Should You Paint or Install New Floors First?
The short answer is paint first, with one exception. Here is the order we use and why it saves you money.
Short answer: paint first, then floors. Here's why, plus the one exception.
Why paint goes first
- Drips and spatter. Even careful painters drop some paint. On an old floor that's getting ripped out, nobody cares. On new oak, it's a problem.
- Ladders and scaffolding. Ladder feet and staging scuff floors. Better to scuff the floor that's leaving.
- Ceiling work. Ceilings are the messiest part of any paint job. Get them done before anything nice is on the ground.
The exception: baseboards
New floors usually mean new baseboard or quarter-round, or at least re-setting the old trim. That trim needs caulk and a final coat of paint after it's installed. So the real order is:
- Ceilings and walls
- Floors
- Baseboard and quarter-round installed
- Final trim caulk and paint touch-up
How long to wait between paint and flooring?
Latex paint is dry to the touch within hours, but it keeps curing for a couple of weeks. Flooring can go in once the paint is dry, but installers should still protect fresh walls. Keep tape off newly painted walls for the first few days.
Doing both with one company
This is exactly why we do painting and flooring together. One point of contact, the right order, and nobody pointing fingers over a scratched floor or a dinged wall.
Quick answers
Should I paint or do floors first?
Paint first, then floors. Then install and touch up baseboard trim at the end.