Painting ceilings

L
by L
I would like to paint my 10 foot ceilings and would appreciate any tips you can pass on. I’m 5’4”.
thank you!

  9 answers
  • Bijous Bijous on Oct 23, 2017

    I use an 8 foot A frame ladder. You can rent at Home Depot. Worth the rental.

    • L L on Oct 23, 2017

      Thanks so much, I would never have known about that!

  • Bobbie Bobbie on Oct 23, 2017

    I would rent scaffolding. Cover more area and is safer to stand on when needing to go that high. Most scaffolding is on wheels so easy to move around the perimeter of the room.

    • L L on Oct 23, 2017

      Thank you, I’ll check into this.

  • Roxaneg Roxaneg on Oct 23, 2017
    • You can get an extension for rollers and brushes-- it's adjustable for the height of the ceilings and screws into bottom of the roller handle or has a cradle for the brush. Make sure you get one that reaches before leaving the store.
    • Even a short extension while on the ladder gives you more reach.
    • Bijous_2010 idea of renting an 8' ladder is a good idea.
    • You can never have enough drop cloths or tape. Prep the area well-- cover things you really don't want to get slopped up with paint.
    • Give yourself breaks. I'm 5'8" and the ceiling is a bear using an extension or climbing up and down a ladder. Your arms will wonder why you are angry with them.
    • Be systematic. After prepping the area, start in one corner.
    • A paint and primer is supposed to spatter less. A good quality paint is a good investment since it will have more pigment which means less painting for you.
    • Be careful. Everyone knows someone who did something when they were painting. Sure and steady wins the race.
    • L L on Oct 23, 2017

      Thank you so much for your detailed advice. It’s truly appreciated!

  • Julie Julie on Oct 23, 2017

    They have roller pole extensions, at your height you will most likely still need a ladder. I would only do a scaffold if I was creating a texture to the ceiling.

  • Rent a scaffold, get help or hire out. How much space are you painting? If one or two rooms, rent a ladder and rent a painting pole and knock it out yourself, even though it will be a lot of up and down. If a whole house, I would opt for the pros as they can knock it out in a matter of a few hours - more time will be spent on prep than actual painting. Wish I could loan you my 6'4" and 6'6" friends!

    • See 1 previous
    • L L on Oct 23, 2017

      Oh yes, how I wish I could borrow your friends! 😂

  • Stephanie DeMaya Stephanie DeMaya on Oct 23, 2017

    Have a paint party. Invite a few friends to help you move the furniture to the middle of the room. Definitely take the time to tape where you do not want your ceiling color. This is where friends come in. Just say you have wine. They will come :D But, Home Depot has a smart roller. Less than 30 bucks. It comes with a cover to help paint not splatter. You can extend it with a mop/broom handle even if you have one that allows you to screw it on and off. All your furniture and stuff in the middle will make painting go faster. Less hassles climbing over stuff. The smart roller has a suction tube. That scoops up the paint in the handle so you do not have to keep re-rolling the paint in the pan and keep walking back and forth. Saves you time less mess. Hope that helps. I am same height.

  • L L on Oct 23, 2017

    Thank you! The wine just might be the trick!

  • Sharon Sharon on Oct 23, 2017

    When I paint ceilings I wear a hat and use a 6' ladder with a paint tray holder, and a long-handled roller. I first tape around top of walls with painters tape, and lay down drop clothes or plastic drop clothes. I also tape around any ceiling light fixture or take off the shade.

    Then I cut in with a brush around the edges, and then roll on the paint. If you don't feel confident on the ladder, you can then switch to a long pole and roller to paint from the floor.

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Oct 23, 2017

    This is one time that you ought to consider using a pro. Dollar for dollar, it is worth it. Especially for tall ceilings where you risk injury.