Everything in the home needs maintenance, but some areas need it more often than others. As a painting contractor, we often hear the questions that people have about their baseboards: “How often should I paint baseboards?” “How can I clean my baseboards?” “What kind of paint should I use on my baseboards?” “Do I need to caulk my baseboards?” “How do you paint baseboards?” Since nearly everyone’s home has baseboards but hardly anyone ever talks about them, we thought it would be helpful to offer a few tips.
How Often Should You Paint Baseboards?
Because we normally paint baseboards with a strong eggshell or semi-gloss paint, they can stand some washing and abuse. Nevertheless, baseboards tend to get kicked and bumped frequently and will often need repainting before the walls and crown molding. Baseboards in high-traffic areas would benefit from annual repainting to maintain a crisp appearance, while other areas, like guest rooms and offices, can look good even 5 years later.
How Do You Clean Baseboards?
Baseboards tend to collect dust on the upper surface, gradually building up a thin layer of grime in the corner where it meets the wall. Regular dusting will help, but a soft sponge with warm water and a bit of soap will keep them looking much fresher. You can also use this technique to remove scuffs and smudges. Make sure you dry the surface with a towel before the water dries on.
What Kind of Paint Should I Use on My Baseboards?
Since baseboards are very often scuffed, scraped, bumped and kicked and need to be washed from time to time, it is best to use a high-quality paint with a strong finish. Semi-gloss is a common choice for baseboards and other detailed features, such as cabinets, moldings and trim.
Do I Need to Caulk My Baseboards?
In order to achieve the cleanest lines and sharpest look, it is a good idea to caulk your baseboards. This bridges the gap between baseboard and wall, which otherwise is a magnet for dust and grime. It also covers most irregularities that might exist where the wall or baseboard is not straight, leaving a gap. Use a paintable caulk or find a color that matches your paint exactly.
A.G. Williams employs expertly-trained painters who are skilled and experienced in painting and caulking baseboards. Besides caulking or painting baseboards, we can also install or upgrade your baseboards, or replace damaged pieces. In addition, we offer paint maintenance services, which would keep all of your baseboards looking constantly in beautiful condition.
Have any more questions? Contact us for a free consultation!