Photos taken on several residential construction sites which use fall arrest systems in Phoenix, AZ over a week in August 2012

Fall is in full swing and the Ace of Gray team has lined out a few outside home Fall maintenance you definitely want to take care of while the weather is mild.

Be sure to clean your gutters and downspouts. Make sure all drainage areas are unblocked by leaves and debris. Gutter guards are also a great way to make this job a lot easier. Check out our collection of gutters guards at the store today.

Inspect your roof, or hire a licensed professional to examine your roof for wear and tear, and if the shingles on your roof are worn, take advantage of the mild Fall weather by replacing them now. Also check the flashing around skylights, pipes and chimneys for leaks or gaps. You don’t want any heavy ice and or snow to find its way in!

Run the water from your outside hose until the pipes are empty, then turn off the valves to the exterior hose bibs to prevent exterior water pipes from bursting when the weather gets below freezing. If not, the water can freeze up when the temperatures drop to below freezing and damage the pipes.

Caulk and refill the holes or completely replace the wood around your windows,doors, railings and decks. By doing this process you’ll be closing any air gaps that may have formed over time. Make sure you’re home is ready for the Fall and Winter seasons by stopping by Ace of Gray today!

For more about our products and services at Ace of Gray, visit our website or give us a call at 478-986-9200.  Are you an Ace of Gray customer? Rate and share your experience with us in the review section of our Facebook page today. We love to hear from you!

We spend a lot of time indoors so the quality of the air we breathe is essential to our health. According to Lung.org, “you may not know it, but the air in your home can be dirty and hazardous to your health. In fact, indoor air can be even more polluted than the air outdoors.” While it’s easy to see when you need to dust or sweep, it’s harder to know when the air in your home needs cleaning. Take a look at a few plants that can help improve the air quality in your home.

Aloe

This plant is easy to grow succulent and loves to be in the sun. It helps clear formaldehyde and benzene, which can be a byproduct of chemical-based cleaners, paints and more.

Spider plant

If you tend to neglect houseplants, this plant is perfect for you. It has lots of rich foliage and tiny white flowers, the spider plant battles benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene, a solvent used in the leather, rubber and printing industries.

Snake plant

this plant is one of the best for filtering out formaldehyde, which is common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues and personal care products. It goes by the nickname “mother-in-law’s tongue.”

Gerbera daisy

This bright plant is effective at removing trichloroethylene, which you may bring home with your dry cleaning.

These are just plants a few will help improve your home air quality. Get healthy today!
For more information about the plants in our Garden Center, visit our website or give us a call at 478-986-9200.  Are you an Ace of Gray customer? Rate and share your experience with our team in the review section of our Facebook page today. We love hearing from you!

Painting a tall stairwell can seem like a large task especially for new homeowners, but it doesn’t have to be. Take a look these quick tips that’ll help prepare you to paint your stairwell like a professional.

Preparation

Thoroughly dust the walls and ceiling of the stairwell before painting so spider webs do not get caught in your paint. This can be done by using a cleaning pole with a duster made of lambswool or synthetic material attached at the end. Start by dusting the ceiling and corners, then work your way down the walls (this is to minimize your chances of getting dust in your eye).

Scaffolding

A scaffolding is a temporary structure usually made of wooden planks and metal poles. A ladder can also be used as a scaffolding, however, make sure that your ladder is level and secure before getting on it.

Safety first

At Ace of Gray, your safety is important to us. Be sure not to position a ladder on a dropcloth laid over tile or wood, because it may slip. Instead, place the ladder on a non-slip rubber pad. Also be sure to inspect your scaffolding before using it to make sure it is sturdy.

Painting Supplies

Use an extension pole fitted with a paint roller to paint the ceiling. Move the roller in a slow, fluid motion helps minimize paint splatters. A lambswool roller cover with a density of at least 1/2 inch holds more paint than a regular paint roller.

For more information about Ace of Gray, visit our website or give us a call at 478-986-9200.

Are you an Ace of Gray customer? Rate and share your experience with our team in the review section of our Facebook page. We love hearing from you.

