Can You Use Ceiling Paint On Walls

When it comes to painting any walls or ceiling in your home, it can often be stressful. There are so many choices when it comes to ceiling and wall paint and understanding which type is the best for your home could be difficult. Most homeowners consult their local hardware store. Not only do you get some great advice but they have the paint choices and colors that you need. If you are building a new home, keep in mind that the builder uses the cheapest paint possible. It is a good idea to repaint your home within five years or as long as the original paint is holding up. Can you use ceiling paint on walls? Yes, ceiling paint is a great primer for walls. Your only drawback is the limited choice of color.

There are some advantages and disadvantages to using ceiling paint on walls. Let’s take a look.

Ceiling Paint Advantages

• Doesn’t reflect light
• Flat ceiling paint
• Hides mistakes, blemishes, and imperfections
• Higher viscosity and thicker than regular wall paint
• Most are latex paint and have an even finish
• Easily applied, rolls on well, and doesn’t drip
• Available in flat paints or semi-gloss paint
• Resists mildew
• It is more durable than wall paint so repainting isn’t needed as often
• Protects walls from marks as it creates a “seal”
• Sometimes one coat is enough, compared to several coats of wall paint
• Resists staining and soiling that come from smoke and cooking vapors
• Dries quicker

Ceiling Paint Disadvantages

• Flat finish paints look less appealing in some rooms in a home
• Not as many colors offered compared to wall paint
• Designed to be “dusted” and not scrubbed, unlike the wall paint which resists water.

Ceiling Paint vs Wall Paint

Now that you understand the advantages and disadvantages of ceiling paint. Let’s compare the two types of paint that you use in your home.

• Ceiling Paint – high viscosity, one coat is plenty, flat sheen and matte finish, limited to white color, highly durable, and cheap. Also known as flat paint or flat white paint and used for painting ceilings.
• Wall Paint – low viscosity, 2-3 coats needed, eggshell finish, satin finish, and pearl finish, lots of color options, semi-gloss, high gloss finish with durability, and average costs. Used on interior walls in your living room and other rooms in your home.

Where Should I Use It

Ceiling paint is a thicker-based paint that can be used on walls and ceilings. If you choose to use it on the walls, it is typically a primer. Since ceiling paint is limited in colors and types, you will most likely use it for durability on your walls. Painting your closets with ceiling paint is also a good idea. You don’t have to tape off any trim and the interior paints will hold up against scrapes and dirt.

If you have stairwells in your home, using ceiling paint can hide dirt, scuff marks, and other imperfections. Use ceiling paint in any area of the house that has high traffic. The last area that could use a good ceiling paint primer is the kid’s playroom or finished basement. You already know that these rooms will get a lot of usages and have the potential to be messy. This could reduce your need to re-paint regularly.

How Much Do They Cost

Ceiling paint can cost you a variety of fees. If you choose to do it on your own, it will cost you between $1.50 to $3.50 per sq. ft. If you hire a paint contractor, you will likely pay around $350 for a 12 x 12 room ceiling. Now, if you are painting the walls and have a desire for some color options and need the extra paint primer, this could take more time. You are likely going to pay a paint contractor between $450 and $950 for a 12 x 12 room.

Other Recommended Maintenance

While you are deciding on the right kind of paint to use for your latest project, take a look at the floors. If you have laminate flooring, it should last on average about 10 years. Even though some people may get 15-30 years from their flooring, 10 is what most people will see. If it is starting to show some wear, you may want to think about replacing it with laminate or another type of flooring.

Another area to take a look are your ceiling fans. If you notice that one of your ceiling downrods is broken, you may need to order a new one. However, check the box first to see if there is a replacement in there. If not, research the model online and you may need to order it from the manufacturer. Remember that ceiling downrods are different lengths and you need to order the one that will fit.

Lastly, you may notice the baseboards have some space between them and the wall. This means it is time to get the caulking gun out. Also, there is a step-by-step guide on how to do this! Caulk will also vary in dry time from silicone which takes 24 hours to cure, while fast-drying takes 30-60 minutes.

When Do I Call A Professional

Calling on a professional painter is a great idea in this case. Painting is a very meticulous project and could be very stressful for some homeowners. Before diving into what type of paint to use on your walls, consider calling on your local home inspection team. They can inspect the whole house and determine any additional projects that you might have. They can also refer you to the most reputable professional painting company in town. You won’t want to waste money hiring someone who does a sloppy job and uses the wrong paints. It is also a good idea to go out and purchase the paint that you want from your local hardware store. Have the professional painter use your paint. This ensures that what you want on your walls and ceiling is correct.

Conclusion

This is a great time to call on your local home inspection team. Deciding which paints to use on your walls can be a tough decision. Not only that, but if your walls have too much moisture, the paint might not stick to your walls and the job could look very messy. Using your local home inspection team allows you to determine if additional projects are needing completion prior to your paint project. Call on Colorado Inspection Team to take a look at painting needs during a home inspection in Castlerock, CO, and the Front Range areas.