While every project is different, the general recommendation is to complete the majority of the painting before the final hardwood floor finish is applied.
Planning the sequence correctly can save both time and money while reducing the risk of accidental damage.
Painting Can Be Messy
Even experienced painters occasionally drip paint, drop tools or move ladders across the floor.
It's much easier to protect a hardwood floor that's about to be sanded than one that has already received its final finish. Minor paint splatters on an old finish are removed during the sanding process, while fresh paint on a newly refinished floor can become an unnecessary repair.
Finish the Dust-Producing Work First
Home improvement projects often involve drywall repairs, texture work, sanding and painting.
Whenever possible, these projects should be completed before the final coats of finish are applied to your hardwood floors. Reducing airborne dust helps produce a cleaner final finish and minimizes cleanup afterward.
Touch-Up Painting Comes Last
Once the hardwood floors have been refinished, minor touch-up painting is perfectly normal.
Baseboards are often reinstalled or repainted after flooring has been completed. The key is protecting the newly finished floor with clean drop cloths and working carefully to avoid unnecessary spills or scratches.
Coordinate Your Contractors
If multiple contractors are involved in your remodeling project, communication is essential.
Scheduling painters, flooring contractors and other trades in the proper order helps eliminate delays and reduces the chance of one contractor accidentally damaging another contractor's work.
A little planning before work begins often prevents expensive mistakes later.
Protect Newly Finished Floors
Once your hardwood floors have been refinished, they deserve extra care.
Heavy ladders, toolboxes and construction traffic should be kept off the floor until the finish has completely cured. Even though the finish may feel dry, it continues hardening for some time afterward.
If you're wondering when it's safe to resume normal activity, our article How Long After Hardwood Floor Refinishing Can You Walk on Your Floors? explains the difference between drying and curing.
Plan the Project—Not Just the Individual Jobs
Whether you're updating a single room or remodeling an entire home, the order in which projects are completed has a direct impact on the final result.
By coordinating painting and hardwood floor refinishing properly, you'll help protect your investment while ensuring each contractor can perform their work under the best possible conditions.
If you're preparing for an upcoming refinishing project, our article How to Prepare Your Home for Hardwood Floor Refinishing offers additional suggestions to help everything run smoothly.
