What’s the difference between commercial and residential painting?

Residential and commercial painting use techniques and products that are different from one another. Understanding the difference between these two painting services is important for homeowners as well as business owners. A professional painter like Surepaint or a homeowner can make more informed decisions about which type of paint and technique to use on a particular surface based on whether they work with commercial or residential property.

In this article, we will discuss the differences between commercial and residential painting. Read on!

Paint Products

Commercial buildings and residences are treated with different products. A commercial paint job usually focuses on protecting the structure from weather, leaching, or temperature changes. In addition to providing the necessary protection from these elements, commercial paints function as a shield against potential liabilities that may arise if there were to be any issues due to faulty exterior paint. Commercial paints are also often designed to be extremely long-lasting and can withstand constant washings from harsh cleaning solutions as well as high traffic.

With residential paint jobs, the process is more of a fine-tuning approach. For example, while commercial paints may need thicker consistency so they don’t chip or fade as easily, you may consider something that is not so thick or tough with a residential paint job. In fact, one of the most common ways to save money on a residential painting project is by selecting high-quality low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, which will still protect from the elements but at a fraction of the cost. 

Coating vs. Painting

The difference between paints and coatings largely depends on the amount of time you have to complete a project, the surface that needs protection, and the costs involved. Paint is usually considered for short-term projects lasting up to two years or less. 

There are several differences in the painting process for both residential and commercial jobs. Residential painting involves a simpler process than commercial projects since there are fewer details involved in the work. Industrial contractors and companies often use two coats of paint for their industrial properties, which is needed to make them more durable against harsh weather conditions. In contrast, residential properties only need one coat of paint.

Sealers

It is important to note that sealers are not necessary for paint coats. They may be used mainly on commercial properties as well as in industrial applications. This is mainly because those kinds of places usually have walls made out of concrete or cement. Sealers can maintain the paint coat from peeling off after months of exposure to sunlight and winds.

Using a sealer for residential properties is unnecessary and can actually damage the property’s surface. Using one of these kinds of coatings would make it more difficult for people to paint over the surface when they decide to change its color scheme. Residential clients should stick with just one coat of paint so that they can easily replace their coatings in the future.

Prep Work for Painting    

Residential painting does not entail the sealing of concrete and other surfaces unless the owner wants to but is often required for commercial properties due to the dirtiness of these areas. This can be done with a commercial-grade sealer that lasts up to 3 years, depending on its quality. These chemicals may need careful maintenance; therefore, they are not very popular among residential clients.

Tools, Equipment, Supplies, and Materials:

There are also many differences in the tools, equipment, supplies, and materials used for industrial and residential painting. Industrial painting requires more complex paint equipment than residential painting. In addition, there is a lot more prep work that goes into industrial properties before they are painted since they need to be properly prepared to ensure that the finished paint job will last for years.

 Experience

Another large difference between the two types of painting is the level of experience required to paint. Industrial painting requires more advanced skills than residential painting since industrial properties tend to require more intricate designs and custom-painted artwork that will last for years. Residential painting can be much easier work at times since there are only a few rooms of wall space that need to be properly painted to complete the work, and most residential jobs do not need as many coats of paint as industrial ones require.  

Bottom Line

There are many differences when it comes to industrial and residential painting. The equipment used for each type of job is different, as well as the paint supplies.