Painting your House: Expert Guidance for a Professional Finish
Did you know that painting your house is one of the most popular home improvement projects? Whether it’s for new construction, or just to freshen up an old worn out residence, painting can be a great investment. It not only improves curb appeal and increases the value of your property, but also helps reduce energy consumption by providing insulation from outside temperatures.
There are many different paint types available on the market today with varying benefits; latex paints are usually inexpensive and give good coverage over large surfaces, while water-based paints produce less odor than oil-based varieties. However, no matter what type of paint you use there will always be prep work involved before applying any coating material to ensure a professional finish! Follow these tips and paint your house like a professional painter!
Remove any hardware or fixtures such as door knobs, window handles, and light switches. If possible, take these items off the walls and cover them with painter’s tape to avoid getting paint on them.
Fill any holes or cracks in the surface with caulk or spackling paste, then sand down until smooth.
Wash the walls thoroughly to remove all dirt, dust, and grease. This can be done using a TSP cleaner or vinegar diluted in water.
If needed, prime the walls with an appropriate primer sealer before painting. Latex primers are a good option for raw wood, while oil-based primers are better at covering stains.
Paint the walls with a roller to get even coats on all sides of each wall. For large surfaces such as exterior siding or staircases it is recommended that you use an extension pole instead of holding the paint roller in your hand because this will produce neater results and prevent drips from accumulating around baseboards where they’re not wanted.
Use painter’s tape to create straight edges along ceiling lines if needed before painting ceilings, then remove once dry using either care or another tool like scissors designed specifically for removing painters’ tape without damaging your surface! This step can be skipped when painting small areas like closets because the tape is not really necessary and it’s more difficult to remove without leaving residue.
To finish, apply a coat of clear sealant or varnish over the paint job to protect it from weathering and fading.