Painting the walls of your home is an excellent way to give it a fresh look. According to painting contractors, however, you should apply a primer first. Below, the home improvement experts at Alaska Painting & Construction in Anchorage discuss primer, its importance, and when it’s best to use.

What Is Paint Primer?

Primer is a coating that goes on walls before painting. Without this undercoating, the paint job can look blotchy and uneven because it won’t dry correctly. The paint can also flake off with ease or leave behind marks from brush strokes. However, using primer will create a smooth, even layer for the paint to spread across and bind onto.

Why Is Primer Necessary?

Though it seems excessive to purchase and apply a primer to your walls before painting them, it’s quite beneficial. It eliminates the need to buy additional paint, which you might need once it chips or you want to cover up brush marks. It also saves time because you will not have to work as hard to get even coverage.

What Surfaces Need Primer the Most?

Not all interior painting jobs require a primer. However, painting contractors say there are several situations when using this undercoating first will maximize results, such as:

• Unfinished Wood: Primer helps seal in resins, creating a smooth surface for the paint coat.
• New Drywall: Drywall is highly absorbent, but primer creates a seal so that additional coats of paint are unnecessary.
• Dramatic Color Change: When changing wall colors from dark to light, an undercoating will prevent the old hue from seeping through the new paint.

If you are interested in giving your home an upgrade, don’t hesitate to reach out to Alaska Painting & Construction. Whether you need interior or exterior house painting or a home remodeling, their highly trained team has the skills to make your property look its best. To learn more about their services, visit their website, or call (907) 830-3050 to speak with a helpful painting contractor.