Bathroom paint instead of tiles - what should you know?

Some time ago, bathrooms were tiled from floor to ceiling. Ceramic tiles dominated bathroom decor, and it’s hardly surprising - they are durable, moisture resistant and available in many shapes and colors. Trends have changed now and tiles are laid only up to a certain height, and then paint above it. So by choosing paint for your bathroom, you can get a trendy interior. This is a big plus.

Paint instead of tiles is an option also for those on a tight budget or those who slightly want to reduce the cost of their bathroom renovation. Bathroom paint is definitely cheaper than ceramic tiles. It may not be as durable, but if you choose wisely, it will look good for long. Another advantage is that the renovation time will be reduced, because less time is needed to apply paint on the walls compared to laying tiles.

If for the kitchen and the bathroom we choose regular paint, it won’t look good for long. The best solution will be waterproof bathroom paint. This is very important when we keep in mind its high humidity rate. Vapor-permeable paints work well. The presence of water conduces to growth of fungi and mold, therefore, the second parameter we should look at is whether the paint prevents it. Anti-mold bathroom paint is easily available, and information about its effectiveness can be found on the packaging.

Strolling along aisles at the home improvement store, we can find various paints. Before buying one, it’s a good idea to learn a little bit about properties of each type. What paint will be the best for the bathroom then?

Acrylic paint

First of all, all acrylic paints should be discarded. They are easy to apply, cover well, are diluted in water and are durable. These are the ones that are generally chosen for rooms and spaces where there is no contact with moisture, but they are not suitable for bathrooms. If the investor is looking for paint for a spacious and well-ventilated room, it can be taken into consideration, but in other cases not. Besides, they need a lot of time to dry and the room acquires a particular smell.

Latex paint

Latex paints are among those that are the most popular when it comes to the bathrooms. Despite their name, they do not contain latex. Like the acrylic paints mentioned above, they are produced with resin, but they contain much more of it than the acrylic paints. They are resilient, vapor permeable, durable and, most importantly, safe for health. Besides, it’s easy to apply them, their smell isn’t irritating and they can be washed. This is excellent paint for the bathroom for moisture, because it aids the so-called wall breathing, which means it will effectively remove moisture from the surface. Many manufacturers enrich this type of paint with an agent preventing mold or protecting against stains, which is an additional asset. Seeing how many advantages it has, it’s easy to come to a conclusion that latex paint for the bathroom is one of the options that work perfect there.

Ceramic paint

Let’s move on to ceramic paint. This one is worth considering, too. The base of this paint is latex paint, but it’s enriched with ceramic components. Ceramic paints are produced from acrylic resins and ceramic granules are added to them. Thanks to them, this emulsion is stain resistant and acquires amazing resistance to damage. Ceramic paints work well both for walls and ceilings. If any household member suffers from allergy, the investor will be happy to know that such ceramic washable paint for the bathroom has antistatic properties and doesn’t attract dust. Compared to latex paint, ceramic paint for the bathroom will expose the investor to a higher cost, but at the same time it has more advantages.

The ceiling and higher parts of the walls usually don’t have increased contact with water. It’s true that they are still exposed to moisture, but not to the same extent as, for example, the shower area. What kind of paint should be used for the bathroom ceiling then? Definitely, ceramic paint will provide the highest protection level, but you can also opt for latex paint instead.

Unfortunately, despite its properties and good parameters, bathroom paint isn’t suitable for bathtub and shower tray areas. Regular waterproof paint isn’t enough because with very high exposure to water it will lose its properties over time. It is recommended to opt for ceramic tiles in the bathing area after all. But if the investor still prefers paint, then a paint system consisting of waterproof paint and a colorless polyurethane varnish should be applied. This will create a tight washable coating on the surface. If there’s a bathtub in the bathroom and the household members would like to protect the wall and the floor from frequent contact with water, they should consider getting a bath screen.

Bathroom is the part of house where renovation is the most costly. It is planned in such a way that would make the arrangement look good for years. If the investor wishes to refresh something in an already tiled bathroom and doesn’t have time or funds for a thorough renovation - which perhaps the interior doesn’t require yet - he or she can reach for an emulsion. Paint on bathroom tiles will help refresh the decor, emphasize its character or change it completely. To visually enlarge the interior, white paint for bathrooms will work, and if you would like it to acquire a seaside atmosphere, you can replace it with a blue one. Or perhaps the household members would like to bring a bit of sunshine with yellow paint? Before painting, it is important to wash the ceramics, degrease them, clean the joints, and only then apply paint - preferably the ceramic one. Other cheap ways to refresh your bathroom you can find in the article How to renovate a bathroom on a budget.