12 Best Ceiling Paints

In the time of our grandmothers, the ceiling and walls were covered with an aqueous solution of chalk or slaked lime. Of course, this is an environmentally friendly and natural material, but it is hardly suitable for modern renovation. Today's choice of interior building materials is wide and varied.

Which brand of paint is better? Inexpensive coatings from a Russian manufacturer, or widely advertised products? Is it possible to use the same composition for the bathroom ceiling and bedroom walls? Or do you still need a different type of coverage? How to choose a finish that will last? For a non-professional builder, these questions always cause difficulties. Let's try to sort out these questions, and also determine which ceiling paint is better.

Rating of ceiling paints

The market offers products from European and domestic companies. Experts analyzed consumer reviews, opinions of professional finishers, publications in specialized magazines and selected brands that are in high demand. When compiling the rating, special attention was paid to the following characteristics:

Base – made of acrylic, vinyl acetate copolymers, latex;
Degree of gloss – affects the visual effect, light reflection;
Durability – the ability to withstand abrasion, high humidity;
Consumption - depends on the minimum layer thickness, affects the cost of repairs;
Hiding power - the ability to cover the color of the base;
Vapor permeability - the coating should not create an obstacle to air exchange.

Paints with low adhesion to the substrate, high fluidity, and poor hiding power were excluded from our rating.

The best manufacturers of liquid wallpaper

Possible difficulties when applying glossy ceiling paint and options for solving them

When working with glossy paints and varnishes, a number of difficulties may arise that can be solved as follows:

Thickened paint. It will help to avoid this situation by refusing to buy products on the street, where the mixtures freeze; you should also look at the shelf life of the product;
Formation of stripes. This defect can be eliminated by moving the roller to the side, then the composition will be distributed evenly;
Surges. It is necessary to reduce the amount of paint on the roller and move it over the base longer.

The frozen paint must be strained, a solvent must be poured into it, stirred well, after which it can be used.

It is necessary to reduce the amount of paint on the roller and move it over the base longer.

Of course, a glossy ceiling looks luxurious and can add a special chic to the room. However, before you start painting, it is important to properly prepare the surface, choose a paint based on the base material and follow the painting rules.

The best water-based paints for ceilings

After drying, water-based paint for walls and ceilings forms a breathable film, helping to create a comfortable indoor microclimate. Distinctive features: good adhesion to the base, high drying speed, uniform application. Easily tinted, has no unpleasant odor. The disadvantage of water-based emulsion from most manufacturers is low water resistance.

Tikkurila Euro Power 7

A base developed by specialists from a Finnish company for high-use premises. Recommended for painting walls and ceilings in hallways, corridors, and children's rooms. After drying, it forms a paint layer that can be washed using household chemicals that do not contain abrasive substances. The tests carried out demonstrated high wear resistance - the finish can withstand up to 10 thousand passes with a brush.

It can be tinted in any shade, which is preserved for 15 years. Intense colors do not lose their saturation under the influence of solar ultraviolet radiation. It is pleasant to work with the composition: the water-based emulsion is odorless and applies evenly to smooth and rough surfaces. Viscosity allows application with a pneumatic spray gun. The recipe does not use harmful substances - it can be used in children's and medical institutions.

Advantages:

Good vapor permeability;
Freshness is maintained for a long time;
Dries in 2 hours;
Economical.

Flaws:

Not detected.

Washable matte ceiling paint has good adhesion not only to mineral substrates. The composition can be used to paint wood fiber and particle boards. This makes Euro Power the best choice for repairs in the country house or garden pavilion.

Magic of the rainbow M-2

It has a deep velvety shine and a snow-white hue. Designed for dry rooms, recommended for living room, bedroom, office. Easy to apply with a roller or brush, after drying it forms a homogeneous film with good vapor permeability. It contains no organic solvents and does not emit harmful substances during operation.

The main advantages are low price and low consumption. The material can be recommended for objects where surfaces quickly become dirty. The coating is not intended for wet cleaning, but the cost allows for annual repairs to update the interior. An uncompromising choice for preschool and educational institutions where painting of ceilings is carried out regularly.

Advantages:

Drying time 1 hour;
Does not flow when working with a brush;
Easily tinted;
High adhesion to cement plasters.

