Do you have a big patch of mold on your wall that won’t go away? As well as being ugly, it might be harming your health. Mold can also damage your home, making it an unpleasant place to be in.
Mildew and mold-resistant paints are designed specifically to prevent the growth of mold and to stop it from spreading. They do this by containing antimicrobial ingredients. It’s a cheap and effective way to stop mold from damaging your walls and your health.
With so many options on the market, we are here to help you understand your options.
Mold and Mildew Resistant Paint Options
These paints are available in several different finishes. They will all look good on the walls, but each will be better suited to a specific wall type and surface. They are most effective when you choose the correct product for your wall.
Mold and mildew resistant paint comes in the following options:
Matte
This option is 0-10 perfect gloss, giving it a matte finish. This means that the paint won’t reflect any light. It isn’t a good choice for rooms that don’t get a lot of natural light. It is better suited for rooms and walls that have cracks as it works well at masking them.
It is the least durable option on our list and also makes it the most difficult to clean. It is a good choice for walls that are not frequently touched, which makes it an ideal option for ceilings.
It can be used around the home in bedrooms, dining rooms, and living rooms. However, it is not suited to homes with young children or pets. It is also not suitable for bathrooms as it is not water-resistant.
Eggshell
This finish is similar to matte and has a low gloss composition (10-25 perfect) and doesn’t reflect much light. It can be used to give walls a rustic feel, as well as give wooden furniture a vintage look.
It is more hardwearing than matte paints and provides more protection as it is easier to clean.
Satin
This is similar to eggshell and offers 25-35 perfect gloss.
It is easier to clean and offers even more protection. As such, it is often considered the middle choice in paint finishes. It can be used in the same way as eggshell and matte.
Satin can be used in rooms that see high usage. It can even be used outside. Its drawback is that it isn’t great at hiding cracks or imperfections.
Low or Semi-Gloss
This is a great choice if your room has either high or low moisture levels. It has 35-70 perfect gloss, so reflects far more light than a satin finish. Like satin, it struggles to hide any imperfections that may be present.
It is a highly durable paint so it can be used in rooms that are frequently used. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor walls. It is easy to clean, so it is suitable for bathrooms and kitchens.
High Gloss
High gloss is exactly what you expect. At 70-100 percent gloss, it is the most reflective finish on offer. This also makes it the most durable.
Its high gloss levels mean it is easy to clean and can be used anywhere around the home, making it perfect for rooms that enjoy a lot of use. It can even be used on doorframes, kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, and outdoors.
High gloss isn’t suitable for imperfections. It can be difficult to apply so it is advisable to get it applied by a professional.
Choosing the Best Paint
It can be difficult to choose the right paint for you, so we have made a list of features you may come across.
Guaranteed Lasting Quality
How long your paint will last is probably the first thing you want to know when buying paint. Long-lasting paint will also save you money in the long run.
How long the paint will last can vary greatly. This is particularly true of its ability to prevent mold and mildew. The paint will often last longer than the protection from mold.
Coverage Area
It is a good idea to know how much area a paint can cover per gallon before buying.
By knowing this, you can calculate how much paint you will need and how much it will cost. The bigger the coverage area, the lower the overall cost. This will also be affected by how porous the wall surface is.
Base
This base is the specific solvent that is used in the paint. It is what makes the paint liquid and evaporates as the paint is drying.
- Oil-based
Oil-based paints use an organic solvent that is manufactured using a mixture of plants and petrochemicals. As it evaporates, it turns into a volatile organic compound (VOC). If you breathe this in, it can be harmful.
If you use oil-based paint, it is a good idea to make sure the space is well ventilated while you are applying it. These types of paint have a high sheen when applied, but this will become duller over time. They are also relatively durable
- Water-based
This is also known as acrylic paint and is made up mostly of water. As they dry, they release fewer VOCs into the room. As such, they are safer and better for the environment.
Unlike oil-based paints, they have a lower sheen level. This means they last longer and are less likely to crack.
This is our preferred base as it is better for the environment.
Waterproof
Mold and mildew-resistant paints should repel water. They can be either waterproof or water-resistant. The different terms indicate how much water they can resist.
This feature is particularly helpful as it stops moisture from damaging the wall. Water will also lead to the growth of mold and mildew. These are both horrible to look at and harmful to your health.
If you are painting a bathroom or other area of high moisture, try to choose waterproof paint. This will be the most effective at preventing the growth of mold and mildew.
Self-Priming
If you are painting a wall or area that isn’t water-resistant, you will need to prime it before painting, particularly if it is outdoors. By priming beforehand, you will improve the protection of the paint and make it last longer.
There are mold and mildew-resistant paints that are self-priming. This means you do not have to prime the surface before painting. You will save time and money as you won’t need to buy a separate primer.
There is a wide range of mold and mildew-resistant paints available, and it is important to choose the best one to suit your needs.
When choosing, look at the primer situation, moisture resistance, coverage, and durability. These paints are fantastic for walls and rooms that have mold problems, and luckily, they are easy to use. By following the correct usage and application, mold will be a thing of the past.