I'm about to repaint the inside of my house, and I'm dealing with old baseboard trim that hasn't been touched since 2003. The last experience I had with painting was pretty awful — I used flat paint that just looks dull, and the trim paint was so thick it felt like painting with toothpaste. Now, instead of trying to clean and paint the existing trim, I'm considering replacing it completely. My husband thinks replacing it is too expensive and insists there's no other option. I'm worried that scrubbing and prepping the current trim will take ages and may not even turn out any better. Does anyone know of affordable alternatives to replacing the trim, or is it really worth the investment?
3 Answers
You know, replacing trim isn't as hard as it might seem. If you've got some basic tools and skills, you can do it without too much trouble! Just keep in mind that you'll need to spend some time on caulking and filling gaps to get it looking nice. The material cost isn’t extreme, maybe $1.50-$2.50 per foot for decent trim. If you find that the old paint is really caked on, you might be better off sanding it down first or even considering fresh trim completely. Good luck with your project!
If you install the trim yourself, it can actually be pretty affordable if you choose budget-friendly options. You'll still need to do some prep work and paint it, though. A lot of people prefer to paint the trim before installation and then just touch up the nail holes afterwards. Have you thought about taking on the install yourself? You might also find decent trim at surplus stores, which can save some cash! Can we see a picture of your current trim?
For trim, I'd recommend going with semi-gloss paint. It’s resistant to scuffs, and you can just clean it with a damp rag and go straight to painting! But if your trim is really in bad shape, it might be worth looking into replacement options. MDF baseboards are relatively inexpensive, usually around $1-2 per linear foot, but remember they need to be primed and painted before you install them.