Flaws:

Low water resistance.

Russian patterns

The paint for the ceiling in the apartment was created on the basis of polyacrylic dispersion and is distinguished by its bright whiteness. Lays evenly on plastered, concrete, plasterboard surfaces. You can work with any hand tool, pneumatic sprayer. Dries within 1 hour and becomes noticeably lighter. It has a noble, deep-matte shine and can be tinted in any shade.

The solvent is water, this makes it easy to remove drops of emulsion from the floor covering or washable wallpaper. It has no unpleasant odor and forms a decorative film that is permeable to air. There is no emission of organic substances during operation. When applied with a brush, no streaks remain.

Advantages:

Thick consistency;
Good hiding power;
Cost-effective;
High degree of adhesion.

Flaws:

To use the spray gun, it must be diluted with water.

Top 1. PARADE Classic W100 Wet areas

Rating (2021): 4.57

27 reviews taken into account from resources: Otzovik, OZON, LeroyMerlin

The most universal Suitable for all types of surfaces. You can paint concrete, brickwork, drywall, wood and even wallpaper, and both paper, vinyl on paper and non-woven backing, and glass wallpaper are suitable.

Characteristics
Average price: 2030 rub.
Country Russia
Coating type: matte
Smell: weak
Consumption: 9-11 m2/l
Drying: 2 hours
Volume: 5 l

"PARADE Classic W100" is the best latex paint for wet rooms, according to customers. It fits perfectly on any base, so you don't have to worry about whether it will suit your particular case. If we talk about moisture resistance, then it is quite enough for household use - the painted surface can be washed using detergents. In this case, the manufacturer provides a 5-year warranty. No special painting skills are required for application - the only thing buyers advise to do is dilute the mixture with water for convenience. The consistency is quite thick and in a more liquid form it will be more pleasant to work with, and the consumption will be reduced.

Advantages and disadvantages

Fits perfectly on any surface
Good hiding power
Withstands prolonged exposure to moisture
Economical consumption
Durability of coating more than 5 years

Thick - needs to be diluted

The best acrylic paints for ceilings

Interior washable acrylic ceiling paint is easy to apply, resistant to moisture and temperature changes. It can be tinted with little paste and does not fade when exposed to sunlight. The elastic coating masks small defects in the base. Decorative film does not absorb odors and easily tolerates wet cleaning.

Brite Professional

The professional line of the company from Yaroslavl is recommended for use in children's, medical, and educational institutions. The matte white emulsion does not splash or run off the brush. After drying, it forms a velvety coating that is resistant to dry cleaning. Works well on drywall, plastered surfaces, brick and concrete. For work, you can choose a hand tool or a pneumatic sprayer.

The composition has high hiding power when tinted in any color. According to user reviews, it does not emit unpleasant odors in hot weather and tolerates sudden temperature changes. When thickened, it is diluted with water, mixes easily, and does not lose its performance characteristics.

Advantages:

Cost-effective;
Dries in 2 hours;
High degree of whiteness;
A decent result when applied in 1 layer;
Frost-resistant.

Flaws:

Not detected.

Dali

Russian products are intended for painting apartments, country houses, and public buildings. Has durable adhesion to mineral substrates. The presence of titanium dioxide in the composition gives a bright white tint. The use of micronized marble as a filler guarantees one of the best hiding properties in its class.

The consistency allows the use of a spray gun for finishing. When painting with a brush, the water-based emulsion does not run or splash. For tinting, 5000 shades are offered according to the manufacturer’s base, coloring using universal pastes. Drying between layers is 1 hour, full strength is achieved after 5 days. Colored water emulsion is resistant to solar and artificial ultraviolet radiation. The surface does not retain dust.

Advantages:

Silky finish;
Resistant to dry cleaning;
Good vapor permeability;
Doesn't crumble.

Flaws:

Tinted compositions become very light.

VGT VD-AK-2180

Designed for interior work in rooms with normal humidity. Used for painting ceilings, vertical surfaces, wallpaper. The snow-white color is formed due to a large amount of titanium oxide. The coating is dense, durable, uniform in shade intensity. Light wet cleaning of the surface is allowed. Professional hiding power is ensured by increased dry matter content.

