by When it comes to painting a room, the order in which you tackle surfaces like skirtings (also known as baseboards) and walls can often spark debate. The truth is, both approaches have merit depending on the specific finish you’re aiming for. However, understanding the benefits of each method can help you make the right decision to achieve a flawless and professional-looking result.
This guide explores whether you should do I paint skirtings or walls first and the advantages of each method, so you can plan your next painting project with confidence.
Why the Painting Order Matters
The painting order impacts not just the quality of the finish but also how efficiently you complete your project. Painting in the wrong sequence can lead to unnecessary touch-ups, paint overlap, or smudges that disrupt an otherwise neat result.
By planning your steps, you’ll work smarter, avoid redundant work, and enjoy a cleaner, more polished outcome.
Benefits of Painting Skirtings First
If you decide to paint skirtings before the walls, you’ll enjoy several clear advantages.
1. Cleaner Lines at Edges
Painting skirtings first allows you to create a crisp and professional-looking line where the wall meets the skirting. After painting the skirtings, you can mask the edges with painter’s tape when moving on to the walls. This prevents accidental paint overlap and keeps the boundary between the skirting and the walls sharply defined.
2. Easier Touch-Ups
Should you accidentally get paint on the wall while working on the skirting, it’s easier to cover mistakes when the walls haven’t been painted yet. A minor touch-up on an unpainted wall is far less noticeable than trying to fix a smudge on a freshly painted surface.
3. Reduced Risk of Smudging
Freshly painted skirtings take time to dry, and painting walls while the skirtings are still wet risks smudging. By starting with skirtings, you’ll have already completed one element of the room, ensuring no accidental bumps or smears while painting the walls.
Benefits of Painting Walls First
Alternatively, some painters prefer to begin with the walls before focusing on skirtings. This approach has its own set of benefits worth considering.
1. Speed and Efficiency
Walls generally represent a larger area compared to skirtings, so painting them first can make the overall workflow more efficient. Using a roller to cover large surface areas before addressing smaller details like skirtings can help you save time.
2. Flexibility in Coverage
When starting with walls, you don’t need to worry too much about avoiding the skirtings. You can paint freely, allowing the paint to slightly overlap onto the skirtings. Once the walls are dry, you can cover any overlap while painting the skirtings for a clean finish.
3. Fewer Layers on Skirtings
When walls are painted first, skirtings only need a single thorough coat to achieve a fine finish. Any accidental overlap can be covered during this process, saving on material and effort.
The Final Decision
Ultimately, whether you paint your skirtings or walls first depends on your personal preference, the tools you’re using, and the condition of the surfaces. For precision and neatness, painting skirtings first and masking them before tackling the walls is ideal. On the other hand, for a faster and more flexible approach, painting the walls first and finishing with skirtings might suit you better.
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