Continue reading to learn the top three financial benefits of choosing commercial space planning and design services, plus which commercial general contracting company in Central Indiana can help you achieve this level of success.

Commercial Space Planning and Design Indiana 317-253-0531

Fiscal Advantages of Commercial Space Planning and Design

When it comes to supporting a sustainably exponential bottom line, in-put versus out-put can play a large role in how successful you are at your initiative. You want to do everything you can to cut waste, increase energy efficiency, improve functionality, forestall expansion, and support worker productivity. The more you put in, the more you will get out of it, in terms of increasing profits. Commercial space planning and design can help you meet all of these business objectives and more.

How Can Commercial Space Planning Make You More Money?

When it comes to the link between profitability and commercial space planning services, there are three key advantages that tend to always present themselves: improved efficiency, increased worker productivity, and potential for growth. These three advantages to commercial space planning and design can help your business make more money straight from the get-go.

Efficiency

Commercial space planning and design can improve the overall efficiency of your company, in terms of both energy consumption and the efficacy of your daily operations. For starters, commercial space planning can create a layout that is conducive with optimal performance and functionality in terms of whatever your daily operations are. By increasing the efficacy of your staff, you can do more business and waste less resources and time, all of which puts more money back into your company’s assets.

Additionally, commercial space planning can reduce your energy consumption by incorporating energy-efficient systems and appliances, which can save you a lot of money, annually. Commercial space planning can also help create a system that reduces your overall waste, which can also save you money.

Worker Productivity

Commercial space planning and design allows time to create a well-thought out idea for your overall office or building design. In turn, a well-planned workspace makes staff more comfortable and therefore, happier. Employee contentment is proven to help increase worker productivity, which ultimately contributes to the growth of your bottom line. Speaking of growth, this is the next big advantage to choosing commercial space planning and design services in Indiana.

Growth

A well-planned commercial space or building sets your company up for streamlined growth potential. By thinking about expansion ahead of time, you can be more efficient with your capital and overall budget. Commercial space planning and design will incorporate this potential, either through strategic remodeling, economic foreseeability analysis, or similar industry methodologies.

Are you looking for a trusted commercial general contractor company to transform your business into a money-maker through strategic planning and design? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for focused commercial space planning and permitting in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties.

A Comparison of Popular Commercial Flooring Options

Posted on February 25, 2022 by bafcorp20

If you are on the market for new commercial flooring, you will find that there are many materials to choose from, all ranging in quality, dimensions, color, styles, textures, and more. Of all the options out there, decorative concrete seems to remain a top choice among business owners and commercial real estate developers. Although you have several other options to choose from, there are many reasons to consider decorative commercial concrete; especially if you are looking for a cost-effective and modern upgrade to your business, building, or development.

Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of decorative commercial concrete, plus how other popular commercial flooring options compare in terms of quality, integrity, and price.

Commercial Flooring Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

The Benefits of Commercial Concrete Floors

Not only is decorative concrete flooring inexpensive and easy to install, but it can also be customized to mimic any style, texture, color, or look. Decorative commercial concrete flooring can be stamped, stained, colored, died, treated, scored, polished, and so much more. This means that it can be designed to mimic higher in materials like tile, marble, cobblestone, brick, and slate, but cost less.

The options are virtually endless, and only limited by your own imagination and creativity. To learn more about the various benefits of decorative concrete flooring, talk to a local Indianapolis commercial flooring contractor who specializes in commercial construction and remodel work.

Popular Alternatives and How They Compare

Tile – Tile is expensive, and the options of styles and colors are limited. Also, tile requires a stricter care regiment in order to protect the grout lines and prevent cracking. If you are looking for high maintenance and high prices, tile flooring is right for you.

Brick – Sure, brick is beautiful. In fact, it’s quite stunning; however, brick is incredibly high maintenance and prone to a long list of damages. This makes it a poor fit for an interior flooring option.

Natural Stone – Cobblestone and other types of natural stone materials commonly used for flooring are high maintenance and high-priced. They are more prone to cracking and crumbling and require strict care regimen in order to maintain clean grout lines.

Linoleum/Vinyl – Linoleum and vinyl flooring are common options for both residential and commercial properties because they are inexpensive and low maintenance. On the other hand, linoleum and vinyl are often viewed as outdated, so many potential buyers are turned off by such flooring. This isn’t good for anyone who wishes to sell their property in the future.

Carpet – Carpeting is highly susceptible to several types of damages, especially staining and foot traffic. It is also more of a challenge to clean and keep clean. Carpets also retain dander and dust and other types of allergens, which can be irritating to those who suffer from upper respiratory illnesses and implications.

Wood – Not only is wood expensive in its natural state, but it is also a challenge to maintain. Wood is a natural element, therefore it susceptible to scratches, scrapes, and discoloration, so often times, it needs restoration after a few years.

