Painting and Decorating in Brighton and Hove: A Practical Guide
Good painting and decorating is not simply about applying a new colour.
The quality and durability of the finished surface depend heavily on what is underneath it.
Cracked plaster, loose paint, moisture, failed render, poor previous repairs and unsuitable coatings can all affect how a newly decorated room or elevation performs.
Safe-Bricks undertakes painting and decorating across Brighton and Hove as part of both standalone decorating projects and wider building renovations.
Our approach is straightforward: prepare the substrate properly, repair defects before covering them and choose a finish appropriate to the wall, timber or surface beneath it.
Preparation Is the Most Important Stage
A newly painted surface can only perform as well as the background beneath it.
Before decorating, preparation may include:
- Protecting floors and adjoining finishes
- Removing loose paint
- Scraping failing coatings
- Sanding
- Filling minor defects
- Repairing cracks
- Preparing bare timber
- Priming repaired surfaces
- Repairing damaged plaster
- Cleaning contaminated surfaces
- Replacing failed sealant
- Making good following building work
Rushing preparation often produces a visually acceptable result initially but reduces the life of the finished decoration.
Painting Interior Walls
Interior walls can have very different backgrounds.
These may include:
- New gypsum plaster
- Existing painted plaster
- Lime plaster
- Plasterboard
- Previously wallpapered walls
- Historic plaster
- Areas containing local repairs
The correct preparation depends on the substrate.
A newly plastered wall, for example, should not simply be treated in exactly the same way as an existing sound painted wall.
Decorating New Plaster
New plaster needs to reach an appropriate condition before final decoration.
The drying period depends on:
- Plaster type
- Thickness
- Background
- Temperature
- Ventilation
- Humidity
Gypsum and lime plaster also have different drying and finishing requirements.
The paint system should therefore be selected after identifying what plaster has actually been used.
Decorating Lime Plaster
Lime plaster is often used on suitable traditional solid-wall construction.
Where lime has been selected partly to improve the wall's ability to dry, the decorative finish should not unnecessarily restrict that performance.
Depending on the system, appropriate finishes may include:
- Mineral paints
- Lime-based coatings
- Other suitably vapour-permeable paints
The exact product should be selected according to the plaster specification.
Using lime plaster and then automatically covering it with a highly resistant coating can undermine part of the reason the lime system was chosen.
Not Every Old Wall Needs Specialist Paint
It is equally important not to overcomplicate decoration unnecessarily.
A modern internal partition within an old house may be plasterboard and gypsum plaster.
That wall can have completely different requirements from the original solid external wall beside it.
The age of the property alone does not determine which paint should be used.
The actual wall construction does.
Decorating Older Houses in Brighton
Brighton and Hove contain a large number of older properties with:
- Solid walls
- Bungaroosh
- Flint
- Lime mortar
- Historic plaster
- Later gypsum repairs
- Repeated layers of paint and wallpaper
This can create unusual combinations of materials within one room.
Before substantial redecorating, it can therefore be useful to establish:
Before substantial redecorating, it can therefore be useful to establish:
- Which walls are original
- Which have been altered
- Where plaster has been repaired
- Whether moisture is present
- Whether existing coatings are sound
Decoration should follow the condition of those surfaces rather than conceal unresolved defects.
Painting Over Cracks
Minor hairline cracking can often be prepared and repaired as part of normal decorating.
More significant or recurring cracks require greater attention.
Possible causes include:
- Plaster shrinkage
- Movement between different materials
- Failed previous repairs
- Structural movement
- Loose plaster
- Thermal movement
- Water damage
If a crack repeatedly reappears, simply filling and repainting it may not provide a lasting solution.
The cause should be considered first.
Painting Over Damp
This is one of the most common decorating mistakes.
If a wall is visibly damp, stained or repeatedly losing paint, applying another decorative coating should not be the first response.
