Bathroom Paint: Essential Considerations Before Making a Purchase. Home Improvement

Bathrooms experience the highest levels of humidity, so opt for a paint that is durable and long-lasting.

When preparing to paint a bathroom, selecting the right paint type is crucial, second only to picking the wall colors. It’s essential to opt for a paint specifically designed for areas with elevated humidity levels. The most suitable finishes for bathroom applications typically consist of eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss options.

Certain paint brands market their products as “bathroom paint” to simplify the shopping experience for consumers. These designated paints often come with additional advantages, such as resistance to mildew, water, and ease of cleaning. Additionally, for a higher cost, some manufacturers offer bathroom-safe paints with a matte or flat finish, which typically wouldn’t endure moisture in standard formulations, but their unique compositions are designed to withstand such conditions.

The “Restroom Coating” Tag

The appeal of a “bathroom paint” label lies in its ability to eliminate uncertainty for consumers seeking paint specifically designed for high-humidity areas such as bathrooms. Often, paint marketed as “bathroom paint” is essentially the same as a can labeled “eggshell” or “semi-gloss.”

Steve Revnew, the Vice President of Product Innovation at Sherwin-Williams, notes that numerous interior paint products are moving beyond the traditional bathroom paint category. He highlights that the company focuses on high-quality paints designed to “combat moisture and ensure durability throughout the home,” rather than sticking to the previously designated Bath Paint label.

Factors to Keep in Mind When Selecting Paint for Your Bathroom

Paints that are effective for use in bathrooms possess several essential qualities:

Mildew-resistant characteristics: Paint designed for bathrooms contains antimicrobial agents that aid in resisting mildew and mold, although they do not offer complete protection.
Washable coating: Given that bathroom walls require periodic cleaning or scrubbing, high-quality bathroom paint is designed to be more durable and resilient compared to standard interior paints.
Certain paints possess a denser composition, allowing lower-gloss finishes to perform comparably to higher-gloss options in areas with high humidity.

Reasons Why Bathrooms Are Challenging for Paint

Bathrooms tend to be humid environments, making moisture a primary consideration when applying a new layer of paint to the walls. The impact of moisture on bathroom walls occurs in two main ways. First, the humid air generated by hot baths and showers condenses on the walls. Second, water from showers, baths, or sinks can splash directly onto the surfaces.

When moisture seeps through the paint layer and reaches the drywall or plaster beneath, it can cause damage to the paint. This may result in paint peeling and the development of mold. A paint coating that is less porous allows for reduced moisture penetration.

How Paints Protect Against Moisture

Prior to the introduction of mildew-resistant features in paint, the best method for managing moisture in bathrooms was the application of high-gloss paints. The greater the gloss, the more effectively the paint withstands the humid conditions of bathrooms. In many older bathrooms, high-gloss finishes are commonly seen on various surfaces. While high-gloss paints do not eliminate mildew, they simplify the cleaning process for the typical brown stains that occur in such environments.

Tip

For bathrooms, latex paint is ideal because it effectively withstands moisture. Additionally, using a mildew-resistant primer is an excellent way to ensure a successful paint application in this space.

The Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex Paint collection from Sherwin-Williams features anti-microbial properties comparable to those found in Sherwin-Williams Bath Paint. This makes it an excellent option for painting trim, walls, or ceilings.

The Ideal Paint for Bathroom Applications

Paint finishes are available in various levels of sheen, ranging from flat or matte, which has the least gloss, to high gloss, which has the most shine.

Flat

Flat or matte finishes are often regarded as the least favorable choice. According to Steve Revnew from Sherwin-Williams, “A significant issue with flat finishes in humid conditions is their porous nature, which can lead to moisture retention. In contrast, glossy finishes effectively repel water, causing it to bead up.”

A common guideline suggests steering clear of flat or matte finishes in bathrooms in favor of glossier options. However, premium paint brands are challenging this convention. Certain high-quality paints marketed specifically for bathrooms feature unique formulations, allowing for flat or matte finishes that are resistant to moisture. For instance, Sherwin-Williams’ Emerald collection and Benjamin Moore’s Aura Bath and Spa Matte Finish paint are low-sheen options specifically crafted for environments with high humidity.

Eggshell

When considering a chicken egg, its exterior appears dull yet has the ability to form droplets of water. Eggshell finish paint shares this characteristic, exhibiting a subtle luster akin to that of a chicken egg. This type of paint is more washable and offers better water resistance compared to flat paint, although it is still susceptible to moisture over time. It is ideally suited for use in bathrooms with low humidity.

Zinsser’s Perma-White paint is advertised as providing a five-year guarantee against mold and mildew development. This paint can be customized with tints in off-white, pastel, and medium shades. It is available in various finishes, including eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss.

Satin

Satin and eggshell finishes can often be used interchangeably, depending on the brand of paint. Satin typically has a slightly higher sheen than eggshell. This finish is a suitable choice for bathrooms with low humidity. One excellent option for a satin paint finish in bathrooms is Behr’s Premium Plus Satin Enamel, which is a low-odor interior paint and primer combined.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss paint is an excellent option for bathrooms, effectively resisting water while maintaining an elegant appearance. It surpasses high gloss as the preferred choice for bathroom walls, as many people prefer a less reflective finish. Recommended semi-gloss paints include PPG UltraLast Base 1 Semi-Gloss Interior Paint and Behr’s Premium Semi-Gloss Enamel, which combines low odor with paint and primer in one.

Shiny or High-Shine

High gloss is the most non-porous option among paint finishes; however, be cautious, as overly glossy paints can diminish the aesthetic appeal of a space. This finish is ideally suited for wall trim, baseboards, and cabinetry in bathrooms. A great option for a glossy paint is Valspar Ultra High-Gloss Ultra White/Base A Enamel Tintable Interior Paint.

Price Comparison: Bathroom Paint vs. Regular Paint

Paint marketed specifically for bathrooms is generally positioned at the upper end of the interior paint spectrum, aside from excessively priced designer options. Typically, the cost is comparable to, or slightly higher than, that of premium standard paint, ranging from approximately $50 to $100 per gallon. The advantage is that this paint is formulated to withstand the unique conditions of a bathroom, ensuring durability. Additionally, for smaller bathrooms, you often need less than a gallon to apply two coats.

Conversely, if low-sheen paint isn’t a requirement for your bathroom, you can opt for high-quality satin, semi-gloss, or high-gloss paint that includes antimicrobial properties and a durable, washable surface.