Home painting tips and cost per sq ft

Well painted walls brighten up a space and add vitality to an otherwise bland room. Paint also protects the walls from moisture, conceals stains and makes the house more durable, in addition to adding colour, beauty and a positive appeal.

Different types of paints and finishes for home

There are various paint brands available in India for both, interior and exterior application, such as Asian paints, Berger, Dulux Paints, Kansai Nerolac Paints, Nippon, Snowcem, Shalimar Paints, Indigo Paints and Jensen and Nicholson Paints, among others.

Broadly there are two types of paints – distemper paints and emulsion paints.

Distemper paints

Distemper paints are made of chalk, water, lime and colouring agents and are cost-effective. They come in two types – oil-based and water-based. While water-based distemper paint is not as durable as the oil-based variety, both are less durable than emulsion paints. There are also acrylic and synthetic distempers.

Emulsion paints

Emulsion paints are water or oil-based. They can be washed and thus, are appropriate for homes with children, which are prone to dirty walls. Emulsion paints come in finishes such as velvet, satin or silk. These paints look elegant and are primarily used to paint interiors, as they give a smooth finish. The satin and silk paints provide a soft shine.

Apart from distemper and emulsion paints there are enamel and texture paints.

Enamel paints

Enamel paints are ideal for metallic and wooden finishes/surfaces. It has a hard, glossy and opaque finish. Bathroom doors, gates, window fixtures and outdoor furniture that are exposed to moisture, can be painted with enamel paints.

Texture paints

Texture paints are in vogue and are ideal for creating accent walls. Various designs are available vis-à-vis texture paints, ranging from geometric patterns, floral motifs, tree of life, birds and wildlife to cartoons.

Different types of paints for exterior surfaces

Emulsion paints

These are resistant to fungi and also cracking in sunlight and do not fade easily.

See also: How to protect the exterior walls of your home

Cement paints

These are best for exposed surfaces like balconies, patios, verandahs and garages, as they prevent dust from accumulating on the walls and stop the penetration of water into the walls.

Wall painting process step by step

Primer is the base of the paint, which ensures better bonding of the paint to the surface and protects the material that is being painted. So, primer is a must in fresh painting. Putty makes the wall smooth and is used for filling minor cracks, holes and other damages, to level the surface for painting. Fresh painting involves two coats of putty, a coat of primer and two coats of paint. Repainting needs a coat of primer and two coats of paint.

How to select the right paint and colour for your home

Wall colours transform a house, making it look appealing and refreshing. Gone are the days when the walls of a home were white and beige. Today, walls are adorned with brilliant combinations such as cobalt blue and turquoise, olive and aubergine and sunny yellow and fresh green. Pastels like rosy pink, textures and traditional Indian art like kalamkari and madhubani too, are used to adorn the walls.

See also: How to choose the right colours for your home, based on Vastu

Firstly, home owners need to decide whether they prefer warm, cool, neutral, bold or dark shades. Try and create a harmony of colours, taking into account the theme of the décor, furnishings and carpet. Then, pick a few paints for the walls and try out the samples. Paint the wall with these samples and check the appearance at different times of the day, before you finalise the colour.

What is the per sq ft cost of painting?

When it comes to painting the house it is not only the cost of the paint, but also the charges of labour, wall cleaning, wall and size of the house that have to be considered. A fresh coat of paint will be more expensive than repainting.

Distemper is available in the market from Rs 28 per litre onwards, while the costs of emulsion paints range from Rs 125 to Rs 1,050 per litre (depending on gloss, sheen and matt finish).

Price for distemper paint: From Rs 10 to Rs 25 per sq ft.

Pricing of emulsion paints: From Rs 15 to Rs 50 per sq ft.

Price for texture paints: Rs 60 to Rs 200 per sq ft.

Texture paints are expensive and used for accent walls. These require base preparation, tools and additional labour charges and need to be done by experts.

Note: Prices mentioned are approximate and it may vary according to the brand of the paint, city, dealer, etc.

Paint cost calculator

To find out how much paint will be required for the house, one can use the paint calculators available online, on the paint companies’ websites. These surfaces that need to be painted are measured in square feet, which you can calculate by multiplying the height and width of a wall.

One can choose the paint brand according to one’s budget as the rate of every company varies. Using a single colour for all the rooms in your home, will invariably cost less than using multiple colours.

Labour charges vary in each city. Nowadays, leading paint brands offer their own painting services. The labour cost for painting exterior walls is much more than interiors.

See also: How to choose wall colours for each room of your house

Tips for painting a house exterior or interior

• There has been a shift from solvent to water-based paints. It is better to opt for odourless, chemical-free and environment-friendly products with safe levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Paints with non-toxic elements, which do not have VOCs, are safe for people who are allergic to chemicals.
• Ideally, to paint a home, choose warm, dry days like in the summer. The time taken for paint to dry is directly related to the temperature and conditions at the time of application.
• Always buy good quality, branded paints.
• For interior as well as exterior wall paints, treat the wall with a water-resistant product before painting, to prevent seepage or dampness.
• Exterior paint selection is also an important aspect of ensuring that the structure resists water damage for a long time.
• Paint the grills on the balcony and windows, to prevent corrosion.
• Do not neglect the ceilings when painting. You can brighten them up with fancy hues and create a stunning impact.
• Check the amount of natural light your rooms receive and then, choose the correct colour and tone. Darker rooms require warmer tones, while brighter rooms can have cooler palettes.

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