FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Main Menu
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Main Menu Subscribe

Fine Homebuilding Project Guides

Painting

Everything you need to know to get the perfect finish, from choosing the right paint to applying the final coat

Painting a wall, a room, or even a whole house is deceptively simple: all you need is the right paint, a brush or a roller, maybe a ladder or two, and you're done, right? Not so fast. While we all think we can do a passable job of painting, the pros know that the key to a job you can be proud of is choosing the right paint and primer, preparing the surfaces with care, and applying the paint with the correct technique. In this comprehensive project guide, follow along with the painting pros as they share their top-level advice about paint selection, preparation, and painting a house inside and out by hand or with spray equipment.

From the most experienced builders in the business

  • Author Headshot
    Tim Leahy
  • Author Headshot
    Jim Lacey
  • Author Headshot
    Philip Hansell
  • Author Headshot
    Tyler Grace
  • Author Headshot
    Peter Gedrys
  • Author Headshot
    Brian J. Doherty

Choose a Chapter

Search Guide
  • Intro to Painting
  • Tools & Materials
  • Prep Work
  • Painting Walls, Ceilings, and Trim
  • Wallpaper
  • Windows and Doors
  • Spray Painting Interiors
  • Exterior Painting
  • Intro to Painting

    how to paint a house

    Let's begin by debunking the myth that there's nothing new to learn about painting. In this opening chapter, we'll give you a quick overview of the whole process, with up-to-the minute tips on preparation, paint selection, and cleanup. And we'll also introduce you to two painting pros whose work isn't just their job, it's their passion.

  • Tools & Materials

    painting tools and materials

    Latex or oil? Do you need a primer? Exterior paint or solid stain? And what about caulks and sealants? Brush, roller, or sprayer? With so many questions, even before you start to paint, it can all seem overwhelming. Don't worry, in this exhaustive chapter on tools and materials, you'll find the answers you need, including advice on how to clean all that equipment.

  • Prep Work

    how to prepare for painting a house

    Preparation is the key to a first-class paint job, whether you're painting the interior of a room or the exterior of the whole house. The surface to be painted has to be clean, dry, dull, and sound. Follow these guidelines on washing down walls, repairing damage, caulking baseboard and trim, and everything else you need to do before applying primer and paint. Also included is important safety information on lead-paint containment.

  • Painting Walls, Ceilings, and Trim

    how to paint walls ceilings and trim

    When painting a room, it's always best to work from the top down: ceiling first, walls next, and trim last. Learn from the pros as they show you how to roll out a smooth finish, use proper brush technique, and cut in trim and corners. Along the way, you'll pick up tips for sanding between coats and using masking tape effectively. The chapter ends with information on staining millwork for a flawless finish and painting walls with glazes.

  • Wallpaper

    how to hang wallpaper

    With a growing range of designs, colors, and types, wall coverings (and wallpaper in particular) are back in fashion again. As with painting, preparing the wall surface is super important, but beyond that you'll need to learn some new skills for applying wall coverings. These include estimating and layout, hanging and smoothing wallpaper, dealing with inside and outside corners, and working around trim and outlet boxes. You'll also find tips here for removing old wall coverings with minimal mess and damage.

  • Windows and Doors

    how to paint windows and doors

    Windows and doors require their own special preparation and painting techniques. The order is everything: As a general rule, paint window sash and doors from inside out to avoid messing up work you've already done. This section of the guide includes invaluable information on glazing and restoring wooden sash and concludes with an in-depth video series on finishing an exterior door with dye, stain, and varnish.

  • Spray Painting Interiors

    how to spray interior paint

    Many people are familiar with spray painting the exterior of a house, but spray equipment can also be used to good effect on the interior. Although spray painting interior work on-site is time-intensive in terms of preparation and setup, a spray finish is actually faster to apply and lays down a near-perfect coat of paint. The tips and techniques presented here will help you achieve a high-quality finish inside that's smoother to the touch than a brushed or rolled finish.

  • Exterior Painting

    how to paint siding and exterior trim

    Don't be confused by the title of this last section of the guide. While "painting" is a critical step in beautifying the outside of a home, there's so much more involved than just brushing or spray painting the exterior. Scraping and sanding, possibly paint removal and siding/trim repair, power washing, and priming are some of the time-consuming tasks you'll need to complete before even opening that first can of house paint. Follow along with our painting pros as they share their tips and techniques for the whole process from preparation to final coat.

Painting

Painting

Everything you need to know to get the perfect finish, from choosing the right paint to applying the final coat

View All Project Guides »

Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Painting Project Guide.

Start Free Trial

Intro to Painting
  • Painting Basics
  • Painting Inspiration
Tools & Materials
  • Paint
  • Brushes and Rollers
  • Caulks and Sealants
  • Spray Equipment
  • Prep and Cleanup
Prep Work
  • Getting Ready For Painting and Finishing
Painting Walls, Ceilings, and Trim
  • Painting Interior Surfaces
Wallpaper
  • How to Prep and Install Wallpaper
  • Removing Wallpaper
  • Wallcovering Choices
Windows and Doors
  • Painting Windows and Doors
  • Window Repairs
  • Video Series: Finishing an Exterior Door
Spray Painting Interiors
  • How To Spray Walls, Trim, Cabinets, and More
Exterior Painting
  • Exterior Paint Prep
  • Exterior Painting Techniques

Search the Project Guide

Load More

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Manage Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • CA Privacy Rights

© 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • Account

  • Log In
  • Join

    Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

    Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

    All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

    Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

    More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

    Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Follow

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 52%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in