How to clean paint rollers after painting the walls

When you want to know how to clean paint rollers, you will find that it would be simple while it will save you money too. Cleaning paint rollers are different from cleaning brushed and it would also depend on the type of paint you used.

When you use the proper cleaner, you will be able to use the same roller numerous times. There are different ways on how to clean paint rollers, which would depend on the paint you used.

Cleaning Your Paint Rollers

Cleaning paint rollers mean that you are always prepared for big and small painting jobs around the house. It is an economical way to keep painting jobs low-cost and always ready.

Steps for cleaning paint rollers

When you are busy with a paint job and intend to continue, you do not need to be cleaning a paint roller. In this instance can leave it in the fridge after covering it with plastic. When you do not intend to use it soon, you need to thoroughly clean it. When you fail to do it, it might result in it ending up in the bi when you cannot get the rollers clean.

General preparation for cleaning your paint rollers

Get ready to clean paint rollers in an area where you do not mind making a bit of a mess. Keep in mind that it will require vigorous movement with splashing which goes hand in hand with proper washing a roller.

Put on gloves

Use gloves when getting ready for cleaning paint rollers. If you fail to do so, your hands will get stained, which will require removing paint form your hands too. In addition, you might have to remove paint from the handle too and you will need to know how to remove paint roller from handle as well. However, you can use the same method to remove paint from brushes, handle, and clean paint tray

Protect your eyes

Keep in mind that you will use chemicals to remove paint which can be potentially harmful especially to your eyes. Chemicals can easily splash into your eyes and prevention is always better than cure. You can choose to wear eye gear like goggles with plastic glasses to protect your eyes.

Prepare the area

The best way to clean paint rollers is in an area which is easy to clean. You can clean it over paint trays or use an area that you can cover with plastic or newspapers before you start.

Making cleaning solution

Two main types of paint are used when painting a house, which is generally oil or water-based paints. There are various types within these terms which include gloss, latex, and enamel.

Solutions for water-based paints

When you use a water-based paint to paint, you would not need special cleaning solutions. A bucket with warm water and dishwashing liquid would be adequate to wash the brushes. You can have another bucket with dry rinsing water to rinse the cleaned brushes.

Solution for oil-based paints

The best way to clean paint rollers that have oil-based paint on it is a product that is derived from petroleum. When you clean rollers with a water-based solution, it would result in a sticky roller that would make cleaning even more difficult. Paint thinners, white spirits, and turpentine are good products to use when cleaning paint brushes that were used for painting anything with oil-based paints.

Disassemble the roller

The roller cage and the roller cover should be cleaned separately. When you strip the roller, you automatically make cleaning simpler and ensure thorough cleaning. The roller cover must be taken from the cage and it will either unscrew or pulled from the cage.

Removing Latex-Based Paint

Scrape it off – there might be excess dried paint in the roller’s edges. Take the roller and hold it over a bucket or area where you are cleaning the roller and use a putty knife to get rid of excess paint before continuing to clean it.

Paint it off – very often you will have paint still dripping from the roller. You might have an unpainted section on the wall, otherwise, take the roller and get rid of the excess paint by painting over an inconspicuous area to get rid of the excess.

Clean the roller – rinse it in hot water and follow this by placing the roller in a cleaning solution. When soaked rub it with your gloved hands and continue to remove the paint. You can follow this with water and scrubbing until every drop of paint is removed.

Removing Oil-Based Paint

You will need more patience when you want to know how to clean oil-based paint from brushes and rollers. You will need a cleaning solvent and dip it repeatedly. You can use more than one tray with solvent and clean it until its clean which might require more than one or two trays of solvent for one brush.

You need to strip the brush too and clean the parts and afterward allow it to dry. Sleeves must never be left standing or it will leave the area touching the ground plat which will not be able to stand up again.

Rinse and dry the roller

The roller cover must be dipped in a tray filled with warm water when it is time to rinse the cover of the roller. Afterward, you can dry the cover with paper towels. The cover and the cage can be cleaned this way.

Storing Your Paint Rollers

When you have allowed the paint rollers to air dry, it is time to store it to use next time. Wrap it tightly in plastic and tie it with wire ties. Never store it in its side though, as one side might get flatten. The best way to store clean rollers is hanging up or storing it vertically.

Tips

• When you plan to use the roller again the following day and using the same paint type and color, wrap it in plastic and refrigerate. The plastic wrapping and the cool air prevent the paint from drying and you are saved from cleaning the brushes.
• Do not dry paint rollers on flat surfaces as it will prevent it from applying paint evenly.

