Stating the obvious, residential painting is the painting of houses and commercial is the painting of buildings. Painting is an important part of maintaining both residential and commercial properties, but the standards and requirements for each differ. In this post, we will look at the distinctions between residential and commercial painting.
What is Residential Painting?
Residential painters specialize in protecting and beautifying the interior and exterior of homes. Typical exterior projects are detached homes while interior projects can include townhomes and condominiums.
Residential painting projects are typically smaller in -scale compared to commercial although some residential projects can be quite large. Interior projects frequently involve the painting of rooms, walls, ceilings, doors, and trim, as well as wallpapering. Exterior residential projects involve the preparation and painting of varying substrates on a home including wood, hardie board, stucco and concrete siding and a variety of trim surfaces.
Residential painters typically work directly with the homeowner and act as the project manager and /or consultant.
What is Commercial Painting?
Commercial painting is focused on painting and renewal services for commercial buildings and businesses. Commercial painters typically work on larger projects and are familiar with the specialized requirements of commercial structures. Commercial painters collaborate with building owners, property managers, engineers and consultants.
Typical exterior commercial projects include high and low rise buildings, shopping centers, apartment buildings and warehouses. Interior projects may include offices, building common areas and facilities.
Paints and Materials Used
In residential painting, a wider variety of colors and finishes might be used to meet personal preferences, and the focus may be more on aesthetics. The paint chosen must be durable but also contribute to the overall design and feel of the home.
Commercial painting often requires more durable, long-lasting paint that can withstand high traffic or specific environmental conditions. The choice of color might be less diverse, often adhering to brand colors or neutral tones.
Techniques and Equipment
Residential painting jobs typically involve standard painting equipment like ladders, smaller sprayers, brushes and rollers
Commercial painting projects may require specialized equipment, such as heavy duty sprayers, scaffolding and lifts, especially for larger buildings or those with multiple floors.
Regulations
Both types of painting must adhere to local regulations in BC, including safety codes. However, commercial projects may also need to comply with additional standards, such as “use” permits, commercial bylaws or specific health codes.
Timeframes
Residential painting projects are usually smaller in scope and can be completed relatively quickly typically one to two weeks
Commercial painting projects are often larger and may have stricter deadlines, sometimes requiring painters to work off-hours to avoid disrupting business operations. Time frames can range from two weeks – two months
Type | Residential | Commercial Painting |
Exterior Services | Washing and preparation of exterior substrates like wood, stucco, and concrete for houses Minor siding and trim repair Painting and staining of siding, trim, doors, fences and decks Specialty Services: Driveway sealing Garage floor painting | Washing, preparation, and restoration of exterior substrates like wood, stucco, concrete, and metal for buildings. Removal and replacement of damaged substrates Painting, renewal, and restoration of all substrates including siding, trim, and structural steel Specialty Services: Epoxy and membranes Specialty Coatings Sand and Vapor blasting Waterproofing, Sealants and Caulking Concrete and crack repair Rope access |
| Interior Services | Preparation and painting of drywall (walls and ceilings) and trim casings, baseboards, and doors Minor repairs of interior surfaces Specialty Services: Wallcoverings Cabinets | Preparation and painting of walls, ceilings, trim, and structural components for all substrates Drywall and texture repairs and installations Repairs of interior surfaces Specialty Services: Wallcoverings and protections Floor coatings Drywall Fireproofing Difficult access |
| Duration | 1 – 4 weeks | 2 – 12 weeks |
| Compliance | WorkSafe and $2,000,000 Liability Insurance Basic first aid and Fall Protection | WorkSafe and $5,000,000 – $10,000,000 Liability Insurance Bonded Vetted by third parties Internal safety program and protocols Fall protection, aerial lift certification, swing stage and rope access certification Various safety certifications like WHMIS and OSHA |
| Project Management | Typically handled by the homeowner and contractor | Involves project managers, and coordinators supplied by contractors typically with multiple stakeholders, engineers, and designers may be involved |
| Equipment and tools used | Power washers and prep hand tools Brushes, rollers, and sprayers Ladders and small scaffolding | Vapor and sandblasters Grinders and cutting tools Power washers Brushes and rollers Sprayers and hoppers Swing stage, boom and scissor lift bosun chair and scaffolding |
| Materials used | Standard and high-performance paints formulated for residential use | Commercial and Industrial coatingsSpecialty coating systems requiring certification and specific training |
| Crew Size | A team of 1-3 painters | A team of 5 – 10 technicians |
| Projects | Detached homes and interiors of townhomes and condominiums | Larger-scale projects including high and low-rise, apartment buildings, warehouse and shopping centers, and office buildings |
| Objective of painting | We are focused on protection and aesthetics. | We are focused on long-term preservation of real estate assets to minimize lifetime maintenance costs. |
WCP is a top commercial painter and building renewal contractor in Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, Coquitlam and cities across British Columbia with over 20 years experience and 4000 successful projects completed.
Our projects include multi-unit residential complexes, high-rise towers, apartment buildings, shopping centers, offices, facilities and warehouses. WCP offers an industry leading 5-year warranty, more than double the industry standard.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please connect with us. Whether your renewal projects require sealant or substrate repair, membrane work or coating system repair and upgrading, WCP can help.
If you have any questions about your next Building Renewal and Commercial Painting Project we can be reached at [email protected] or 604.420.5552.
