Should I paint or carpet first?
When it comes to home renovations or moving into a new space, a common dilemma arises: Should you start by painting the walls or installing the carpet first? While the answer isn't always straightforward and can depend on your specific circumstances, we have some valuable insights to help guide your decision.
Removing the Old Carpet: A Clean Start
Before we delve into the painting versus carpeting debate, let's address one important step that applies to many renovation projects—removing the old carpet. If your plan involves replacing the existing carpet or flooring, it's highly advisable to start by removing the old carpet. Here's why:
Dust and Impurities: Over time, carpets accumulate dust, allergens, and other impurities. Removing the old carpet ensures a clean slate, especially crucial if you or your family members have allergies or sensitivities.
Clean Painting: If your project includes repainting walls or trim, taking up the old carpet allows you to paint all the way to the floor. Attempting to paint skirting boards with the carpet still in place can lead to fibers becoming stuck in your paint, resulting in an uneven finish.
Pile Height Considerations: Carpet pile heights can vary significantly. Painting around fluffy carpet might leave you with an unsightly line of unpainted trim when you install a carpet with a lower pile height. Removing the old carpet eliminates this concern.
Painting Before Carpeting: The Preferred Approach
Having removed the old carpet, the next question is whether to paint or install the new carpet first. Our recommendation is to paint before carpeting. Here's why:
Touch-Up Benefits: While installing new carpet may lead to minor scuffs on the paint, it's easier to touch up the paintwork than to deal with carpet fibers embedded in your trim paint. A few touch-ups are a minor inconvenience compared to the hassle of trying to paint around carpeting.
Protection for Your New Carpet: Painting after carpet installation can be risky, as paint spills or splatters can mar your brand-new flooring. By painting first, you safeguard your new carpet from potential paint-related mishaps.
In conclusion, while there's no one-size-fits-all answer, beginning with the removal of old carpet for a fresh start is a wise move. Painting before carpeting is generally recommended, as it offers more control over the painting process and helps protect your new flooring. Minor touch-ups are a small price to pay for a polished and hassle-free home renovation.