Warning

Paint solvents are flammable and therefore causing a hazard when used in enclosed areas or close to flames. Ensure that you are working in areas with good ventilation when you use solvents.

If you enjoyed reading this article about how to clean paint rollers, you should read these as well:

• Tray Ceiling Design Ideas: How to decorate and paint them
• Red Bedroom Ideas: Decor, Walls, Paint, And Furniture
• Beautiful And Spacious Penthouse In Paris With A Painted Ceiling

The post How to clean paint rollers after painting the walls appeared first on Impressive Interior Design.

source https://www.impressiveinteriordesign.com/how-to-clean-paint-rollers/

Drywall alternatives you should consider using

Many of the modern houses have drywall in their interior because it is easy to work with and cheap as well. Drywall is also known as gypsum panel, gypsum board, gyprock, sheetrock, wallboard or plasterboard. It is widely used, but drywall alternatives exist and are recommended. Why?

Some of the drywall options have additives, while others don’t and used in ceilings and interior wall construction. The plaster for drywall is a combination or only asbestos, fiberglass or paper, foaming agent, plasticizer or other additives to prevent or reduce water absorption, flammability or mildew forming.

Drawbacks of Drywall

While cheaper and easier to work with the installation process is tough and involves sanding, mudding and taping and notoriously known for the clouds of fine dust.

It is a product that is both useful; while also having major drawbacks. Drywall is easily damaged, fragile and prone to water damage. It will make a hollow thump when bumped which is an indication that it is a cheap fix.

Water damage and mold

Most people look for drywall alternatives as drywall is very prone to damage where there is high traffic and water damage is a major concern. It is a prime breeding area for bacteria and mold due to its properties like a binder, organic additives, paper, and gypsum. Gypsum, for example, turns to a gooey paste as it softens during moisture exposure.

High sulfur drywall illness and corrosion issues

The home’s interior could have a foul odor which could be detrimental to your health as metal within the structure corrodes. Health problems have been reported which were caused by emissions like hydrogen sulphide and other sulphur compounds that come from imported drywall products. Various types of drywall products have these sulphurous gas emission problems.

While drywall is often used in homes, you will find many outbuildings and garages with drywall finishing too. However, it is not good for those buildings either. Consider its fragility and ultimately the lack of organizing the garage and maximizing its functionality and opt for alternatives to drywall instead.

Other interior wall material options are recommended with the many flaws that make drywall less than ideal. The lack of texture and shape aside from the hollow thump which tells you a cheap product was installed and that it could not last as long as drywall alternatives. The frailty of drywall tells you that you have an inferior product that will not last while it has the dangers and lack of security when used outdoors too.

Drywall alternatives

Irrespective of the ease of installation and low price, it is unattractive when looking at its drawbacks. We look at wall options other than drywall that might not necessarily be cheaper than drywall or easier to install, but at least does not have its dangers and flaws.

Sheet Wood

Image source: IN Studio & Co. Interiors

Sheet wood is good interior wall options as opposed to drywall. It is one of the cheapest and easier to install drywall alternatives. You can choose to leave it unfinished or paint it too even though it is not quite as smooth as drywall or as fire-resistant. You only need to screw sheet wood into place.

You might have to seal or caulk the joints in the sheet wood as it would allow for air leakage to have good insulation. When used in the garage you can use OSB and plywood for better fastening surface and increased support.

Brick and Masonry

Image source: Crescent Builds

Great alternatives to drywall include masonry and brick as it will not only increase your home’s value but also very sturdy as well. You can choose to paint over it or leave it in its natural beauty. It is the most expensive drywall alternative but lasts a lifetime and you are also using natural recyclable materials.

Fiberglass Reinforced Panels (FRP)

 

Fiberglass reinforced panels are a good drywall alternative and interior wall options that are popular in places like pools, bathrooms, and kitchen. These are areas where you would normally use tiles. It is great alternatives to sheetrock as well. FRP is popular for sterile environments like doctor’s offices, hospitals, and laboratories since it is resistant to harmful biological agents, bacteria, and mold.

Fiberglass reinforced panels offer the best moisture protection with its fiberglass mats and far tougher than the fragility of drywall. It is both a cheap and easy installation and preferred drywall alternative.

