The processes of painting a residential home versus a commercial space may not seem too different at a glance, but there are several key differences between the two that professional painters and their clients need to take into account. Understanding these differences when looking for painting contractors in Melbourne will ensure you know what to expect for the length and price of your proposed project.
We’ve created a list of the key differences between commercial and residential painting jobs so you can make an informed decision next time you need residential or commercial painters.
Let’s get clear on what these two types of painting entail.
Residential Painting: This refers to painting the spaces where people live, such as homes and single apartments. Residential painting projects are small, fast to complete and usually for decorative purposes. It includes both indoor painting and exterior painting.
Commercial Painting: This refers to painting the spaces where people work, such as warehouses, schools, hospitals and entire office buildings. These jobs are more complex, require more painters and can include painting for both decor and for protective purposes. It involves painting indoor and exterior surfaces too.
Some painting companies specialise in a certain type of painting, while others offer both. Make sure to check if the painting company you are interested in offers the service you require!
Now that you know about these types of painting, let’s discuss some of the major differences between residential and commercial painting services and how they operate.
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The tools and paint supplies used by residential and commercial painters will differ, although both should be high quality and low VOC, making them environmentally friendly.
A residential painter’s kit often includes smaller-scale tools like painting trays, rollers, step ladders and paintbrushes. These allow for precise work over smaller spaces, which is necessary to create the beautiful look many homeowners desire.
The properties of paint used by residential painting contractors will differ depending on what part of the house is being painted. Paint used on the outside of a home will need to be UV and weather-resistant, while paint for bathrooms and kitchens should be moisture-proof to prevent mould growth from steam and water.
Residential painters will offer a wide range of products in terms of colour palettes, textures and paint finishes to suit the personal preferences of their client. These paints won’t need to be overly durable, as they won’t be directly exposed to harsh sunlight, extensive foot traffic or danger from machinery.
The materials used by commercial painters need to be able to withstand the heavy traffic and wear of a business. They will use large, heavy-duty equipment and high-volume paint sprayers to paint large surfaces quickly, and use machinery like scissor or aerial lifts to paint at high elevations.
Paints used for commercial purposes need to be all about function first and form second. These paints need to be able to resist various weather conditions, heat, fire, water and wear if they are in high-traffic areas, as well as the occasional nick and scratch from tools and machinery. Many commercial paints will have a protective coating to help them resist damage. Epoxy coatings are common and can also add a smooth and shiny finish to the space.
The timelines of residential and commercial projects tend to differ for several reasons, although both can blow out if the project isn’t planned carefully.
Painting projects for residential spaces tend to take less time, although this can depend on how many surfaces are being painted. But more importantly, these projects allow for greater flexibility in scheduling the service, as painters need only work around the needs of the residents.
Clients can remain in their residential property while the painting is happening, simply vacating the room when needed. This also allows the painter easy access to the property and any spaces they require. Residents can also simply choose to vacate the house when the painter is working.
Scheduling for commercial painting contractors can be tricky, as they often need to work around business hours and holidays, all on a strict timeline. Some businesses or areas will also require specific regulations to be followed, such as only working at certain times of the day or having limits as to how high they can extend their tools.
Commercial painting will usually happen outside of classic store hours to avoid business disruption, which can make it hard when all business owners want their painting done at the same time! Because of the larger scale of these projects, they also tend to take longer and require more coats of paint to provide that extra durability.
The Resolute Group offers quality painting services when you need commercial painters in Prahran, Brighton and Hampton.
The size and detail between residential and commercial painting projects are quite different, leading to distinct levels of complexity when planning and executing these painting projects.
Most residential painting services are much easier to complete, as they need fewer materials and cover a smaller area, like only four walls in a room of a house. Scheduling is easy, protective coatings aren’t usually required, and no special equipment or coatings are needed to create the necessary finish for a home or apartment.
Painting a whole building with tall ceilings, multiple rooms, and intricate layouts adds to the complexity of many commercial painting jobs. Many of these surfaces will require specialised machinery to reach, and combined with the need for multiple coats of paint and sealer, you will have a lot of painting to do!
These large-scale projects may also have OSHA regulations to follow, which can mean extra time spent implementing these rules and finding the best to complete work safely.
Painted surfaces sometimes need extra maintenance to keep them looking good, whether it be a simple colour refresh or the repair of damage to the paint itself.
Unless it is damaged, the paint inside homes won’t need to be refreshed too often. More often, a new coat of paint is required if the residence is being sold or majorly renovated. New paint may be required if the walls have suffered mould, smoke or water damage.
Because commercial areas receive such high traffic their paint will need to be redone more often. Not only can it be worn down, but certain industries that require heavy machinery use indoors or the movement of large products such as furniture and vehicles may find the paint on their walls is damaged and needs a fresh coat to patch the mark.
Our commercial painters in Preston, Camberwell and Dandenong are available for residential and commercial painting projects.
Do you need commercial painters in Melbourne? The Resolute Group offers high-quality painting services to both residential and commercial properties. With over 50 years of combined experience, our professional painting contractors are some of the most trusted commercial painting companies in Melbourne!
Contact our team at 1300 366 544 or fill out our online order form to learn more about what we do, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Our residential and commercial building painters offer a free quote on new projects and use only the best high-performance paints when we work.
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