
When you're looking to paint your ceiling, knowing what you're getting into is essential. Ceiling painting can be a challenging project. It's not just that it is usually flat and bland (although it is). It's a difficult task, to begin with, and the fact that the ceiling needs to be painted so uniformly in a room with no windows further adds to the difficulty.
Painting the bathroom ceiling can feel like a daunting task at times. Part of that could be due to managing the ceiling paint peeling prior to painting. There are effective methods for painting any ceiling, including those in bathrooms. If you need help figuring out the details of painting your ceiling, we're here to help you get started.
One of the best ways to get an accurate ceiling painting quote is to use a task marketplace. That way you can get multiple quotes simultaneously and quickly establish how much your ceiling painting project will cost.
Ceiling Paint: Different Types of Paint Used in Ceiling Painting
The first step in painting your ceiling is determining what type of paint you want. There are many options, but the two most important factors are durability and cost.
1. Acrylic Flat Ceiling Paint
Flat acrylic paint is the most popular type of ceiling paint on the market. It's cheaper than other options, but it also has certain drawbacks. Unlike smooth or semi-gloss, flat acrylic ceiling paint makes a flat surface that doesn't absorb or reflect light. This means that it won't make your room look bigger and brighter.
2. Acrylic Satin-Sheen Ceiling Paint
Satin sheen is a step up from flat acrylic. The colour will have a slight sheen to it so that it will look more reflective and inviting than a flat white. Satin sheen also reflects light well but still looks clean and shiny because it has a high gloss finish. A smooth sheen ceiling will make your house look brighter—like sunlight is pouring in.
3. Semi-Gloss Acrylic Ceiling Paint
Semi-gloss acrylic ceiling paint offers the best of both worlds: durability and easy cleanup while maintaining a high degree of sheen. This makes it ideal for high-traffic areas, such as kitchens and foyers, where a hint of brightness is desirable without overpowering the eye. This ceiling paint is also less likely to crack than other types of acrylic ceiling paint.
The Best Ceiling Paint
Choosing the best ceiling paint is a process that can be time-consuming. It's easy to get sucked in by all the advertising and hype. But you need more time to read hundreds of reviews and compare prices. You just want to know what to buy!
We have some great options for you! There are three options for ceiling paint that are easy to use and eco-friendly. Here's a rundown of each one:
Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint
Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint is our top pick for the best ceiling paint because it offers the flattest finish and hides any flaws in your ceiling. It's low VOC, which means that it won't cause harmful fumes when applied—and it won't leave behind any toxic residue, either!
Eminence High Performance from Sherwin Williams
This Sherwin-Williams ceiling paint is another excellent choice for any room. It offers great coverage and is easy to apply. Its self-priming and easy one-coat range make this paint ideal for DIYers or people who don't have time to wait for their paint to dry before moving on to the next project.
Dulux Rolls On Pink Ceiling Paint
This kind of paint is another great option for ceiling paint. As the name implies, this one is one of a kind since it goes on pink and dries white in just 30-60 minutes. This is a great solution if you need assistance painting the ceiling but need help finding where you've missed. This finish will give you a bright white finish that will look fantastic in any room.
Ceiling Paint for the Bathroom
When choosing your bathroom ceiling paint, you should consider several factors to ensure that your new paint job looks great over time.
- First, choose a paint that has been made especially for bathrooms. Bathroom ceilings are often exposed to humidity, which can cause mould and mildew to multiply. Choosing bathroom ceiling paint that will withstand moisture and prevent these issues is critical to having a stable and durable paint job.
- Next, how well does the paint hold up to water and other chemicals? The ceilings of most bathrooms are drywall or plaster. But both materials will eventually deteriorate over time due to moisture infiltration into the walls themselves!
- Finally, choosing a paint that can be easily cleaned and maintained is essential. You don't want to have to do work on your ceiling every time you wish to make it fresh-looking!
To prevent mildew and water damage ceiling, we advise using Waterborne Ceiling Paint. And if you want the same level of protection for your bathroom walls, Aura Bath & Spa Paint from Benjamin Moore is a great option. It combines paint and primer explicitly made for use in humid environments.
PRO TIP: Aside from mildew-resistant paint, choose a primer that can withstand moisture. It is common for paint to peel in the shower and other poorly ventilated rooms because steam rises and becomes trapped. We highly suggest the ceiling paint primer by Zinsser. With this primer, mould and mildew won't be able to form underneath the paint.
Kitchen Ceiling Paint
There are two primary choices for kitchen ceiling paint: satin or semi-gloss.
If you're going for a softer, more polished look in the kitchen, satin paint is a good choice. Satin paints are more reflective so that they might be better for a bright look.