Cement Board

Image source: AR Design Studio Ltd

Good interior wall material options include cement board. When you use it instead of drywall you will have a strong and durable wall. It is resistant to water and mold and great for areas like kitchens and bathroom or anywhere where moisture levels are high.

Traditional Plaster

Image source: Stonelace Designs

When you don’t know what to use instead of sheetrock and wall material other than drywall, you could look at traditional plaster. A number of homeowners especially those that prefer a countryside appearance to their walls and home, choose to use traditional plaster. Technological advancements have brought a great product that comes with excellent structural backing and increased drying times as well.

Veneer Plaster

Veneer plaster is a great alternative to drywall and as convenient to install as drywall. It has similar advantages without the disadvantages of drywall. You do not need any plastering skills even though it is time-consuming.

Veneer plaster is derived from a combination of plaster and drywall with the strengths of both materials. It takes a long time to dry as the plaster is applied over wood lathe strips. The advantage though is a much stronger drywall alternative that will withstand knocks while it is rot resistant too.

Lath and Plaster

Lath forms the backbone of a wall and it is covered with gypsum plaster that both seals and bonds the horizontal slats. While it used to be knocked for being too time-consuming it is easier and faster to install than previously.

Tile

Image source: Curtis Laney & Laney, The Design Company, Inc

If you are looking at cheap alternatives to drywall it would not be tiles, however, the benefits of tiles are undisputed. Tiles are available readily in any color, texture, size, and patterns at varied prices. One of the top benefits of tiles as alternatives to drywall for walls is its protection against stains, dirt, and water.

You can create any look or atmosphere depending on the tile type as well. You can expand with tiles in places where tiles are present already too, for example, backsplashes in kitchens, flooring, wet areas and fireplaces.

Lath with Woodchip-Clay

When you want a safe and soundproof alternative to drywall and sheetrock alternative, lathe with woodchip clay is excellent. It is a lath frame which is filled with clay and bark-free wooden chips which are thoroughly mixed before being covered with plaster. It is great drywall ceiling alternatives as well and very solid while you have the added benefit of a soundproof solution.

Stylish Metal Panels

Great alternatives to sheet rock and alternative to drywall are metal panels. While most people will not use it for their home interior, it is an excellent alternative to drywall to use in workshops and garages.

Natural Stone

Natural stone has unrivaled beauty and attraction. It is hard and great for interior walls when you want to combine nature and blend the exterior of your home to the indoor areas. All interior spaces that are connected to the outdoors like stairs, halls, and entryways will look amazing when you use this drywall substitute.

Wahoo Walls

While Wahoo walls are predominantly used as a drywall alternative for basements, you can use it anywhere else too. It has a long list of advantages include mold and mildew resistant, doesn’t absorb water, ready to paint, save heat and energy and it slides easily to secure together. The core of Wahoo walls is polystyrene with a mineral board of a /4inch thick on both sides. It is heavyweight and durable while it offers great thermal resistance.

Pegboard

Pegboard is convenient and great for use in storage rooms and garages. You can conveniently hang supplies, add fasteners and organize tools. It is easy to install and screwing panels in place with the numerous holes in the pegboard.

If you enjoyed reading this article about drywall alternatives, you should read these as well:

• Blue Kitchen Ideas: Cabinets, Walls, and Counters
• Kitchen Wall Decor Ideas
• All White Walls Villa Extramuros In Arraiolos Designed By Vora Arquitectura

The post Drywall alternatives you should consider using appeared first on Impressive Interior Design.

source https://www.impressiveinteriordesign.com/drywall-alternatives/

How long does it take to paint a room: Good to know before starting?

When you want a room painted, you can decide on painting it yourself or hiring a professional. Whichever decision, you want to know how long does it take to paint a room and know how long does it take for paint to dry. Both of these are important as you will need to plan when you will be able to use the room again.

It is often a job that is rushed as many people decide to renovate while living inside the home. You will have to remove furniture and then move it back. Painting is a disruptive period and numerous factors determine drying time between coats of paint and determining how long does it take to paint a room. The paint dry time will depend on the type of paint that will determine the paint cure time, room size, etc.

The type of paint, for example, oil-based paint drying time will vary significantly from fast drying wall paint. The paint layers and different colors will also determine the time for paint to dry. When you go according to standard estimation, paint drying time is estimated under the assumption that a room gets two layers of paint.

How long does it take to paint a room?

