Latex paint. Acrylic paint. Oil-based paint. Chalk paint. Textured paint. High-gloss paint.
Man, there are a lot of types of paint!
But, which one’s best for your ceilings?
That is precisely what we are here to find out.
5 minutes from now, you’ll know more about ceiling paint and painting ceilings than most of the world.
So, let’s waste no time – and jump right into the action!
Characteristics of Paint for Ceilings
There are various types of paint on the market that have been formulated especially for painting ceilings. If you can’t find any products like that at your local stores, the following are some of the properties you’ll want to look for in an interior paint that you could use on your ceilings instead.
- The thickness and structure of paint is referred to as “viscosity.” The higher the viscosity rating, the more solids the paint contains. Higher viscosity paints tend to cost more, but they are also much nicer to work with because they’re not runny and they don’t drip or spatter everywhere. Thicker paints also coat better, meaning you may need only one coat to effectively cover your ceiling space. Fewer coats are always better when the same degree of quality is achieved.
- Slow-drying paints are formulated to help extend the wetness of the paint, which works to create a more fluent, overlap-free finish. With the help of gravity, this additional time of saturation allows the paint to settle downward, toward the floor, yielding a smoother, more consistent finish.
If you can’t find quality ceiling paint, look for latex, water-based paint, especially one that has built-in stain blockers.
I avoid oil-based paints at all costs, and it makes no sense to me to use oil-based paint on a ceiling. They’re incredibly messy to work with, stain EVERYTHING, cost a lot, and are generally being phased out of the construction industry as far as I’m concerned. Nobody I know likes to work with them.
My advice, almost every time, is to stick to high-viscosity water-based paint for your ceilings.
PRO TIP 1: It’s no secret that money is tight these days for a lot of people. However, when you’re looking for places to pinch pennies, I advise you to choose somewhere else other than tool purchasing.
Whether you’re buying a paint brush, roller, paint sprayer, or even a hand tool like a pair of pliers, buy the highest quality product that you can afford. Skimping on tools never pays, in my experience, and buying high-quality tools always pays. When I buy a tool, I look for one that will last a lifetime, and I’m willing to pay extra for it.
Ceilings & Paint Sheen
As you probably know, paint is available in various different sheens (degrees of shininess), including:
- Semi-Gloss
- Flat/Matte
- High-Gloss
- Eggshell
- Satin
Each sheen level is best suited for certain applications.
For example, you might want to use semi-gloss latex paint on kitchen walls, or the walls in a child’s room, because it’s able to be washed repeatedly without rubbing off the wall.
Or you might do well to use satin-sheened paint in a laundry room with high humidity because it resists moisture very effectively.
So, which sheen is best for painting ceilings?
I always recommend using a flat/matte finish when painting ceilings. A flat finish is much more effective at hiding flaws in the ceiling surface, like poor drywall work or bulging trusses.
The only exception that I make is to use a semi-gloss or satin finished paint on wood ceilings located in areas with a lot of moisture. Glossy paints are much more water-resistant than flat paints are.
So, in general, flat latex paint is best for most ceiling painting applications. This type of paint is best for camouflaging imperfections, which is especially beneficial when repainting in older homes.
PRO TIP 2: I asked my friend, Michael Sikorski, a professional painter and general contractor, which type of paint he liked to use for ceilings in most cases. He explained:
Alan, while many people like to experiment with different colors of ceiling paint, I typically stick with a flat white. A white ceiling reflects light downward onto the walls, which accentuates their colors better than a dark ceiling. Carefully consider the color or colors that you will paint the walls in each of your rooms, but stick with a solid white ceiling to create the best aesthetics.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Painting Ceilings
OK, congratulations on knowing more than ever about ceiling paint!
Now, let’s take a look at how to paint ceilings.
Don’t stress, it’s simple.
Let’s go!
Step 1: Prep Your Workspace
Empty the furnishings out of your room that you’ll be painting the ceiling in, or move them to the center of the floor and cover them over with a tarp or plastic.
Move everything out of your walking path, so that as you’re painting the ceiling, you won’t have to keep looking down at your feet, worrying that you’re about to trip.
