When painting the house, the important question arises: should one paint trim or walls first? Thus, it's essential to understand the best order to follow when painting a room or house. A paint job might seem like an easy decision to make but there are various factors that should be considered before choosing the right order. Besides deciding whether to paint the trim or walls first, homeowners should also consider how much does it cost to paint a house before starting the project.
Professionals have their own ideal approaches and methods to begin with. However, if you want to DIY painting and are unsure about what to start with, this blog will help you choose the right order.
Reasons to Paint the Trim First
Here are the reasons for painting the trim first.
For Beginner Painters
It is an ideal option for a beginner to tape off the trim and paint it first. This process results in a clean line while decreasing the stress over it. One can commence with painting the trim, then taping it off or, can opt to move ahead with cutting-in technique and paint the walls neatly.
While Taping
Most homeowners prefer to protect the areas from paint. They tape off the area where paint should not reach. Then, trim is quite easier to apply because of its smooth and sharp edges as compared to walls, particularly when walls are textured.
While Cutting-In
While cutting in, it's easier to follow the trim's edge, just like in the case of taping. Thus, it will be easier to cut in if one prefers not to use tape and choose to freehand a nice and clean edge. Then, it will be smoother and less complex to spread out the brush over a broad area (the wall) and just use the edge to make a fine cut of the trim. This technique becomes particularly useful when working with detailed wall designs, such as two color walls with chair rail, where achieving a crisp line between the different surfaces is important.
When the Room is Under Construction
When the room is under construction, i.e., if there is some work left or there is a lot of foot traffic in the room, prioritize painting the trim first. Eventually, one can shift to work on the wall at the end. If you're also repairing gaps around the trim before painting, remember to allow enough time for the caulk to dry. Knowing how long does caulk take to dry can help you plan the painting stages more efficiently.
Reasons to Paint Walls First
Here are the reasons for painting the walls first.
For Quick Room Painting
If the old color doesn't visually suit, change is inevitable. Hence, choose to paint the walls first when it comes to picking between painting trim or walls. The reason is, when one gets the hint of the painting work getting completed on the walls, the entire project get completed with the great enthusiasm. If you're painting a child's room, you can also consider gender neutral nursery paint colors that create a versatile backdrop and can work with different furniture and decor styles.
To Increase the Scope of Change in the Wall Color
If homeowners don't like the color of their walls, they would like to change the color of the trim as well. Why to paint both the surfaces(trim and wall) twice.
For Saving Time
Painting the trim is time consuming, requires more skill and care than painting the walls. Walls are faster to paint. Trim can end up with a bad visual appearance if someone slops the paint on, distorting the detailing and end up with permanent brush strokes. While, walls are primarily rolled and with an extra helping hand, can be easily and quickly painted.
When Using High-Gloss Trim Paint
When using high-gloss trim paint instead of the most widely used trim semi-gloss, painting the wall first is easier to prevent glossy trim paint on the wall. Make sure to concentrate on keeping the paint neat from the start, as a glossy paint mistake might be difficult to cover up on the wall. If you're deciding which finish to use for the trim, understanding the difference between satin and semi gloss paint can help you choose a finish that provides the right balance of durability and appearance.
Professionals' and Experts' Opinions on Paint Trim or Walls First
Painting a room on one's own is a first-hand learning experience. Therefore, it's required to understand how to complete the project while avoiding mistakes. There are professional painters who do their work in a professional and the right way. Experts' experience says that the correct order is to paint the trim first, then paint the ceiling and lastly, paint the walls. This will save time and effort.
Final Thoughts
Painting the trim is the chosen and correct method to begin the project, according to the professionals. However, it is important to understand the conditions and requirements of the project and then decide on the right method to accomplish the project. We have discussed the pros and cons of painting trim first and walls first and vice-versa to help you decide what works best for your project, but think wisely on the expert's advice as well. If you're planning to refresh the entire bathroom during the same project, you may also wonder, can you paint a toilet, particularly when replacing fixtures isn't part of your renovation budget.
