Perhaps painting seems simple, but painting the ceiling of a home may initially seem a bit daunting, especially if it’s quite high. Here, we’ve outlined some preparation tips and techniques for ceiling painting that will help you tackle the job easily and successfully, just like a professional painter. In this article, we delve into the topic of home ceiling painting and the best paints to use in this area.
Steps of Home Ceiling Painting
Step 1: Clean the room and cover the floor (and anything left) with a cloth. Before you start, remove as much furniture from the area as possible. Doing so will make maneuvering in your workspace easier. Use cloth to cover furniture that’s too cumbersome to move around.
Step 2: Cover the tops of the walls with painter’s tape or masking tape.
Step 3: Before painting the ceiling, apply a primer coat. Apply an interior latex paint primer coat with a roller (using an extension pole to reach the ceiling). Avoid painting the corners at this stage. The type of primer you use depends on the texture of your ceiling. Ceiling leaks, smoke stains, etc., can leave unsightly marks that regular paint can’t hide. Cover the stains with a stain-blocking primer layer to solve these problems. Sanding is another task to do at this stage. Over time and with paint layers, ridges and rough spots can adhere to the ceiling. In ceilings without texture, it’s a good idea to quickly sand away these issues with 100-grit sandpaper. This ensures a completely smooth paint surface and increases paint adhesion. The easiest way to do this is using a sanding pole. After sanding, wipe the ceiling with a damp sponge to remove dust and debris.
Step 4: Paint the edges of the ceiling with high-viscosity interior latex paint. Use a ladder to paint a 2 to 3-inch cut-in line along the edge of the ceiling. Start from a corner and paint about three feet along one wall, then the adjacent wall with a 2-inch brush. While the cut-in line is still wet, move on to the next step and start rolling the ceiling with a roller brush. Painting the ceiling while the cut-in line is still wet helps reduce visible lines. This will also be true for the paint applied from one section to another with a roller.
Step 5: Immediately fill your roller with ceiling paint. To use the roller, fill the deep part of the paint tray with paint and roll the roller over the paint.
Step 6: Apply the first main coat of paint. For ceiling painting, use a paint-filled roller brush to create a zigzag pattern about 3 to 4 inches square. Then, proceed with controlled, straight movements on the same area to even out the paint. Avoid leaving paint lines from the roller’s edge. To reduce visible lines between sections, be sure to fill in the edges.
Step 7: Apply a second coat if necessary. Wait for the first coat to dry completely as indicated on the can. Depending on the color and coverage, you may need to repeat this process, from cutting-in lines (Step 4) to painting (Step 6).
Step 8: Clean your painting tools. Make sure to clean your paintbrush, roller, and paint tray with warm, soapy water.
Types of Ceiling Paints
In the categorization of ceiling paints, there are various options available. To determine which type of paint is suitable for your job, consider the room’s usage and the type of ceiling.
Acrylic Matte Ceiling Paint
As the most common type of ceiling paint, acrylic matte paint is suitable for rooms with low humidity such as bedrooms and living spaces. It doesn’t reflect much light, making it suitable for most ceilings.
Acrylic Semi-Gloss Ceiling Paint
Painting your home’s ceiling with this paint minimizes the risk of paint cracking in humid spaces. Semi-gloss ceiling paint is best for ceilings directly above shower cabins or any other areas exposed to high humidity. When determining the amount of paint to purchase, be sure to consider the type of ceiling.
Best Paint Type for Home Ceilings
White paint is highly popular as a ceiling color for homes because it creates an illusion of spaciousness and cleanliness. Additionally, white paint has excellent light-reflective properties and adds transparency to the environment. If you intend to use a color other than white for the ceiling, it’s best to avoid both very light and very dark colors as they can make the indoor space appear dark and suffocating.