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Painting your house can be both exciting and daunting. New exterior paint increases street appeal and gives a fresh look to the building, making it more inviting and a stand out in its surroundings. New interior paint offers an inexpensive, simple, yet effective way to totally transform an entire space.
However, to achieve your desired finish, you must be methodical and plan what you are going to do before you start. There are several important steps to take as you plan your house painting project. Here, we outline basic considerations that lead to a successful project.
Table of Contents
Major Considerations When Painting A House
Exterior painting requires more thought and commitment than interior painting. The size and current external condition of your home will dramatically affect the time, money and energy required to complete it. In addition, painting cannot be done in all types of weather. Calm, sunny weather is ideal as it is most effective for paint drying both inside and outside the house.
Exterior Painting 101
Below are a few points to consider when planning an exterior paint job:
- Will it be a do-it-yourself project, or will you hire a professional?
- Are you painting to protect the building shell or for aesthetic reasons?
- Are you planning to sell your home?
- What is the current condition of the house’s exterior? Will you need to fill holes or make other repairs before you start?
- How much time and money are you willing to dedicate to the project?
- How much paint do you need?
- What type of paint is on the exterior? If the building has lead paint, check with your local government about guidelines for removing lead paint. If you have doubts about the presence of lead, there are several ways to test for it, including home test kits, X-ray fluorescence, and laboratory analysis.
- In choosing colours, consider the architectural style of the home and the overall look of the neighbourhood.
- Consider safety factors if your home has more than one storey.
Interior Painting 101
Although interior painting also requires planning, it can typically be carried out quicker, as the weather does not affect work. Usually, one day is enough to paint the interior walls of a room. However, painting doors, windows, and trims takes time to prep correctly and requires precision work to achieve a good finish.
As you prepare to paint inside, consider these factors:
- Are you planning on doing the work yourself?
- What repairs are required? Look for water damage, mould, damaged plaster, nail holes and other anomalies that must be corrected in the prep stage before applying paint.
- What type of paint is on the walls and trim? Lead may be present in paint, primer, timber coatings, plaster and cement surfaces.
- How much time and money are you willing to spend?
- What is the purpose for the paint job? Do you simply want new colours to enhance décor, or are you planning to sell the home?
- As you select colours, think about how long you will have to live with the choice. Although it may be exciting to go with the latest designer shades, you may tire of them quickly. Instead, consider your lifestyle and the atmosphere you would like to create in a room.
Preparing the Exterior to Paint
If you have carried out any necessary repairs to the exterior walls of your home, you can now start the painting preparation process. You may have to remove guttering, downpipes and other external fixtures so that you can prime and paint areas underneath or behind them. Remove old caulk around windows, doors and other areas. Another tip is to use masking or painter’s tape around doors, windows and other fittings to ensure a neat border is kept between the areas to prevent ‘bleeding’. Drop cloths are also vital to protect plants, grass, soil and pavement around the home.
Preparing surfaces correctly is essential for the paint to adhere to walls and trim and achieve the best finish possible. It also affects how the job looks after completion and how long the paint will last. There are many ways to prepare surfaces. These include hand sanding, machine sanding, pressure washing and scraping. If you wash surfaces, let them dry completely before applying sealer, primer or paint. If mould or mildew is present, wash surfaces with an antifungal preparation or detergent. It is also crucial to wear eye protection when you prepare surfaces to prevent harm to you eyes.
The material of the siding on a home also affects how the paint looks after it has dried. Therefore, it is important to use a high quality paint suitable for these surfaces. Furthermore, to keep vinyl from buckling from UV rays and the heat of sunlight, experts recommend using lighter shades of paint because they do not absorb as much heat.
Safety is always the primary concern and painting can often present high risk situations due to heights. To avoid the risk of falling, never overextend your reach on a ladder. In addition, if you apply paint from an angle, you may end up with uneven lap marks, which will affect the look and durability of the paint. Many painters recommend starting from the top and working down.
Good quality materials are crucial to achieve the best result, cheap isn’t always the answer! Use high quality materials to apply paint as more often than not, cheap brushes shed bristles and are extremely obvious on any surface. Furthermore, cheap paint rollers shed their nap, which will also affect the way the paint looks. You can see the difference with high quality brushes and a paint roller applying paint seamlessly, resulting in a smooth and even surface. It is also crucial to let the paint dry between coats, with the climate, moisture and temperature. However patience is the key to achieve the nicest finish!
Preparing the Interior to Paint
Painting the interior of your home similarly involves many of the steps outlined above for painting exteriors. However, the range of colours and surface treatments is almost endless, limited only by your imagination. Different colour shades evoke a mood and atmosphere, therefore it is important to take the time to carefully consider colours as you plan. Warm colours include reds, oranges yellows, and beiges whereas cool colours are usually blues, greens or purples and greys. If you want to evoke a cosy, warm feeling, lean towards warmer toned colours, but if you prefer a more crisp look, go for colours breathing cool tones.
Below are some more tips to help with your interior paint job:
Pay attention to undertones, which include yellow, red, blue and green. Undertones should complement furnishings, accessories and other components of the interior. If you select what appears to be a neutral shade of beige, the wrong undertone may clash with other features in the space. To be sure, bring swatches and samples home, to hold each up next to upholstery, furnishings, or other key features of the space – to see if the shades are complementary. It is also beneficial to see these samples in the different types of light present in your home, including sunlight and indirect light. If you are unsure, paint professionals or colour consultants are more than happy to guide you in the right direction and offer advice!
As you plan your interior, it is also crucial to consider the function of each room. Bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens build up moisture and heat that can affect the durability of paint. A professional will recommend surface treatments for these rooms that retard mildew and mould growth. An experienced professional can also recommend paints that endure under conditions like these.
For other rooms, again it is important to consider the mood and atmosphere you are trying to achieve in each particular space. You may want neutral or cool colours for dining areas and bedrooms. In contrast, warm and vibrant colours can liven up a children’s play area. Textures, highlights and complementary shades can also add further drama and interest into a room that may be lacking some personality. A professional interior designer or colour consultant can help you decide how to approach the area to achieve the desired atmosphere for each individual space.
Key Takeaways
- Consider whether to DIY or hire professionals based on the project's scope.
- Assess the house's exterior condition and plan for necessary repairs.
- Choose colors that complement the home's architecture and the neighborhood's aesthetic.
- Prioritize safety, especially for multi-story homes.
- For interiors, address repairs and choose paint based on room function and desired mood.
- Hiring a professional can save time and ensure quality, with a professional job lasting about eight years.
Ready to Paint?
We hope these tips help with your next exterior or interior painting project. However, if you are feeling overwhelmed with all the information out there, why not contact us? Our team of professional residential painters offer a range of painting services in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Request a free quote today – contact Hunter Coast Painting and talk to an expert.
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Gavin, is the founder and director of Hunter Coast Painting an experienced Newcastle Painter. Combining 10 years experience in the industry and having worked on multi-million dollar homes in Europe and Australia, Gavin is able to provide a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Gavin Kane
Gavin, is the founder and director of Hunter Coast Painting.
Combining 10 years experience in the industry and having worked on multi-million dollar homes in Europe and Australia, Gavin is able to provide a wealth of knowledge and experience.