the painted surface

How To Paint a Two Story Room

Two story rooms or rooms of heights greater than 10 to 12 feet are common in homes. Though most of the time these rooms are painted with the usual methods, the greater heights and size may require special tips and techniques. The usual painting techniques will be used also and for help with them see "How To Paint a Room" for general painting help.

In preparation to paint a two story room consider these tips.

Two story rooms are large, more time will be needed to complete the job. Also more drop cloths, paint and equipment is needed. Look closely for cracks. High walls seem to develop more cracks due to expansion and contraction or settling. Will scaffolding be required? Usually not for the walls but scaffolding may be the only way to paint the ceiling. A color on the ceiling is an attractive alternative to white. The color will draw the eye up to enjoy the entire space. An assistant is required to help move, adjust and secure the ladders. Large ladders are needed so be prepared to empty the room of decorative items and furniture as much as possible.

Painting a two story room will require these tools and equipment.

• Have on hand extra long adjustable extensions for the roller handles.
• Extension ladders of sufficient height to work safely at the top of the room will be needed.
• A step ladder from 6 to 12 feet in size depending on the room will be helpful.
• Non skid rubber pads to place under the ladders will prevent slippage and protect the floor. Also always have an assistant to scotch the ladder at the bottom.
• Use a pot hook to hang the work pot when working from an extension ladder. Do not try to hold it, hold the ladder.
• Use drop cloths to cover the entire area.
• A half inch or denser lambswool roller cover is helpful. It will hold more paint, minimizing reloads.

When painting a two story room these techniques are helpful.

• When working on hardwood or tile floors never place a ladder on a dropcloth. The ladder will slide. Instead place the ladder on a non skid rubber pad on the floor. Have an assistant to stand behind the ladder to secure it in place.
• If the walls need multiple coats, cut in the high spots the required number of times before rolling. Use a fan to speed up the drying time. This way the ladders will not be leaned on a freshly painted surface. Also the big ladders can be taken out of the way once they are no longer needed.
• To roll a two story wall, place a step ladder facing the wall and a few feet away from it. Load the roller and roll from a few steps up the step ladder. This method puts the roller closer to the middle of the wall enabling the use of a shorter extension.
• Roll the entire height of the wall whenever possible. This reduces the starts and stops of the rolling pattern. Start at one corner and work across to the next.
Use a roller cover with a thick nap which will hold more paint reducing the times to stop and reload.

These steps make painting a two story room a simpler task. More details about specific painting subjects are covered in the additional articles. In those will be found details, tips and techniques gathered from over 20 years of painting experience. Here is a list of links to the articles: