Flooring Or Painting First: Which Comes Before?

should I paint before flooring

When it comes to home renovations, one common dilemma is whether to paint before or after installing new flooring. While it may seem logical to paint first to prevent spills on new floors, experts recommend installing the flooring first for several reasons. Firstly, tasks such as removing old flooring and preparing walls can create dust, debris, and dirt that can ruin freshly painted walls. Secondly, installing new flooring may require removing or adjusting baseboards and trim, which can damage painted walls. Additionally, new flooring may differ in height from the previous flooring, leaving unpainted areas on the baseboards. While spills during painting are a valid concern, professional painters can take precautions to protect new floors, and it is generally easier to match paint colours to floors than vice versa.

Characteristics Values
Recommended order Install flooring, then paint
Reasoning Installing flooring first avoids the risk of damage to new paint jobs and allows for all painting to be done in one go
Risks of painting first Potential damage to the new paint job, dents and scratches on walls and baseboards, and additional costs and time spent on repairs
Flooring removal Removing old flooring is a messy job that can cause dust and debris to land on fresh paint
Wall preparation Preparatory work such as patching, sanding, or wallpaper removal can be messy and leave dirt or debris; it is preferable to do this before installing the new flooring
Trim and baseboards Removing and reattaching trim and baseboards can damage freshly painted surfaces; it is more efficient to complete all painting after installing the flooring
Height difference New flooring may differ in height from the previous flooring, leaving a portion of the baseboard unpainted or requiring lowering of the baseboards
Spills and splatters While spills on new flooring are a valid concern, they can be prevented by taking proper precautions, such as using protective layers and drop cloths

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Painting first can cause damage to new flooring

Painting before installing new flooring can cause damage to the new flooring in several ways. Firstly, removing old flooring is a messy process that can create a vast amount of debris, dust, and dirt. If you choose to paint first, these particles can land on and ruin your fresh coat of paint.

Secondly, during the installation of new flooring, some damage to the walls can occur, leaving marks and blemishes on freshly painted walls. This will require additional time and money for repairs and touch-ups.

Thirdly, depending on the type of flooring, removing and replacing baseboards and trim is often necessary. If painting is done first, you may find yourself with an area that still bears the old paint, requiring a second application of paint.

Additionally, the new flooring may be a different height from the previous flooring, exposing a portion of the baseboard that was previously covered. This can result in a visible stripe of unpainted baseboard, disrupting the uniformity of the final product.

Furthermore, installers use metal tools that can easily scratch walls and trim during the installation process, potentially damaging freshly painted surfaces and requiring touch-up work.

Overall, it is essential to consider the potential risks of painting before installing new flooring to avoid damage and additional costs.

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Installing flooring first can damage walls

When renovating a room, it is natural to assume that painting should be done before installing new floors. However, experts agree that new flooring should always be installed first. This is because several tasks must be undertaken before laying new flooring that can cause damage to walls, requiring costly and time-consuming repairs.

Firstly, removing old flooring or carpet is a messy job that will likely produce a lot of debris, dust, and dirt. If you choose to paint first, these particles can land on your fresh coat of paint and ruin the finish.

Secondly, during the installation of new flooring, some damage to the walls is likely to occur. This can leave your newly painted walls with unsightly marks and blemishes, requiring repair work and touch-up paint.

Thirdly, depending on the type of flooring, you may need to remove and/or repaint the trim and baseboards. If you've already painted the walls, you may find that the trim and baseboards need to be installed slightly higher than before, leaving an area of old paint that will need to be repainted.

Additionally, preparing the walls before installing flooring is important, especially if you plan to apply epoxy basement flooring. Any patching, sanding, or wallpaper removal can be messy and leave behind dirt or debris that can ruin a fresh coat of paint.

By installing the flooring first, you can protect the surface with painter's tape and drop cloths, minimising the mess and protecting your floors during the painting process. While there is a risk of paint spills on the new floor, a professional painting contractor will take the proper precautions to prevent any damage.