White ceiling paint has stable light resistance and does not develop a characteristic yellow tint during use. It is tinted in pastel colors. After application it dries within 1 hour. The formed coating allows supporting structures to “breathe” and does not emit unpleasant odors at elevated temperatures.

Advantages:

Resistant to condensation;
Strong adhesion to brick and concrete;
Low consumption;
Doesn't splash.

Flaws:

Poor adhesion to wood.

The best latex paints for ceilings

This type of ceiling emulsion is resistant to high humidity, solar ultraviolet radiation, and abrasion. Easily hides cracks 1-1.5 mm wide formed after painting. This is the best choice for new buildings where the shrinkage process has not been completed. The thin decorative layer is durable and scratch-resistant. The compositions can be used in the bathroom and kitchen. The only drawback is the overpriced.

Dulux Bindo 7

Designed for horizontal and vertical surfaces of premises with increased operational load. Recommended for hotels, kindergartens, medical and educational institutions. In a private house it can be used for painting the hall, corridors, living room, dining room. The main feature is its high thixotropy: after application it is easily and neatly leveled, during work it does not flow over the brush, nor is it splashed with a fur roller.

Forms a velvety matte coating that is resistant to wet cleaning and abrasion. Interlayer drying time is 1 hour, full strength gain within 2-4 hours, which reduces the time it takes to commission the facility. The finishing layer is scratch-resistant, allows air to pass through, contributing to the formation of a favorable microclimate.

Advantages:

Low consumption;
Coverage warranty 15 years;
Ecological certificate;
Good grip on wood;
Snow-white shade.

Flaws:

Overcharge.

Oreol Discount Interior

Designed for rooms where wet cleaning is regularly performed. Recommended for children's rooms, halls, and vestibules. Good vapor permeability of the coating, environmental friendliness and safety allow finishing in educational, medical and medical institutions. Easily applied to any surface, lays flat, forming a matte velvety coating.

You can use any tool for painting; good results when working with a paint brush - the emulsion does not splash, no drips or streaks remain. After drying, a dense decorative layer is formed that is resistant to abrasion. According to user reviews, scratches do not remain on the surface when pressed with a fingernail.

Advantages:

Beautiful snow-white shade;
Profitability of application;
No smell;
Hides small surface defects.

Flaws:

It takes a long time to dry.

Marshall Export-2

A good choice for interior work in all rooms of the house with moderate humidity. It is easy to work with a brush and roller; thanks to the thixotropic formula, it does not splash or run down. The absence of drips makes the repair flawless. Reliable adhesion to the base allows you to increase the service life of the finish and increases abrasion resistance.

The super white, deep matte finish helps create a cozy atmosphere. The decorative layer allows air to pass through, allowing the house to “breathe”. The hiding power is one of the best in its class, which has a positive effect on material consumption. For tinting, it is recommended to use the proprietary Acomix system. Colored water emulsion does not fade, maintaining the freshness of the shade.

Advantages:

Does not have a pungent odor;
Dries quickly;
Smooth, pleasant to the touch coating;
Certificate for use in medical institutions;
Doesn't crumble.

Flaws:

Wet cleaning of the surface no earlier than a month after painting.

Acrylic

The most popular solution among all possible ones. It does an excellent job of masking minor surface imperfections and is not too expensive. In addition, the surface is resistant to abrasion and has good resistance to water. The decorated surface can be wiped with a wet sponge or rags, but this will not be the best solution when decorating bathrooms - there are more suitable types of coatings. After application, the decorative layer may darken when drying and this must be taken into account.

The best water-based paints for ceilings

They are made on the basis of acrylic polymers or vinyl acetates. They differ from water-based emulsions in the technology of dissolution in water during the production process. Water-dispersed compositions have less coverage, but the layer formed is highly wear-resistant. The film after drying has a small thickness, but has good moisture resistance.

Lakra

Produced on the basis of acrylic dispersion, recommended for rooms with normal humidity. It has a snow-white color and lays flat on any mineral base. The matte finish hides minor cosmetic surface defects. For work, you can use any hand tool. The thixotropic characteristics are very good: finishing can be done without fear that the emulsion will splash.

