Should I Do The Walls or Floors First?

Walls or Floors

When planning a home renovation, one of the most common questions is: “Should I tackle the walls or floors first?” Getting the order right can make a big difference in how smoothly your project goes and how flawless the final result looks. The answer depends on a few key factors like the type of work being done, the materials involved, and, of course, personal preferences.

Why Timing Matters in Home Renovation

Whether you’re planning a full-room makeover or a minor touch-up, choosing to work on walls or floors first can help avoid mess, damage, and even extra costs. Each approach has its benefits, and the decision often comes down to the specifics of your project. For most people, the order is about making sure the finished space is clean, beautiful, and free from unwanted marks or scratches.

Painting Walls First: Pros and Cons

Painting the walls before refinishing or installing floors is a common approach, especially if the walls need significant attention. Here’s why:

Benefits of Doing Walls First
Avoid Floor Damage: Painting involves spills and drips, especially if the room has high walls or intricate details. When the floors aren’t finished, any paint splatters won’t damage the floor’s final look.
Simplified Cleanup: With unfinished floors, there’s no need to meticulously tape or cover areas as you would on finished hardwood or tile. You can paint with less worry about drops or splashes.
Efficient Process: Painting can get messy, and the process is often quicker if you don’t have to protect finished floors. For rooms that need a complete transformation, handling the walls first can streamline the entire project.

Drawbacks of Doing Walls First
Potential for Wall Touch-Ups: Refinishing floors, especially with hardwood sanding or installing new tiles, can lead to scuffs and marks on the freshly painted walls. You might need to do a few touch-ups once the floors are completed.
Dust and Debris: If your flooring work involves sanding, it can produce a lot of dust. While professionals use dust containment methods, some dust may still settle on freshly painted walls.

Flooring First: Advantages and Disadvantages

In certain situations, starting with the floors might be the better choice. Here’s why some people prefer this order:

Benefits of Doing Floors First
Precise Wall Painting: With floors already in place, you can paint precisely up to the baseboards or floor edge, achieving a clean, crisp line without worrying about future damage.
Visual Cohesion: When floors are done first, it can be easier to choose the right paint color for the walls that complements the floor. Many people find it beneficial to have the flooring color and style set to make final design decisions on the wall color.
Professional Finish: If new flooring is being installed, especially carpet, it’s best to finish the floors first so that any wall adjustments, such as baseboard or trim painting, match perfectly.

Drawbacks of Doing Floors First
Protecting Floors During Painting: Newly finished floors are prone to scuffs, spills, and scratches during painting. If you choose this order, you’ll need extra protection like tarps and floor coverings to keep them pristine.
Additional Prep Work: Floors-first projects often require careful planning and setup. You may need to tape off floor edges or be extra cautious about not stepping on wet paint spots.

Walls or Floors: Deciding the Best Order

In general, the recommendation for most homes is to start with the walls first, especially for painting, and then tackle the floors. Here are a few scenarios where this approach is often the best:

Heavy Wall Repairs Needed: If your walls require repairs, priming, or more than one coat of paint, tackling walls first can help avoid any damage to the flooring.
Wood Floor Refinishing Projects: For homes with hardwood floors that need sanding and refinishing, starting with walls is typically advised. Sanding can create dust, which may stick to newly painted walls.
New Floor Installation: When installing new hardwood, tile, or vinyl, consider painting the walls first. Once the floors are in, touch-ups are typically limited to baseboards and trim, ensuring minimal wall repair after the floors are complete.

Handling Baseboards and Trim

Another key aspect of the walls-or-floors-first question is how to handle baseboards and trim. Many people find it best to paint baseboards and trim before the floors are installed or refinished. This method prevents drips and allows for easy retouching.

If the baseboards are already installed, you may need to paint them in place. In this case, wait until floors are installed and protected to paint the baseboards. Some homeowners also prefer to paint the baseboards first, as they’re easier to protect than a full wall area when doing touch-ups.

Practical Tips for a Seamless Renovation Process

Whether you choose walls or floors first, a few practical steps can help streamline the renovation process and protect your investment:

Use Drop Cloths or Plastic Covers: Whether painting or installing floors, drop cloths protect surfaces from paint, dust, and tools.
Mind the Cure Times: If using materials with curing or drying times, plan accordingly. For example, freshly refinished floors need a few days to fully harden, so plan around these times for the best results.
Consult with Flooring Experts: Professional flooring services can offer recommendations on the order based on the specific needs of your home. With years of experience, they’ll know the best way to get a flawless finish.

Floor or Walls First? Here’s Our Expert Advice

While each project has its unique needs, starting with the floors can often streamline the process and protect the integrity of your final finishes. This approach helps prevent damage to newly painted walls during flooring installation and allows for a more seamless edge at the base. Therefore, we suggest starting with the floor first, not the walls.