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The type of flooring can change the order of operations

On the other hand, if you are installing carpet, it is generally recommended to paint first. This is because removing the old flooring or carpet can be a very messy job, and it is easier to paint without having to worry about getting paint on the new carpet. Additionally, when the new carpet is installed, it is easy to scrape the walls as you enter the room, which can damage freshly painted walls.

In some cases, the type of flooring may not matter as much. For example, if you are installing laminate flooring, you can paint before or after without any major issues. Ultimately, the decision of whether to paint before or after installing new flooring depends on the specific type of flooring, the amount of mess and damage that is expected, and the preferences of the homeowner.

It is worth noting that there are some general considerations when deciding whether to paint before or after installing new flooring. For example, if the flooring installers need to remove any trim or baseboards, it is usually recommended to install the flooring first to avoid damaging the paint. Additionally, it is often easier to match paint colors to floor colors than to match floor colors to painted walls.

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The height of new flooring might differ from old flooring

When renovating a room, deciding whether to paint or install new floors first can be tricky. While some people assume that painting should be done first to prevent spills on new flooring, experts recommend installing new flooring before painting.

One of the main reasons for this is that the height of new flooring might differ from old flooring. If you paint your baseboards before installing new flooring, the new flooring might be thinner than the old flooring, leaving a portion of the baseboard unpainted and visible. This can ruin the uniformity of the final product.

Additionally, if the new flooring is thinner than the old flooring, you might have to lower the baseboards, which would require complete removal and re-installation. This process would likely involve some light drywall and caulk work, adding time and cost to your renovation project.

Therefore, it is generally recommended to install new flooring before painting to avoid these potential issues and ensure a seamless finish.

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Flooring installers may need to remove trim

When installing new flooring, it is essential to consider the role of trim and whether it needs to be removed. Trim, including baseboards, shoe molding, and quarter-round molding, serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. While it adds a decorative touch to the edges of floors and walls, it also covers gaps and transitions between different surfaces.

Removing Trim During Flooring Installation

In some cases, flooring installers may need to remove trim before installing new floors. This is particularly true for certain types of flooring, such as hardwood, which typically requires the removal of baseboards, quarter-round molding, and shoe molding. Removing these elements provides easier access to the floor edges and minimizes potential damage. Additionally, new hardwood floors may require the baseboards to be raised slightly to accommodate the expansion of the hardwood under them.

Advantages of Removing Trim

Removing the trim during flooring installation offers several benefits. Firstly, it allows for a more professional and seamless finish, as the trim can be reinstalled at the appropriate height to match the new flooring. Removing the trim also provides an opportunity to repaint or replace it, ensuring a cohesive and updated look. Additionally, by removing the trim, you can avoid the need for quarter-round molding, which can be more costly and time-consuming to install and stain or paint.

Disadvantages of Removing Trim

However, there are also drawbacks to consider when deciding whether to remove trim. One of the main concerns is the potential damage to the walls and trim itself during the removal process. Removing baseboards, in particular, can result in more extensive damage to the walls, and the trim may be challenging to reinstall properly. Additionally, removing the trim can increase the time and cost of the project, especially if repairs or replacements are needed.

Alternative Options

If removing the trim is not feasible or desired, there are alternative options to consider. For example, you can leave the baseboards in place and use quarter-round molding to cover the expansion gap left during hardwood installation. This option is suitable for those working within a tight timeline or budget. However, it is important to note that leaving the baseboards in place may result in minor damage, such as scuffing or staining, which would require touch-up paint or repairs.

Frequently asked questions

It is recommended to install new flooring before painting. This is because installing new flooring can cause damage to walls and trim, which would require repair and repainting. Installing flooring first allows you to complete all the painting work in one go, reducing mess and saving time and money.

In this case, it is generally recommended to paint the trim before installation. However, if the trim is too low, you may need to remove and re-install it at a higher height, which would require repainting the walls.

Painting before installing new flooring can result in paint spills, splatters, and scratches on the new flooring. It can also be difficult to match the colour of the flooring to the painted walls.

Painting before installing new flooring can help protect the walls from damage during the flooring installation process. It can also be easier to cover any spills or splatters on the walls if they are painted.

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