Image source: We Got Lites

Now you ask the question before you continue your renovation process, how long does it take to paint a room? It is not a question with a straightforward answer though. How many people do you intend to use, which process are you going to use, what type of paint are you going to use, how many layers, all of these are considering factors that will determine how long does it take to paint a room.

Factors affecting the time to paint a room

Size of the Project

Image source: RS Myers Company

Obviously, the main consideration to have an estimate in place of how long does it take to paint a room would be the room size. If you have a medium-sized 10-inch x 10-inch room, it would take a shorter time for paint to dry when compared to a room of twice its size.

Other considerations would include the number of rooms you are painting. If you have a single room and small painting projects within that room, it might take the same time when compared to three rooms of the same dimensions.

Consider that depending on the paint used, a standard 12 x 12 feet room will need paint drying time of around six hours between coats. In addition, windows, doors, baseboards, and trim will add time too.

How many coats of paint you will need?

Image source: Crisp Architects

When you want a professional-looking room, you will need two coats of paint. At the same time, you need to keep in mind if you are covering a dark color with light-colored paint.

If it is a repainting surface or primed surface, you will need two coats of paint. Usually, a ceiling takes one coat of paint. A single layer will obviously take a much shorter period.

Work complexity

Image source: Dresser Homes

Tray ceilings vaulted or coffered ceilings are a costly and time-consuming task when painting. If you are tackling a custom painting project, it cannot be compared to a simple painting job. When you take a simple large and flat surface and compare it to any complex painting jobs it would make a huge difference on answering a question on how long it takes paint to dry and completing the project.

The condition of the walls

Image source: Mark Howell Painting Inc.

Look at what needs to be done, do the ceilings or walls need repairing or cleaning first? It would add additional time to determine when you ask, how long does it take to paint a room?

You will find that in many instances the preparation and cleaning take longer than the actual painting job itself.

The Weather

Humidity and temperature play a role in paint cure time and how fast it occurs.

High humidity equates to longer dry time

Image source: The Spotted Frog Designs

When the moisture levels are high, the paint takes a longer period to dry. When you want faster drying times the humidity levels must be lower. Humidity means there is more moisture in the air which results in longer paint drying times.

Skills and experience

Image source: Fringe Home Design

If you have never painted a room, you might take longer to paint than when you use a professional painter. When you hire a professional painter that knows which steps to take, from prepping to finishing, take considerably shorter than when you paint a room yourself.

When you have experience or hire a professional painter, he would know that he has eight hours per day to prep the room and paint the room as well as ceilings which would take two days to complete. Skill and experience play a large role when you are trying to estimate how long does it take to paint a room.

Other factors that would influence how long it takes to paint a room

Temperature can also affect your painting project

Image source: Justine Hand

When you ask, how long does it take for paint to dry, you have to consider the temperature too. Paint reacts to temperatures regardless if you are painting indoors or looking at exterior paint dry time. Do you wonder how long does it take for interior paint to dry as opposed to how long does paint take to dry outside?

If you are looking for the ideal paint drying temperature, it is between 40 to 90 degrees for oil-based paint cure time. If you need to know how long does it take for exterior paint to dry, you have to consider that it must not be extremely hot though. It is important that it must neither be too hot nor too cold.

Dry time

Image source: Huestis Tucker Architects, LLC

Many people ask, how long does it take for paint to dry, but that as shown above, depend on several factors including temperature and room size. While oil-based take between six to eight hours and a day in-between layers to dry, latex paints dry much faster.

When people ask how long does enamel paint take to dry as opposed to how long for latex paint to cure, it is because these two paint types have different drying times. Oil based also have a different drying time, which is between six to eight hours.

Tools make a difference

The painting method or tools also make a difference in the paint drying times. When you want faster results a paint roller and good wheater conditions are determining factors. Rollers offer an even, smooth and thin coat without runny streaks. When you use a brush, it causes streaks and inconsistency which also add to the paint drying time.

If you enjoyed reading this article about how long does it take to paint a room, you should read these as well:

• Wall painting ideas you should try for your rooms
• Bedroom Paint Ideas You Should See Before Doing A Paint Job
• Basement apartment ideas: Décor, paint, lighting, and more

The post How long does it take to paint a room: Good to know before starting? appeared first on Impressive Interior Design.

source https://www.impressiveinteriordesign.com/how-long-paint-room/

Which DIY Projects are Most Likely to Go Over Budget and Why?

