Which came first? The chicken or the egg?
Should you pour your creamer before or after you pour your coffee? Should you eat before or after your workout? Should you shower before or after you sleep?
It seems like some of our choices are not as dependent on the possible outcomes of the “before or after” as they are on personal preference. But what about painting before or after installing new flooring? Is the choice just as inconsequential? Or is one choice the better of the two?
What you might not think about when it comes to this dilemma might floor you.
In the article, we will examine the discourse on whether you should paint before or after new flooring, as well as mention a few tips for whichever route you would like to choose.
Table of Contents
- Do You Paint Before or After Installing New Flooring?
- 2 Reasons To Paint Before Installing New Flooring
- 3 Reasons To Paint After Installing New Flooring
- Does the Type of Flooring Make a Difference?
- 2 Tips for Installing Flooring After Painting
- 3 Tips for Painting After Installing Flooring
- Final Verdict: To Paint or Not To Paint Prior to a Flooring Installation
- Two Brothers Painting: We’ve Been Painting Portland’s Homes for Over 20 Years
Do You Paint Before or After Installing New Flooring?
Contrary to what you may expect, this topic is like opening a huge can of worms.
Every painting contractor might have their individual preferences, policies, and procedures when it comes to painting before or after flooring installation. Some industry leaders say one is more advantageous than the other and vice versa.
The subject with the most contention in this issue is the baseboards.
Baseboards rest on top of the floor. Typically, the baseboards are sprayed to provide a seamless paint application. Due to this, some contractors find it easier to paint before installing flooring — while others argue that the flooring application could damage the newly painted baseboards.
The best option is to consult with your painting and flooring installers to ensure their processes are aligned for the best remodeling results.
At Two Brothers Painting, we prefer to paint after new flooring has been installed, but ultimately, as the homeowner — the choice is up to you. It is our goal to accommodate our clients however and whenever possible. Our team will try to coordinate with your new flooring installation as much as realistically possible to deliver you the best outcomes.
Our team is composed of dedicated individuals who prioritize quality, safety, and compliance above all else. You can learn more about our services here.
2 Reasons To Paint Before Installing New Flooring
#1: Easier Access to the Wall
As mentioned, the baseboards connect the floor to the wall. To prep for flooring installation, your baseboards may need to be removed.
Even if you do not have baseboards, the lack of trim will allow you to paint down past where the flooring will sit for a seamless finish with no masking tape needed.
#2: No Need To Worry About Damage to Your Flooring
Anyone who has rented an apartment has probably witnessed the infamous drips, splatters, and drops from hastily applied paint on wooden or carpeted floors. This is why it may seem more appealing to paint before installing new flooring to avoid any chance of damage.
However, paint damage is easily avoidable if you take proper care in setting up the room and applying the paint. A professional painting contractor should go above and beyond to ensure that the job will leave the floors looking as if the room hadn’t been painted at all.
3 Reasons To Paint After Installing New Flooring
#1: Easier To Choose Your Paint Color
Flooring is half of your remodeling vision, and the color of the walls is the other.
Installing new flooring before painting can help you decide which color wall paint will work best. It’s easier to decide which flooring you like the most, followed by the paint. The color of your walls is easier to change than flooring. You might also find a flooring medium that will work with colors you wouldn’t even consider otherwise.
Unsure of which color will best match your new flooring? Two Brothers Painting will work with you to find the most ideal paint color for your decorating needs. From exploring an extensive selection of paints to going over swatching and sampling, we will consult you before the real work begins.
#2: No Need To Worry About Damaging Freshly Painted Walls or Baseboards
Dust, glue, nails, carpet fibers and more — flooring installation is dirty work!
Not to mention the width of large rolls of carpet, that without careful handling, can scratch up your freshly painted walls. Floor tiling often involves troweling near walls which could endanger pristine baseboards. The glue involved in wood or laminate flooring is industrial and much harder to remove than a few errant drops of paint.
Granted, any possible wall/paint damage incurred from floor installation is dependent on who installs your new flooring. Dents, scratches, or scrapes will take time and money to correctly repair. For this reason, it may be more in your interest to paint after new flooring is installed to avoid any possible damage.
At Two Brothers Painting, we understand that when you are going through a remodel, you want everything to turn out perfect. It may seem like painting before installation is better to avoid any possible paint damage on your new flooring. That’s why we train our paint professionals on the best methods and procedures when it comes to masking and covering flooring or furniture.
#3: Height of New Flooring May Be Different From Your Previous Flooring
It’s likely you may not know the exact height of your new flooring. There may be a chance that the new flooring is lower than it originally was when you had the walls painted. You could be left with a small strip of unpainted wall below the baseboard that was previously covered by the old floor.
