If you’re wanting to update the look and feel of your bathroom, a fresh paint job can really transform the space. However, painting a bathroom is not always easy. Without the proper choice of paint products, you could be in for more paint troubles and work ahead. It’s so important to choose the right paint finish and products to get the job done right so your bathroom stays looking nice and clean for years to come. Read on to learn about the best paint sheen for bathrooms along with the best bathroom paint products that we recommend to our clients.
What is the Best Bathroom Paint Finish?
When it comes to choosing a bathroom paint finish, it is important to choose one that can stand up to the elements of the bathroom, such as excess moisture and humidity.
Not all paint finishes are created equal and bathrooms require a specific finish to be done properly. The best bathroom paint finishes are designed to hold up well in moist, humid, steamy environments and have high levels of moisture and mildew resistance.
Some of the best paint finishes for bathrooms are eggshell, matte, satin, sheen, and semi-gloss. It is important to note that some paint finishes reflect light and some absorb light. Matte and eggshell finishes absorb light while satin, sheen, and semi-gloss finishes reflect light.
Why is it Important to Choose the Right Bathroom Paint Finish?
It is extremely important to choose the right bathroom paint finish in order to maintain the quality of your paint job, but also the health of your home. The last thing you want is to choose the wrong bathroom paint and finish and have mold and mildew trapped in your bathroom.
Although extractor fans, windows, and watertight shower doors can help with the amount of condensation and moisture in the room, you simply can’t remove all of the moisture and humidity. Therefore, you want to choose the best bathroom paint sheen that will prevent damage to your painted walls and ceiling.
What are the Best Bathroom Paint Sheen Products?
There are a ton of great paint products out there for bathrooms. If you choose a lower sheen, we recommend using a higher-quality paint product. In some cases, lower-sheen paints are slightly cheaper, but typically, the higher the quality, the more the paint will cost.
If you are using a high-quality paint, lower sheens such as flat and matte can be used.
- Sherwin-Williams Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex
- Sherwin-Williams Duration Home Interior Acrylic Latex
- Benjamin Moore Aura Waterborne Interior Paint Collection
Just be sure to look for a paint product that is specifically recommended for bathrooms and has a high moisture, mold, and mildew resistance.
If you are using a medium-quality paint finish, we recommend using a higher sheen, such as eggshell or satin to help with the moisture and cleanability.
- Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Interior Acrylic Latex Paint
- Sherwin-Williams Cashmere Interior Acrylic Latex Paint
- Benjamin Moore Regal Select Waterborne Interior Paint
With mid to lower grades of paint, even with the increase in sheen, you may experience something called surfactant leaching from these types of paints due to excessive moisture. This looks like an amber or brown-colored drips coming from the paint. No matter how often you clean them, they always seem to come back. These drips are not from things in the bathroom splashing on the wall, but from inside the paint itself.
If you choose to use a lower-quality paint, we recommend using a semi-gloss sheen.
- Sherwin-Williams ProMar 400 Zero VOC Interior Latex Paint
- Sherwin-Williams Property Solution Interior Latex Paint
Best Bathroom Paint Sheen Products for Commercial Spaces
If you are painting a bathroom in a commercial space, we recommend using either an egg shell or semi-gloss paint product that is designed for heavy use, urine splatters, commercial cleaners, and frequent cleaning.
- Sherwin-Williams Pro Industrial Pre-Catalyzed Waterbased Epoxy Paint
- Sherwin-Williams Pro Industrial Waterbased Alkyd Urethane Paint
- Benjamin Moore Command Waterborne Acrylic Urethane Paint
Whether you’re painting a small bathroom in your home or a large industrial bathroom, make sure you are choosing a bathroom paint sheen with high moisture, mold, and mildew-resistance that goes on smooth and is easy to clean. Look for a quality paint product that specifically states that it can be used in bathrooms.
Are you ready to give your bathroom an upgraded look? We’d love to chat with you about partnering for your next bathroom paint project. From choosing the paint product and color the application and tips for maintenance, we’ll be there every step of the way. Click here to book your free consultation with our team today!
