Acceptable Paint Finishes in New Build Homes
As new homeowners, one of the most immediately noticeable aspects of your property will be the quality of paint finishes throughout. While your new home should present a fresh, clean appearance, it's important to understand what constitutes an "acceptable" paint finish according to industry standards, and what minor imperfections you might need to accept as normal.
According to NHBC standards, painted and varnished surfaces in your new home should be even in appearance and free from conspicuous runs and prominent brush marks. However, this doesn't mean absolute perfection is the standard.
When assessing the paint finishes in your new home, keep these points in mind:
Viewing Conditions Matter
The proper way to assess paint finishes is in natural daylight from a distance of 2 metres - not by shining artificial light directly onto the surface. Wall lights and uplighters should be switched off when making your assessment, as harsh or direct lighting can exaggerate minor imperfections that wouldn't be noticeable under normal conditions.
Acceptable Standards
Good quality paint finishes should be reasonably smooth and free from obvious nail holes, cracks and splits. Joints should be properly filled, and the overall appearance should be reasonably uniform in colour, texture and finish.
Natural Variations to Expect
Some variations are considered normal and acceptable. Timber surfaces may show limited raised grain, with natural variations in colour and texture. Drying shrinkage of timber might cause some cracking of paint finish, particularly at joints between plaster and woodwork. Where surfaces have been touched up, minor colour variations may occur. Site-decorated trim (like architraves and skirting) may have a slightly different appearance from factory-finished components like doors.
External Paint Finishes
For exterior paintwork, remember that finishes will naturally dull over time. This is affected by exposure to sunlight, rain and moisture, and environmental pollutants. These factors mean that external paintwork requires regular maintenance to keep it looking its best.
Common Issues to Be Aware Of
Resin Exudation
Resin can sometimes exude from knots in timber, causing discolouration of paintwork. This happens despite modern primers containing compounds specifically designed to limit this issue. If you notice yellowish staining appearing around knots, this is likely the cause.
Factory vs Site Decoration
Components that are factory-finished will often have a more consistent appearance than those painted on-site. This difference is considered acceptable within industry standards, though any contrast should not be stark or immediately obvious from normal viewing distances.
What's Not Acceptable?
While some minor imperfections are normal, clear defects should be addressed by your builder. Conspicuous runs in the paint, prominent brush marks visible from the standard 2m viewing distance, uneven colour where large patches have been touched up, significant cracking or flaking not related to natural timber movement, and surfaces that feel rough or gritty to touch are all issues that fall outside acceptable standards.
Recording Issues During Your Snagging Inspection
During your snagging inspection, be sure to view all painted surfaces in daylight, stand back 2 metres to assess overall appearance, make note of any issues that fall outside the acceptable standards, and take photos of problematic areas to share with your builder.
Remember that snagging companies like Brickkickers can help identify truly unacceptable paint finishes versus those that fall within industry norms. With nearly 20 years of experience inspecting new builds, we can guide you on which issues merit correction by your builder.
Understanding the standards for paint finishes helps set realistic expectations for your new home. While you should certainly expect a good quality finish throughout, recognising that minor variations and imperfections are normal will help you focus on issues that genuinely require attention from your builder.
With proper maintenance and care, the paintwork in your new home can stay looking fresh for years to come.