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Many people do not realize how much harder it is to paint a ceiling in comparison to painting walls. Ceilings are not painted as often as walls because you don’t get the same wear and tear. But when it is time to paint the ceiling in your home - you have to face that you have quite a job ahead and it is not going to be easy.

Here is a list of things that are harder when painting a ceiling:

1. Fixing Damaged Areas - A ceiling can often get damaged by water leaks and cracks from the house settling. If your ceilings have not been painted in several years and have problems that need to be taken care of, your best bet is to hire a painting contractor. If there are water stains on the ceiling, they will know what to do to remove them and what paint to use to protect your ceilings from mold and mildew. If you have a textured ceiling, special care will need to be taken so the repair will blend in to the rest of the ceiling. A professional painter has all the tools necessary to fix problem areas on the ceiling such as spackle, tape, putty knives, sandpaper, tack cloth, and primer.

2. Special Tools Needed - A ceiling is often painted with the same technique as walls would be - a roller and paint tray. The difference with the ceiling is that you will need to use an extension pole which attaches to the roller handle to be able to reach. A textured ceiling is better off being sprayed. A professional painter will have the necessary tools needed for the job.

3. Getting the Space Ready for Painting - When painting walls, it is not always necessary to lay drop cloths over the entire floor. In larger rooms you can sometimes get away with laying a few drop cloths just against the walls that you are painting. But when painting ceilings, it is very important that EVERYTHING in the room is covered completely. You cannot leave one space open. You will also need to cover all the furniture. The paint often spatters from the roller when painting. Paint can get almost anywhere, so you are better off making sure the space is either empty or everything is protected with dropcloths and furniture is covered with sheets.

If you are painting the walls in addition to the ceiling, the ceiling should be done first. The paint will most likely drip onto the walls when painting so painting ceilings first are the best way to go. If the ceiling is the only thing that needs to be painted, then you will have to take the extra steps to also protect the walls. This may mean covering with plastic sheeting.

4. Cutting In - Cutting in can be hard as it is, and for many people getting a straight line is almost impossible. Cutting in between the ceiling and walls is much more difficult to do. You may want to consider using painters tape or again hiring a professional painter who can easily cut in the ceiling and produce that crisp clean line that will make the painting job look really great in the end.

5. Neck Strain - It is much harder to paint on a horizontal space where you have to bend your neck all the way back just to see what you are doing. It takes a lot more muscle to do the job. If you have back or neck problems, you definitely want to avoid this type of painting work.

So, now that you realize the amount of hard work needed to paint ceilings, think about how much time and energy you would save if you hired a professional painter. Don’t waste your money on useless tools that you will only use once every few years. Don’t risk hurting yourself and getting frustrated over a job that can easily be done by someone else. Painting Contractors have the expertise needed to fix problem areas. They have the tools and materials needed to do the job right. They have the experience and detail to achieve a clean and professional outcome.