Wall & Ceiling Paint

Buying paint for your walls and ceilings isn’t as simple as you may have assumed, right? From choosing between oil and water-based paints to deciphering the difference between Dulux and Johnsons, it can all feel a little overwhelming.

Types of Wall and Ceiling Paints

When buying interior paint, you’ve got a choice of three paint types. These are oil-based, water-based and emulsion. Without a doubt, the most popular option amongst homeowners is emulsion paint. But it’s worth taking a moment to understand the pros and cons of each before picking up your tin of paint.

Oil-based

Loved by professional decorators, oil-based paints a highly durable and water-resistant. This makes them ideal for rooms with high moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms. Equally, they’re a good option for around doors and windows.

But before buying oil-based paint for your home, be aware that they can take significantly longer to dry and lighter colours tend to ‘yellow’ over time. Another downside of this type of interior paint is that it will likely emit more VOCs than others on the market.  

Water-based

Due to water-based paints being easy to apply with a brush or roller, they are great for homeowners choosing to decorate themselves. Equally important is the fact they usually dry faster than alternatives, making them a great choice for busy households or commercial spaces.

But like oil-based paints, this interior paint has a few downsides to consider. This includes them being more prone to chipping and scuffing. Although this can usually be overcome with a little touch-up or complete redecoration every few years.

Emulsion

Strictly speaking emulsion paint is also water-based. But emulsion paint is even more ‘DIY-friendly’ with it featuring acrylics and vinyl resins that make it even easier to apply and quicker to dry. So, it’s another great choice for spaces prone to high traffic.

This interior paint also shares many of the disadvantages of water-based equivalents. This includes being more vulnerable to chips and scuffs. But as mentioned above, these can easily be overcome with a little touch-up and regular redecorating.

Paint Finishes for Walls and Ceilings

So having chosen your type of paint, now you must make the all-important decision of its finish. Whilst most favour a matt or satin finish, there are a few other options to consider being buying your interior paint.

Matt

As it doesn’t reflect light as much as alternatives, matt paint is great at hiding the imperfections in walls and ceilings. This makes it an ideal option for older properties with uneven walls and ceilings, although it also offers a modern finish for newer properties. Due to its matt finish, this paint is more difficult to keep clean and is likely to demand more frequent touch-ups.

Eggshell 

With a subtle gloss adding depth to your walls and ceilings, you can consider eggshell to be a middle ground between matt and gloss paints. This makes it a little easier to keep clean and therefore suitable for moderate-traffic areas such as dining rooms or hallways.

Satin

A step up in shine when compared to eggshell paint, satin has a touch of luxury to it. Because of this added gloss, it’s easier to clean and therefore great for kitchens or bathrooms. But note that it can be difficult to touch up because of variations in sheen from paint to paint.

Gloss

Offering an almost mirror-like finish, gloss paint has become less popular in recent years. But it still has its place due to it being great at bouncing light around a room and being incredibly easy to keep clean. Although, this paint will accentuate any imperfections in your walls or ceiling.  

Brands of Wall and Ceiling Paint

From Dulux to Johnsons to Ronseal – there seems to be an endless choice of paint brands! Although a little confusing, this means there is an option to suit almost any needs and budget. But before you buy the pricier Farrow & Ball or cheaper Dulux paint, get yourself a sample pot or two.

Many brands offer slight but noticeable variations of colours, which will likely be your deciding factor. But also consider the coverage a tin offers, reviews left by other customers, and the VOC the paint emits. Taking all of this into account will put you in a position to make a great choice!

At DIY Megastore, we offer a growing number of brands. These include Ronseal and Zinsser to name but a few. Each are handpicked by our team to suit varying applications and budgets but don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need a hand choosing the right one.

What You’ll Need to Paint Walls and Ceilings

With your paint in hand, you’re ready to go . . . almost! This is because there are a few other decorating supplies you’ll need to make your project easier (and cleaner). Thankfully, DIY Megastore offer the majority of these under one roof.

1. Paint Brushes: Get yourself a small, medium, and large width brush so that you’re able to achieve a clean finish around skirting boards, ceiling joints etc.
2. Paint Tray: Bid farewell to paint-covered wrists and use a roller for a smoother finish by pouring your paint into a large tray.
3. Dust Sheets: Protect carpet, furniture and more before you get started. It will avoid any costly mess and make the clean-up quicker.
4. Masking Tape: Avoid getting paint on unwanted areas such as skirting boards, window frames etc with a good quality masking tape.
5. Sanding Paper: Clear your walls and ceilings of any flaky paint or imperfections with a low-grit sanding paper at the start of your project.
6. Step Ladders: Avoid putting your back out with a step ladder that reaches the highest corners of your walls and ceilings.

With all the essentials by your side, you’ll need to paint your walls and ceiling like a professional in no time! But if you’re still unsure, take a look at our inspiration and advice on decorating.