With so many colors and finishes to choose from, deciding which paint to use can be challenging. In particular, many homeowners wonder if eggshell paint is appropriate for a bathroom.
Gloss paints are the standard for bathrooms. Eggshell paints offer a lower sheen finish that adds a warm look to walls and is less prone to highlighting surface imperfections than glossier paints. However, its poor moisture resistance makes it a less-than-ideal choice for a bathroom.
Eggshell paint can work in the bathroom, but not in areas that might get water splashed on them. Read on to learn more.
4 Reasons Eggshell Paint Is a Bad Idea for Your Bathroom
Eggshell paint is far from being one of the best paint finishes for bathrooms. Here is a list of the 4 reasons why you should find an alternative.
Durability and stain resistance
Eggshell paint does not have very good stain resistance qualities. It has been known to chip off easily when scrubbed too hard during cleaning or when splashed with water. This makes it difficult to keep up with regular cleaning without damaging the finish of your walls.
Moisture resistance
The main problem with eggshell paint in bathrooms is that it doesn’t have good water resistance. It can easily be stained by water and other liquids, so it won’t stand up well against daily wear and tear in a bathroom environment.
Prone to mold and mildew growth
Another big problem with using eggshell paint in bathrooms is that this type of paint can harbor mold and mildew growth.
Because eggshell paint isn’t resistant to moisture, water can get trapped, creating the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. This can cause unsightly stains on your walls and unpleasant odors in your bathroom.
Difficult to clean
Eggshell paint is also difficult to clean. Since it isn’t resistant to moisture, any spills or splashes can easily stain the paint, making it very difficult to remove. This means you’ll have to repaint more often than with a moisture-resistant paint like semi- or high-gloss.
Specially Formulated Eggshell Paint for Bathrooms
Despite the drawbacks of using eggshell paint in bathrooms, you can still get a special type of eggshell paint specially formulated for wet environments.
This type of paint has been designed to be more resistant to moisture and water, making it better suited for bathroom walls.
The new eggshell paints provide a smoother texture and low sheen, easily hiding imperfections on bumpy and damaged walls.
Not only does this specially formulated eggshell paint provide an aesthetically pleasing finish to your bathroom, but it also provides practical benefits.
Zinsser Perma-White Paint Interior Eggshell
is designed to resist cracking, peeling, and blistering. It has a washable and scrubbable finish that is both stain and moisture-resistant.
Additionally, unlike many other bathroom paints, Zinsser Perma-White has the added benefit of containing biocide protection against fungal degradation, ensuring that it maintains its beautiful finish over time.
As well as being self-priming and fade resistant, it also offers the benefit of being water-based, meaning it is low odor, so you can enjoy your newly painted bathroom without any obnoxious smells.
Eggshell Paint Can Be Used on Bathroom Ceilings
Although eggshell paint is not recommended for bathroom walls, it can be used on ceilings if you want a soft, low-sheen finish. However, some provisions need to be met for this type of paint to work.
First, the ceiling must be made of a solid surface and not contain any damp spots or evidence of water damage. This is because eggshell paint is more prone to moisture than other types of paint, so you want to ensure it won’t absorb any moisture from the ceiling if there are possible leaks.
The ceiling must also be prepped and primed before painting. This is because eggshell paint does not have great adhesion properties, so it can easily peel off if the surface isn’t prepared properly.
Finally, there should be good ventilation in the bathroom, and it should not be splashed with water. This ensures the eggshell paint won’t absorb any moisture and start deteriorating.
The 3 Best Paint Finishes for Bathrooms
Satin
Painting your bathroom with satin paint is one of the best finishes you can choose. It has a subtle sheen that adds a touch of elegance, and the slight protective layer it creates makes it easier to keep clean than many low-sheen paints.
However, glossier paints like semi-gloss and high-gloss can provide more protection against water and moisture.
Furthermore, it offers some benefits of glossier finishes without being overly reflective and glossy. In addition to its subtle aesthetic, the satin finish is highly durable and long-lasting. It won’t fade or chip easily over time, making it a great choice for bathrooms.
From BEHR Premium Plus Satin Enamel Low Odor Interior Paint and Primer to Zinsser Satin Perma-White Tintable Interior Paint, many brands offer a variety of options for every taste and requirement. So you’re bound to find the perfect paint solution that meets your individual needs.
Semi-gloss
Semi-gloss paint is a perfect choice for bathrooms due to its water and stain resistance, making it incredibly easy to clean. This type of paint finish is also highly durable and long-lasting, making it a great investment in both time and money.
Semi-gloss paints such as:
- BEHR Premium Semi-Gloss Enamel Low Odor Interior Paint and Primer in One
- Zinsser Semi-Gloss Perma-White White Tintable Interior Paint
- PPG UltraLast Base 1 Semi-Gloss Interior Paint
- HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams Showcase Semi-Gloss
These are all great options to consider when deciding on the best paint finish for your bathroom.
Generally speaking, semi-gloss is a durable finish that is highly resistant to stains, steam, moisture, and mildew. This means it can easily stand up against splashes of water in wet rooms as well as heat and humidity from baths and showers.
High-gloss
High-gloss paint is often considered the best finish for bathrooms as it offers many advantages. Not only does it offer superior protection from moisture, making it ideal for use in bathrooms, but it also offers an easy-to-clean surface.
Additionally, using high-gloss paint in bathrooms provides a strong reflective quality which can help brighten the room and give the illusion of more space. The downside of this type of finish is that water droplets are more likely to be visible on the wall.
BEHR Premium Plus Hi-Gloss Enamel Interior/Exterior Paint is a good example of a high gloss paint you can use in your bathroom.
Bathrooms Need a Special Primer
Bathrooms need a special primer for a variety of reasons. Primer prevents mold and mildew growth and helps keep paint from chipping and peeling off the walls over time.
A primer also helps the paint to adhere better to the wall, leading to a more uniform finish with fewer streaks or patches.
When picking a primer, look for labels such as KILZ Mold & Mildew Interior/Exterior Primer, Zinsser Peel Stop White Triple Thick Interior/Exterior High Build Binding Primer, and BEHR White Acrylic Interior Kitchen, Bath, and Trim Stain-Blocking Primer and Sealer.
Taking the extra step of using a specialized primer can extend the life of your walls by protecting against cracking, fading, peeling, and other damages caused by water exposure making it well worth the effort.