Types of Bathroom Paint: Best Paint For Bathroom Uk
Choosing the right paint for your bathroom is crucial, as it needs to withstand moisture, humidity, and frequent cleaning. Fortunately, there are various types of paint specifically designed for bathrooms, each with its unique characteristics and suitability.
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is a popular choice for bathrooms due to its versatility and durability. It is water-based, making it easy to clean up, and dries quickly, minimizing disruption during application. Acrylic paint offers excellent moisture resistance, making it suitable for both walls and ceilings.
Pros of Acrylic Paint
- Water-based, making it easy to clean up.
- Dries quickly, minimizing disruption during application.
- Offers excellent moisture resistance.
- Available in a wide range of colors and finishes.
- Relatively affordable.
Cons of Acrylic Paint
- May not be as durable as other types of paint in high-traffic areas.
- Can be susceptible to mildew growth in humid environments.
Emulsion Paint
Emulsion paint is another common choice for bathrooms, particularly for walls and ceilings. It is water-based, making it easy to apply and clean up. Emulsion paint offers good moisture resistance, but it may not be as durable as other types of paint in high-traffic areas.
Pros of Emulsion Paint
- Water-based, making it easy to apply and clean up.
- Offers good moisture resistance.
- Available in a wide range of colors and finishes.
- Relatively affordable.
Cons of Emulsion Paint
- May not be as durable as other types of paint in high-traffic areas.
- Can be susceptible to mildew growth in humid environments.
Eggshell Paint
Eggshell paint offers a soft, satin-like finish, providing a more elegant look than traditional emulsion paint. It is also water-based, making it easy to clean up, and offers good moisture resistance. Eggshell paint is suitable for both walls and ceilings, but it may not be as durable as other types of paint in high-traffic areas.
Pros of Eggshell Paint
- Water-based, making it easy to clean up.
- Offers good moisture resistance.
- Provides a soft, satin-like finish.
- Available in a wide range of colors.
Cons of Eggshell Paint
- May not be as durable as other types of paint in high-traffic areas.
- Can be susceptible to mildew growth in humid environments.
Gloss Paint, Best paint for bathroom uk
Gloss paint offers a high-shine finish, making it ideal for trims, doors, and other surfaces that require frequent cleaning. It is oil-based, providing excellent durability and moisture resistance. Gloss paint is also easy to clean and resists mildew growth.
Pros of Gloss Paint
- Offers a high-shine finish.
- Provides excellent durability and moisture resistance.
- Easy to clean.
- Resists mildew growth.
Cons of Gloss Paint
- Oil-based, making it more difficult to clean up.
- Can be more expensive than other types of paint.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Bathroom Paint
Choosing the right paint for your bathroom is crucial for creating a beautiful and functional space. Bathrooms are prone to moisture, humidity, and frequent cleaning, so selecting a durable and mildew-resistant paint is essential.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Bathroom Paint
Several factors influence the longevity and performance of bathroom paint. Understanding these factors can help you choose the best paint for your specific needs.
Moisture Levels and Ventilation
Bathrooms are naturally humid environments, with high moisture levels due to showers, baths, and steam. Proper ventilation is crucial to prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to mildew and mold growth.
- High Moisture Areas: Areas like shower stalls, bathtubs, and around sinks require paints that are highly resistant to moisture and mildew.
- Moderate Moisture Areas: Walls and ceilings in well-ventilated bathrooms can tolerate less moisture-resistant paints.
Presence of Showers or Bathtubs
Bathrooms with showers or bathtubs experience more direct water exposure than those with only sinks. This increased exposure requires a paint that can withstand frequent cleaning and water splashes.
- High-Traffic Areas: Walls and ceilings near showers or bathtubs should be painted with highly durable and washable paints.
- Low-Traffic Areas: Walls further away from the shower or bathtub can tolerate less durable paints.
Paint Type and Suitability
Different types of paint offer varying levels of moisture resistance, durability, and washability.
