Painting a room is one of the most cost-effective ways to transform the look and feel of your space, increase the value of your home, and help protect your walls. So, how long does it take to paint an interior in Winnipeg and to be specific a 12×12 room? Well, that depends. Painting the average 12×12-foot room might take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours, but this time can vary depending on several factors, including prep time and the condition of the existing walls, the number of coats needed, and experience level.
In this post, we’re going to break down each part of the painting process and see how long it takes to paint a room.
How Long Does it Take to Paint a 12×12 Room?
Painting a typical 12×12 room might take a professional painter in Winnipeg anywhere from 6 to 10 hours, or a DIY painter about 10 hours to a full day. This time includes prep work, priming, painting, and cleanup.
Let’s take a closer look at these steps:
1. Preparation (1-2+ Hours)
Thorough preparation is important, but time-consuming, steps in painting. Prep work involves moving furniture, protecting floors, cleaning walls, removing outlets and other fixtures, repairing damage, sanding rough patches, and taping edges. Proper preparation is the foundation for a durable, long-lasting paint job. Without it, your paint may not adhere properly, which can lead to various issues, such as premature peeling, bubbling, or cracking.
Prep work can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours, depending on the current surface condition. Walls with a heavy buildup of dirt or grease, peeling or cracking paint, or damage requiring extensive repairs will add to the prep time.
2. Priming (1 Hour, Plus Drying Time)
Priming the walls isn’t always necessary, but it’s a good idea if you are making major colour changes (painting over a darker colour with a lighter one), if the walls are heavily stained or discoloured, or if switching paint sheens (painting over a glossy surface with a flat finish). Primer helps the paint adhere better, provides a uniform surface, and can reduce the number of coats needed.
Applying primer usually takes about an hour, followed by another hour to dry before you can begin painting. Some paints are available in 2-in-1 paint and primer, which can save time by eliminating the need for this extra step.
3. Painting (3-4+ Hours, Including Drying Time)
Once you have everything prepped and primed, you can start painting, which involves both “cutting in”, rolling on the paint, and allowing drying time between multiple coats. Cutting in is the process of using a brush to paint around the edges of a room, such as around windows, trim, doors, baseboards, and the ceiling line. Next, you can finally start painting the main section of your walls! Using a roller, work in small sections using a “W” pattern to spread the paint evenly across the walls.
Before applying a second coat of paint, it’s important to let the first coat dry completely. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the type of paint and room conditions. Most paint jobs require two coats for maximum coverage, but a dramatic colour change may require three or more coats, significantly increasing the total project time.
4. Clean Up (1 Hour)
Now that you’ve finished painting, you can begin cleanup. Remove the painter’s tape, pick up any drop cloths or floor coverings, clean your brushes, and seal and store your paint cans. (It’s usually best to wait at least 24-48 hours after painting before putting furniture, fixtures, or pictures back against the wall.) Ideally, cleaning up should take an hour or less.
Should I Hire a Professional Painter to Save Time?
Yes, if you want to save time, you should hire a residential painter, as they can complete a painting project in a fraction of the time of the average DIYer. Professionals can complete a high-quality, long-lasting paint job efficiently and safely. However, if you have the correct knowledge and skills and have the time to dedicate to it, painting a room can be a rewarding DIY project for some homeowners.
Need a professional painter in Winnipeg? Contact us today at Perry Wellington for a free quote!