This will allow you to keep your eyes focused on the work at hand, which will subsequently help to create a superior result.
Whether you’re using an airless paint sprayer, high-velocity low-pressure (HVLP) paint sprayer, or a good old-fashioned brush and roller, it’s good to gather all of your equipment and have it where it’s easily accessible.
Remove or mask off any light fixtures located on the ceiling, and shine a bright shop light on the area you’ll be working in. Move this spotlight along with you as you progress in the ceiling’s paint job.
You’ll be surprised at how much more effectively you can see the intricacies and imperfections of your ceiling that may require a little bit more of your time when painting.
Step 2: Prep Your Ceiling
I see those cobwebs up in your corner! Grab a broom and get rid of them, and while you’re at it, look for any other issues that may need to be addressed before you begin painting.
If you notice water spots, then you need to address them in the attic space or whatever else is above your ceiling before proceeding.
If you have a water leak that’s causing water spots on your ceiling, and you do not fix it, and you paint over it, the moisture will come through your new paint.
Next, address any cracks, dents, dings, holes, scuffs, nail pops, or screws that need to be driven in further. Take your time in this phase and ensure meticulous work.
Sand everything down smoothly and understand that when you paint something, it can accentuate any imperfections that may be present.
This is your last chance to address any flaws on your ceiling before you paint it.
Take your time and be thorough!
Step 3: Paint Your Ceiling
If you’re using a brush and roller to paint your ceiling, and you are also going to paint the walls subsequently, then use a bevel-edged cutting brush to cut in the ceiling.
Since you’re going to be painting the walls, it’s OK that you allow some of the ceiling paint to go on to them. So go ahead and do a heavy cut around the entire perimeter of your ceiling.
Extend the cut out about four inches onto the ceiling itself, and allow it to fully coat the corner between the wall and the ceiling, and extend down about an inch onto the wall.
Next, paint around all of the fixtures that may be on the ceiling space. Use your brush to reach anywhere that a roller will not fit. Make your cut around the fixture plenty big enough so that you will have an easy job rolling up to it.
After you have cut in the perimeter of your ceiling, and cut in around your light fixtures that may be present, you can begin working on the larger areas of the ceiling. So, go ahead and attach your roller to an extension pole, unless you’re using a step ladder, which is fine too.
Pick a corner, any corner, and begin rolling your paint on. Don’t dry roll. Get plenty of paint on your roller, as much as you can without causing drippage.
Then, apply the paint to the ceiling in a good, thick coat. Don’t be shy. Each time you move into a different section to paint, be sure to overlap the previous section by at least a roller’s width. This will help you create a seamless finish that you will not be able to distinguish any roller marks on.
Continue the process until you have coated the entire ceiling. Then, ensure adequate ventilation in the room, and face a fan out of the room to increase circulation. Don’t turn the fan inward towards your new paint, or it might blow up dust onto your new paint job.
Now, go have a delicious beer and wait for the paint to dry!
Step 4: Finishing Touches
If you chose high-quality paint to work with, you may need only one coat for adequate coverage. However, I always like to go back with a second coat. I mean, how often do you really paint your ceilings?
If you choose to second coat the ceiling, apply your second coat of paint just as you did your first, leaving no steps out, and doing the same quality work as you did on the first coat.
You’ll likely notice that the paint spreads much smoother this time. It will be easier to cover the areas you’re painting because the first coat of paint has already been applied. You’ll find that you’re cut-in and rolling proceed much easier during the second coat.
Once again, when you’re done with the second coat, ensure ventilation and circulation, and go relax while it dries.
That’s it, you’ve done it! You have painted your ceiling! And it looks wonderful!
Woohoo!
My Closing Thoughts About the Best Paint for Ceilings
As with any other type of work, you’ll experience such better results when painting a ceiling if you approach the project with a good plan and meticulous action. Be picky about every step of the process.
Overdo your work. Working in this manner might take you an extra half-hour or so on an average-sized ceiling, but those extra minutes of effort will be well paid for with superior results that last for years.
Thank you very much for reading along today, and I hope the information that you have gained here helps you to paint the best looking ceilings ever in the history of the planet!
Enjoy the Paint!
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