Paint Type Moisture Resistance Durability Washability Suitability for Bathroom Areas Acrylic Latex Paint High High Excellent Suitable for all bathroom areas, especially high-moisture areas. Epoxy Paint Very High Very High Excellent Ideal for shower stalls, bathtubs, and other areas with direct water exposure. Oil-Based Paint Moderate High Good Suitable for well-ventilated bathrooms with moderate moisture levels. Chalk Paint Low Low Poor Not recommended for bathrooms due to its lack of moisture resistance.
Popular Bathroom Paint Brands in the UK
Choosing the right paint for your bathroom is crucial, as it needs to withstand moisture, humidity, and frequent cleaning. The UK market offers a wide range of bathroom paint brands, each with its unique features and benefits. Let’s explore some of the top-rated brands and their popular products.
Top-Rated Bathroom Paint Brands in the UK
These brands are renowned for their high-quality bathroom paint formulations that offer excellent durability, moisture resistance, and a wide range of colours and finishes.
- Dulux: A well-established brand known for its diverse range of paints, including its highly-rated bathroom-specific products. Dulux offers paints with excellent mildew resistance and a smooth, washable finish. Their “Bathroom & Kitchen” range is specifically designed for high-moisture environments.
- Crown: Crown is another reputable brand offering a variety of paints for different purposes, including bathroom paints. Their “Bathroom & Kitchen” range is designed to withstand humidity and condensation. Crown paints are known for their good coverage and ease of application.
- Farrow & Ball: Farrow & Ball is a luxury paint brand known for its high-quality, eco-friendly formulations and wide range of sophisticated colours. While their prices are higher than some other brands, their paints are renowned for their exceptional durability and finish, making them a popular choice for bathrooms.
- Johnstone’s: Johnstone’s offers a comprehensive range of paints, including their “Aqua Extreme” range specifically designed for bathrooms and kitchens. This range is known for its high-performance, moisture-resistant properties, offering excellent protection against condensation and mildew.
- Little Greene: Little Greene is another brand known for its eco-friendly paints and traditional colours. Their “Intelligent Matt” range is particularly well-suited for bathrooms, offering good moisture resistance and a durable finish.
Examples of Popular Bathroom Paint Products
Here are some examples of popular bathroom paint products from the brands mentioned above:
- Dulux Bathroom & Kitchen: This range offers a variety of colours and finishes, including matt, eggshell, and satin. The “Diamond Matt” finish is particularly popular for its durable, washable finish.
- Crown Bathroom & Kitchen: This range includes a variety of colours and finishes, including matt, silk, and satin. The “Matt Emulsion” is a popular choice for its good coverage and durability.
- Farrow & Ball Modern Eggshell: This paint is known for its smooth, durable finish and wide range of sophisticated colours. It is a popular choice for bathrooms where a high-quality, elegant finish is desired.
- Johnstone’s Aqua Extreme: This range offers a variety of colours and finishes, including matt, silk, and satin. The “Matt” finish is known for its good coverage and durability, making it suitable for high-traffic areas like bathrooms.
- Little Greene Intelligent Matt: This paint offers a durable, washable finish with excellent moisture resistance. It is available in a wide range of colours, including traditional and contemporary shades.
Price Ranges and Value for Money
The price of bathroom paint can vary significantly depending on the brand, quality, and finish.
- Budget-Friendly Brands: Brands like Dulux and Crown offer good quality bathroom paints at affordable prices. You can expect to pay around £15-£25 per litre for their bathroom-specific ranges.
- Mid-Range Brands: Brands like Johnstone’s and Little Greene offer higher-quality paints with excellent moisture resistance and durability. Their prices typically range from £20-£35 per litre.
- Luxury Brands: Farrow & Ball paints are known for their high quality and sophisticated colours. However, their prices are significantly higher, typically ranging from £40-£60 per litre.
When choosing a bathroom paint, it’s important to consider your budget and the level of durability and moisture resistance you require. While luxury brands may offer the highest quality, budget-friendly brands can still provide excellent performance if you choose a product specifically designed for bathrooms.