Would you like to upgrade or restore the appeal of your business or building with new commercial flooring? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for qualified commercial flooring renovations in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve clients all throughout the state. Request information or schedule a bid, today.

How to Lease the Right Office Space

Posted on February 22, 2022 by bafcorp20

Whether you are planning to move your business or open a new location, choosing the right office lease will help set you and your staff up for success. Continue below for some helpful tips on how to lease the right office space that meets your needs, including your budget and overall business objectives.

Commercial Office Space Planning Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Top Considerations for Leasing New Office Space

When you think about moving or opening a new office space, you want to set your focus on how your staff will feel and function. You also want to set this focus on your clients if your business serves customers on-site. Employee contentment and morale plays an important role in their overall productivity. Higher staff productivity improves your business’s bottom line.

Aside from making your staff comfortable, you want to also set them up with the proper design and resources that allow them to perform their duties to the best of their ability, and with optimal efficiency. These too can help improve your bottom line. You will want to think about your office’s size and square-footage, as well as its design, location, amenities, accessibility, budgets, and more.

For these reasons and more, it is vital to choose the right office lease and space that can adequately meet the current and future needs of your business. Here are some tips on how to narrow your office space lease options down to the ones that best fit your business objectives:

Consult With Managers and Team Members

You are not the only voice that matters when it comes to moving office locations. To ensure you find the office lease that best fits your business’s needs, you should solicit input from your managers and staff members. They may have a unique viewpoint on the office’s needs or offer suggestions on how to improve their productivity. Ask them to list their concerns and priorities, then review each list with them to open a discussion.

Take a Staff Survey

Implementing a staff survey is a great way to identify office priorities and areas of improvement. You can choose to conduct this assessment online via email, in person, anonymously, or as a requirement. Ask your staff and management teams how they commute to work, what they like most about the office, what they like least, what they think can be improved, if their workstation is comfortable, and so forth.

You can also ask them if they would run errands or visit other types of businesses on their lunch hour, before work, or after work, like fitness studios, grocery stores, and restaurants. This information can give you an idea of where to look for potential office space. For instance, you might look for office space with an open floor plan and more natural lighting, or near an easy highway exit or popular shopping center.

Think About the Present and the Future

As mentioned, you will want to consider the current needs of your business, as well as the future expected and unanticipated needs. This includes your budget, procurement, staffing, resources, facility maintenance, expansion, and more. These elements can be easily planned and organized with the help of a licensed space planning contractor in Indiana. For instance, you want to choose an office space that can accommodate your current load of business, as well as more business in the years to come. If you are thinking about expanding your operation, you will want to make sure the space you choose is compatible with conversion or remodeling work.

Be Patient

It is important to be patient and take your time during the office space search process. Not only do you want to look at as many spaces as you can, but you will also need to make multiple office lease offers. Ultimately, you want landlords to compete over your business. Talk to the landlords and interview them about their lease agreements, plus introduce yourself to potential neighbors who might give you some insight on the area or building. Do not be afraid to bring your commercial general contractor with you to look at potential office space if you know you will need to implement some degree of remodeling or construction. They can help you identify good and bad locations.

Are you looking for new commercial office space in Indiana? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for superior space planning and permitting in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are experts in office and commercial use construction, as well as tenant improvement remodeling and facility maintenance. We serve commercial and industrial clients all throughout the state.

Tips on Running Commercial Tenant Credit Checks

Posted on February 18, 2022 by bafcorp20

In the past, we’ve discussed some effective strategies landlords can rely on to avoid nightmare tenants. One such strategy that deserves a little more attention is commercial tenant credit checking. Running a tenant credit scan is generally one of the last steps in the screening process, but it is no less critical.

Continue reading to learn some valuable tips on running commercial tenant credit checks to better protect yourself against tenancy fraud, unqualified applicants, late payments, and more.

Commercial Remodeling Tenant Improvement Indiana 317-253-0531

The Importance of Commercial Tenant Credit Checks

As a commercial landlord, your office building or strip mall is important, as it has a lot of earning potential. Not only do you want your available spaces leased as soon as possible and for as long as possible, but more importantly, you want good, dependable tenants. Commercial tenant credit checks can be the best armory against things like tenant fraud, rental loss, and poor application submissions. In fact, tenant credit scans are designed to specifically avoid and prevent these situations and more.

Tenant Credit Scans Can…

☑ Protect Against Tenant Fraud
☑ Verify Tenant Qualifications
☑ Increase Control for Timely Payments

Tenant credit checks will reveal a lot about an applicant’s payment history and habits, including income, assets, credit lines, financial delinquencies, excessive extensions of credit, defaulted payments, ordered restitution, tax penalties, and more. Basically, a tenant credit scan should tell you enough information to make an informed and secure decision on an applicant’s capabilities to pay their rent on time and without causing any trouble.

