The answer to the question is, “do the floors first!” Here's why: Removing and replacing flooring or carpeting is dirty work. If you paint first, and then do floors, there is a good chance that a lot of dirt, dust, sawdust or tile/stone dust will end up on your freshly painted walls and trim.
Most people think that painting should be done first to prevent any spills from marring brand-new flooring. However, experts agree that new flooring should always be installed before you have any interior painting done.
Assuming that you are getting the work done professionally, it is usually better to do most of the painting AFTER the flooring and most of the prep work BEFORE the flooring. The ideal is to first do any prep work to the walls – e.g.ripping up wall paper, sanding and patching walls, etc.
When You Should Do the Floors First…
If you are using hardwood for new floors, you need to do the walls first. This is because these types of floors need a lot of sanding and they also take a long time to cure. You don't want to ruin your new wall paint with dust flying and sticking to it.
Many experts say that it's wise to paint the trim before you install it. It's a fast and easy process that can dramatically speed up paint time. People who paint trim before installing tend to place the boards on sawhorses over a drop cloth to work.
Use a soft rag and clean the walls by hand to make sure that absolutely no dust survived the swiffering or vacuuming. These are just a few simple ways to clean the dust off the walls. The main thing is to use something to get the majority of dust off such as a broom, Swiffer, vacuum etc.
We recommend painting once all major structural and functional work is done, but before new flooring or carpet is installed. Essentially, floors come last so you can avoid the heavier wear and tear multiple contractors, tools and dust the full renovation brings.
This is why experts agree that choosing to remodel your kitchen or bathroom first is traditionally the smartest move. And while kitchens typically cost more to remodel than bathrooms, they tend to yield a better return on investment, so they end up paying for themselves over the long run.
In this case, most people suggest painting the walls after the cabinets are done. This is because you want to see the finished look of the painted cabinets before you finalize your choices for wall paints.
To minimize dust getting on them, close doors and cover gaps under doorways with towels rolled into snake shapes. Cover doorways that you will need to use with zippered plastic, such as ZipWall ZipDoor Commercial Door Kit for Dust Containment, $36 on Amazon.com. You can also cover individual items with plastic.
Do expect dust
Yes, when you are sanding the floors, dust is created. That is just part of the process and there is no way around it. However, there are some ways to minimize it. We always put plastic around the areas not being done, and our machines are good at collecting a lot of the dust.
Vacuum or Blow Off Dust
Start by blowing off the bulk of the sawdust and sanding residue t using an air compressor fitted with a blower nozzle. Even better is vacuuming every surface and crevice of your project with a shop vacuum fitted with a good quality filter designed to trap the microscopic dust.
If you're looking for a quick and easy application process, you can opt to use a roller to get the job done. However, if you want to achieve a high-quality final product, you'll want to use a brush instead. It will take more time to finish, but you'll be able to guarantee complete and smooth coverage of your trim.
Oil / Alkyd– Good adhesion, excellent durability and stain resistance make Sherwin-Williams oil/alkyd-based paints excellent choices for trim in high-traffic rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
How long do I have to wait to use my room after my floors are refinished? We recommend waiting 6 hours before walking on your new floors in socks. After 24 hours you can walk through with shoes on.
At a minimum, you should wait at least 24 hrs before walking on the floors; for hours 24-48, it's best to wear socks only (no shoes, no bare feet). Ideally, you should wait a total of 4 days before moving furniture back.
Clean, Clean, Clean
This should help pick up any dust you stirred up while sanding. Use an attachment to reach the higher areas in the room where dust might've accumulated, and make sure you thoroughly vacuum into any cracks and crevices on the floor. When done, use a damp microfiber cloth or mop to go over the floor.
It is best to paint the kitchen cabinets before you paint the walls. In fact, we suggest painting the cabinets before you even finalize your choice for the wall color.
Planning a Kitchen Wall Painting Project
Sequencing the work that way reduces the amount of prep work and cutting-in. If you're painting your cabinets and the whole kitchen, paint the ceiling first, the cabinets second, and the walls last.
It's best to start with the kitchen because these remodels add major value to your home. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry's 2019 remodeling impact report, realtors estimate that homeowners can recover 59% of the cost of a complete kitchen renovation if they sell their home.