How Many Coats of Paint Are Needed To Paint A House?

Most homeowners who need to paint their homes usually wonder how many coats of paint are needed to paint a home. Many property owners in Singapore feel that a single coat of paint should be sufficient because paint is thick, strong and covers an area well. However, one coat is often not sufficient. A number of factors can determine how many coats of paint you need. They include the following:

– Painting with the same or a similar color on interior walls 
If the walls of a room are currently painted green and you want to paint them with green paint again, one coat should be sufficient. Nonetheless, if the paint you want to use has been stored for a long time such as several years, its coating power may be lower than that of new paint. You may therefore need to apply two coats of paint if you are using old paint. Before you apply the paint, you should wash the surface of the wall. You should then utilize a good brush to coat the wall. After the paint dries, the surface will be evenly colored. 

– Painting new colors on interior walls 
When using new colors on interior walls, you need more than one coat of paint depending on the old color that you want to cover up and the new color you want to use. If you are applying a dark colored paint over a lighter colored paint, two coats will be sufficient. However, if you are painting a light colored paint over a dark colored one, you may need up to 6 coats of paint to achieve an even, smooth color. You can use a primer in order to use fewer coats of paint. 

– Painting over a new wall 
When painting over a new wall, you need to use a primer. If you paint without a primer, you need to use several coats of paint. This can be expensive and time consuming. A primer will create a paintable surface that only requires one or two coats of paint. Many types of primers are available, but they are all designed to block a current color neutrally and offer a surface that allows the new paint to fully attach. Before you choose a primer, it is wise to speak with an experienced paint store employee or a professional painter. 

– Paint quality 
If you use cheap paint, you will have to apply more coats of paint in order to achieve the results you want. More expensive paint will need fewer coats. 

– Painting exterior walls 
If you want to paint over exterior paint that is not peeling or flaking, one coat can provide good color coverage. However, you can use a second coat in order to achieve better overall paint performance and longer fade resistance. 

Why it is wise to hire professional painting services 
You may choose to paint the house yourself in order to save money, but there are various benefits of hiring a professional to carry out the job on your behalf. The following are some of these benefits. 

– Safety 
Painting can be hazardous task because it involves working on a ladder and having to deal with dust and solvents. If you hire a professional painter, you will not have to worry about your safety. 

– Preparation and painting 
The surface of the walls needs to be prepared before the painting is done. A professional will carry out proper preparation before painting the walls of your house to ensure a high quality outcome. 

– Proper application of paint 
There are different types of paint available in the market today. A professional is capable of identifying the kind of paint that will work best for your house. He or she also knows how to use different paints and will use the right tools to ensure that the results are good. Most professional house painters partner with suppliers of wall coverings, coatings and paint. 

– Cleanup and disposal 
When you hire a professional, you will not have to worry about dealing with hazardous waste and paint residues. He or she will clean up the place and dispose the waste in the right way. 

How select the right contractor
When choosing a contractor to paint a house for you, it is important to do the following things. 

– Verify that the professional is insured and licensed 
Before hiring any contractor, ask him or her to provide you with copies of his or her certificates of insurance. The professional should provide you with bonding information if the project requires it. He or she should also provide you with documentation of compliance programs and safety training. You should also ensure that the contractor is licensed. 

– Ask for a written contract 
Asking for a written contract is very important. A reputable contractor will provide you with a contract that clearly explains what the project involves. The contract should also cover other things such as surfaces to be painted, methods to be used, extent of surface preparation, payment schedule and estimated completion date. It is important to have a contract of this kind since it will help you to evaluate the different bids you may receive. The contact you sign will protect you as well as the contractor. 

– Take your time to verify references 
Ask different contractors to provide you with a list of references. Some of the things that should be included in the list are the name, address and telephone number of the references. You can contact these references and ask them whether they were satisfied with the services they received from the contractor. You can also ask them whether the contractor and his or her employees treated them with respect. After contacting the references of various contractors, you will be able to make an informed decision on whether to hire a certain contractor or not. 

– Inquire if a contactor offers a guarantee 
Ask the contractor whether he or she offers any warranty programs. You should also inquire if there are any manufacturer’s guarantees on the product he or she intends to use. It is wise to use high quality paint because it is durable. 

Conclusion
The coats of paint required when painting a house mainly depend on the condition of the walls. In general, you require at least two coats of paint if you are painting a wall that has never been painted before or if you want to change the color of paint used on a wall. Using the services of professionals is always advisable because they are skilled in completing different kinds of painting jobs successfully. After choosing a good painting contractor, you can just sit back and give the professional room to carry out the project. If you want reliable and high quality services, you should be willing to pay more for painting services. However, a reputable contractor will not overcharge you.