When homeowners decide to remodel their home, many want to add flare and value to their home no matter what color they have in mind for their color scheme, but some colors just don’t go together and ultimately take away from your home’s potential gross value. At Ace of Gray, we want our customers to get the most for their money and make the most of their home, so we’ve put together a quick list of a few color schemes you want to stay away from.

Orange and Green

These colors can easily be called the “carrot colors.” They aren’t very visually pleasing making it hard to look at.  

Light Blue and Purple

If you’re anything like us, these colors remind you of berries. They can go well in a child’s room but not in the living room.

Brown and Yellow

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see brown and yellow? Think about it. Yes, bananas. These colors together aren’t very visually pleasing.

Some of these colors may have been no surprise to you while some may have peaked your interested. Either way, now when you decide to remodel your home you will be sure to make the most of your home’s value. Stop by Ace of Gray to talk to a representative about our paint selection.

For more information about our paint selection at Ace of Gray, visit our website or give us a call at 478-986-9200.  

Are you an Ace of Gray customer? Rate and share your experience with our team in the review section of our Facebook page today. We love hearing from you!

Are you looking to add color to your home? Whether it is your new home or you’re breathing life back into an old color scheme, Ace of Gray has a wide selection of paint for homeowners to choose from. Check out a few cool color schemes we’ve picked out for you.

Pale blue and dark grey

(Image: Decorpad)

In this color scheme (in the picture), the light blue blends in well making the grey accents pop giving it a modern feel. This color scheme can also be made to look classical. It’s all about the furniture and accents.

Gold, Butter, Cream

(Image: Realsimple)

It’s not yellow, more of a gold. If you’re wanting to bring a lighter color to your living space, cream walls with gold accents, or a butter-colored wall with cream accent are great color schemes that are sure to bring life to your home.

Burgundy, Crimson, Creme

(Image: Pinterest)

Colors like burgundy and crimson are versatile and can go well in dark or light color schemes.

These are just three of the endless color combinations you can choose to accentuate your home. After selecting your color scheme, it is time to select the best brand of paint for your home, and at Ace of Gray, our sales associates are trained and ready to answer all of your paint questions.

For more information about our paint selection at Ace of Gray, visit our website or give us a call at 478-986-9200.

Are you an Ace of Gray customer? Rate and share your experience with our team in the review section of our Facebook page. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall? At Ace of Gray, we know that for many homeowners this question comes up when debating on remodeling. When is the right time to do so? Really, there isn’t a right or wrong time to remodel. It is the right time if you’re ready and able to remodel. However, some times of the year are better than others depending on the phases of renovation job and for cost-savings. Are you unsure of what renovations to take advantage of for the month of September? Well, wonder no more.

Remodeling July through September

We suggest remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms during the summer months. This allows you to get major things down around the house while staying cool, and out of the heat. The last thing you want to do in the sweltering heat is an attic bedroom! To most people’s surprise, however, roofing projects are often done in the summer, because the roofing material needs certain higher temperatures to seal.

You already have enough on your plate with remodeling, don’t add to the stress by debating on what to remodel. Now that you know what projects to take advantage of before Fall rolls in, come visit us at Ace of Gray for all of home improvement needs. For more information about our products and services at Ace of Gray, visit our website or give us a call at 478-986-9200.

Are you an Ace of Gray customer? Rate and share your experiences with us in the review section of our Facebook page today. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Are you looking to add flare to your home this Fall? Revamp the front of your home with a new doorbell by following these easy steps from Ace of Gray.

1. Disconnect the power to the doorbell by turning off the power at the circuit breaker or fuse. There are a few ways to make sure the power is turned off like ringing the doorbell, or if the doorbell usually lights up, check to see if the light is on. If all else fails, use on a voltage detector to test the wires.
2. Use a screwdriver to remove the existing doorbell. After the doorbell is removed, two wires will be attached to two screw terminals on the doorbell.
3. Remove the wires connected to the old doorbell. Loosen the screws and guide the wires away from the existing bell. The wires that come from your transformer to the doorbell itself may be different colors than mine.
4. Fill in the old screw holes. Depending on the shape of your doorbell, the screws for new doorbell may not land in the same location as your old screws.
5. Connect your new doorbell. Once the wire is wrapped around each screw, tighten the screws on the side of the doorbell using the screwdriver, ensuring that each wire is firmly connected beneath the screws. Now, it’s time to test your connection.
6. Attach new doorbell. After the wires are attached gently fold any excess wire and compress the mechanism back into position. Now, use a drill to create new pilot holes for the screws. Use the screwdriver to connect the new doorbell to the trim.