Tips for Running a Tenant Credit Scan

▶ Double check your information. When commencing a commercial tenant credit check, it is critical that you get their name and information correct. After all, you would want to ensure that you are running the credit scan on the right person. Avoid entering incorrect data about your applicant by making a copy of their photo identification, which can be a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. With their photo identification in hand, be sure to confirm with them their address, date of birth, and full name.

▶ Use an authorized credit reporting agency. There are thousands of credit scanning websites to choose from, but not all of them are created equal. Be sure you use a certified credit check screening service. Recommended agencies include Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

▶ Interpret credit report results sensibly. Credit report results can be confusing sometimes, especially if they involve international or legal matters. So, it is encouraged to hire a lawyer to help you understand what you’re looking at. Look for red flags, like financial delinquencies and history of non-payments. If the applicant provided incorrect data with the intention to conceal points on the report that could work against them, this is a red flag that they are not a wise choice as a tenant.

Are you a commercial landlord or tenant who wishes to improve the look, function, and overall success of your business? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 to speak with an expert Indianapolis commercial general contractor about your options for tenant improvement remodeling and more. We serve clients in all industries and throughout all of Central Indiana.

The Drawbacks of Painting Over Brick Building Exteriors

Posted on February 15, 2022 by bafcorp20

Are you considering an exterior building remodel for an instant, cost-effective facelift for your business? If so, you are on the right track. Exterior remodels can bring in more traffic, thus having a positive impact on the overall success of a company. But if your building’s façade is brick or masonry, just be sure to avoid paint. Painting over brick can come with all sorts of difficulties and unexpected outcomes.

Continue reading to learn why many commercial general contractors discourage painting over brick exteriors, and how to find a better-looking, budget-friendly alternative.

Exterior Building Remodeling Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Do Not Paint Over Brick if You Can Avoid It

Although there are some circumstances in which painting over brick can be attractive and worthwhile, when it comes to the outside of a building or structure, paint is not the most compatible material. Not only can painting over exterior brick instantly look unattractive, but it can also cause some serious structural damages to the brick and the edifice as a whole. Furthermore, once you paint over brick, there is no going back.

Let’s take a closer look at the key reasons why you should try to avoid painting over brick when you can…

It Can Look Really Bad

There are very few cases in which painted brick looks good. It can be done, but when it comes to the outside of a building, the end result is usually quite unattractive. A brick building that has been painted over will instantly look bad before the paint even dries. And no matter how many coats are applied, the outcome will look sloppy and half-complete. As mentioned, curb appeal is a very important element to a business’s success when they have a brick-and-mortar of some kind. Whether tenants, employees, clients, customers, or guests, the look and ambience of a building has a direct influence on traffic.

It Cannot Be Undone

The worst part of a bad brick paint job is that it cannot be undone. Once you paint over brick, there is no removing it, cleaning it off, or covering it up. You can try to power wash your building, or even sandblast the brick, but these two practices will only damage the masonry and worsen the appearance. So, if you are choosing this option for your building’s exterior, be sure you have really thought it through. Additionally, once you paint brick, you have entered an obligation to continue having your brick repainted on a regular basis. This can be invasive and expensive. But if you do not repaint brick, it will deteriorate and fade at a rapid rate.

It Can Cause Property Damages

Paint can damage brick. But not just the bricks, also the mortar between them. As a result, brick will begin to exponentially crumble and deteriorate, which can lead to an overall stability issue with the entire building exterior. Also, seasonal freeze-thaw cycles can further deteriorate brick and mortar. After water seeps into the porous material, it freezes into ice during the winter season, causing the brick to expand. When warmer temperatures arise, the water within the porous brick thaw, causing the brick to collapse back on itself. These movements and shifts in the brick can cause extreme damage overtime.

Side Notes About Painting Brick Exteriors

Older brick might have historical value. Traditionally made in a kiln, bricks of this time are harder and can stand up to the damaging outdoor elements. You don’t want to jeopardize the historic value of your brick building by painting over it!

Keep in mind that some types of older bricks are meant to be painted over. Just be sure to use a milk-based or lime whitewash paint for these kinds of bricks.

If your brick is severely damaged but replacing it is not investment-wise, painting might be the best option. Talk to your commercial general contractor to be sure.

If you do want to paint your brick building, be sure to choose a mineral-based paint or a silicate paint that is recommended for brick. These exterior paints are specially designed to be more breathable and last longer in between repainting.

Alternatives to Painting Over Brick

If you are ready for an exterior façade renovation for a brick building, there are some cost-effective and worthwhile alternatives to a paint job. Talk to a licensed and insured commercial general contracting company for professional advice and guidance.

Not sure which commercial contracting company to choose in Indiana for your exterior remodeling or painting needs? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 when you need the most trusted and qualified commercial general contractors for building remodeling and commercial painting in Indianapolis, IN. We serve clients all throughout the state.