topic Re: Upgrading builders flat paint in Home

Upgrading builders flat paint

ccassaday — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 17:54:06 GMT

Typically in a new construction a builder wil use the god awful flat paint. Does anyone know is it a ton of extra to upgrade the paint when building.

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

151949 — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 18:00:52 GMT

We still have the builders flat paint and I hate it more all the time. Can't wash it at all - have to touch up paint if a spot gets dirty.

I have been begging my DH to get a painter but he is fighting it 100%. I don't even want a different color - just a washable paint.Anyway - whatever it costs - upgrade to the washable paint.

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

Mominohio — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 18:01:36 GMT

I can't attest to the actual cost, but it would be worth it. Painting a second time later would be such a big job. I'd pay and I'd also choose the brand and color and finish I wanted and double check to see that they bought the brand I wanted.

This is the time to upgrade those things that will cause grief on down the road to deal with later.

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

ccassaday — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 18:07:02 GMT

I was just reading that there is a reason they do flat in new construction. Has something to do with the drywall and for them to be able to touch any dings up while building. I guess it can be hard to get a satin or eggshell to look good on a new construction. I do agree though that I would upgrade at the time of building because who wants to repaint a brand new home that is 2400 square feet after they moved in. When you move in you don't want all of these projects. You want to enjoy your home. The basement will be a big enough project on its own.

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

Snowpuppy — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 18:14:06 GMT

Most commercial painters will use Sherwin Williams Pro Mar or it's equivelent. You won't find it on the shelf, painters ask for it. It's gawd awful chalk dust and I will tell you that painters often add water to that!

Ask the builder if you can choose your own painting contractor, if not, ask to speak directly to their subs and ask what choices you have. Don't forget the ceilings!

And verify! One of my coworkers recently built. He stopped by every single day on his way home.

ETA: Ask why there isn't a coat of primer? If you prime first, you can use any paint or enamel you please.

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

Bri21 — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 18:27:38 GMT

Upgrade your paint. It will cost you less in the long run.

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

Bri21 — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 18:29:21 GMT

Get a bid for the builder to prime and then a separate bid for a painter. It might cost you less.

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

ccassaday — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 18:54:05 GMT

@Snowpuppy wrote:
Most commercial painters will use Sherwin Williams Pro Mar or it's equivelent. You won't find it on the shelf, painters ask for it. It's gawd awful chalk dust and I will tell you that painters often add water to that!

Ask the builder if you can choose your own painting contractor, if not, ask to speak directly to their subs and ask what choices you have. Don't forget the ceilings!

And verify! One of my coworkers recently built. He stopped by every single day on his way home.

ETA: Ask why there isn't a coat of primer? If you prime first, you can use any paint or enamel you please.

We will defintly be checking daily on everything.

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

KathyPet — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 23:58:49 GMT

UPgrading the paint may or may not be a option the builder offers. If it is a small local builder you can probably do it. IF it is a large production builder doing lots of homes in a new subdivision they may not offer it as a optional upgrade.

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

ccassaday — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 00:56:02 GMT

@KathyPet wrote:
UPgrading the paint may or may not be a option the builder offers. If it is a small local builder you can probably do it. IF it is a large production builder doing lots of homes in a new subdivision they may not offer it as a optional upgrade.

Thanks. It won't be a super small builder. One does entire subdivisions and the other does a lot less homes. Reading about why they use it makes sense.

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

homedecor1 — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 02:43:45 GMT

FYI:

Ive built 2 homes by custom builders and both times they suggested keeping the painters flat paint for 1 year as this house settles and get nail or screw pops (drywall). I only had a few "nail pops" in the 1st year then I had the house professionally painted.

My niece is building a new home she was given the same info - so I guess builders know best.

My villa is in need of a good painting (bought 4 years ago & not new) and I am now in the process of selecting painter -- ugh popcorn ceilings 18', 1870 sq ft. and I only want it done if ceilings included & main living areas, inc. kitchen area - yikes estimates have ranged from $2500-4100. If it weren't for these high popcorn ceilings (which I doubt have not been done in years villa is 20 yrs old) I'd do it myself!

