Primed and Ready: Why Wall Primer is Essential

Tony 03/05/2024
what is wall primer

If you're excited about an upcoming home renovation or room makeover, you may have already excitedly picked out your low VOC paint, paintbrushes, and other equipment to DIY this project. But before you start painting a new color on the walls, you'll have one more task to do: prime. But you might be wondering, what IS wall primer? And do I really HAVE to use it? We'll be answering both of those important questions in today's post.

What is Wall Primer, Anyway?

First thing's first: what is wall primer? Wall primers, also known as paint primers, are used to prepare and protect the surface you'll be painting. Using a primer will create a smoother and cleaner end result, allowing you to hide stains and create a stronger bond between the paint and the surface itself. If you're familiar with how a face primer is used in the realm of cosmetics, it's the same basic concept. You'll create a smoother surface to work with, prep and protect your skin, and end up with a nicer finish that lasts a lot longer.

Why Do I Need Wall Primer?

After Googling "what is wall primer," a lot of homeowners want to know whether it's really necessary for a given project. It's easy to understand why: having to paint a couple of coats of primer first makes for double the work when you're DIYing your renovation. But in most cases, it really is a necessary step.

If you, for example, tried to paint some drywall without using a primer first, the paint could end up soaking into the porous surface of the drywall. This would cause the finished product to look uneven, blotchy, and rough. In other cases, failure to use a primer could cause the paint color you've chosen to look completely different than what was shown in the sample. Although a 2017 analysis found that home with blue bathroom sold for $5,400 more than expected, you might not be able to achieve the exact hue you're after if you don't use a primer first. The end result will often look lighter and more washed out than intended. What's more, not using a primer could actually cause your paint to peel. That's particularly true if your home is located in an area prone to humidity. Not only will this do no favors for the value of your home, but improper paint adhesion will make it more difficult for you to clean that room properly. In the end, you're just asking for trouble if you don't use a wall primer prior to painting.

Now that you understand the importance of priming walls before painting them, you'll be able to achieve the result that will blow your family (or future buyers) away. Of course, our zero-VOC primers are one of the most effective ways to ensure your paint job turns out great and that your family stays healthy. For more information, please contact us today.

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