Want to do some decorating.

I must do some painting as starting to be in need of it, we moved into this property (bungalow) just over 6 years ago and it has not been decorated yet With my husbands lung condition it was out of the question.
So where do I start , thought the hall as an easy project, Do I need to make some sort of preparation to the walls, I have rollers and paint pads just need a cutting in brush, what is the best paint to get for ceilings,silk/matt, assuming I keep them white throughout, then I understand there needs some caulking done, on a couple of the walls/ceiling joins, would coving be a simpler option,? I have those plastic window frames so only need to paint the cill, what about the doors they to me seem to have some sort of plastic coating? on closer inspection behind the door needs some work polyfilla? a gap between the door jamb and the wall but that`s the lounge so can wait.
Guidance is what I am looking for and best products for value, ease of use and lasting qualities.

 

Hi pamsdish

Those pics are really small, can you post bigger ones?

 

Its a gap between wall and jamb and the paint is flaking and cracked

 

Hi Pam
The hardest thing about decorating is starting it ! I always clean the walls and woodwork before I start with Sugar Soap - its amazing stuff it cleans the woodwork so you don't need to rub it down.
http://www.wilko.com/preparation/wilko-sugar-soap-concentrated-500ml/invt/0066386?VBMST=sugar soap
Follow the mix instructions and wear marigolds !
I tend to use Matt emulsion for the walls , it doesn't show all the lumps and bumps like silk does.
If you have a Wilkos near you the own brand stuff is really good and quite a bit cheaper than the brand leaders. Just work on one room / area at a time and don't move on until that room is finished. Have a week or two off between each room.
I think you will be inundated on here with decorating tips !
PS when you are finished my lounge needs doing

 

The new photo you posted is still small, but I think I can make out what is happening.
It looks to me like the door frames have shifted either because the frames were not properly anchored to the wall or the door/s have been abused by way of slamming or when opened the hinges were forced past their normal "travel".

In my previous house, the people that lived there before must have been neanderthals and really abused some of the doors.
Luckily they had wooden frames so I drilled thru the frame and into the wall and put in extra screws (countersunk) with wall plugs.
I then used paintable acrylic caulking to fill in the cracks from before and it was sorted.

If you don't have any other cracks on the walls (other than around the door frames), then probably it's the same sort of thing or the frames were never installed properly to begin with.

You could just seal the cracks with the acrylic caulking and see if the cracks re-appear.

 

Completely agree, it's a wonderful stuff, works a treat.

 

@pamsdish

Something like this:

 

Just me and my late husband ever lived here, so they were never hung properly, !!!

I should have made it clearer Harry, it was a new build when we moved in, will sugar soap be enough preparation, the builders painted the walls will they need some sort of undercoat, i assume I will need 2 coats any way.
Sorry @DIY-Dave that looks beyond my capabilities.

 

No problem then you can always take a chance and simply cover over the cracks with the caulk and paint.
Acrylic caulk in this case would be better than polyfilla as it won't set rock hard and will have some flexibility thus reducing the chances of the cracks reappearing.

If you have other cracks in the wall, then don't proceed, first call in a builder to have a look as to what the cause of these other cracks could be.

 

Im just coming to the end of decorating hall stairs and landing, dining room and living room. As I haves new flooring throughout I replaced the skirting and architrave. I now have flat wood instead of torus and my father inlaw told me yo use a 4 inch roller on them. It has to be a foam roller though. You can also do the doors with it. Takes about 10 minutes to paint a door and you get no runs. Put masking tape on floor and you will need to paint the top of skirting board, but then just walk round with roler. It is som much easier, quicker and gives a great finish that makes it look like it has been sprayed. As for your gaps just run decorators caulk down smooth off with your finger and paint over in about an hour.

Rusty.

 

Pam, If this was a new build six years ago, you should have a guarantee from the builder to come and sort the door frame

I part know your circumstances as you have posted on here,
Could you afford a "Local handyman" for the harder stuff, and just do the painting bit yourself

Or ask and price up having it done not by a firm, but by a recommended one man band
You can get a no obligation quote, and you could be surprised at how low it can be, compared to DIY as they get the paint etc at cost

Though going by your post, you seem to be well aware of decorating, and what it involves

All the best

Jack McH

 

Will think about the door frame, I thought it was just some sort of "shrinkage"I have considered "getting a man in" but the thought of "preparation" emptying wall units, wardrobes, etc etc, has me in a funk, as Harry suggested I was planning to "do" a room and have a month off. That`s why I thought start in the hall, only 2 bookcases and a couple of bits and bobs to move.