Buying High-Performing Bathroom Paint

Choosing Bathroom Paints That Offer the Best Performance

We recommend the most durable paints for bathroom walls and ceilings. 100% acrylic water-based urethanes and ceramic interior paints that repel microorganisms offer added performance benefits in preventing mold and mildew growth. 

However, paints that provide mildew resistance are not always enough, especially for bathrooms. Since the root cause of mildew growth is water vapor, higher-quality bathroom paints will limit surface moisture absorption. 

With over 25 years of painting experience, we will share tips on the key qualities a premium bathroom paint should have, along with product recommendations for specific needs.

Bad Bathroom Paint Recommendations

Paint recommendations from nonlicensed sources usually provide standard paint advice and often entice buyers with inexpensive, low-performing products that offer little to no added benefit. 

Therefore, consumers are often misled and mistakenly value familiarity with where the paint is sold rather than differentiating performance advantages. 

Cheap interior paints with glossier finishes do not guarantee the protection of your bathroom walls, ceilings, or trim from moisture or mildew, nor offer improved color retention or wipeability.

The Importance of Bathroom Paint Moisture Resistance

Since the paint additives used to prevent surface bacteria, viruses, fungi, and microorganisms only last 2-6 years, it’s essential to use a bathroom paint that assures long-term resistance to surface moisture. 

Ceramic and urethane finishes offer tight cell structures, making the surface nearly impervious. They are also the best interior paints at limiting moisture absorption. Here are our top 2 picks for exceptional bathroom wall and ceiling moisture resistance. 

Bathrooms are essential to our daily routines. No matter how often we are reminded that high moisture levels in bathrooms can cause issues, we remain prone to avoiding implementing proper precautions. 

Whether winter or summer, homeowners will continue to take hot showers and wash their hands, and rightfully so. 

So, high humidity and sink splashback are inevitable, even if the bathroom has high ceilings or adequate exhaust fans. Therefore, choosing a paint that will resist regular moisture is monumental. 

How Surface Mildew Begins

Over 95% of homes in the US have interior walls covered by open-cell gypsum drywall, a porous material. Builders also utilize cheap paint and primers that do a poor job of sealing the surface. 

Therefore, as interior bathroom walls are continuously exposed to damp, dark, and often humid conditions, mold and mildew growth will begin to thrive over time.

Mildew growth can take place on wallpapered surfaces, fixtures, and flooring. However, walls and ceilings account for over 90% of bathroom surfaces, and mildew-resistant paint can eliminate scum and organic growth within these areas.

By spending a few more dollars on bathroom paint with built-in mildewcides, you can eliminate the potential for harmful airborne spores and surface contaminations. 

Mold Killing Paint & Primers

If the paint is flaking in your bathroom, it has likely been overexposed to high heat or moisture. Most full bathrooms are frequently exposed to both conditions, mainly from hot showers. 

The third reason could be the result of painting water-based paint over oil. 

The best process for eliminating existing mold issues in bathrooms is to clean the walls and incorporate mold-killing primers with a top coat of antimicrobial paint. Here are the steps and product recommendations.

Day 1

1. The first step to fixing the issue is to scrape and sand the walls.
2. If mold is present, carefully wipe the walls with a sponge using a warm bleach solution.

Day 2

1. After letting the walls dry for 24 hours, it is time to prime them with a mold-killing primer. 
2. Wall & surface preparations.
3. Sand the walls and apply a second coat of primer for added protection.
4. Top-coat with antimicrobial paint

Copper has been used for years and is widely known to kill organic growth, but these raw materials are no longer exclusive to piping. Copper is also infused into paint and fabrics to prevent viruses and bacterial germs. Copper-infused paint kills cells in microorganisms the quickest and most effectively. Here are our top picks for their antimicrobial properties.

Comparing Paint Costs

Bathroom Exhaust, Moisture, & Ventilation

Most bathroom exhaust fans don’t provide adequate ventilation, but you may be in luck if the room has a window. 

Additionally, most exhaust fans are not installed directly above the shower, where the steam originates, resulting in excessive ceiling moisture and damage to drywall and paint. 

Either way, running the exhaust fan for 20 minutes before and after a shower is good practice. You should also leave the bathroom’s entry door open for at least 2 hours after showering. 

Best Flat Bathroom Ceiling Paint

Most ceilings are flat to prevent glare and hide imperfections, but heavily clay-based flat paints will not hold up in bathrooms over time. 

Benjamin Moore Aura Bath & Spa offers a premium matte finish for bathroom ceilings and walls, exceeding some glossy finishes offered by leading brands.

Best Bathroom Paint Finishes

Semi-gloss and gloss finishes are not guaranteed to resolve common bathroom wall issues and are better suited to trim. Most prefer medium luster finishes, such as eggshell and satin, for bathroom walls. 

The most well-rounded interior bathroom wall paint is Sherwin-Williams Emerald interior satin. It’s easy to apply and features bathroom paint characteristics, including moisture resistance and antimicrobial properties.

While it’s an excellent universal bathroom paint, other products mentioned earlier will outperform it in specific applications. But to be fair, it’s hard to find house paint that excels in every category.

Oil vs. Acrylic Paint Applications

Water-based paints are best for interior bathrooms. They are easy to clean and apply. Acrylic paints also leave far less of an odor.

The hall and secondary bathrooms are often small but very useful. Latex-acrylic paints offer quick turnaround and are available in zero-VOC formulas. So, unless your bathroom already has an oil-based paint, there’s hardly any basis for arguing the use of oil-based paint. 

Shellac and oil-based primers, on the other hand, will seal water stains & wood knot and acrylic paint can easily go over them.

Is there A Winner?

All the products mentioned will exceed your expectations for their intended purpose and are all class-leading innovations in many ways. However, they excel in different situations, so there is no clear winner. Instead, it is more critical to define an essential feature and pick the product that best meets that need. 

However, we recommend against faux finishes in bathrooms where antimicrobial and moisture-resistant features are prioritized. You can also paint bathroom sinks and tubs with the appropriate paint and processes. 

It’s all about choosing your products wisely. Contact the pros at A Touch of Color today for help selecting the best paint for your bathroom!