Why should you not paint a new build?

The reason being that the wood frame, plaster, and other building materials used need time to dry and settle before you can apply paint. In addition, premature painting can lead to cracks and nail pops, affecting the final quality of the paint finish.

How soon can you paint walls in a new build?

Pause before painting

Your new home will have absorbed water as it was being built and needs to dry out gradually. According to the NHBC, this takes around nine months, during which time you may notice minor cracks in walls, gaps in joinery and white deposits on the walls. These are all common signs of shrinkage.

Can you paint straight away in a new build?

A new build home must be left to dry out. It is advisable to wait for the house to dry out and settle as small hairline cracks and nail pops will appear in the first 6-12 months. This is completely normal, after this, there should be no problem decorating your new house.

What paint to use on a new build?

Contract matt emulsion, the most common type of paint used on new-builds, is microporous, which means moisture in the wall can dry without causing the paint to bubble (as would be the case with the vinyl-based paints you'll be more familiar with.

Why do new builds use flat paint?

The lack of shine make the paint blend better with the previous paint. Builders do not like to have to paint walls edge to edge, so they use flat paint. During the building process, there are many trades that come into the home and damage the paint job. This makes it easier to fix.

What paint color do most builders use?

Builder's Beige is the generic colour that most new homes come with. It usually is the colour that a builder uses for an entire subdivision of homes.

What looks better flat or eggshell paint?

Eggshell paint just looks richer than flat paint. The slightly higher sheen creates light reflection, which in turn gives the colors more depth and richness. Depth of color is what makes colors interesting and dynamic, especially if you are painting neutral paint colors.

Should you paint a new house?

Put your personal stamp on your new home and begin the next phase of your life by painting your new home before officially moving in. Painting before settling into your new house is ideal for many situations — it can minimize stress, save time and finalize your decor decisions prior to moving in.

How long does it take for a new build house to dry out?

New builds, in particular, are susceptible to condensation as the building dries out. It can take up to 12 months for a new build property to fully dry out. As well as causing damage to a property, mould spores are a known allergen to humans, causing a raft of health problems.

How soon can you hang pictures in a new build?

Your home needs time to settle

With all the beautiful patterned wallpapers out there, we totally understand why a feature wall may be calling your name – but builders recommend leaving 6-12 months between move-in and wallpapering.

Can I paint my front door new build?

Painting a front door is a great way to give the entrance to your home a fresh new look. It doesn't matter what type of front door you have. All you need to do is prepare properly and apply the right paint to get a good-looking and durable finish.

How do you dry out new construction?

Use a Ventilator or Dehumidifier

“Using a ventilator or dehumidifier will get the moisture out of the foundation, floor, and wood,” he said. Builders should aim for moisture content of less than 15 percent in wood and a relative humidity rating during construction of less than 70 percent.

Is damp common in new builds?

However, new build houses are not entirely immune to damp. Condensation can occur in a new build home because of the amount of moisture that is used in the build process. Here we will take you through the best ways to prevent damp.

Why do new build houses crack?

Many of the materials used to build a home (such as mortar, plaster and concrete) contain a lot of water when they are built-in and can shrink as they dry out. This may lead to some minor cracks in walls and floors as your new home fully dries out over several months after you move in.

Are new builds badly built?

Quality and Snags – New builds often get a bad press with stories of poor quality making the headlines. Even with the best new build home, you can still expect snags like doors getting stuck on new carpets or a loose tile.

Does painting outside of house add value?

Both interior and exterior painting are projects with a significant return-on-investment (ROI). On average nationally, painting both the inside and outside of your home yields a $4,000+ value bump. That's a 107% ROI for interior painting and a 55% ROI for exterior painting.

How do you paint a brand new house?

Why you shouldn't use flat paint?

If your wall has imperfections like uneven texture, patches or joints, flat paint will absorb light and make them less noticeable. However, flat finishes are not very durable and need to be carefully cleaned. Scrubbing flat paint could wear down the finish and cause sheen to appear in patchy spots.

Why do people paint walls flat?

Providing a simple smooth appearance, flat paint is Henderson's go-to. “Because it doesn't reflect light directly, imperfections in walls and ceilings are much less noticeable,” Moran says. Flat paint works best in low-traffic areas, such as the master bedroom, a study, or a formal living room.

What color paint best hides imperfections?

Using Dark Color Paint:

Just like the same way, flat finishes reduce dent visibility; darker paints also reflect less light than lighter paints. This makes them a better choice for hiding drywall imperfections. The only drawback of using dark color paint often makes the room look smaller.

What is builders grade paint?

Builder-grade paints meet the low-price point required by builders and may touch-up fairly well, but are generally not very durable. If you have ever purchased a new home, or a home that was never painted since it was built, think of what happened when you tried to wipe a mark off the wall.

What white do most builders use?

White Dove, Benjamin Moore

It is one of the most recommended and used white paint colors out there! There is nothing cold about this white.

What color white do builders use on ceilings?

The most common color used on ceilings is “Swiss Coffee White,” Campbell adds, a very soft white with a hint of beige in it. This color contrasts other darker wall colors well, but doesn't look too bright, and it hides imperfections nicely.

How do you stop damp in a new build?

Always use a ventilation system when showering and leave it on for about 15 minutes after showering. This way the humid air can leave the bathroom and avoid mould from settling on the walls. If you do not have a ventilation system that expels the air to the outside, you should open a window here as well.