Whenever you are planning an interior decorating job, one of the most important rooms to consider is the bathroom. Second only to the kitchen, but did you know there is specific paint which must be used in these areas?
Waterborne interior paint designed to resist steam and moisture is ideal for high condensation areas as it dries to a mid sheen finish that repels steam rather than absorbs it, and if you use the wrong paint, your decorating will be a disaster.
Bathroom paint offers steam protection without absorption, which is why you MUST use it when painting a potentially humid part of your home
Mould and mildew prevention is also guaranteed with this odourless and low VOC formula, offering a wide selection of heritage-inspired shades that can be tailored specifically to meet any colour requirement.
Most DIY stores will stock paint that is specifically designed for bathrooms, and for kitchens.
Normal emulsion paint is not suitable
As its name implies, emulsion paint is one of Britain’s most beloved options.
Affordable and user-friendly, emulsion can be applied quickly with any brush or roller for effortless results that meet specific colour requests or individual taste.
Furthermore, an endless spectrum of shades and colours are available so emulsion can meet even the strictest of specifications!
Choose high-quality bathroom paint as moisture can be present throughout the room, and its resistance needs to be resilient. Anti-fungal properties of some bathroom paints can inhibit mould and mildew growth and should be sought when painting a kitchen or bathroom.
Polymers create a solid barrier against moisture and condensation entering the paint, as well as making it wipeable and easier to keep clean.
Glossier paint will reflect more light, drawing attention to any flaws in the wall surface – ideal for high traffic areas where durability is of the utmost importance; matte or eggshell finishes may offer greater camouflage but lack gloss’s durability.
Why choose bathroom paint over emulsion?
Painting your bathroom is one of the easiest, least-expensive ways to revamp it, but selecting the appropriate type can make all the difference.
Bathroom-specific paints are typically specially formulated to withstand moisture and steam exposure, making them less likely to peel or fade over time, as well as featuring antimicrobial properties that help decrease mould growth and mildew formation.
Moisture resistance is of the utmost importance in bathrooms, where high humidity levels can cause an array of issues from peeling to bubbling.
Gloss paint excels at repelling water from beading off its surface so it can easily be wiped down; however, this glossy coating may reflect too much light, showing up any flaws such as old, dried-out paint or repairs in its reflections and making these flaws more apparent than ever.
Eggshell and satin have low sheen levels to cover imperfections while not showing them up as vividly, while flat and matte finishes feature no sheen at all, producing soft surfaces perfect for hiding cracks or flaws.
Gloss paint should really only be used for areas such as doors, windows, skirting boards, it is not recommended to paint a wall with gloss paint.
Eggshell? Is that suitable?
Eggshell paint may sound innocuous enough, but its versatility lies in its range between flat and gloss sheen levels. With a mild sheen that resists scuffing and less costly than satin finishes, eggshell can hide spackling marks or other indentations well while remaining durable over time.
Professional painters typically advise their homeowners against flat, matte and eggshell finishes for bathrooms due to their propensity for mildew development in high humidity environments and being difficult to wipe clean compared with semi-gloss options.
There are however specially formulated bathroom eggshells which contain acrylic resin for durability and moisture resistance and come in brighter hues than flat mat finishes.
These water-based options require minimal clean-up afterwards and do not release volatile organic compounds or offensive odours into the environment – an excellent option for families with children and/or pets alike!
What about Satin?
Painting your home can be one of the easiest and most affordable ways to give it an instant makeover, yet choosing the wrong type can have quite the opposite effect.
Due to high levels of moisture present in bathrooms and kitchens, improper paint could bubble or peel over time.
Moisture-resistant paint is essential to keeping moisture damage at bay in bathrooms, helping protect them from mould, mildew and other forms of moisture-related damage such as mould.
Moisture-resistant finishes such as semi-gloss and eggshell offer greater moisture resistance by repelling water droplets more effectively and cleaning away stains more readily than flat or matte finishes.
For a contemporary, matt finish, consider durable matte emulsions like Crown Trade Clean Extreme Scrubbable Matt or Dulux Trade Diamond Matt emulsions – moisture resistant paints that feature soft sheens to bounce light around a room and add dimension.
Antimicrobial additives in paint for bathrooms may also help combat mould and mildew growth – especially helpful if the space has an abundance of storage space or has had previous mould issues.
