Stairwells are the area above and around the staircase. Just like any other part of the house, the area above the stairs should also look good. The simplest way to keep the area updated is a fresh coat of paint. Painting the stairwells might be challenging due to its height. The staircase area is nearly double the height of other areas of the house. Everyone wants to achieve a beautiful and smooth finish for the walls. But, in an attempt to paint the taller parts, we are left with a textured finish. The best option to achieve smooth paint work would be hiring a professional. If you want to DIY and have a little knowledge of a few tools and techniques, go ahead with the paintwork.
Methods of Painting
Using Plank and Ladder
The traditional way of painting a stair hallway wall is by using a ladder and plank. Place the ladder leaning on the longer wall opposite the staircase and then fix the plank horizontally on the ladder and staircase according to the desired height. This might be risky as climbing on the platform and standing on it is not easy, especially when you are working at larger heights.
Using Combination Ladder
A combination ladder is a better option. As the name suggests, it is a ladder that can fold into many combinations. It can be folded either in sections or as a ladder itself, providing both longer and shorter extensions as needed. It is less risky as compared to the traditional method of using a plank.
Using Extension Pole and Paint Roller
The safest way to paint is by using a roller and extension poles. Though it's not the easiest way, it is less risky compared to standing on a plank or ladder. Using an extension pole for painting can also cause neck and shoulder pain that can last for days. Using a small ladder or a platform made at a lower height, can reduce the strain on your hands and also ease the painting work.
The drawback of this method is that it limits perfection at some places especially when it comes to creating a neat line between walls and ceiling. A paint edger can help create a sharp line at the top of the walls without getting paint on the ceiling above.
| Notes | Look for a paint edger to which you can attach an extension pole. |
Steps for Painting
Here are a few steps you can follow for a hassle-free painting experience:
Choose Your Tools
The first thing you need to do before starting to paint the wall and ceiling is to choose the correct tools you might need. A few important tools are:
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Extension Pole Adapter: Fix your paintbrush and other tools on the extension pole adapter's end. This will help in painting the hard to reach corners.
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Paint Edging Tool: This makes cutting in and painting around corners of higher spaces much easier.
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Ladder Leveller: It levels a stair surface to make ladder placement easier and safer.
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Other basic tools like roller, paintbrush and ladder.
Prepare Your Space
Cover your stairs and area under the ceiling with a cloth. Remove all the furniture, wall hangings and items kept near the staircase area. Remove the light holders and tape all the unremovable objects. Clean all the dust and cobwebs before you start painting, and cover everything.
Plan Your space
Before starting off with painting, make a plan as to how to accomplish the project. It should include the list of tools required. Make a list of places where you'll need the ladder, how you will place it or whether you will need a ladder leveler. Make a note of additional tools like an extension pole adapter, edging tool, and ladder leveler that you might need. Then, start the painting work.
Paint Step by Step
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Start off by painting the ceiling. If you get this right, your work gets a lot easier.
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Cut the edges of your ceiling with a paintbrush.
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Then, move to the rest of the ceiling. You can switch to roller or roll paint for this section. Make sure you don't paint just above your head.
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After you're done with the ceiling, move to the high walls.
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Repeat the same process of painting the edges first and then the walls with a roller. Let the paint on both the ceiling and wall dry first, and then apply a second coat.
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Make sure the paint has dried completely before using the space normally.
Precautionary Measures
Here are a few precautionary measures that you can follow. You might need a lot more paint than you think to get good coverage. Therefore, get buffer paint before you start with your work. Be careful while cutting the edges, and do it at a 45°angle. While painting the ceiling, be aware that you do not get too close to the edge. By keeping in mind these simple things, you'll save a lot of time later. Once you make a mistake, it is hard to recover from it.
