Do It Yourself House Painting

An easy way to give your house a nice lift is by painting it.  Choosing a new color scheme or just freshening up the shades it already dons will both do the trick, and the process is actually pretty easy (not to mention fun, when picking colors),  both inside and out!

Unfortunately, paying a professional to do it for you can be extremely costly, and oftentimes, not worth the price of convenience.  With that in mind, here’s what to consider when preparing to paint your own house.

Really, when it comes down to it, the quality of your paint job is dependent upon the quality of the paint and products you use.  Don’t skimp!  High-quality paint not only is more durable, but it’s also easier to maintain and covers the walls faster and with more ease.  Doing it right the first time will save you time and money in both the short and long run.

That said, the only way to really guarantee you get what you pay for with the quality paint you select is by repairing the surfaces properly and preparing for the task smartly.  Gently use a power sander to clean up paint that is peeling, blistering, flaking, or wrinkling so that your surface is as smooth as possible.  Once the surfaces are ready, cover the areas close to the surface to be painted with tape, plastic, and dropcloths so that they don’t get caught in the crossfire and create a big mess.  Make sure to remove any masking tape immediately after painting so that it doesn’t stick to your beautiful, like-new walls.

In addition to quality paint, a power sander, and masking tools, there are other DIY house painting tools you’re going to need to be successful.  A tall, sturdy ladder is a must.  Make sure you can comfortably reach the highest point you’re painting without wobbling.  Buy good brushes and rollers, minding their intended use—indoor brushes and rollers are built more delicately.  Pick up some sandpaper, putty, and scrapers , which will come in handy both for preparation and for when you’re cleaning up and doing the finishing touches.

Also, don’t forget primer, if necessary, and alkyd paint for exterior woodwork, which is great for doors, door trim, banisters, etc. because of its durability.

When you’re prepared, painting becomes the easy part, and selecting a house paint color becomes the hard part.  Keep in mind the style of your home (historic, industrial), your neighborhood and neighbors, the color of your roof (so that it doesn’t clash), the color of the natural environment that surrounds your house, and, of course, your personality.  Bring on the white overalls!

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