In terms of durability and cleanliness, semi-gloss paint is the superior choice. Semi-gloss paints like Advance Interior Paint-Semi Gloss from Benjamin Moore are more matte and less reflective. They might be a better choice if the look you're going for is muted and soft.
Both paint types are simple to use, so either a novice or an expert DIY ceiling painter can do it.
Best Paint for a Popcorn Ceiling
First, you may want to know if you can paint your popcorn ceiling. And the short answer is yes!
Interior acrylic-latex paint is the best ceiling paint for textured ceilings and comes in flat gloss and flat latex finishes. This type of paint has excellent coverage and durability, and it dries quickly. It also releases a few volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and smells mild.
While a roller brush can get the job done, painting a popcorn ceiling with an air sprayer can ensure an even coat and save time.
Important Warning: Before painting over an old popcorn ceiling, you should ensure it is asbestos-free. Asbestos in popcorn ceilings is a hazardous substance associated with mesothelioma, a deadly cancer of the lungs. If you want to ensure your ceiling is safe, hiring a professional company to test it for asbestos before painting is best.
How is Ceiling Paint vs Wall Paint Different?
Wall paint and ceiling paint may look identical, leading you to wonder if you can use either one on the other. The quick answer is "yes," but only with essential caveats.
The ceiling paint is viscous.
That means ceiling paint is thicker and more challenging to apply and remove. Ceiling paints are less likely to drip on the floor or run down your walls. They also tend to be more expensive, but they save you money over time because it lasts longer than wall paint.
On the other hand, wall paint is much more fluid and will dry faster than ceiling paint. And since wall paint has a lower viscosity, it can be applied using standard tools such as rollers or brushes.
Ceiling paint hides stains better.
When compared to wall paint, ceiling paint is better at hiding imperfections. The higher viscosity and special chemicals allow it to do this. Ceiling paint has high-quality ingredients to help it stick to your ceiling and withstand the elements.
How to Paint Your Ceiling
Now that you know the different kinds of paint, it is time to paint your ceiling!
Step 1: Prep Your Ceiling
- First, you'll need to ensure your ceiling is dry and clean. That means no water damage or mould. If there's any leak, you should call a professional who can fix it before you start painting.
- Fix any damaged spots. Sand the ceiling to remove any bumps and smooth out any flaws.
- After that, you can move on to setting up the space itself. Spread out a tarp before you start painting, and remove any large pieces of furniture from the room.
Step 2: Priming
Priming is the key to a good paint job. You will want to prime your ceiling with a primer specially formulated for use on plaster, cement, and other surfaces sensitive to water damage.
Apply two coats of primer and let each layer dry for at least 24 hours for the best results. Make sure you wait until after applying the first coat of primer before painting your ceiling, so it can dry completely before applying the second coat.
Step 3: Painting
After priming, you can begin painting the ceiling. It's best to start in a corner and work across the wall when painting. You can apply these by hand or with a sprayer, depending on what type of surface you're working with and how much time you have available. Remember, if there are any cracks or holes in your ceiling, those areas will need special attention—they may require additional priming or sealing.
If you want to save money by painting your own ceiling, give the above-mentioned guides a careful read.
But if you're curious...
How Much do Professional Ceiling Painters Charge?
The good news is that it's surprisingly affordable!
Ceiling painting in Toronto might cost anywhere from $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot, depending on the quality of the paint and other materials you use.
This means that if your typical ceiling is 100 square feet in size (10 feet x 10 feet), then the average cost to paint it will be between $100 and $200. That figure rises dramatically if your ceiling needs extensive plaster repairs or if it's a stucco/popcorn ceiling.
Note: The pricing above assumes there are no company minimum job size requirements. It's common for a company to have a minimum job size. If this is the case, then painting a simple ceiling will likely not meet the minimum job size, so you will likely be painting a lot more than that.
How to Paint a Popcorn Stucco Ceiling
https://youtu.be/fj5ZF1HVleI
There's no doubt that ceiling painting involves intense physical labour, but the result is well worth the effort. But for some homeowners, picking out the right paint for their ceiling can be an uphill battle. Additionally, there is a lot of debate on whether it is safe to do the entire ceiling painting yourself.
However, a few good arguments point to why it's best to have a pro do the work. Not only do you avoid risking personal injury with improper ceiling painting, but the result will be more bespoke and authentic than DIY work would produce.
Home Painters Toronto is delighted to be able to offer such a fantastic service in Toronto. Their professional painters have worked in the field for more than 35 years. Call them at 416.494.9095 or email Brian@HomePaintersToronto.com.