Possible moisture sources include:
- Roof leaks
- Gutters
- Downpipes
- Plumbing leaks
- Defective render
- Failed pointing
- Condensation
- Poor ventilation
- High external ground levels
- Defective window details
The source should be investigated and repaired before the finished wall is redecorated.
Moisture-Meter Readings
A handheld moisture meter can help identify areas that warrant further investigation.
It does not identify the cause of the moisture.
A high reading does not automatically mean:
- Rising damp
- A failed damp-proof course
- The wall needs tanking
- The plaster needs replacing
The building, wall construction and pattern of deterioration need to be assessed together.
Mould Before Decorating
Mould is usually associated with conditions that allow persistent surface moisture.
Potential contributing factors include:
- Condensation
- Low surface temperatures
- Poor ventilation
- High internal humidity
- Furniture positioned tightly against cold external walls
- Water penetration
Simply painting over mould does not correct the condition that allowed it to grow.
Before redecorating, the underlying moisture and ventilation conditions should be addressed.
Stained Walls and Ceilings
Previous leaks can leave staining even after the water source has been repaired.
Before final decoration:
- 1Confirm the leak is no longer active.
- 2Allow the affected construction to dry appropriately.
- 3Repair damaged plaster where necessary.
- 4Prepare the surface.
- 5Use an appropriate stain-blocking system if required.
- 6Apply the final decorative finish.
Painting immediately after repairing the leak can trap residual moisture behind the finish or lead to staining reappearing.
Wallpaper Removal
Removing wallpaper can reveal defects that were previously hidden.
These may include:
- Cracked plaster
- Loose plaster
- Previous patching
- Water staining
- Multiple older coatings
- Poorly prepared surfaces
The wall should be assessed once the paper has been removed.
It may require local filling, repair or more extensive plastering before it is suitable for painting or re-papering.
Wallpaper or Paint?
Both can work well.
Paint provides:
- Easy colour changes
- Straightforward future maintenance
- A clean finish
- Wide product choice
Wallpaper can provide:
Wallpaper can provide:
- Pattern
- Texture
- Strong decorative impact
- Feature areas
The condition of the wall is important for either option.
Wallpaper should not be used simply to hide defective plaster.
Choosing Paint Colour
Colour should be considered in relation to:
- Natural light
- Room orientation
- Artificial lighting
- Flooring
- Furniture
- Joinery
- Adjoining rooms
- Existing architectural features
Brighton properties often have tall windows and distinctive room proportions, but not every room receives abundant natural light.
The same colour can appear considerably different depending on orientation and time of day.
Use Samples in the Actual Room
Paint colour should ideally be assessed in the room where it will be used.
Look at samples:
- In daylight
- In artificial light
- In the morning
- In the evening
- Beside flooring
- Beside woodwork
- Beside existing furniture
A colour chosen from a screen or small printed card can look substantially different once it covers an entire wall.
Ceilings
Ceilings can require:
- Crack repair
- Local plastering
- Making good following electrical work
- Stain treatment after leaks
- Sanding
- Priming
- Painting
Where significant cracking or movement is present, the ceiling should be inspected before it is simply filled and repainted.
Doors, Skirting and Internal Joinery
Painting joinery generally requires more preparation than painting walls.
Work may involve:
- Cleaning
- Sanding
- Filling
- Caulking
- Priming bare areas
- Undercoating
- Applying finishing coats
Existing paint condition is important.
Loose or poorly bonded layers should not simply be buried beneath additional coats.
Sash Windows
Traditional sash windows and their surrounds are particularly common in Brighton and Hove.
Decorating can involve:
- Preparing timber
- Removing loose coatings
- Filling minor defects
- Priming
- Repainting
- Making good surrounding plaster
- Repairing external render around openings
Where significant timber decay is found, it should be assessed rather than concealed with filler and paint.
Exterior Painting
External decoration faces very different conditions from interior paint.
Brighton elevations can be exposed to:
- Wind-driven rain
- Coastal weather
- Sunlight
- Repeated wetting and drying
- Salt-laden air
- Temperature changes
Exterior coatings therefore need to be suitable for both the substrate and the level of exposure.
