Easy House Painting Tips - Newsletter May, 2009Table of Contents------------------ Should I Paint My Texture Ceiling With A Sprayer Or A Roller? Painting Woodwork Should I Paint My Texture Ceiling With A Sprayer Or A Roller? How to paint spray texture ceilings have long been the subject of debate among painters and handymen. The alternatives could either be using spray or a roller. Which is the better option? Easier? Less expensive? Let's evaluate both options and see which comes out more suited to your needs and budget. Spray Painting The more popular opinion among paint contractors is that using a sprayer is the better route when painting a spray texture ceiling. And really, for the experienced spray painter, it is the easier method. You don't even have to touch the ceiling and still get even coverage. Even if you have some "looseness" in the texture, simply using an oil-based paint can do the trick for a flawless finish. Spray painting also takes much less time than rolling, so the painters can be in and out of your house in no time. If you hire a contractor who already has a spray unit available and you don't need to buy or rent, spray painting definitely is the cheaper option because you won't need to spend as much on labor. On the other hand, using spraying obviously requires the use of a spray unit. If you are not skilled in using one, you really need to test it to get an idea of how the spray gun works, and the area it covers with a single pull of the trigger. If you won't be doing the work yourself though, and plan to hire painters who are familiar with the process and the equipment, you should have no worries there. The only other thing that you need to remember before even beginning to spray paint is that everything within the room should be protected. You may have all the furniture taken out or have them gathered in the center of the room and covered with a tarp. This will ensure that your items will not be accidentally sprayed on. Rolling Paint Rolling paint on your ceiling is another option that you can take. This method actually allows for more durability in the long run, and gives you a better base for future repainting. Whether you plan to paint a flat or textured ceiling, paint rolling provides for a thicker paint application and the thicker the coat of paint on your ceiling, the more resistant it is to stains and mildew. When you use the paint rolling method, you also need to use acrylic latex paint which bonds tighter to your ceiling and therefore lessens the chances of your texture ceiling to loosen and fall down on you. The disadvantage of this method is that it typically takes a lot more time than spray painting. First, you would need to have the ceiling primed with one coat of a oil-based primer or sealer. Then the painting itself requires a more systematic process, starting with the main part of the ceiling then working towards the walls as close as you can without touching the walls with your roller. Then you paint the perimeter using a brush. While the process certainly takes time, if you or your handyman does it the proper way, you can be sure that your painted ceiling will last you a long time. Painting Woodwork There is no rule which says you must paint woodwork white, or strip it, or color it to merge with the walls. In a room whose walls, window frames and doors are in the same neutral color, you could paint the skirting board a clear contrasting color. This will define the line between the floor and walls. Trim colors that contrast with walls and ceilings might suit your style in one room, while a more subtle color change might be right somewhere else in the house. You can liven up plain, flat walls by adding moldings so as to create panels around the room. For best results, make sure you keep your working area within the proper temperature range recommended for the paint. All interior woodwork that has been stripped, from baseboard to dining room tables, needs to be primed with either a standard acrylic wood primer. After that you can paint on it with oil-based flat eggshell, gloss, or acrylic paints. A wide range of broken- color effects work well on woodwork, but ideally you should use oil-based paints as latex has little durability on wood. Stains add color to wood while allowing its natural grain pattern to show through. Varnishes are clear finishes that form a tough coating over stain. They are available in a range of finish sheens from satin to high gloss. At the end of a project, combine all of the leftover paint of the same color into as few cans as possible. Return to Newsletters Return to Home Page |
