Bathroom paint: the better to paint

The tiled walls in the bathroom set the teeth on edge. Yes, it is convenient and practical, but the atmosphere is far from homely and in winter it is frankly cold and uncomfortable in such a room. Increasingly, they are looking for an alternative way of finishing. And one of them is wall painting. But bathroom paint must have certain characteristics. About what paints can be used in the bathroom and let’s talk further. 

How to paint a bathroom

Покрасить стены в ванной можно по-разному. Некоторые выбирают комбинированный вариант отделки — душевая кабина или часть стены возле ванны отделана кафелем, все остальное — окрашено. В этом случае выбор красок больше, так как многие с легкостью переносят высокую влажность, но далеко не все выдерживают воздействие горячей хлорированной воды.

If you categorically do not like tiles, even in limited quantities, you can cheat – finish the painted walls in the splash zone with glass or transparent polycarbonate sheet.

Many still have concerns about whether it is possible to hang a heated towel rail on a painted wall. The answer is that it is possible, there are no restrictions and there will be no consequences either. Next, about what paints you can paint the walls of the bathroom.

What kind of paint can be used in the bathroom

Для влажных помещений можно использовать не все краски а в случае с ванной еще требуется высокая моющая способность. Подходят такие типы:

• Latex. One of the types of water-based paint. Forms a dense film on the surface, is well applied, has a long service life, but has a high price and requires perfect surface preparation.
• Water-based silicone or acrylic emulsion. These paints are a good choice for painting a bathroom. Medium price range, good water resistance.
  

• Alkyd enamel. It has a low price, good resistance to water, but is produced on the basis of organic solvents, respectively, has a strong odor. Another disadvantage is that the wall painted with alkyd enamel does not let air through.
• Oil. Everyone has long known bathroom paint, which is becoming less and less popular – it has a strong smell, does not last long (begins to peel off or swell).

Often, chlorinated rubber paint is also recommended. Yes, it creates a waterproof coating, as it was developed for swimming pools. But it can only be operated at a temperature not higher than + 27 ° C. It makes sense to use it in the zone of water splashes, since after drying the resulting film is more like rubber than paint and does not let water or air through. But there is a high probability that the water will get warmer than necessary. How this paint will behave or what it will start to highlight is not voiced, but it is hardly worth the risk, since its cost is high, and the results of application are doubtful.

As you can see, there is a choice, but there is no ideal option. Everywhere has its drawbacks. In general, any serious manufacturer has paint for the bathroom, and often more than one. If there is no direct indication that it is intended for the bathroom and kitchen, then it is written “washable” and “waterproof” or “moisture resistant”. When choosing a feast, pay attention to the number of brush passes (should also be written). This figure is measured in thousands and the higher it is, the better. The minimum for walls is 3000 passes, but most of the good compositions cover this figure many times over. For example, Livna “PS-285” withstands 20000 passes with a soft brush. That is, according to its characteristics, it is close to Tikkurila, but it costs several times cheaper.

Latex paint: characteristics

Latex can be natural or synthetic. Latex paints are made on the basis of natural latex – the juice of rubber plants. These particles are dissolved in water and do not form rigid bonds. As the water dries, an elastic waterproof film forms on the surface. Its advantages are:

• Easy to apply.
• Dries quickly.
• Virtually odorless.
• Coating resistant to abrasion.
• Long lasting.
• Easy to clean.
• Can be tinted with various pigments.

The paint is applied with a roller or brush. For normal staining, it is desirable to apply 2 layers. To reduce paint consumption, it is desirable to pre-prime the surface.

Disadvantages also exist:

• To make the paint look good, perfect preparation of the walls is necessary – a thin film will emphasize all the flaws.
• Not suitable for unheated rooms. Lower temperature threshold +10°C.
• Before painting, the walls must be treated with antifungal compounds.
• High price.

Basically, latex bathroom paint is not bought because of the high price. If you look at the price per liter, it is. But keep in mind that the consumption of this paint is very small, so you will need to buy a small amount. The second point to be taken into account is that the painted surface does not change its appearance for a long time. Literally nothing happens to her for years. So “expensive” is relative.

Another point: if you want to have a “silk” sheen on the walls of the bathroom, latex paint is what you need. No other gives this effect.

Acrylic (acrylic or polyacrylic)

Acrylic is a type of latex paint. As a base, one of the types of synthetic rubber is used – acrylate, which is why the composition got its name. The properties of acrylic paint for the bathroom can be called optimal:

• Weak and unstable smell when dried and its complete absence after.
• Moisture resistance. When water hits a dry surface, nothing happens. Dried acrylic does not dissolve, does not enter into any reactions.
• Паропроницаемость. Высохший состав не мешает газообмену.
• Good adhesion (adhesion to the painted surface).
• Can be used at high and low temperatures. If you are looking for waterproof bath paint, this is a good choice.
• Does not fade under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.
• High abrasion resistance. Anti-vandal coatings are made from acrylic paints.
• Safety. Does not contain salts of heavy metals and organic solvents.
• No obvious odor.

If you need a bright and deep color – your choice is acrylic paint for the bathroom. Moreover, this color remains for a very long period of time. An additional bonus is the versatility of the composition: it can be applied to concrete, metal, glass, stone, plastic, brick, plaster.

The disadvantages of acrylic paint are also worth knowing:

• Длительное время высыхания.
• Низкий сухой остаток (порядка 30%), что значит, что пленка получается тонкой и требует хорошей подготовки поверхности.
• On top of acrylic paint lies only acrylic. If you want to change, you will have to completely remove it.