Painting Render
Before painting rendered walls, inspect the render itself.
Look for:
- Cracking
- Hollow areas
- Detachment
- Water staining
- Failed patches
- Poor detailing
- Loose existing paint
If the render is defective, repainting should normally wait until the underlying repair has been completed.
Painting Lime Render
Where external lime render has been specified to provide a compatible finish for traditional masonry, the final coating should be selected as part of that system.
Potential finishes can include suitable:
- Mineral paints
- Limewash
- Other vapour-permeable coatings
depending on the render.
The chosen finish should provide suitable weather protection without unnecessarily restricting drying.
Coastal Exterior Decoration
Properties closer to the seafront may require more frequent maintenance because of increased weather exposure.
Particular attention should be given to:
- Window sills
- Timber joints
- Horizontal surfaces
- Fascias
- External doors
- Render cracks
- Areas below gutters
- Exposed corners
Maintenance of these details can prevent local coating failure developing into a more substantial building defect.
Flaking Exterior Paint
Flaking paint can have several causes.
These include:
- Poor previous preparation
- Incompatible paint layers
- Moisture behind the coating
- Failed render
- Weathering
- Painting onto a contaminated surface
- Poor adhesion
The loose coating should be removed and the reason for failure considered before repainting.
Bubbling or Blistering Paint
Blistering can indicate a loss of adhesion or moisture affecting the coating.
The correct response is not necessarily to burst the blister and paint over it.
The underlying surface should be inspected to determine whether the problem relates to:
- Water
- Heat
- Incompatible coatings
- Poor preparation
- Substrate deterioration
Paint Is the Final Layer of a Building Repair
Where decoration follows substantial wall repair, the normal sequence should be:
- 1Identify the construction.
- 2Repair active building defects.
- 3Repair masonry where required.
- 4Reinstate appropriate plaster or render.
- 5Allow suitable drying.
- 6Prepare the surface.
- 7Apply the appropriate decorative finish.
The decoration should complete the repair rather than conceal unfinished work.
Decorating After Bungaroosh Repairs
Where bungaroosh has been repaired and finished with lime render or lime plaster, final decoration should be chosen according to the new wall system.
That may differ from the paint used on nearby modern walls.
Using different paint systems within the same property can be entirely appropriate where the substrates differ.
Decorating After Renovation Work
Painting and decorating is often the final stage of larger Safe-Bricks projects.
These can include:
- Kitchen renovations
- Bathroom renovations
- Plastering
- Home extensions
- Garage conversions
- Structural alterations
- Traditional wall repairs
- Lime rendering
Planning the decoration alongside the building work helps ensure the surfaces are ready before the final finish is applied.
Kitchens
Kitchen decorating needs to account for:
- Higher levels of cleaning
- Cooking moisture
- Splashing
- Cabinet junctions
- Tiled areas
- Lighting
Paint type and sheen should be selected according to where it will be used.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms present greater moisture exposure than typical living spaces.
Important considerations include:
- Extraction
- Condensation
- Splash zones
- Waterproof finishes
- Ceiling coatings
- Wall preparation
Decorative paint should not be used as a substitute for proper waterproofing in areas that require it.
Decorating Period Features
Older Brighton homes may contain:
- Cornices
- Ceiling roses
- Panelled doors
- Timber mouldings
- Fireplaces
- Picture rails
- Decorative plasterwork
These details often require considerably more preparation than plain modern surfaces.
Where a feature is original or historically significant, careful repair may be preferable to replacement.
Painting Listed Buildings
Listed buildings can require additional consideration.
Decoration itself can sometimes form part of the historic character, particularly where work involves:
particularly where work involves:
- Significant historic decorative schemes
- External colour changes
- Removal of original finishes
- Alteration of architectural detailing
Where work may affect the special interest of a listed building, the consent position should be established before proceeding.
