How To Paint High Ceilings

Painting high ceilings is a big job. It’s not the kind of work you can do in an afternoon, and it may take weeks if you’re working by yourself.

A high ceiling has more than 8 feet (96 inches) from the floor to the top of the ceiling [NOTE: one inch = 2.54 cm]. Normally, it’s also at least 7 feet (84 inches) across and often wider. The bigger your ceiling is, the longer it will take to finish – even if you hire someone else for part of the job.

In fact, painting a room with a 96-inch ceiling is about like doing two rooms on a regular 8-foot ceiling. You’ll need to plan more time for painting and for moving furniture or other items out of the way.

A bigger ceiling means more weight to hold up, which makes a stronger structure necessary. Most homes have wooden trusses with wood blocking next to the walls and at regular intervals between roof beams. Circular saws and nail guns are not strong enough for builders to use in constructing trusses, so these parts must be nailed by hand into place. Part of your project will be making sure that there are no holes or gaps where moisture can get through into the house’s structure.

If you’re painting over existing walls, ceilings, molding and trim , you need to repair what’s already there before painting [NOTE: mudded surfaces should be sanded (or primed) and then repainted]. If you’re painting bare wood, make sure that it’s smooth and in good shape.

After repairing or preparing the walls and ceiling, use a spray adhesive to put up new drywall. Use 2-inch [5 cm] thick panels , which will give you more surface area for paint. After the glue dries, sand any rough edges so that they don’t show through your final paint job.

The color of your ceilings is also important. You’ll need to choose one that blends well with the rest of your home’s decor . Be careful about using too much blue or purple, because light bounces off high surfaces more than low ones – making colors seem brighter at eye level and darker farther away from wall surfaces. White trims will give you the most control over light and dark color areas in your home.

Making sure that the room is ventilated is also important. A high ceiling traps moisture, which can cause mold . You should also be aware of settling foundations, which could damage your walls or roof structures if not taken care of beforehand. In order to be safe while painting high ceilings, clear out all hot air registers and supply vents (except the one above your head). Don’t block any doors or hallways with ladders or supplies , because it’s hard to get around when you’re wearing a harness and carrying a bucket of paint. If possible, install an exhaust fan in the room so you don’t have to paint for too long at one time.

People who have high ceilings should never try to paint by themselves. Unfortunately, most people think they can do it by themselves – and then get hurt on a ladder or fall off the scaffolding . I know someone who fell 7 feet [2 m] out of his attic after stepping on a nail that had come up through the floorboards , and he was not wearing safety equipment at the time ! It took him over two years to get back on track and in good enough condition to work again.

Check with your insurance company before you start this job . Don’t assume that you’re covered for injury because you haven’t made any changes to your home yet when you get your policy. You can also make sure that the company covers “painting and decorating” if you want to use a paint contractor .

Most painting contractors will have all the equipment and training needed to do this kind of job, so I recommend hiring them whenever possible. If you decide not to hire outside help , remember that you have to climb ladders with heavy buckets of paint [NOTE: when using a ladder, never mix one substance in another. (Red + yellow mixed = orange)] in each hand – which takes tremendous strength ! Don’t forget about working upside down either; even though there’s nothing wrong with looking at a ceiling for hours on end, it’s going to feel like more time than it really will take.

The most important part of this process is planning. You should have a good idea about where everything needs to go before you start, and have the tools needed for the job out and ready to use . No matter what kind of room you’re painting, make sure that there’s little or no furniture in it , so it’s easier to move around without bumping into anything. Also clear out vents and heating pipes beforehand so they don’t get in your way of painting.

Looking for a professional Vancouver house painter? Call Ethereal Painters today at 604-505-2745. 

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