Painting in winter has a lot of advantages, but there’s one concern we hear again and again: “Won’t my house smell like paint for days?” With windows shut and the heat running, it’s a reasonable worry, especially if you have kids, pets, or someone in the house who’s sensitive to smells. The good news is that modern paint has come a long way.
Why Paint Smells
The smell people associate with paint mostly comes from compounds that are released into the air as paint dries. Older oil-based paints were known for strong odors. Many modern water-based interior paints have much lower odor, and some products are specifically made to be low-odor.
Sherwin-Williams Low-Odor Options
Glenn Painting Co. uses Sherwin-Williams paint, and Sherwin-Williams makes interior products designed to have low odor. During your free estimate, we’ll talk about which product makes sense for each room, based on how the room is used, the finish you want, and how sensitive your household is to smells.
Ventilation Still Matters
Even with low-odor paint, a little airflow helps paint dry and helps clear the air. In winter, that doesn’t mean leaving windows wide open all day. Here are some simple ideas:
- Run bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans while painting is underway.
- Crack a window for short periods when it’s practical.
- Keep interior doors open to help air move, unless we’re keeping a room closed off for pets or kids.
- Keep your furnace running at a comfortable temperature so paint dries properly.
Planning Around Your Family
If you have little ones or pets, we recommend keeping them out of rooms that are being painted. Let us know ahead of time, and we can plan the order of rooms so you always have a comfortable, paint-free space to use. Some families choose to have us paint bedrooms one at a time so everyone has somewhere to sleep.
If anyone in your home has respiratory sensitivities, tell us during the estimate. We’ll talk through product choices and timing.
Drying Time in Winter
Winter air in the Treasure Valley is often dry, which can help paint dry. But if your home runs cool, drying can slow down. Keeping the house at a normal living temperature helps. We’ll plan our coats so each one has time to dry properly.
Other Ways to Reduce Odor
- Paint in phases. Doing one area at a time keeps things manageable.
- Choose the right sheen. We’ll recommend products and sheens that suit each room.
- Clean up promptly. We keep our workspace tidy and seal paint cans when not in use.
Is Winter a Good Time to Paint?
Absolutely. With the right products and a little planning, a closed-up house is no obstacle. In fact, winter is one of the best times to paint interiors: schedules are more flexible, and fresh color helps brighten gray days.
And with our Winter Interior Special, you can save 10% on interior painting jobs booked by January 31.
What to Expect From Us
- Fully insured
- Sherwin-Williams paint
- 5-year workmanship warranty
- 50% deposit to reserve dates and buy paint
- Balance due after you walk the job and sign off, by check or cash
If paint smell has been holding you back, let’s talk. We’ll help you pick the right product and make a plan that works for your household.
A Quick Checklist Before We Start
- Tell us about pets, kids, and anyone sensitive to smells.
- Decide which rooms you need to keep available each day.
- Set the thermostat to a normal living temperature.
- Check that bathroom and kitchen fans are working.
- Clear small items so rooms can be prepped quickly.
A few minutes of planning makes the whole job more comfortable. Most families find that with low-odor products and some simple airflow, they can go about their normal routine with very little disruption. When we’re done, we’ll walk every room with you before the balance is due, and we’ll make sure you’re happy with how your home looks and feels.
Let’s Talk About Your Project
Glenn Painting Co. has been painting since 2018. We’re fully insured, use Sherwin-Williams paint, and back our work with a 5-year workmanship warranty. Remember, our Winter Interior Special takes 10% off interior painting jobs booked by January 31. Call (208) 805-0821 or request a free estimate.