There is also the possibility that your baseboards will need to be lowered to match the height of the new floors. This is something you do not want to have to do after repainting your walls. It’s more work, likely more painting, and more hassle altogether.
Does the Type of Flooring Make a Difference?
Each type of flooring requires different precautions.
Some finished or laminated hardwood flooring can be installed as is. Unfinished hardwood flooring requires an extensive amount of staining and sanding, both of which may dirty or stain fresh coats of paint. If the new coat of paint has not had the proper amount of time to set and dry, the dust and wood shavings may even become stuck in the paint, ruining its finish.
If your home improvement project involves refinishing wood or laminate floors, a good deal of sanding and buffing will be required. Again, this generates a great deal of mess which could complicate your newly painted walls.
2 Tips for Installing Flooring After Painting
Use these helpful tips to protect your walls if you decide to have your flooring installed after your walls are painted.
#1: How To Protect the Walls
If you choose to have your new flooring installed after painting, you may want to protect the walls. As we mentioned, flooring is a messy business. You’ll need to use tarps or plastic to cover the walls.
#2: Consider Removing Baseboards
Worried about the possible baseboard damage that could result from installing your flooring after you paint? Cut out any contention by removing the newly painted baseboards to minimize the possibility of damage.
3 Tips for Painting After Installing Flooring
These tips will make it easier to paint after flooring installation. It will also prepare you for any worries or downsides to painting after installing new flooring.
#1: How To Protect the Floor
Like hanging tarps on the walls to protect new paint during reflooring, tarps, plastic, and masking tape are excellent ways to protect your floors from paint spills, drops, and smears. It is also much easier to use painter’s plastic to cover your floors than it is to hang from the walls.
Be careful when using tape to secure the edges along the walls. Create straight, tidy lines to seal the plastic around the perimeter of the room.
#2: How To Be Prepared To Clean a Spill or Overspray
Even if your floors are expertly sealed away with tarps or plastic, you should be prepared to clean a spill or overspray.
Spilling large amounts of paint can be overwhelming. Don’t panic. Use a plastic or putty scraper to scoop up as much paint as possible. If you don’t have one, you can use a dustpan.
To clean up wet paint spills or overspray your first instinct may be to reach for paint thinner. This should be your last resort. Soap and water should get the job done. If you are working on a hard surface, work from the outside of the spill and move toward the center. If you are removing paint from a carpet, use hot water mixed with dish detergent. Do not scrub the paint, just blot it.
Didn’t catch the spill or overspray until after the paint had dried?
Don’t worry. You can use a hair dryer to soften the paint. Once the paint is wet, use a little rubbing alcohol to fully remove the softened paint.
Prevention is the best preparation. The best course of action is to limit or prevent the chance of spills or overspray.
You can avoid over-spraying paint by:
- Watching for air drafts
- Adjusting your paint gun settings
- Practicing your technique
Some tips to avoid spilling paint include:
- Use painter’s tape and tarps to cover flooring and other fixtures
- Use strong paint trays that will not spill, crack, or sag
- Avoid overloading your paint brushes and rollers with paint
- Always account for your paint cans and avoid them when walking
#3: Hire a Professional To Do the Hard Work for You
Hiring a professional when remodeling the interior of your home is always your best bet.
The advantages of hiring a professional to paint your walls after installing flooring include:
- A better quality finish
- Less chance of mistakes or damage
- Ensured safety and compliance
- Access to a specialist’s knowledge and vendor benefits
- Use of the right tools
- Insurance coverage for any unlikely event of accidents or damage
Final Verdict: To Paint or Not To Paint Prior to a Flooring Installation
Painting after installation is what Two Brothers Painting recommends.
There are more advantages to painting after than before installing new flooring. As we mentioned, the final verdict is up to the homeowner. We are willing to work with what our clients choose.
Our services are client-centered. We take pride in providing our clientele with a finished product that is:
- Sure to make you satisfied with the result
- Completed in the prearranged time
- Devoid of damage to your floors and the other fixtures of your home
Two Brothers Painting: We’ve Been Painting Portland’s Homes for Over 20 Years
For 20 years, we have been helping homeowners and businesses alike paint the interiors and exteriors of their properties. Whether you prefer to have painting done before or after your new floor installation, we will help you achieve the best painting remodel.
We provide an array of award-winning painting services, which also include:
- Interior painting
- Exterior painting
- Pressure washing
- Cabinet painting and refinishing
- Exterior stains and finishes
- Color-matching and sampling
Two Brothers Painting can help you decide if painting before or after installing new flooring is the best decision for you. If you are in the Beaverton, Sherwood, Lake Oswego, Portland, or West Linn area, schedule and consultation and estimate today.