For more information about Ace of Gray, visit our website or give us a call at 478-986-9200.

Are you a Ace of Gray customer? Rate and share your experience with us today in the review section of our Facebook page today. We want to hear from you!

(Image: Pinterest)

At Ace of Gray, we know selecting paint colors for you home can seem like an easy decision, and it should be, but if you want a color that you’re going to love for a while instead of being sick of in a year… choosing the best color for you is crucial. Check out these quick tips to selecting the perfect color to paint your home.  

Be Yourself. When selecting a color to paint your home, follow your heart. You already know what colors you tend to favor before the selection process. Don’t sway from that, because you’ll probably regret the color change in a few months.

Be colorful. Stir clear of dark and dull colors. We are saying grab screaming yellow or neon green, but we don’t suggested selecting dark or colors that can easily appear to be dirty.

Stick with the color scheme. Select two or three colors you’d like to have around the home. One color for the base and another for the accent. This will avoid you having too many colors around the house.

Following these quick steps will help you select a color that you truly love. This way, hopefully, in a year you’ll still be in love with the color. This is all up to your opinion, however, we can’t make you not want to change it of course.

For more information about Ace of Gray, visit our website or give us a call at 478-986-9200.
Are you a Ace of Gray customer? Like our page on Facebook then rate and share your experiences with us. We want to hear from you!

Summer is winding down and Fall will soon be rolling in. Check out these cool ways to add lighting to your backyard that’ll make hanging out outside with family and friends this Fall more desirable.

Patio tube lights – Add a bit of lighting to your patio table with these cute tube lights you can even make yourself.

Image: Pinterest

Mason jar lights – These lights are perfect for a quick DIY project and are easy on the eyes.

Image: Lovethispic.com

Lantern lights – These lights can add a classic or modern style to your outdoor decor with ease, it’s all about the setup and presentation.

Image: Wikimedia

Tin can lanterns – These are sure to add a classic style to your backyard this Fall. Add designs to your can be simply poking small holes in the can in the shape of the design you want.

Image: Pinterest

Glow in the dark painted planters – These pots glow in the dark making it look like they are glowing in the dark!

Image: Pinterest

So, whether you’re looking for decor that will add a modern style to your backyard, or if you prefer a classic style, adding outdoor lights is sure to add flavor to your outdoor Fall festivities.

For more information about our products and services at Ace of Gray, visit our website or give us a call at 478-986-9200.

Are you an Ace of Gray customer? Like our page on Facebook, then tell a friend about us!

Fall showers are generally plentiful and pests and disease problems usually fade away in the fall, so the Spring isn’t the only time of year perfect gardening. You don’t need fertilizer, either, as fertilizer promotes new, tender growth that can be nipped by winter weather; so yes, Summer is in full effect, but soon Fall will be rolling in, and that means, gardeners will be getting ready for fall harvest. So, Ace of Gray has put together a list of crops perfect for planting in early August! Check them out.

• Cool season vegetables – Many vegetables including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, radishes, rutabaga, spinach, and Swiss chard thrive in cool weather.
• Trees and shrubs – Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs because the weather is cool, but the soil is still warm enough for root development.
• Pansies – The warm soil temperatures of the Fall also aid in root development for Pansies. Planting these flowers in the Fall gives you two seasons to enjoy them!
• Beans – Start planting both bush and pole beans now that the soil and air are warmed up. Try a continual 7-10 day sowing of different varieties. This will give you continual bean crops and not one large harvest with wasted crop. Early August is the last practical sowing date.

Summer is in full effect now, but when the leaves start to change colors and Fall starts knocking at your door, remember that Fall doesn’t mean gardening has to stop. There’s still plenty to plant!
For more information about our Garden Center at Ace of Gray, visit our website. Do you love Ace of Gray? Share why you love us on our Facebook page today!