When you hire professionals for residential painting Denver CO, you’re getting much more than someone with a brush and paint. A complete painting job involves many steps that most people don’t see or think about.
Understanding what’s included helps you know what to expect and why professional painters charge what they do.
Let’s walk through everything that goes into a proper residential painting project.
Interior Painting vs. Exterior Painting
Residential painting splits into two main types, and each one has its own process and challenges.
Interior Painting
Interior painting covers everything inside your Denver home. This includes walls, ceilings, trim, doors, and cabinets. The goal is to refresh your living spaces and make them look clean and modern.
What interior painting typically includes:
- Living rooms and bedrooms
- Kitchens and bathrooms
- Hallways and closets
- Baseboards and crown molding
- Door frames and window trim
- Ceilings (if requested)
- Cabinets and built-ins
Interior work happens in a controlled environment. Painters don’t have to worry about Denver’s weather or temperature changes. However, they do need to be careful about your furniture, floors, and belongings.
Exterior Painting
Exterior painting covers the outside of your home. This protects your house from Denver’s unique weather conditions. We get hot summers, cold winters, lots of sunshine, and occasional hailstorms. Good exterior paint acts as a shield against all of this.
What exterior painting typically includes:
- Siding (wood, vinyl, stucco, or brick)
- Trim around windows and doors
- Fascia and soffit boards
- Shutters and decorative elements
- Front door and garage door
- Railings and porch areas
- Foundation (if needed)
Exterior work depends heavily on weather. Painters need dry conditions and the right temperature range. In Denver, this means spring and fall are often the busiest painting seasons.
Surface Preparation: The Most Important Step
Professional painters spend more time preparing surfaces than actually painting. This prep work makes the difference between a paint job that lasts years and one that starts peeling in months.
Why Preparation Matters
Paint doesn’t stick well to dirty, damaged, or uneven surfaces. Think of it like trying to put a sticker on a dusty shelf. It might stick at first, but it will fall off soon. Proper preparation creates a clean, smooth surface that paint can grip onto.
Interior Surface Prep
Cleaning walls: Painters wash walls to remove dust, grease, and dirt. Kitchen and bathroom walls need extra attention because of cooking oils and humidity.
Filling holes: Every nail hole, dent, and crack gets filled with spackling compound. This creates a smooth surface.
Sanding: After the filler dries, painters sand it flush with the wall. They also lightly sand glossy surfaces so new paint will stick.
Repairing damage: Larger cracks, water damage, or peeling areas get special repairs. Sometimes this means replacing sections of drywall.
Protecting your stuff: Painters cover floors with drop cloths. They tape off areas that shouldn’t get paint. They remove switch plates and outlet covers.
Exterior Surface Prep
Power washing: This removes years of dirt, mildew, and loose paint. In Denver, our dry climate means dust buildup is common.
Scraping old paint: Any peeling or bubbling paint must come off. Trying to paint over it just causes problems later.
Repairing wood rot: Damaged wood gets replaced or filled. This is especially important on window sills and trim boards.
Caulking gaps: Painters seal gaps around windows, doors, and trim. This stops water from getting behind the paint.
Sanding rough spots: Rough areas get sanded smooth so the finish looks even.
Pressure-treated wood: New wood sometimes needs time to dry out before painting. Painters know to check moisture levels first.
Priming: The Foundation of Good Paint
Primer is a special coating that goes on before paint. Many people wonder if primer is really necessary. The answer is yes, in most cases.
What Primer Does
Primer creates a uniform surface for paint to stick to. It seals porous materials like new drywall or bare wood. It also blocks stains from bleeding through your new paint.
When primer is essential:
- Painting new, unpainted surfaces
- Covering dark colors with lighter ones
- Hiding water stains or smoke damage
- Painting glossy surfaces
- Working with bare wood or metal
- Dealing with stucco or masonry
Types of Primers
Oil-based primer: Best for blocking stains and covering dark colors. It takes longer to dry but works great for problem areas.
