The debate over whether it’s better to paint the walls or the trim first is one that can get many home improvement enthusiasts excited to share their opinions. Professional painters tend to paint the trim first for a variety of reasons, but there are times when someone might start with the wall. Below, the pros from Forever Builders, the experts in home renovation San Diego homeowners trust for exceptional craftsmanship and unmatched service, offer a look at how the order you take with painting impacts the final results to help you understand why your contractor might take a specific stance on this hot topic.
Trim Is Easier to Tape Off
Professional painters can create clean lines no matter where they start with a project. But beginners may prefer doing the trim first, since it’s easier to protect from splatters when you paint the walls. Applying painter’s tape to smooth trim tends to be easier than trying to get it to adhere to a textured wall. With modern tape, it’s possible to apply it to freshly painted and dry trim without pulling any color off.
Cutting in Simplifies the Process
Cutting in is a process that involves using a brush around parts of the wall that connect to the trim or the ceiling. With this process, you use a paintbrush instead of a roller to get close to connecting parts of the room without crossing any lines. Cutting in to the expansive flat surface of a wall is easier for most people compared to trying to do this technique within the thinner boundaries of the trim. Professional painters can also use edgers and other special tools to keep newly painted trim pristine as they work.
Painting Trim First May Speed Up Construction Projects
In some cases, doing the trim first allows your remodeling contractors to stay on target with their timeline. If other crew members are working on aspects of the wall or ceiling, such as installing lighting fixtures, it may be possible for painters to get started. Since the trim in the room is typically finished as soon as it’s installed, painters can begin working carefully to get a start on the painting. Once they’re done with the trim, the walls will be ready for the next phase of the painting project.
Smaller Crews May Start with the Walls
Painting contractors can vary according to the size of their crews, and it’s common for remodeling professionals to plan projects according to when people are available. If your remodeling contractor knows the full team is available on a specific day but may have someone taking time off in the same week, he or she may choose to do the bulk of the project first. Having multiple people working on the walls leaves the trim for when someone may be working without as much assistance later.
Painting Walls First Offers Instant Gratification
Painting the most visible portion of a room first also has the benefit of allowing you to see how much you like a specific color. Most of the time, you can avoid changing your mind about a shade of paint by taking the time to do a color consultation with your remodeling contractor. But seeing a color on a full wall first can help you know if you’ll like it before the contractors cover the whole room. On the flip side, you can also bask in the glory of a newly painted room immediately while you wait for the painters to finish the trim.
Painting your home is a major project, so consider hiring experienced professional house painters to ensure you’ll get high-quality results that last for years. If you’re ready to refresh the interior of your home, make sure to hire experts with years of experience. Whether they need fresh coats of paint or room additions, San Diego homeowners can rely on the team from Forever Builders for outstanding workmanship and exceptional service that fits their budgets. To learn more about our painting services, call one of our friendly team members today.