Painting your house is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways of adding value to your home. It may seem an unnecessary upgrade, but it will always reap rewards, whether you are staying or selling. In fact, it is better to paint when you move in than move out! This way you can enjoy the fresh colours yourself. The aesthetic and functional benefits of painting the exterior and interior of your home are numerous, and every time you pull into your driveway or walk in your front door, it will welcome you with positivity.
When painting your house, there is much to consider - from the colours you choose (check out our blog on 2021’s colour trends) to the logistical basics which include waterproofing, preparation and general paint supplies and essentials.
Basic Rule #1: Preparation is key
The temptation to skip the crack filler, undercoat, primer or waterproofing and just slap your favourite colour on the wall is never a good idea. You will be wasting money in the medium term and will end up with an unprofessional looking paint job. If any of your interiors include drywalling, use a water-based primer to ensure an even base and cover any imperfections before applying a paint colour.
If your exterior or interior walls have flaky, cracked or peeling areas, scrape or lightly sand those spots before applying primer and paint. Also, remove any old wallpaper before painting and get rid of any dirty or greasy marks with good ol’ sugar soap, otherwise give walls a quick wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any dust before painting.
Basic Rule #2 - Protect your furniture & floors
Paint will splash, so cover floors, carpets, furniture and windows with drop cloths, old sheets or plastic to avoid paint splattering on them. A nifty solution for door handles and knobs is to cover them with plastic sandwich bags and tape before painting!
Removing light switch and plug point covers will also make the painting of your walls so much easier. It is these little preparation steps that make a big difference at the end of the day.
Basic Rule #3: Purchase good quality paint brushes
According to Emmert Wolf, ‘a man is only as good as his tools,’ and that has never proved more true than when painting your house. We all know that you don’t buy cheap paint, but the same rule applies when buying brushes, rollers and painter’s tape. Good quality paint brushes and rollers give excellent, smooth coverage, and high-end masking tape helps to effectively prevent drips and blurs and doesn’t pull off paint when removed.
It is also advisable to purchase a roller extension pole so you can reach the maximum amount of area and height easily, without straining your back or climbing up and down a ladder.
Basic Rule #4 - Paint from top to bottom
Always cut in your edges first and then move onto a roller to apply paint from the ceiling downward. This helps to minimise streaks as you are working with gravity and not against it and you can smooth out any little errors in the direction you are painting. As soon as the area starts to dry, leave it alone. Going back over it can leave marks and streaks in the paint’s surface. It’s best to rather do a second coat once the first coat of paint has completely dried. (So go and make a cuppa and just relax as you watch the paint dry). 😉
It is also not a good idea to paint in rainy or humid weather as the paint will not adhere well to damp walls.
Basic Rule #5 - Pop in at STEP Building Supplies
STEP Building Supplies is your one-stop hardware shop with all your paint, building and renovation materials under one online roof.
Our team is ready to advise and assist you with whatever you may need to make your next DIY project a success and your renovation dream a reality.