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

ccassaday — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 02:49:09 GMT

@homedecor1 wrote:
FYI:

Ive built 2 homes by custom builders and both times they suggested keeping the painters flat paint for 1 year as this house settles and get nail or screw pops (drywall). I only had a few "nail pops" in the 1st year then I had the house professionally painted.

My niece is building a new home she was given the same info - so I guess builders know best.

My villa is in need of a good painting (bought 4 years ago & not new) and I am now in the process of selecting painter -- ugh popcorn ceilings 18', 1870 sq ft. and I only want it done if ceilings included & main living areas, inc. kitchen area - yikes estimates have ranged from $2500-4100. If it weren't for these high popcorn ceilings (which I doubt have not been done in years villa is 20 yrs old) I'd do it myself!

Thank you. That makes total sense. I will pass this info onto my parents.

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

gardenman — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 13:09:34 GMT

Flat paint hides imperfections better. A high gloss paint shows every little ding or flaw. The areas that typically need scrubbing are doors and trim where people tend to put their hands. Those are easily upgraded to a semi-gloss or more scrubbing friendly paint down the road, but walls typically look better in flat paint and most walls don't need a lot of scrubbing. A wall that looks absolutely perfect in flat paint may look pretty messed up when painted with a high gloss paint.

Just applying a higher gloss paint can be more challenging also. Brush strokes, roller marks, sprayer overlap all can show up more when using a gloss paint. I've used high gloss paint on a few furniture products in the past and getting a perfect finish is much, much more challenging on even a smaller scale item. Doing all of the interior walls in such a finish would be much more of a pain than using flat paint.

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

151949 — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 13:46:52 GMT

I think it is simply a matter of personal taste. Right now washable flat paints are in vogue - personally I prefer a semi gloss and when we do paint this place it will be with semigloss.We already have rough , textured walls anyway. Sort of a tuscan feel. I believe now a days they mostly glue plasterboard up - just minimal nails to hold it in place til the glue sets, which is great because you don't get those nail pops as the house settles.The adhesives today are amazing.

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

ID2 — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 11:03:57 GMT

@ccassaday wrote:
Typically in a new construction a builder wil use the god awful flat paint. Does anyone know is it a ton of extra to upgrade the paint when building.

We provided the paint when we were having our cottage built.

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

Mominohio — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 13:22:15 GMT

@gardenman wrote:
Flat paint hides imperfections better. A high gloss paint shows every little ding or flaw. The areas that typically need scrubbing are doors and trim where people tend to put their hands. Those are easily upgraded to a semi-gloss or more scrubbing friendly paint down the road, but walls typically look better in flat paint and most walls don't need a lot of scrubbing. A wall that looks absolutely perfect in flat paint may look pretty messed up when painted with a high gloss paint.

Just applying a higher gloss paint can be more challenging also. Brush strokes, roller marks, sprayer overlap all can show up more when using a gloss paint. I've used high gloss paint on a few furniture products in the past and getting a perfect finish is much, much more challenging on even a smaller scale item. Doing all of the interior walls in such a finish would be much more of a pain than using flat paint.

There are so many finishes now availabe that no one has to settle for the impossible to clean flat paint any more.

I have used some semi gloss on certain walls that will require more cleaning (like kitchens) and satins on rooms where the walls don't get much use/abuse. Even the semi gloss dulls out in a short time to look like a satin, but still washes better than a flat ever will.

Re: Upgrading builders flat paint

Lipstickdiva — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 15:48:21 GMT

If you don't want flat paint, you don't have to do a semi-gloss. There are other paint choices. Many recommend a semi-gloss in the kitchen or kids room where you will need to clean more.

I've not had great luck with washable flat paint. I also didn't like eggshell finish either which is what the builder did my sister's home with.

As we've painted our own house and my sister painted her house to get rid of the builder's eggshell, we've used satin finish. It's not shiny like semi-gloss is but it is easily washable. It does have a sheen to it though but not a gloss like semi-gloss or gloss paint.

When we were choosing paint, we were told the glossier the finish the easier it will be to clean and the more matte a finish, the harder it will be to finish. I don't like a high shine or gloss though on my walls. Also the higher the gloss the more it will show imperfections.

I need to be able to wipe my walls down though.