Grand Rapids Painting Company

Not all primers are the same. There are various types of primer to choose from, and selecting the right one can make or break your project.

Trying to decide between eggshell and satin paint for your next interior project? The right finish can make or break the look of a room.

It is possible to paint vinyl siding, and painting can be much more affordable than replacing siding.

Did you know the right exterior house color can increase your home’s value by 7% in Michigan? But it’s not just about looks; it’s about standing up to snowstorms, humidity, and the blazing summer sun. Michigan homeowners spend a lot of time designing and decorating the inside of their homes, but what about their home’s exterior? Your home’s exterior appearance is just as important as the interior. And just choosing the right color for your home’s exterior can completely elevate your home’s look. There are many factors to consider, including Michigan’s climate and environment, your home’s architectural style, and, of course, the most popular Michigan exterior house colors. Whether you’re looking to highlight the unique architectural details of your home or enhance its curb appeal, painting your Michigan home’s exterior is a game-changer. And there’s no better way to paint your home’s exterior than by working with the professionals at VanDerKolk Painting ! Our experienced painters work with precision and professionalism to ensure your home looks its best. Today, we’re diving into the most popular Michigan exterior house colors and sharing essential tips to help you choose the right one for your home. The Importance of Exterior House Color in Michigan Michigan is known for having some pretty harsh seasons, from bleak and snowy winters to hot and humid summers. And you want your home to look great no matter what the season! Choosing the right exterior house color based on your Michigan surroundings can help enhance curb appeal, keep your home cool during the summer, and help your home withstand extreme weather. Best Exterior Paint Colors for Michigan Homes We get it; you want your home to stand out and not look like every other house on your block. But following popular Michigan exterior house color trends will help your home’s style stand out while also complementing its beautiful surroundings. 

The excitement of moving into a newly built home with your most creative customizations is one of the best feelings in the world. But did you know that you can elevate that feeling even further? By painting your new home before move-in day, you can make your new construction house feel less “cookie cutter” and more like home from day one. And here’s the best-kept secret—painting your newly constructed home before everything is finished is a game-changer! You get to walk into your home with walls already painted, setting the stage for you to decorate and really make it feel like yours. VanDerKolk Painting has been helping Michigan residents elevate their new construction homes for more than three decades! We’ll work with your contractors to get in, paint the entire house, and get out in time for them to stay on track with their deadlines. The Process of Painting New Homes When painting new homes, the process looks different than if you were to repaint a room. Let’s dive into the process of painting new homes and some expert tips to ensure the perfect paint job every time. Step 1: Evaluate Surfaces When painting a new home’s interior, there will be a few different surfaces to paint—and this will determine what type of paint you will use. The most common surfaces in new construction include: Sheetrock - Also known as drywall , you’ll want to use 100% latex or acrylic latex paint when painting these walls. Plaster - While it isn’t as common in new construction, you may still find plaster walls requiring emulsion paint. Wood - Use water-based acrylic paint for interior doors, trim, and baseboards. Choosing the right type of paint for your surfaces will ensure optimal coverage and long-lasting durability. Step 2: Prepare the Surface Painting a newly constructed home while it is still in the construction process means walking into a lot of dust on unfinished surfaces. Before you can start painting, it’s essential to clean and prepare your surfaces to ensure optimal adhesion. Clean up any dust or dirt that may be on the walls or surfaces you plan to paint. If there are any nicks or cracks (there shouldn’t be!, you’ll want to repair them. Since the material is so new, it could still have a fairly rough surface, especially wood and drywall. This will require some light sanding to make the surface as smooth and even as possible. Step 3: Tape Off Windows and Remove Covers Grab some masking tape and start taping off the windows and trim (if it has already been installed). This will protect these surfaces from accidental paint streaks or splashes. It’s also a good idea to remove any outlet or light switch covers to avoid getting paint on them, too. Step 4: Prime the Walls Typically, primer is used to conceal the color of any previous paint. So, you might be tempted to skip this step since you’re working with fresh drywall—but we do not recommend it! Primer does so much more than cover up an underlying color. It helps your paint adhere to the surface and prevents it from peeling , cracking, or flaking over time. For long-lasting paint, primer is essential! Step 5: Apply Paint Once your primer has finished drying, you can apply your first coat of paint . It’s best to use a foam roller to paint large sections of the walls and a brush to get into the small corners for ultimate precision. Remember to read your paint label to see how long you have to wait before applying your second coat . This is important! Pro Tip: When painting new construction, we recommend painting the ceiling first to avoid paint splatter on the walls. Step 6: Paint Interior Doors Once your walls are painted, you can move on to the doors. You could also paint the doors before painting the walls—the decision is yours! You can either remove the doors from their hinges entirely or just the handles and locks. Sand the surface to ensure it is smooth and even before cleaning away any dust or dirt. Once clean and dry, apply a coat of primer. After the primer has dried, apply two coats of water-based acrylic paint and wait until it dries completely before adding the hardware back on the door. Step 7: Touch Up Before you wrap up your paint brushes, inspect your work and identify any places that might require some touching up. A new construction home deserves only the best paint job! When Should You Paint Trim and Baseboards? There are two schools of thought when it comes to when you should paint trim and baseboards in new construction homes. The first believes that you should prime and paint your baseboards and trim before installing them. However, this can lead to damage to the paint. The second believes in priming the trim and baseboards before installing them and then painting after installation. This ensures the paint is not damaged and you can cover any nails or screws showing through. Do You Have to Paint New Construction Homes? Painting a new construction home isn’t always a given. Some homeowners might decide to wait until they have moved in before painting. But one interior decorator warns against this . The builder-grade paint contractors use is not the high-quality paint you need to elevate your home. It’s best to get painting your new home out of the way while the construction process is still taking place. This means no moving furniture around and a minimized risk of ruining floors, windows, or fixtures from splashed paint. When Should You Paint New Construction Homes? The best time to paint new construction homes is after the drywall is installed but before the flooring and other fixtures are put in. This allows you to paint freely without worrying about ruining the new floor or painting around oddly shaped fixtures on the walls or ceilings. Ultimately, if you can paint your new home before moving in, it’s the best decision you can make! Can You Skip Priming New Construction Walls? Unless you have plaster walls, which isn’t commonly used in modern construction projects, you should definitely prime the walls before painting. This ensures the paint bonds to the surface well and enhances durability. Should You Hire Professional Painters for New Construction Painting? Yes, you should definitely hire professional painters (like VanDerKolk Painting !) to paint your newly constructed home. Having a team of professional painters ensures precision and long-lasting paint thanks to their years of expertise and paint knowledge. Plus, with multiple painters working at once, your new home will be painted in no time, meaning your contractors can meet their deadlines and the sooner you can move in! Painting newly constructed homes is much different than painting a home that has been lived in for years. There are more steps and considerations to take into account to ensure the job is done correctly. Make Your New Construction House Feel Like Home from Day One with VanDerKolk Painting Are you ready to walk into your newly built house and have it feel like home from day one? VanDerKolk Painting is here to make your interior design visions come to life! Our team of painting professionals will paint the entirety of your new home—inside and out—to ensure you can start decorating and unpacking instantly. We’ll work with your construction team to get the job done fast and on time with your deadlines. Request a FREE estimate for your new home construction painting project to get started today!