The Ultimate Guide to Painting a Home

A residential interior painting requires as much work as the exterior; the results are pretty rewarding. A new coat of paint improves curb appeal and gives the home an excellent appearance. It also enhances a home’s value compared to the initial investment required.

So, prepare appropriately for painting, whether you want to do it yourself or hire a professional. These pre-preparations ensure the project runs smoothly.

Before starting the painting project, here’s everything you need to know, including how to choose the best paint.

How to Prepare the Surface for Painting?

Before you start painting, it’s crucial to properly prepare the home to ensure a smooth and successful project.

First, remove wall fittings, like light switch plates and outlet coverings. Painting around these spots will be more accessible, and paint will not get on them. Carefully detach these fixtures using a screwdriver, then store them somewhere secure.

In addition, take out any screws or nails from the walls and use spackling compound to seal the holes. Sand the compound smooth when it dries to provide a smooth surface.

Next, give the walls a thorough cleaning to remove any grease, dust, or grime. To gently scrub the walls, use a sponge or cloth dampened with a solution of mild detergent and water. Look for places that are likely to grow oily or dirty, including the vicinity of the kitchen or restroom.

Before continuing, thoroughly rinse the walls with clean water and let them dry thoroughly. This stage is essential because it ensures the paint will stick to the walls correctly.

Finally, inspect walls for damages or imperfections, fill them with spackling compounds, and smooth them out. Take time to address all imperfections for a professional result.

If you want professional results, you may invest in exterior painting services.

How to Choose the Right Paint?

Selecting the right paint is the first step in getting the desired result when painting interior and outdoor surfaces. Before even getting into colour, many types of paint exist to consider. Every type has its pros and cons.

So, research to find the best paint for interior and exterior walls to save money and ensure the results match your vision.

Things to Consider before choosing the paint

To select the right paint for your home, consider the following things:

Type of paint on the walls
Needs of your household
Current paint type.

Here are the most common paint types:

Oil-Based Paints

Oil-based paints provide an ultra-hard and durable finish that is long-lasting. This paint can be applied smoothly and will keep the colourful pigments vivid for many years. Although water-based formulas offer superior adhesion and surface penetration, surpassing their capabilities, they come with a cost.

Oil-based paints are challenging to work with and take up to two days to dry, rendering the area unusable. This type of paint releases harmful fumes into the air both during and after painting since it uses solvent as the pigment’s carrier.

Cleaning up after the paint may take much time, money, and effort because it is not water-soluble.

Latex-Based Paints

Latex paints are made with water-soluble compounds. This unique type of paint is easy to apply, dries quickly,and emits a minimal odour. They are commonly used for exterior surfaces and indoors, with different formulas for indoor and outdoor use.

Although they lack the durability of oil paint, they can be easily cleaned with soap and water, ensuring a long-lasting finish.

Water-Based Paints

Water-based paints are also known as acrylics. These paints are quick and easy to apply, reducing odour and facilitating easy cleanup. They are less durable than oil-based paints and are more expensive per gallon.

However, they work well on exterior and interior surfaces, requiring painting more often to maintain the desired finish. They can be easily cleaned with soap and water, especially in high-gloss formulas.

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