While homeowners typically take on DIY projects to save money, it turns out that many of them are breaking their fixer-upper budgets and spending much more than they planned, according to a recent survey by Porch. While 5% of homeowners finished their fixer-upper projects under budget, and 52% finished on budget, 44% went over budget.  And the homeowners who went over budget, spent, on average, 38% more than planned.

“One of the most common issues that can affect all of these projects is not understanding what your budget really is before you begin,” says Mick Lynch, Senior Vice President of Installations at Power Home Remodeling in Chester, PA. “It’s so important to set a proper budget and identify what you really need and how much those items actually cost before you start your work.”

In addition to having an unrealistic budget, sometimes, unexpected problems occur. The highest percentage of survey respondents named these as the projects in which they went over budget.

New HVAC: 54%

There’s no one-size-fits-all HVAC. Image: John Royal/Shutterstock

The size of your house plays a role in the cost of installing a new HVAC. Homeowners often underestimate how many BTUs they’ll need to cool the house. Ductwork is another area that can increase costs. Yet another factor is the type of HVAC that’s installed. Some brands are (relatively) inexpensive, while other brands cost significantly more. In addition, installation costs vary by company. That’s why your HVAC budget shouldn’t be based on how much a co-worker or family friend paid for their system.

However, Nathan Outlaw, President of Onvico, a construction company in Thomasville, GA, says it’s quite possible to stay under budget. “You need to find a good company, get a firm proposal, and use a contract,” Outlaw advises.

Plumbing: 52%

Plumbing components often need to be replaced. Image: OlegDoroshin Shutterstock

 “Plumbing can go over budget during repairs or remodels when issues with existing lines are found.  Sometimes old pipes start falling apart or can’t be used anymore and need to be replaced,” says Outlaw.

Homeowners might encounter another problem when they decide to move plumbing components around. For example, Audrey Monell, President of Forrest Anderson Plumbing and AC in Phoenix, AZ, believes that you should think carefully before moving your shower. “While it will improve the overall appearance and layout of the bathroom, it will create more work and expense,” she warns. “That is because you have to move the shower drain as well, which can become a major plumbing project. If the drain is incorrectly installed or sealed, you run the risk of allowing sewer gases into your home – a serious health hazard.” Even if you’re only moving it a short distance, Monell says you will probably need to have new pipes installed or you might have serious water damage down the road.

Basement: 52%

Basements are often dark and cold. Image: David Papa/Shutterstock

If you’re thinking about transforming your basement, you need to be clear on the goal of the space “If you’re remodeling it to be a fun space to hang out, that’s one project. But if you’re trying to create a entertainment lounge with a home theatre, that’s a completely different project which will require a different scope of work, and drastically increase your budget,” Lynch says.

Also, sometimes, homeowners don’t consider that the basement will need to be heated. “Physically heating a cool basement is a bigger task, as it usually requires infrastructure improvements to be made to the space, including the addition of ductwork or a heat source,” according to Marla Mock, VP of Operations at Air Serv Heating & Air Conditioning. She says you may need additional heat vents, a heated floor, or a basement-specific heating option. “But be advised that an electric space heater is not an ideal everyday solution.” Mock explains.

Bathrooms: 51%

Trendy bathrooms can bust your budget. Image Flow/Shutterstock

“Bathrooms can frequently be affected by the ‘Pinterest Diet,’ in which homeowners begin shopping around and decide they must have what they see on imageboards,” Outlaw says. “This can turn stock vanities into custom built pieces, simple tile into intricate designs, and solid walls into glass.”

Lynch agrees, and says his customers get really excited when picking out items for the bathroom. “It’s fun for them to do a brief walkthrough in a home improvement store and establish their budgets based on the products they see in the store.” But then, he says they go home, do more research, and decide to start swapping out light fixtures, sinks, etc.  “Now, they find their overall total has skyrocketed, but at this point they’ve become attached to those new features and are now committed to them.”

New Appliances: 51%

High-end appliances have end-end prices. Image: Breadmaker/Shutterstock

The 2019 kitchen design trends can can provide inspiration – but sometimes, they also temp homeowners to spend more than they should. “Appliances generally go over budget when a homeowner goes shopping and decides they need the latest and greatest features – like maybe sending a tweet from the fridge,” Outlaw explains.

