Spraying a ceiling: how does it work?

How is a ceiling sprayed?

Spraying a ceiling does not start with spraying, but with covering up. The floor, walls, frames and light fittings are masked and covered, because the paint mist spreads through the room. The painter then checks the ceiling for hairline cracks, loose patches and stains. Water marks or smoke stains are first sealed with a special primer, otherwise they bleed through the new coat.

Then comes the spraying itself. With an airless machine, the latex is applied under high pressure in a fine, even layer. Often two coats are applied. Because the painter covers a large area in one continuous movement, you see no transitions between sections done earlier or later.

Which ceilings is spraying suitable for?

• Large ceilings in an open-plan living room or kitchen, where rolling quickly leaves lap marks.
• Textured and spray-finish ceilings, where a roller cannot get into the unevenness properly.
• High ceilings in older Amsterdam buildings, where spraying saves a lot of climbing.
• New-build ceilings that need a smooth finish in one go after levelling.

A small ceiling in a toilet or hallway is often done just as quickly with a roller, because masking for spraying takes relatively long. A good painter will advise you honestly about this. The difference between the two methods is explained on spraying or rolling latex.

What does spraying a ceiling give you?

In an interior painting job in a home in Zaandam, the walls and ceilings were sprayed with high-quality latex: smooth, even and quick to dry. That is exactly the advantage. The room can be used again sooner, and you are not bothered by streaks that show up when low sunlight falls through the window. Take a look at the project in Zaandam to get an impression.

As for the price: as a national market indication, a few euros to just over ten euros per square metre is often quoted for spraying a ceiling with latex, depending on the preparation and the height. What Oranje Kwast itself charges is set out below. On what spraying walls costs you can read which factors play a part.

What does Oranje Kwast charge?

For ceilings, Oranje Kwast works with a fixed price per square metre:

• Ceilings: €20.65 per m² excluding VAT
• Minimum charge per job: €300 excluding VAT

The final price follows the free consultation, during which our painter looks at the ceiling and the preparation needed. The quote form gives you an instant price indication.

Having your ceiling sprayed while you live there

If you carry on living at home in the meantime, good planning matters. A room is emptied as far as possible, and whatever stays goes in the middle under plastic sheeting. Our painter discusses this with you beforehand, so you know which room cannot be used when. For all the options, see interior painting.