Can you use satin paint in a bathroom

Most professionals agree that higher-quality paints are always the right choice. Another feature for which to look in bathroom paint is mildew resistance, and some manufacturers do offer this.

The experts at Consumer Reports recommend satin paint for bathrooms. They claim that it is shinier and more durable than eggshell and easier to clean. Semigloss is also durable and easy to clean. However, it does look shiner and can make wall imperfections more noticeable. Pearl-finish paint falls in between eggshell and satin, with medium gloss and high durability.

Benjamin Moore likes pearl finish for adding character to trim work, doors and wainscoting. When painting with it, though, follow the application tips since painting mistakes with this paint are harder to camouflage once they are dried.

The higher the reflective value, the higher the price because there are more resins and binders in reflective finishes. Higher gloss means more cost. The upside is, they are easier to clean and less likely to trap mold than flatter finish paints. When choosing a paint finish for the bathroom, humidity is obviously a factor. Moisture can get between the wall and your paint, creating bubbling or peeling. High-gloss finishes are moisture-resistant, causing water to drip down the wall instead of getting absorbed.

Consumer Reports rates satin and semi-gloss as better bets for the bathroom. A flat finish is, well, flat and not suited for areas that need to be washed like kitchens and bathrooms. Eggshell finish has slight reflectivity, but not much more, and still is not considered suitable for bathrooms or kitchens. Both are more likely to retain moisture. Both are reflective sheen more so than satin. Both are durable, shiny, and easy to clean. Both will draw attention to imperfections in the walls and trim.

Both are available in latex and oil-based and both are available in no or low VOC volatile organic compounds. They argue , "Satin is more durable and shinier than eggshell and is ideal for a bathroom. It's also easy to clean.

Use it for the walls, ceiling, and even the trim, because many satin finishes are tougher than they once were. Semi-gloss is even tougher and a cinch to clean. It can be used on the walls, ceiling, trim, and vanity—if you don't mind a shinier look.

Before breaking out your paint brush, clean the bathroom walls first so you'll start with a clean surface. Remove any existing mildew with a water and bleach solution crack a window or turn on the exhaust fan while scrubbing. Here are five top paints from our tests, listed in alphabetical order.

For more information, see our paint buying guide and our full interior paint ratings for details on the nearly two dozen lines of paint we test, including those from Behr, Benjamin Moore, Kilz, PPG, Prestige Paints, and Valspar.

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Updated April 26, And choosing the right paint finish is a must. How We Test Interior Paints. Paint Like a Pro. How to Paint. Sharing is Nice.