Another problem can occur when homeowners try to save money by shopping online for their own appliances. “If the appliances end up not working in the space, that’s wasted money,” warns Larry Greene, President of Case Design/Remodeling in Carmel, IN.  “It could be helpful to clue in a remodeling firm for this step, as they’ll have helpful connections with local suppliers, saving you money on shipping and time if returns or exchanges need to be made.” In addition, Greene says a professional would be aware of common sizing mistakes and able to assist homeowners in comparing materials. 

Roof: 50%

Your roof could be hiding numerous problems. Image: Karamysh/Shutterstock

It’s hard to guess what’s hiding under your roof, and Outlaw says that’s why roofing projects tend to go over budget. “If water has been leaking through, there could be a lot of plywood to replace. Improperly installed crickets can lead to water getting behind chimneys. Roofs become expensive when they become framing jobs,” he says.

Also, this is another case in which DIY efforts may be counterproductive. “Last year, we completed nearly 18,000 roofing installations, and I found time after time that homeowners first tried to complete the job themselves,” Lynch says. “But they quickly realized that they didn’t have the knowledge — or the proper tools — to finish the job, and needed to bring in professional reinforcement.”

The post Which DIY Projects are Most Likely to Go Over Budget and Why? appeared first on Freshome.com.

source https://freshome.com/diy-projects-go-over-budget/

How to attract cardinals in your house’s backyard (Great tips)

Many homeowners who want to know how to attract cardinals, need to know where do cardinals live naturally before attempting to attract them. You will find Northern Cardinals living freely in regrowing forests, mesquite, marshy thickets, hedgerows, overgrown fields, forest edges and yes, ornamental landscaping and backyards.

Cardinals have always been anyone’s desired bird and a lovely bird to have to frequent your back yard.  The fortunate factor is that cardinal migration is not natural, and they love to stay throughout the year.

The advantage that eastern North American resident have is that cardinals were forced northward due to the growth of suburbs and towns. Therefore, when you know how to attract cardinals you will find they are rather easy to find and easy to please birds.

However, you need to make a few alterations like food, water, and shelter to have the gorgeous red bird with its lovely song living in your back yard.

Why we love Cardinals

It is easy to identify a northern cardinal. They are a long-tailed, fairly large bird with a prominent crest.

Female cardinals are overall a pale brown color with red tinges to the crest, tail, and wings with a red-orange bill and black face.

The male cardinal, however, is magnificent with its brilliant red color, black face, and red bill.

The beautiful appearance is paired with beautiful singing and make a welcome addition to a backyard. Birders love attracting cardinals as a colorful, cheerful addition to the backyard.

How to attract cardinals

Make sure cardinals are native to your area

Many people ask, do cardinals migrate in the winter? The answer is no, cardinals do not migrate, and this means they will remain in your backyard when you know how to attract cardinals to your yard.

Therefore, is it important to know before you try attracting cardinals to your backyard if they are native to your area?

You do get a Texas cardinal bird as well as South Dakota. You will find cardinals when you live in regions like southern California and Maine. You will find them to the south in areas like the Gulf Coast and Central America as well. In addition, when you live in Bermuda, southwestern California, and Hawaii, you can also attract cardinals.

How to attract Cardinals with food

You will attract a cardinal when you know what cardinals eat in the wild and what are the cardinals eating habits. When you have bird feed for cardinals you will be able to attract them.

Buy and place large Cardinal Bird Feeders in your backyard

You will have to focus on getting bird feeders for cardinals which are sturdy and strong. A cardinal is a large bird that loves a good place to perch and a small feeder simply will not be sufficient. They need adequate footing for nesting and feeding as they are heavier than the average backyard bird.

You could look at a cardinal only bird feeder when your aim is only to attracting cardinals and at the same time keep squirrels out. It must be easy to reach for you to replace the cardinal bird seed, while they can have easy access too.

Keep in mind that you must keep it stocked with cardinals birds food or they might leave your yard in search of a place with a consistent supply of food.

• Cardinals like areas like suburban landscaping, high perches, dense foliage as well as backyard trees.
• They would like to have feeders with some cover close by, therefore should the cardinal bird feeder be in a place where they can flee to when needed, like shrubs or trees.

Choose the Right Food

You will be able to attract northern cardinals with a feeder and when you know what kind of seeds do cardinals eat? Sunflower seeds certainly would attract cardinal, but when you want more, you have to do more to attract an array of gorgeous cardinals and other birds too.

Seeds

Cardinals food preference is according to their bill’s structure and shape. Compared to other birds, a cardinal has larger jaw muscles, and the downward curve of their bill tell you that they can crack or crush seeds. While smaller seeds are good you can get medium-sized too as the cardinal can eat larger seeds as well.

