No matter what the condition, you’re bored of seeing the same old walls of your house every single day! We get it. Coming home to a nice lively place, that is a representation of your current aesthetic and choices can instantly put you in a good mood. As much as you’d want your space to be an authentic extension of you and your family, getting your house painted is no easy task. You have to give thought to the budget, the right painters to hire, and the type of paint, patterns and design you want to choose. And if you’re prepping for an occasion, then there’s the added pressure of finishing within a scheduled period too.
Sounds exhausting? Don’t worry, the decision-making process might sound tiring, but it begins to get easier from there. So, suppose you plan on hiring painters or getting your own hands dirty! Whatever it may be, we’ll take you through all that you need to know if you want to get your house painted in Melbourne.
What is the painting process for a home?
The painting process for a home may seem complicated at first. However, broken down into steps, here is what it majorly entails:
Step 1:
The first step involves removing all furniture, and objects from the room that you don’t want to get any paint on. If there are any immovable objects, consider covering them up with plastic or your old bed sheets.
Step 2:
The painter should wear gloves and cover their mouth to refrain from the strong odour of the paint as much as possible.
Step 3:
The painter should use a sugar soap (easily available in a hardware store) to wash the walls of any dirt. After which, the walls should be dried with a cloth.
Step 4:
Then, any holes, chipped paint or dents in the wall are spotted. They are then sanded down to reveal an even surface and putty is prepared to fill these holes. After filling the holes, the walls are sanded down once again to get rid of any unevenness. They are cleaned with a damp cloth, followed by a dry one.
Step 5:
Using painter’s tape, all lines and edges where one would like a clean finish are covered. This goes for window frames, skirting boards, walls edges etc. One might also apply paint to any metal profiling they don’t want to ruin with paint.
Step 6:
Now high-quality paint is applied to all the walls.
Step 7:
Once all paint is applied, it is advised to let it dry for at least 24 hours if not more. The paint keeps curing for weeks on end, so it’s best to keep all furniture away from it during the initial day.
How much does it cost to paint a 4-bedroom house in Australia?
When it comes to exterior painting services, the cost depends on a variety of things. How many storeys the house is, the kind of material that is to be painted, etc. On average, the cost of getting a house painted is $2,800.
If you want to get more precise, another figure you’d like to look at is that on average an exterior house painter charges $40 an hour in Australia. Painters that are trained, have plenty of experience and can get the job done quickly and efficiently can charge more than $40. Those that may be newer at their jobs, with less expertise on hand would be able to do your work for less than $40 an hour.
What is the cost of painting the inside of a house?
Since we were talking about a 4-bedroom house before. a painting job for a 4-bedroom house in Australia can range from $950- $3000. This is just a round figure assuming that professional painters in Australia charge around $15 to $40 per square meter.
Good condition of the walls that are to be painted with less complicated designs and paints will land you closer to $15. While walls that are in bad condition, with more elaborate patterns and finishing can cost up to $40 per square meter.
Is it good to paint your house?
Anyone who wants to paint their house, should go ahead and do it regardless of anyone else’s opinion. However, there are a couple of things we can make you aware of.
First, let’s discuss the cons…
Not all conditions of homes can be done by non-professional painters. Walls that are cracking, with tons of holes and chips can be puttied and painted on your own. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean they should be. Because suppose the outcome of your painting job turns out bad, (which there is a high chance of). Then, the disastrous job won’t just look unappealing. It’ll also be a waste of money, material and most importantly time and energy.
When it comes to painting the exteriors or even interiors that require you to climb a ladder at a height, painting can prove to be dangerous. Other than a fall which you may feel we are hinting at, you may not be able to handle the sun while working in an exterior environment.
Now, lots of people initially stumble upon this idea, thinking it’ll save them big money. But, painting your own house can prove to be so exhausting. It may require you to take time off your full-time job or have you suffer in other areas of life.
Now, for the cons…
When done right, painting your own house can indeed save you a large sum of money. You’ll also be able to explore a variety of paints and finishes when you sit down to research on your own. It can indeed, turn out to be a highly-creative passion project. There is a range of tips, tricks and DIY methods available online that can help one personalise their space.
As for the time constraints that one may have, you can divide the work between weekends. You can do one wall each weekend and slowly cover the entire house.
What are the different types of paints that one can paint with?
There are many different paints available in the market. You could be getting your house painted by experts, or be doing it yourself. Whatever may be the case, knowing the basic paintings will help you choose what’s best for your home.
Oil-Based Paint
Used both for the interior and exterior, oil-based paint is a durable can of paint. It may take longer to dry and be difficult to clean up (only with mineral spirits such as paint thinner). Yet, oil-based paint can tolerate a lot more than other kinds of paint. Alkyd is a synthetic oil that the paint is made from. Whereas linseed is its natural variant that’s used in paints. Alkyd paint is more popular because it’s cheap and enduring.
Latex Paint
This is a non-oil-based paint that dries way fast than oil-based paints. With the drawback, that it isn’t as durable as oil-based paints, it is a lot easier to work with. Thus, it is perfect for non-professional painters. It is advised to use latex paint on only walls and ceilings though.
Water-based paint
Water-based paint is the easiest to work with when it comes to delivering a clean and even look without much-applied technique. Great for people doing their home on their own, it is also easier to clean up and faster to dry. Since it is water-based, it is also less prone to mould, and mildew that often develops from organic substances.
Acrylic Paint
Some may imagine this is a plastic-y paint but it is water-based with the addition of acrylic which is a great binding agent. It is usually applied in places that are exposed to moisture or extreme weather conditions such as doors, kitchens, bathrooms and windows. Not only are they tolerant of moisture, but they can easily be wiped clean with a wet cloth in case of accumulated dirt and dust. The finish of acrylic paint when applied with precision and care is truly unmatched.
Paint Finish
This is the stuff that gives the walls unique finishes such as high gloss, matte, low sheen etc. To achieve such a look, the enamel is added to the paint which makes the dried paint less absorbent. The result is a paint that can control the number of light bounces off making it look silky, glossy, matte or smooth. It also makes the paint sound resistant, prevents loss of heat and is overall more long-lasting.
Speciality House Paints
Above are the paints that can help conquer most of the problems with the paint on your walls. If there are any more specific problems you want to target, then there are speciality house paints to deal with those as well. There are anti-mould, fire retardant, moisture-proof and sound-trapping or reducing paints on the rack as well.
Get Started with Orchid House Painters!
Choosing the right paint, application methods, patterns and colours to curate the house of your dreams is not easy. Even for you! So, choose us- Orchid House Painters experts in interior and exterior paint for both commercial and personal properties in Melbourne. Trust us to paint you a house, more personal, customised and beautiful than ever before.