Strong adhesion to the base increases the service life of the paint layer, which does not crumble upon tactile contact. Covering characteristics ensure low consumption, and high vapor permeability helps create a cozy microclimate in the house.

Advantages:

High whiteness;
Dries quickly;
Without smell;
Diluted with water;
Frost resistance.

Flaws:

Thorough mixing is required before use.

Tex Universal

Interior paint in a snow-white shade for rooms with normal humidity. The moisture-resistant decorative layer is easy to care for. Thick, easily paints over dark water-based emulsion. The deep matte coating allows air to pass through and does not emit harmful substances at high temperatures. Recommended for finishing work in medical and preschool institutions.

It fits neatly and does not make any difficult demands on the tool used. It is tinted with Tex pastes; after application, the shade becomes slightly lighter after drying. Colored compositions are resistant to solar and artificial ultraviolet radiation. Does not crumble upon tactile influence, does not have the properties of chalk - does not remain on clothing in case of accidental contact.

Advantages:

No pungent odor;
Does not splash during application;
Environmental Safety;
Does not wash off when wet cleaned.

Flaws:

Increased consumption.

Finncolor Oasis Interior Plus

Creates a deep matte velvety surface in a snow-white color. Designed for rooms with normal humidity. Thick, with good thixotropic properties. Does not flow from the brush, does not splash with a roller. You can choose the consistency for a pneumatic spray gun: water is used as a diluent.

It is the basis for tinting, which is recommended to be done according to the system of the Finnish company Tikkurila. The colored decorative layer is uniform in its saturation and does not lose its shade under the influence of artificial or solar ultraviolet radiation. When heated, it does not emit harmful substances, which is confirmed by an international environmental certificate.

Advantages:

Without smell;
Velvety surface;
Easy application;
Good vapor permeability.

Flaws:

Low wear resistance.

Flaws

Despite the undeniable advantages of this type of coating, it also has disadvantages. Thus, a pronounced gloss highlights all the defects and unevenness of the ceiling, so it is imperative to carefully prepare the surface before painting so that it is perfectly smooth. If such possibilities are not available, you can abandon the gloss in favor of a matte ceiling, which will hide all defects.

In addition, it should be taken into account that a glossy ceiling looks impressive only when the interior of the room matches the gloss. An interesting solution could be a combination of a glossy ceiling with the same walls.

The pronounced gloss highlights all the defects and unevenness of the ceiling, so it is imperative to carefully prepare the surface before painting so that it is perfectly smooth.

How to choose ceiling paint

When choosing what paint to paint the ceiling with, you need to pay attention to the recipe, take into account the humidity in the room and the need for regular cleaning. The decorative characteristics are affected by the degree of gloss. For a home or city apartment, a composition is recommended that forms a decorative, breathable layer.

Type of paint

The following types of products are produced depending on the composition:

Silicone - waterproof, wear-resistant, durable, expensive;
Acrylic - average water resistance, does not absorb odors, has a low price;
Silicate – resistant to temperature changes, frost, requires antifungal additives;
Latex – elastic, wear-resistant, susceptible to fungus.

Depending on the technology, water-dispersion and water-emulsion compositions are produced, which are wear-resistant.

Gloss level

Glossy emulsions reflect light well and are recommended for small rooms where they can visually expand the space. Please note that shine enhances small imperfections. Users are interested in the question: if there are defects, what kind of paint is used to paint the ceiling? Matte or deep matte. Compositions with such decorative effects hide minor roughness due to intense light absorption. On an ideal flat surface, you can use semi-matte and semi-gloss emulsions to achieve an unusual visual effect.

Durability

The ceiling is rarely exposed to intense mechanical impact - only during cleaning. In the kitchen, kindergartens, medical institutions, measures to maintain cleanliness are carried out regularly, so for these premises it is better to buy products that are wear-resistant. Water-dispersed acrylic, latex, and silicone water-based emulsions have excellent performance. You need to pay attention to resistance to mechanical stress if the material is planned to be additionally used after finishing the ceiling for painting window slopes and walls.

Safety

The presence of organic solvents in the composition leads to the emission of harmful substances into the air. It is enough to increase the room temperature to 28-30 degrees, and volatile compounds begin to be released that negatively affect health. It is recommended to use water-based paints that do not contain substances that are released into the external environment. The safety of these products is confirmed by environmental certificates.