What kind of birdseed do cardinals eat?

Sunflower

Sunflower is available in two varieties that a cardinal will eat:

Black-oil sunflower

The least expensive and most popular sunflower seed is the black oil. It is found in all bird food mixes and with it, you will attract various species of birds.

Striped sunflower

The striped is harder to crack and larger that black-oil sunflower seeds. When you want to know how to attract cardinals, but no other birds, you could buy this type of seed as smaller birds will not be able to eat these and therefore will you only be attracting cardinals.

Berries

Cardinals favorite food is their seeds but loves to eat wild fruits too. Researchers and studies show that the main reason why cardinals love fruits could be for the seeds. Therefore, when you plant fruit-bearing trees ensure it is of a larger seed-type. Common seeds and fruits include wild grape, mulberry, sedges, and more.

Safflower

When you want to know how to attract cardinals to your yard, ensure you have safflower as they love it. It is especially great when you want to be attracting cardinals but not other species like blackbirds and especially squirrels as these do not feed on safflower.

Red-Fruited Plants

Carotenoid pigmentation is the reason why male cardinals are crimson red. This is found in red-fruited plants and when you get more of these, you will have cardinals with an even brighter red color.

Suet Cakes

Cardinals will occasionally snack on suet cakes. A suet cake should only be fed to cardinals in colder temperatures though or it will turn rancid.

Cover Plants

When you know how to attract cardinals, you also need to keep them happy to remain in your yard. Cardinals love nests that are low and you will have to have adequate trees and dense shrubs for cardinal nesting.

Caterpillars

The best cardinal bird food for adults are seeds, however, the cardinal parent feeds babies with insects. These nestlings need muscle which is provided through the exclusive feeding of insects.  What do cardinals eat when they are nestlings, is a question many ask. They do not feed on seeds when young, therefore is it important to have adequate plants and garden for insects like caterpillars. When you have plants that attract butterflies, it is a bonus.

Evergreens

Many people ask, are cardinals ground feeders? The answer is yes, even though they are not only foraging on the ground. If you do have food on open ground, you need to ensure that they are able to retreat to safety. During the winter season, they love evergreens. You will, therefore, be attracting cardinals when you have adequate cover especially during the winter and more than enough food.

Plant evergreen trees or shrub

A cardinal bird house or nest will be in shrubs or dense evergreen trees. They will build their nest in the cover of trees as protection for their nest.

Offer nesting material

Since you are looking at ways how to attract cardinals, you obviously intend for them to nest and remain in your yard. You will not need a cardinal bird house or build birdhouses for cardinals as they prefer to build their own nests. Cardinal migration is not something that is in their nature and when you place things yarn, dog fur and lightweight material somewhere where they can get it, they will nest nearby.

Offer Running Water

As cardinals do not migrate you want to keep them happy all-year-long. In winter when water freezes, make sure you have running water.

Create a Welcoming Environment

Once you know how to attract cardinals, how are you going to keep them in your yard? When the environment is welcoming, they will nest and make your yard their home. They want natural shelter, running water and food. When you know what do cardinals eat and you have a birdfeeder in place, consider spreading additional seed to attract more cardinals that might fly around in your area.

Things to avoid

Harmful chemicals

Fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides are poisonous for a reason and this is one thing you need to avoid at all costs. It will contaminate both the water and food sources which are lethal to cardinals.

Prevent Frozen Water

Since cardinal migration does not happen, they remain in your yard but will have to leave if there is no water. Ensure that they have heated birdbath and frequently fill up fresh still water if you do not have a running water source.

Reflective surfaces

You do not want cardinals in your yard to be distressed, which could happen when they have mirrors or reflecting windows near their nesting area. Deter the cardinal from windows with bird netting or screens.

Predator-accessible feeding areas

When you have other pets in your homes like cats and dogs, they must not be able to access cardinal feeding areas. Predators from outside your yard must be kept at bay as far as possible, therefore should the cardinal seed feeder be close enough and high enough for ground animals not to reach the birds during feeding or nesting. Give the cardinal the opportunity to seek protection in dense bush or trees when it feels unsafe.

When you meet the cardinal’s need for nesting sites, secure shelter, freshwater, and adequate food, you will be able to attract and keep this gorgeous bird throughout the year.

If you enjoyed reading this article on how to attract cardinals, you should read these as well:

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