A home with beat-up trim is like an outfit with scuffed shoes—you can deal with it, but it looks sloppy. Painting the trim in your home—whether it's wainscoting, chair rails, or crown molding—is a way to revamp a room without a major overhaul.
If you prefer a cleaner, more modern look then yes, definitely paint the wood trim. It will make the home feel brighter, larger, and the ceilings taller. Make decorating decisions based on what you like, not based on your perception of resale vale.
Short term it is cheaper to paint trim. Long term it is cheaper to replace it. It runs about $1.50 per linear foot to replace the trim, based on current estimates (you cut and install yourself; otherwise triple that cost).
Painting wood trim can significantly influence a property's aesthetic appeal, potentially boosting its market value. Yet, the impact largely depends on various factors, from the style and age of the home to current design trends and potential buyer preferences.
The general rule when painting both trimwork and walls is to paint the trim first. Apply two coats of paint to the trim and let it fully dry before painting the walls. Another trimwork painting rule is to choose a color that's different from the wall color. Be sure to use the same color for all trim.
Straight and unadorned baseboards
Minimalistic baseboards with straight, simple lines will be a hallmark of modern interiors this year.
Do you paint walls or trim first? From a professional point of view, with interior painting, it makes the most sense to paint your trim first, then ceilings, and then your walls. It's much easier and faster to tape off trim than to tape off your walls.
The cost to paint trim is $1 to $4 per linear foot for interior or exterior trim, baseboards, or crown molding. Painting window trim and frames costs $25 to $150 each. The cost to paint trim and doors is $45 to $200 per side. Painting the eaves, fascia, and soffit costs $2 to $6 per linear foot.
Achieving a Smooth Finish on Trim
For a smooth finish on trim, use a high-quality sash brush or a foam roller. Apply the paint in long, even strokes. Avoid overloading your brush or roller, and sand between coats for the best results. For added durability, consider using a water-based enamel paint.
To avoid that kind of irreversible and costly damage, wood trim has to be repainted at least every 4-5 years. As a homeowner, you may be wondering if there's an easier way to keep your trim intact and maintained while avoiding the regular hassle and expense of trim repainting.
You'll only need one coat of primer, but plan on applying two (possibly three) coats of paint when painting baseboards and trim, and be sure to let each coat dry thoroughly before moving onto the next.
Matching interior doors with either the trim or the wall can create a cohesive and polished look that enhances the overall flow of your space.
Tip: If the trim is new or already smooth, lightly sand using 120-grit sandpaper until all shine disappears from the trim. If the trim is rough and worn, start by sanding with coarse, 80-grit sandpaper. Then, move to less-coarse sandpaper such as 100- or 120-grit to smooth the surface.
Exterior Trim
Painting such areas will require a more expensive type of paint, access to hard-to-reach areas, and more extensive prep. For this reason, it typically costs more to paint exterior trim than interior trim.
One of the most common paint color choices for trim is white because it offers a classic, clean appearance. Whether you are looking to brighten a kitchen or simply clean up the look in a living or dining room, you might consider simply painting the trim white.
Is it better to paint trim with a roller or brush? Brushing is generally the best option for most trim. You can use a mini 4” roller for flat stock trim boards to work more quickly but for trim with complex profile designs a brush allows you more efficiently paint all the edges and grooves.
First things first – you can absolutely paint over wood trim – and you don't even have to sand it so long as you give it a good cleaning and use a good deglosser. If you're satisfied with the design of the current trim, just utilize the proper technique and you can paint it whichever colour you'd like.
Key Takeaways: Cut-in and painting on the same day are recommended for the best results. Wait for the trim to dry completely before painting to avoid an uneven finish. Paint all the trim throughout the main areas of the house the same color to create a unified effect.
Cost-Effective Transformation:
The cost of quality paint and professional painting services is often considerably lower than the cost of new materials and installation.
If you're planning to revive your home's baseboards, you expect the cost to paint baseboards to average between $1 and $4 per linear foot. Most baseboard paint jobs cost between $500 and $2,000, depending on the size, style, and current state of your baseboards.
While there's no clear-cut answer, in most cases, it's easier to paint the trim first since it's a more seamless process to tape off the trim than tape the walls.
The answer may surprise you, but there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. In general, caulk should be applied before painting if the caulk line will be visible once the paint job is complete.
You won't have to buy two different types of paint; the look will be consistent across the walls and ceiling. However, in other instances, it may look better to contrast the finish but keep the color the same, with semi-gloss on the walls and trim and flat on the ceiling.