All in all, acrylic bathroom paint is a good choice. Painted bathroom walls will retain their color for a long time.

Silicone water dispersion

Silicone paint, as well as latex and acrylic, are water-based compositions. This means that it is also odorless and applies well. However, it has its own characteristics. Here are her virtues:

• Good adhesion. It can be applied on concrete, putty, brick, wood, stone, etc.
• Does not require a perfect surface, hides roughness, small cracks.
• Can be used at high and low temperatures.
• Пленка отталкивает воду, но пропускает пар и газ. То есть, стены или потолок, покрытые силиконовой краской «дышат».
• Prevents the development of fungi and microorganisms.
• Easy to clean.
• It tolerates sunlight well.
• Long service life (up to 25 years).

If you need such paint for the bathroom so that the walls and ceiling “breathe” – choose silicone paint. It is good in problem areas where there is mold or fungus.

There are also disadvantages:

• Price. Not the cheapest paint. But looking at the service life, you understand that the costs are justified.
• It is undesirable to use this paint on metal: it is vapor-permeable, which leads to the fact that the metal quickly rusts. When painting reinforced concrete, measures are required to protect the reinforcement – impregnation with anti-corrosion compounds.

Silicone paint is applied, like any water-based paint, with a roller or brush. To reduce the consumption of an expensive composition, it is advisable to pre-prime the surface. The primer must also be silicone-based. Works begin at positive temperature (usually above +5°C) and normal humidity. Apply the composition to clean, dry walls or ceilings.

Alkyd enamel

This type of paint can be used not only for the bathroom, but also for exterior or interior work. The main disadvantage is a strong smell during application and drying, since the solvent is white spirit. Alkyd enamels of domestic production are often toxic, so you need to work in a ventilated area and better – in a gas mask respirator. Also, the composition may include a filler (very finely ground stone chips or sand), a pigment to give color, there may be antibacterial or antiseptic additives.

Advantages of alkyd enamels:

• High film strength.
• Resistance to aggressive environments.
• Short drying time.
• Low price.
• Good adhesion.
• Does not yellow and does not crack.
• Wide temperature range of application.

When choosing, it is better to opt for imported products. The price differs significantly, but so does the quality. Most importantly, imported alkyd enamel smells much less and is definitely non-toxic.

The disadvantages have already been mainly voiced: smell and toxicity, but there are also unpleasant moments:

• The surface covered with alkyd paint does not allow air and steam to pass through, so the ventilation system in the bathroom must be efficient.
• To prevent fungus from appearing in the bathroom, preliminary protection of the base is necessary.

Алкидная эмаль имеет две формы выпуска: стандартную — в банках, а также в аэрозолях. Аэрозоли более универсальны — могут наносится на любые поверхности, также ими проще закрашивать труднодоступные места, но стоят дороже.

Oil paint

Oil paints are made on the basis of drying oil or synthetic oils. Compositions on drying oil are considered the best, but they are more expensive. Minerals ground into flour are added to the base, which are responsible for the color of the coating. These particles are insoluble, and since they are heavier than oils, they settle to the bottom. Therefore, before use and during operation, the paint must be mixed. The advantages of this type of paint:

• Low price.
• Waterproof coating.
• Adheres well to properly prepared surfaces.
• Good adhesion.
• Can be used to paint metal and wood.

Если вам нужна недорогая краска для ванной комнаты — это ваш вариант. Стоит только учесть, что срок службы таких покрытий совсем невелик: в местах непосредственного соприкосновения с водой быстро образуются пузыри, краска начинает трескаться и шелушиться.

Disadvantages of oil paint:

• The composition includes organic solvents, so the smell before drying is strong and persistent.
• Vapors may be toxic.
• Fewer colors due to the use of only mineral pigments.
• Long drying time – at least 6 hours. Throughout this time, the paint “smells”.
• After a while, the paint changes color (a yellow tint is added). It fades quickly in the sun.
• Cracks and peels in wet areas.

The combination of these qualities leads to the fact that oil paints are used less and less. Even the low price does not save, so you have to renew the coverage almost every year. In this case, the normal appearance is maintained for a few months. In general, this is the most unfortunate bathroom paint of all described.

What paint would you recommend?

Even after choosing the type of paint you want to use in your bathroom, choosing a specific brand is not easy: there are so many different offers. Therefore, it is easier to navigate if there are recommendations from those who already have some experience in operating painted walls in the bathroom. Here are some paints that have good reviews:

• Caparol Capamix Samtex 20 (latex paint).
• Ливна PS 285. Моющаяся краска для высоконагруженных стен (использовать не в зоне попадания воды).
• Dulux Ultra Resist (acrylic).
• Benjamin Moor (Benjamin Moore) Kitchen & Bath Satin Finish (acrylic); Aura Interior Matte Finish (silicone).
• Радуга Экстра (акриловая).
• Tikkurila (Tikkurila). There are several options Luya 40 (acrylate for wet areas), Luya 7 (acrylate washable for heavy traffic areas), Euro Extra 20 (semi-gloss),
• VGT Kitchen and Bathroom IQ130 (acrylic).

There are many other paints, but these have already been used in bathrooms, so they have already been tested. These are mainly acrylic paints, others are apparently used less often, since they are more expensive. All of them give a matte or semi-matte surface – this is the latest trend in decoration. The advantage of this choice is that surface defects (if any) are not as conspicuous as on painted glossy and semi-gloss paints.

A few final photos of how you can paint the bathroom – for inspiration.