The ceiling is an integral part of every room. In fact, professional house painters consider it the “fifth wall” – which means it requires just as much attention and care when painting. So when it’s time to paint one room or the entire house, don’t forget the ceiling! We’ll cover the basics for those who are considering taking the DIY approach. And if you are, you may change your mind. Painting a ceiling properly involves more than slapping on a coat of white interior paint. Doing the job right – and safely – requires taking time to perform prep work, having the right types of paint, the appropriate tools and equipment, and the right painting technique.
Safety first
Before you start, make sure you have the proper equipment for doing the job right and safely. Wear safety goggles even during the prep stage to keep dust and particles of the ceiling material (such as that of a popcorn textured ceiling) out of your eyes. When painting, wear a hat to prevent paint splatters on your head (washing dried paint out of your hair is difficult – as is removing it from skin, if you’re balding).
Use the right ladder for the job. The Home Depot has an extensive guide to help you determine the proper ladder for a variety of projects, as well as ladder safety instructions. Never improvise or “make do” with whatever you happen to have available. For rooms with very high ceilings, we recommend hiring a professional.
Of course, as we always advise, be honest with yourself about your experience level, strength, agility and physical stamina to perform the project safely and well. Investing in a pro is well worth avoiding injury and/or the additional expense of hiring someone to correct botched work.
Preparing a ceiling for painting
Preparing a ceiling for painting is the crucial first step because it ensures that you can work smoothly and achieve the best possible result. The Home Depot offers the following advice and directions:
- Remove all furniture from the room, if possible, to avoid any spatter or paint damage.
- Prep the ceiling by removing any dust or grime. Paint will adhere poorly to a dusty ceiling.
- Check the ceiling for cracks or holes, which you can repair with spackle or caulk.
- Removing ceiling fixtures will make the job easier. Be sure to turn off power to the fixtures at the breaker or fuse box before removing the hardware. Place the hardware in plastic bags and set aside.
- Cover the floor and pieces of furniture too large/heavy to move with drop cloths.
- For the most effective protection, overlap the drop cloths by at least 12 inches.
- Tape drop cloths to baseboards to ensure they stay in place.
- Use drop cloths or painter’s tape to protect windows, doors and trim as needed.
If you’re painting the entire room, start with the ceiling. Because the walls will be painted next, there’s no need to tape the walls with painter’s tape. However, if you’re painting only the ceiling, The Home Depot recommends masking off the tops of the walls or the crown molding with 2-inch painter’s tape to keep roller marks off the walls. Avoid 1-inch tape, which is not wide enough to prevent the paint roller from touching the wall.
Choosing the right primer if there’s water damage
If your ceiling has stains from roof leaks or tobacco smoke, you need to cover them with a stain-blocking primer before painting. Standard ceiling paint cannot conceal stains. Family Handyman recommends using white pigmented shellac, which is favored by professional painters. Though you can buy it in spray cans, it is preferable to apply with a brush. Clean the brush with ammonia or denatured alcohol after use.
Preparing for ceiling painting
If your ceiling has built-up paint or an uneven surface (popcorn notwithstanding), Family Handyman advises sanding it first. Use 100-grit drywall sanding paper. It will smooth the surface and improve paint bonding. You can use a sanding pole to do this job effectively. Once you are through with sanding, take a damp sponge to wipe off the dust from the ceiling.
Cut in with a paint brush before you roll. According to Family Handyman:
“Cutting in before you roll allows you to cover most of the brush marks with the roller. Carefully brush paint along the edge of the ceiling a section at a time. Cut in about 10 linear ft. and then roll that section. This method has a couple of advantages over cutting in the entire room at once. First, the cut-in section will remain wet until you roll, so it blends in better. Also, it’s simply less boring to alternate between cutting in and rolling.”
As for the ceiling paint itself, buy a paint that is especially formulated for ceiling application. It doesn’t splatter, has a long “open” time (dries slowly) and is flat rather than glossy.
Once the prep work is completed and the paint and supplies purchased, follow the steps that Family Handyman recommends:
- Always work in sections. Move quickly from one section to the other so that you can reach the adjoining section before the paint dries along the edge. If you follow this process, you can avoid lap marks, which is known as “keeping a wet edge.”
- Reroll the painted surface at a right angle to your previous roller direction to get the best result; roll in both directions.
- Buy the best roller cover. A half-inch nap lambswool cover is recommended, as it will allow you to get as much paint on the ceiling as you can in the shortest amount of time possible while minimizing spatters.
- If you have a textured ceiling, roll gently.
- To avoid lap marks in a large section, roll the nearly dry roller in different directions, which feathers out the paint.
What color should a ceiling be?
You don’t always have to choose white for your ceiling. Decorator effects can be achieved by using color. Geoff Sharper of Sharper Impressions Painting Co. provides the following advice:
- Painting your walls and ceiling the same color can work for small or large rooms. Lighter colors will visually open up the space; dark colors will make it feel more intimate. It’s also a good choice for rooms with asymmetrical, vaulted or angled ceilings, as it will better unify the shape of the entire room.
- Painting the ceiling a lighter color than the walls can achieve a low-contrast look that’s subtle and imparts simplicity.
- Painting the ceiling a darker color than the walls can visually scale down a high ceiling, play up crown molding and other architectural details or just create a sense of drama.
The take-home message
If you’re confident you can take the DIY approach in painting your ceiling, more detailed instructions are available by clicking on any of the links in this article. Should you be questioning your ability, however, call us at The Paint Manager. Our experienced professionals can handle any interior – or exterior – residential or commercial painting project. We also provide assistance in choosing the right paint colors for your project and vision!
Contact us to learn more and schedule an estimate. Also learn about our special offers! We look forward to helping you make your home look its very best!