Other characteristics

When choosing finishing materials, vapor permeability is important. The higher the ability to pass air, the more comfortable the microclimate in the room. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the hiding power. The greater the dry residue, the better the shade of the base is covered. An indirect indicator of good covering power is consumption: opaque paint is more economical.

Painting compositions for wooden bases

Wooden ceilings can also be painted.

Wood and its processed products (boards, lining, decorative beams, plywood, OSB, etc.) are often used for ceiling cladding. It can also be painted with water-dispersion paints.

Water-based paints completely cover the texture and texture of wood.

However, such paints and varnishes completely cover the natural texture and texture of the wood. This circumstance is not to the liking of all of us. This situation relates to the area of diversity of our aesthetic tastes.

For example, in the kitchen, wooden ceilings covered with light paint look very good.

Alkyd paints and varnishes for wood

Alkyd enamel is well suited for wooden ceilings.

Wood has high absorbency. To level it out, the base should be primed before painting. However, the costs of water-dispersed coatings for wood are still higher than for gypsum plasterboard, plaster or concrete.
Dark wood species are quite difficult to paint over.

Based on all this, the best option is to use alkyd paint for wooden ceilings. It has a high level of hiding power. In addition, most brands of alkyd materials are “2 in 1” coatings. For example, primer-paint or antiseptic-paint.

Before purchasing a composition, make sure that it is intended for painting wood. There are many varieties of paints based on alkyd resins. However, PF enamels are most often used for wood. They contain pentaphthalic varnish.

Alkyd paints are bright, durable and elegant.

In addition to the pigments and tints responsible for the color of the paint, they may contain the following additives:

nacre;
quartz chips;
marble flour, etc.

The photo shows multi-colored alkyd paints.

These components make it possible to create decorative additional effects.

Alkyd paints, as a rule, are already painted in some color and are completely ready for use. They have a wide range of tones and shades. They are rich and bright, which makes it possible to recreate contrasts and accents.

Painted wooden ceiling of a residential attic.

Alkyd finish is durable and resistant to sun and moisture. Consequently, such a coating can be used to cover wooden ceilings not only in residential premises, but also on the terrace, open veranda, summer kitchen, and attic.

Toning and impregnating compositions

Wooden ceilings have a fundamental difference from other bases - their natural texture is best not to be masked, but, on the contrary, to be preserved and emphasized.

That is, when painting wooden ceilings with your own hands, it is best to prefer transparent paints that have a tinting effect.

There are several varieties of such paints and varnishes:

Decorative glaze for wood.

The most popular now are decorative glazes, as well as impregnating varnishes. Their main function is to protect the wood from rotting . Only secondarily do they play a decorative role. Such paints and varnishes leave the wood texture visible, the surface of the base is only tinted. At the same time, the coating has a gloss, it is tactilely silky and smooth.

Wooden ceiling covered with protective glaze

A variety of colored solvent-based alkyd varnishes are also used to finish wooden ceilings. These translucent compounds create a protective film on the base that has good strength. It varies in gloss level.

Wood covered with stain.

There are also synthetic or water-based glazing impregnations. Essentially, these are stains.

They penetrate deep into the wood and color the base fibers:

with their help, cheap wood becomes similar to valuable species - oak, rosewood, walnut, mahogany, etc.;
if the ceiling was covered with an expensive type of wood, then stain will only emphasize its texture and texture. After glazing, the base can be coated with glossy, semi-glossy or matte varnish at your request.

Which ceiling paint is best?

The rating of ceiling paints presents products from companies with an impeccable reputation. Which one is better? The VyborExperta.ru team recommends taking into account the scope of application, operating features of the coating, and repair estimates. We advise you to pay attention to the following brands:

Tikkurila Euro Power 7 - for the children's room;
Russian patterns - for budget repairs;
Brite Professional - cost-effective for professional repairs;
Dulux Bindo 7 – coating for rooms where cleaning is constantly done;
Marshall Export-2 – in the living room, bedroom;
Tex Universal - for school classes.

All the products presented in the review are of impeccable quality, but only opaque, wear-resistant coatings are worthy of the title of the best interior materials.