Choosing Paint for Basement Projects
Imperial Painting
Are you starting a basement renovation project? This article explores selecting paint colors, types, and more for basement projects.
Are you starting a basement renovation project? This article explores selecting paint colors, types, and more for basement projects.
In interior designing projects, few elements carry as much power to enchant, entice, and excite as paint color. When used correctly, color has the ability to expand a room or make it feel warmer. Likewise, if used incorrectly, it can make a space feel too cluttered or cold.
Painting is also much harder than you think, especially for basements. When you’re painting your basement, the type and color of the paint you choose will vary based on your lighting (basements tend to have lower lighting), the moisture and humidity levels (basements have higher humidity levels compared to other rooms in a house), and the type of materials you’re painting.
You can use most interior paints on basement walls. However, we recommend using moisture-resistant paints or waterproof formulas, especially for unfinished or finished concrete, along with satin or semi-gloss finishes, which are more resistant to moisture.
When choosing a paint color, it really just depends on whether you want to add warmth, expand the room, etc. We tend to see people use lighter colors to make their basements feel more open. White or off-white are also standard because they reflect light better. If your goal is to make the room feel warm, you can try darker hues or colors like red, orange, or yellow, but those colors can also make rooms feel smaller. You can read this blog for more information on basic color theory principles.
More material-specific recommendations and considerations are below.
You should use latex-based paints on drywall because they dry quickly and are easier to clean. Always apply a drywall primer before painting, which will help the paint adhere better and provide a more uniform result. Also use flat or matte finishes with drywall because they help hide imperfections common with drywall, unlike the satin or high-gloss finishes that we usually recommend for walls.
If you want to maintain a natural aesthetic, we actually recommend stains over paints because stains make the grain stand out. If you don’t care as much about keeping a natural look, we recommend using solid earth tones or neutral colors that will complement the wood. Always use oil-based or acrylic-latex paints because they withstand wood expanding and contracting without cracking. And, before painting, always clean, sand, and prime the wood paneling.
Since humidity levels in basements are high and concrete absorbs moisture easily, you’ll want to either use epoxy paints, which create a hardened waterproof barrier to prevent mold and mildew growth, masonry waterproofing paint, or acrylic-latex, such as Sherwin Williams’ All Surface Enamel, which can be used on interior or exterior concrete. Always make sure the concrete is dry before painting because moisture will cause the paint to peel off.
We recommend using white on brick because it can brighten the space while highlighting the natural texture of the brick. When choosing paints, go for elastomeric or acrylic-latex type because they will allow the brick to “breathe” and release moisture when needed. We also recommend applying a sealer before painting to help prevent too much moisture absorption.
Insulated vinyl panels are a little unique—if you have a window in your basement that allows sunlight to hit the panels, we recommend using lighter-colored paints, which are more reflective and help prevent the panels from warping under heat absorption. Outside of this consideration, you’ll want to find a paint specifically formulated for vinyl. These types of paints contain additives that allow the vinyl to expand and contract without cracking.
The most common types of basement ceilings are drywall, wood, and shiplap. Considerations for drywall and wood ceilings are similar to drywall and wooden panel walls, so we’re only going to focus on shiplap. When painting ceilings, you need to find paints labeled as “ceiling paints” because they are thicker and won’t drip as much as other interior paints. We also recommend matte or flat finishes for most ceiling materials (except for shiplap, which we’ll cover below) because they help hide imperfections that ceiling lighting can bring out.
Shiplap is often used because of its unique appearance, so when you’re choosing colors, choose ones that accentuate its design instead of hiding it. We generally recommend whites, grays, browns, and other neutral colors over bolder types that take away from shiplap’s natural appearance.
When choosing paint formulas, go for acrylic-latex paints because they have great adhesion and are easy to use. We recommend a satin or semi-gloss finish (satin, in particular, if you want easier maintenance).
All DIY projects seem feasible until you actually start them, and while painting projects seem easy, they’re anything but. These projects are time-consuming and messy, and any mistakes you make along the way will be visually apparent.
There are many benefits of getting help from a fully licensed and insured professional like Imperial Painting. We offer several home improvement services, including interior painting, to homeowners throughout Shelby Township. MI. When you turn to us, we’ll manage the project every step of the way, including color selection (if needed), surface preparation, and cleanup.
Please visit our portfolio to look at some of our past projects or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Macomb: (586) 412-9040
Oakland: (248) 275-5657