Latex primer: Dries fast and works well on most interior walls. It’s easier to clean up and has less odor.
Shellac primer: The strongest stain blocker. Perfect for water damage or smoke stains.
Bonding primer: Helps paint stick to slick surfaces like glossy paint or tile.
In Denver’s dry climate, latex primers work well for most jobs. The low humidity helps them dry quickly and evenly.
Paint Types and Finishes
Not all paint is the same. Different types work better for different areas. Professional painters know which paint to use where.
Interior Paint Types
Flat/Matte: No shine at all. Great for ceilings and low-traffic areas. Hides imperfections well but harder to clean.
Eggshell: Slight shine, like an eggshell. Good for living rooms and bedrooms. Easier to clean than flat paint.
Satin: Soft glow that’s durable. Perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and kids’ rooms. Wipes clean easily.
Semi-gloss: Noticeable shine and very durable. Best for trim, doors, and cabinets. Handles frequent cleaning.
Gloss: Maximum shine and toughness. Used mainly for furniture or special accent pieces.
Exterior Paint Types
Acrylic latex: The most popular choice for exteriors. It expands and contracts with temperature changes. This is important in Denver where we have big temperature swings.
Oil-based: Very durable and smooth. Takes longer to dry. Often used for doors and trim.
Elastomeric: Thick, flexible paint for stucco. It fills small cracks and moves with the building.
Quality Matters
Professional painters use high-quality paint brands. These paints have more pigment and better binders. They cover better, last longer, and look nicer. Cheap paint might save money upfront but costs more in the long run because it needs repainting sooner.
In Denver’s intense sunlight, quality exterior paint with good UV protection is essential. The sun can fade and break down cheap paint in just a few years.
The Painting Process
Once preparation and priming are done, the actual painting begins.
Interior Painting Steps
- Cut in edges: Painters use a brush to carefully paint along ceilings, corners, and trim.
- Roll the walls: They use rollers to cover large wall areas quickly and evenly.
- Apply multiple coats: Most jobs need two coats of paint for proper coverage.
- Paint trim last: Baseboards, door frames, and molding get painted after walls dry.
- Touch-ups: Final inspection and fixing any spots that need attention.
Exterior Painting Steps
- Start from top: Painters work from the top of the house down to the bottom.
- Spray, brush, or roll: Different methods work for different siding types.
- Multiple coats: Exteriors typically need two coats, sometimes three.
- Trim and details: Doors, shutters, and decorative elements get special attention.
- Final inspection: Check for missed spots or drips.
Cleanup and Final Details
A professional painting job doesn’t end when the last stroke of paint goes on. Proper cleanup is part of the service.
Interior Cleanup
- Remove all tape and drop cloths
- Reinstall switch plates and outlet covers
- Put furniture back in place
- Vacuum or sweep floors
- Wipe down any paint drips or splatters
- Dispose of used materials properly
- Touch up any accidental marks
Exterior Cleanup
- Remove all masking and protection
- Clean paint off windows and hardware
- Collect all equipment and supplies
- Sweep sidewalks and driveways
- Remove any debris from the yard
- Return outdoor items to their places
- Final walkthrough with the homeowner
Professional painters in Denver take pride in leaving your home cleaner than they found it.
What’s Usually Not Included
Understanding what’s not typically included helps avoid surprises:
- Major repairs to siding or drywall
- Moving heavy furniture
- Extensive carpentry work
- Wallpaper removal (usually costs extra)
- Painting that requires special equipment like lifts
- Repairs to structural damage
These services can often be added for an additional cost.
Why Professional Painting Matters
Professional residential painting includes all these steps for good reasons. Each part of the process contributes to a finished product that looks beautiful and lasts for years.
When you hire experienced painters in Denver, you get people who understand our local climate challenges. They know which products stand up to our weather. They have the skills to do the prep work right. They have the insurance to protect your home.
A complete residential painting service takes your home from start to finish. It includes proper preparation, quality materials, skilled application, and thorough cleanup. The result is a home that looks fresh, clean, and protected for years to come.