What happens if I decorate a kitchen or bathroom with unsuitable paint?
Using unsuitable paint for your kitchen or bathroom can lead to a range of problems and can potentially damage the surfaces and lead to costly repairs in the long run.
Normal emulsion paint in a humid area will suck moisture up like a sponge, black mould will form, and the process of the paint will begin to break down.
This will mean all the effort you put in to paint the room, along with the cost of paint, will be money down the drain.
Here are some potential issues that may arise:
- Peeling or Flaking: Unsuitable paint may not adhere well to surfaces with high moisture or temperature changes, which can result in the paint peeling or flaking off.
- Mould and Mildew Growth: Kitchens and bathrooms are high moisture areas that are prone to mould and mildew growth. Using unsuitable paint that isn’t designed to withstand moisture can encourage mould and mildew growth.
- Staining: Cooking oils, makeup, and other products can stain paint surfaces. Using an unsuitable paint that is not designed to resist stains can result in discoloured walls and surfaces.
- Poor Durability: Bathrooms and kitchens are high traffic areas that can be prone to scuffs and scratches. Using an unsuitable paint can result in poor durability, which can cause the paint to easily scratch or wear off.
In general, it’s important to choose paint that is specifically designed for kitchens and bathrooms.
These paints are often formulated to resist moisture, stains, and mildew growth, and can help ensure that your surfaces remain in good condition over time.
Let’s not forget that before you even open a can of paint, preparation is needed.
Fail to prepare and you prepare to fail, as the saying goes.
Preparing interior walls in a bathroom or kitchen for painting involves a few essential steps to ensure a smooth and durable finish. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:
- Gather your materials: You’ll need the following tools and materials:
- Dust sheets or plastic sheeting
- Masking tape
- Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
- Tack cloth or damp cloth
- Primer
- Paint rollers and brushes
- Paint tray
- Paint suitable for wet areas (e.g., semi-gloss or satin finish)
- Clear the area: Remove any furniture, fixtures, and accessories from the walls and cover the floor and countertops with drop cloths (dust sheets) or plastic sheeting to protect them from paint splatters or drips.
- Clean the walls: Thoroughly clean the walls to remove dirt, grease, and any residue. Use a mild detergent or a solution of water and vinegar, and scrub gently with a sponge or cloth. Rinse the walls with clean water and allow them to dry completely.
- Repair any damage: Inspect the walls for cracks, holes, or other damage. Use a putty knife to fill small holes or cracks with spackle or joint compound. For larger holes, use a patching kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the repairs are dry, sand them smooth using medium-grit sandpaper.
- Sand the walls: Lightly sand the entire surface of the walls using fine-grit sandpaper. This step helps to create a smooth surface and improve paint adhesion. Wipe away the dust with a tack cloth or a damp cloth afterward.
- Apply masking tape: Use masking tape, sometimes called “painter’s tape” to protect areas you don’t want to paint, such as trim, baseboards, and fixtures. Ensure the masking tape is applied tightly and straight to achieve clean paint lines.
- Apply primer: In wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens, it’s crucial to use a primer designed for high-moisture environments. Apply a coat of primer to the walls using a paint roller or brush. Priming helps to seal the surface, enhances paint adhesion, and prevents moisture damage.
- Paint the walls: Once the primer is dry, you can proceed with painting. Stir the paint thoroughly before pouring it into a paint tray. Use a paint roller for larger areas and a brush for edges and corners. Apply a first coat of paint evenly
What other ways can I reduce or eliminate condensation in my home?
One reason condensation occurs is the air in the room is cooled to its dew point, or it becomes so saturated with water vapour in the air that it cannot hold any more water. Dew point is the temperature at which condensation happens. (Dew is simply condensed water in the atmosphere.)
One way to eliminate that is to have your exterior walls weatherproofed with an exterior wall coating.
This stops moisture from getting into the house, and allows water vapour to escape and evaporate outside. The coating also stops your home getting damp, actively repelling the elements that cause mould growth in the home.
Not only that, it can reduce your home heating bills by around 30%
It is also important to ventilate the rooms where condensation can occur, such as the bathroom, although that in itself will not cure damp, mould or condensation.
As we discussed above, rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms need a special paint on the walls which repel moisture. They can be found down you local DIY store and are not expensive, plus they are very easy to apply.
Happy decorating