5 Most Asked Questions About Painting Your House

5 Most Asked Questions About Painting Your House

Painting can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience. Just thinking about it makes some people nauseous. In fact, some avoid painting because it can make you sick if you do not follow certain protocol. Among this gem of knowledge are many others that we get asked about time and time again. We want to help clarify the painting process to help you enjoy it more. We love painting, and we want you to love it just as much. In that vein, below are five of the most commonly asked questions about painting and our responses.
How do I Estimate How Much Paint I Will Need?

While there are a number of factors that come into how much paint you will need, a simple mathematical calculation can help you figure this out. Calculate the square footage of the surfaces you want to paint and divide that by the number of square feet that the manufacturer indicates a gallon of your selected paint will cover.

Estimating Example:

If a room is 10 feet by 20 feet with 8-foot ceilings, your square footage is 480 (the circumference times the ceiling height). If you have a number of windows and doors, subtract the square footage of those openings (standard doors are about 21 square feet, standard windows about 15 square feet). For many paints, including primers and stains, a gallon will cover about 400 square feet (the product label will show the coverage). Since two coats are normally recommended for most projects, two gallons would be needed for the 10-by-20-foot room example. (This assumes there are one or two windows.) Remember, it’s always a good idea to have a little leftover paint for future touchups.

Are There Ideal Conditions to Paint the Exterior of My House In?

It is best to paint in temperatures between 60 and 90 degrees. Otherwise, your drying time is going to be vastly different, which can affect the overall quality of the paint job. In addition, if you paint in high winds, your paint may dry too fast. This not only makes your paint more brittle, but debris and dirt can blow into the wet paint and dry with it. If you can paint in direct shade, that is ideal. Be sure to also check the paint manufacturer’s recommendations.

Is It Always Necessary to Paint Two Coats of Paints on Exterior Painting Work?

It depends. If, for example, you are painting siding where the previous paint has been removed, you will want to apply a coat of primer followed by two coats of paint. However, if the surface has already been painted and the paint is still on it, one coat of paint will do. As always, speak to your local paint supplier or painting contractor about the particulars of your situation.

Should I Use Water-Based Latex Paint or Oil-Based Paint?

Like many aspects of painting, this depends on a few factors as well. While both will do an excellent job, water-based paints are easy to use and easy to clean, which is great for do-it-yourselfers. Plus, latex paints usually have great adhesiveness to most surfaces and are more superior and resistant to bleaching and fading over oil-based paints. However, to figure out which paint will be best for your project, you can give us a call or speak with your local paint supplier.

Do I Need to Prime Every Time I Paint My Walls?

No, you don’t always need primers when repainting. If you’re repainting a similar color, for example, you can lightly scuff-sand the walls to remove any gloss and then clean the surface. Once you have completed that, you can simply repaint over the existing latex coating. You may need to paint more than one coat to keep it uniform. It is, however, important to note that switching sheens or drastic color changes may require a primer to minimize the amount of topcoats used. Moreover, a wall containing stains may be harder to cover. To make sure you have complete coverage, consider using a paint and primer in one product.

Boy, you sure do ask some great questions, and we love answering them. To ask your question or have a consultation on us, contact us today.