Conservation Areas
Exterior decorating within a conservation area may also warrant additional checking.
particularly where:
- A substantial colour change is proposed
- Previously unpainted masonry will be painted
- An Article 4 Direction applies
- The work changes the appearance of a principal elevation
The requirements depend on the individual property and location.
Painting Previously Unpainted Brick or Flint
Painting exposed historic masonry is a much more significant decision than repainting an already painted wall.
It changes both:
- Appearance
- Surface behaviour
Where brick or flint was historically intended to remain exposed, applying paint should not be treated as routine decoration.
Heritage and maintenance implications should be considered first.
How Often Should a House Be Repainted?
There is no fixed interval.
The lifespan of decoration depends on:
- Surface preparation
- Paint system
- Exposure
- Substrate
- Moisture
- Colour
- Building maintenance
- Quality of previous work
A sheltered internal wall can remain attractive for many years.
An exposed exterior timber sill may require attention considerably sooner.
Condition is more useful than relying on an arbitrary repainting schedule.
Should You Use the Most Expensive Paint?
Not necessarily.
Price alone does not establish whether a coating is appropriate.
The important considerations are:
- Correct product for the substrate
- Correct preparation
- Correct application
- Appropriate durability
- Compatibility with existing finishes
- Required appearance
An expensive paint applied over a poorly prepared surface can still fail.
Low-VOC and Alternative Paints
Homeowners increasingly consider the environmental and indoor-air implications of decorative products.
Options include:
- Lower-VOC conventional paints
- Water-based systems
- Mineral paints
- Lime-based coatings
- Other specialist formulations
The appropriate choice depends on where the product is being used and the performance required.
Budgeting for Painting and Decorating
The largest difference between decorating quotations is often not the price of the paint.
It is the amount of preparation included.
A quotation may need to account for:
- Surface protection
- Wallpaper removal
- Filling
- Sanding
- Plaster repairs
- Stain treatment
- Woodwork preparation
- Priming
- Number of coats
- Access
- Scaffolding
- Final making good
When comparing prices, compare the full preparation and finishing scope rather than simply the number of rooms.
Common Painting and Decorating Mistakes
Common problems include:
- Painting over loose coatings
- Insufficient sanding
- Decorating before plaster has dried appropriately
- Covering unresolved damp
- Using the same paint on every substrate
- Poor preparation of timber
- Painting over structural cracks
- Ignoring failed exterior render
- Choosing colour solely from a screen
- Applying unsuitable coatings to lime plaster
Most of these failures originate before the final paint coat is applied.
Safe-Bricks' Approach to Painting and Decorating
Our preferred sequence is:
- 1Inspect the existing surfaces.
- 2Identify any underlying building defects.
- 3Repair moisture, plaster or render problems first.
- 4Remove loose or defective finishes.
- 5Complete filling and preparation.
- 6Prime where required.
- 7Apply the appropriate decorative system.
- 8Inspect and complete final making good.
Where decoration forms part of a larger renovation, the programme is coordinated around the preceding building and plastering work.
Painting and Decorating Services in Brighton and Hove
Safe-Bricks provides painting and decorating for:
- Individual rooms
- Full internal refurbishments
- Exterior elevations
- Renovation projects
- Newly plastered areas
- Traditional lime walls
- Period properties
- Kitchens and bathrooms
- Extensions
- Garage conversions
Planning Painting and Decorating Work in Brighton and Hove?
For an initial assessment, send Safe-Bricks photographs showing:
For an initial assessment, send Safe-Bricks photographs showing:
- The complete room or elevation
- Walls and ceilings
- Existing woodwork
- Cracking
- Flaking or blistering paint
- Areas of staining or mould
- Newly plastered surfaces
- Exterior render where applicable
- Period features requiring repair or decoration
If the decorating follows a leak, damp repair, plastering project or wider renovation, include that information as well.
We can then identify whether the surfaces are ready for decoration or whether repair work should be completed first.
Not sure where to start?
Send us photographs of the area of concern. It is the most straightforward first step — we will look at what you can see and advise on the appropriate next steps.