Paint before or after laying wooden floors?

[EH1903]

We are going to lay new solid wood flooring downstairs and have been holiding off painting till the floor is laid.

Is that the right way round to do it or should we paint first then lay the floors? Or does it not matter?

[SoupDragon]

I think I'd do it before, assuming I would be mor likely to spill paint on the floor than damage the painting whilst putting the floor down.

[PigletJohn]

apart from the skirtings, which really ought to be taken off before you refloor, and put back afterwards (or replaced with new)

you can prime and undercoat skirting before you fix it, to reduce the amount of floor-crawling.

[Marmitelover55]

We painted first, then floor laid, then new skirtings fixed and then painted those. Wish we had thought to prime/undercoat skirting first!

[Iggly]

We ended up painting afterwards. Had to cover the floor with extra thick sheeting. It was fine in the end! As we did the painting our self we were extra careful.

[Only1scoop]

Before or you will be spottle removing forever