It happens every year like clockwork: school lets out and the phone lines of businesses across Muskoka begin to light up with frenzied calls from cottagers looking for assistance with neglected projects around their property. It’s a common theme, says Chad Gilchrist, owner of Roll-On Painting: cottagers arrive at their cottage and see their weathered and peeling paint with fresh eyes, under the spotlight of the summer sun, before calling their team in a panic.
“They have plans to entertain and want their cottage to look fresh,” says Chad. While he will always do what he can to meet the painting needs of all cottagers, it can be difficult to meet all of the last-minute requests, especially from those expecting a quick turnaround.
“At this time of year, we’re overwhelmed with calls, but with so many cottagers calling at once, it can be difficult to fit large projects, even with a large crew like ours.”
The best way to ensure your cottage continues to look fresh is by planning a season – or even a year – ahead.
“Think a minimum of three to four months in advance,” suggests Chad. “Look at your calendar and think about when you won’t be using your cottage, and have us complete the work while you’re away.”
If you’re building a cottage, ask your builder if they have a painter lined up to coat your siding, trim, walls, and ceilings once the build is complete.
360 pre-finishing While Roll-On Painting has become a first choice for homeowners and cottagers, their skillset and tools have made them an asset on the job site as well.
Recently, Chad invested in equipment, sourced from Denmark, that allows his team to pre-finish siding, trim, and cedar shakes quickly and seamlessly.
Pre-finishing the woodwork makes it easier to paint after it’s installed, and the 360-degree finish offers a better seal to protect from damage.
“We’re always looking for ways to make our work better and last longer,” says Chad.
Cabinet refinishing Roll-On has recently expanded its shop by 50 percent to handle the increased demand. From their newly-expanded shop, Chad and his team pre-finish mouldings, trim, siding, and millwork, along with finishing and refinishing cabinetry and built-ins for their clients.
“Refinishing cabinetry is a popular option,” says Mike Koop of Koop Painting and Design, who joined forces with Roll-On Painting to bring his firm’s cabinet painting expertise to the leading painting company. “Whether your cabinets are bearing the marks of continual entertaining, or you want to try a new colour to keep up with design trends, re-finishing is a great way to keep your kitchen looking great.”
When it comes to kitchens, Chad says the key is to have your cabinets professionally painted using a durable, easy-to-clean lacquer that can stand up to the traffic of weekend entertaining as well as the splatters that can come from cooking large family meals.
“Our lacquer is formulated to stand up to the fingerprints, steam, grease, and scratches that come with entertaining,” he says. “It also gives an impeccable factory finish that will make your cabinets look as they did the day they were built.”
Making the most of winterIf you’re planning to spend as much time in Muskoka as possible this summer, take a moment to schedule your interior and exterior paint projects for the fall and winter months.
If you have any concerns about work happening in your absence, don’t worry: the company’s reputation is built on decades of experience and an impressive portfolio of residential and commercial jobs well done. Roll-On has extensive insurance coverage and, of course, WSIB.
“We work closely with our Muskoka customers to ensure satisfaction,” says Chad. “We’re here to help you get the look and feel you want, and are happy to answer any questions you may have throughout the process.”
TEXT SHELANNE AUGUSTINE | PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN
