Kinds of Ceiling Paints

Interior Latex

• Interior latex paints can provide you with a traditional smooth finish for your ceiling project. Made primarily of water, these paints are easily cleanable, dry quickly (usually within a few hours) and have relatively little smell. Although latex paints are not odorless, they have a far more palatable smell than older alkyd varieties. Latex paints are easily tintable and can match almost any room color scheme. Additionally, you can create different looks for your ceiling by using either a matte flat or shiny gloss finish.

Mildew Resistant

• Mildew-resistant ceiling paints are a popular choice for heavy-moisture areas, such as bathrooms. Steamy showers create water vapor that can easily cause molds and mildew to grow on your ceiling. Many companies now manufacture paints to deal with this issue. These paints work best when used on a completely clean surface. They contain chemical additives to inhibit the new growth of mildew or mold.

Textured Paint

• There are different types of ceiling paint textures to suit your design aesthetic. The popular "popcorn" texture is made from granules suspended in a thick paint. Other decorative finishes can be created with different tools and techniques. Using a textured paint or even thinned drywall compound with noticeable brush strokes in circular or fanned patterns creates a designer touch, as does a "knock-down" finish. Knock-down techniques require a trowel or similar tool to gently smooth over a textured ceiling paint, creating a rough, plaster-looking finish.

Oil Paints

• Before water-based latexes came to the forefront in the paint industry, oil finishes were a popular standard. Also known as alkyd, this kind of ceiling paint provides the home designer with a stronger-bonding product for hard-to-stick surfaces. The major drawback to using an oil is the strong smell. This category of product is not nearly as environmentally friendly as the latex version, and requires a higher degree of care in terms of use and venting.