The most straightforward choice for shower walls would be to paint them with durable, bathroom-safe paint. You can even find waterproof paint for shower tiles, which can be latex enamel, oil-based enamel, and specialty bathroom paint are all options for use in bathrooms. Most bathroom paints for tiles or walls are, at a minimum, semi-gloss, and the glossier they are, the more water-resistant it is and the easier it is to clean.
If you want painted shower walls, you’ll have various color choices. Much as with non-waterproof paints, a wide range of colors is available. Painted walls require more attention and maintenance than other alternatives to maintain water resistance over time. With any waterproof bathroom paint, you need a solid backing.
In our reviews, you can find the best waterproof paint for shower walls to stop leaks when you least expect them. (Learn What is Enamel Paint)
Why You Need a Good Waterproof Paint For Showers
Since bathrooms are damp, moisture should be your primary concern when applying a new paint job to your walls. Moisture has two effects on your bathroom walls. Damp air gathers on the walls from steamy baths and showers. And there’s water splashed onto the walls straight from the tub or sink. When moisture penetrates the paint layer and comes into contact with the drywall or plaster underneath, it can damage the paint.
This can cause paint peeling and mold formation. The less permeable the paint layer is, the less moisture can penetrate. Using high-gloss paints was the most common way of coping with bathroom moisture, even before mildew-resistant properties were introduced to the paint. The better the paint finish performs in toilets, the higher the gloss. High-gloss finishes on all surfaces are popular in older bathrooms. While high-gloss paints do not prevent mildew, wiping down those drippy, brown stains common in bathrooms is a breeze. (Read Enamel vs Acrylic Paint)
In favor of Bath Paint, several interior house products are moving away from the bathroom paint name and creating paints to combat moisture. Interior Acrylic Latex Paint, like Bath Paint, has antimicrobial properties and is suitable for trim, walls, and ceilings. A flat finish is porous in a wet setting and absorbs moisture, while a glossy finish causes water to bead and runoff.
Contents
Waterproof paints for bathrooms are more expensive than other interior paints, but you can get high-quality paint that will last in the bathroom. Since bathrooms are small, the amount of thick sealed paint you’ll need is usually less than in a standard room. If you don’t need a low-sheen finish in your bathroom, a good-quality satin, semi-gloss, or high-gloss regular paint with antimicrobial additives is washable. It has steam and a moisture-resistant finish, which should suffice.
Top Waterproof Paint Reviews
1. Liquid Rubber Foundation and Basement Sealant
Pros
- Easy to apply by roller brush or high-quality piston paint sprayer
- Water-based, so no solvents or VOCs
- It can be used indoors or outdoors
- Non-flammable
Cons
- Can smell in an enclosed environment
- It can’t be used within 24 hours of expected rain
When you look at the Liquid Rubber Foundation and Basement Sealant, you have a product that will completely keep corners of shower liners, deck and fence Posts, metal, wood, and concrete dry and protected.
The solution is highly flexible and delivers a final membrane with high elasticity so it won’t crack or start taring. For each coat, you also get a generous flat surface coverage of 50 sq ft per gallon.
The Liquid Rubber Foundation Sealant is a green solution and safe for kids, pets, and the environment. You can use it outdoors or indoors without breathing apparatus, though it can have a slightly lingering odor in small areas.
With a guide price of around $110 for 5-gallons, you get great value for money, and you have the best solution to seal your shower or stop bathrooms affecting areas of your home once installed.
You can use the liquid rubber to bridge joints, fill gaps, level seams, and keep mould from appearing because of damp. It can be the best waterproof paint for shower backgrounds you can find.
2. Liquid Rubber Color Waterproof Sealant
Pros
- It offers a decent number of color options
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- Very durable and flexible
- Suitable for ponding surfaces
Cons
- Not suited for bathroom wall painting
- Expensive
- Small coverage for poling areas
Suppose you need a highly effective protective finish for flat roofs. In that case, metal roofs, foundations, shower liners, concrete, wood and more, the liquid rubber color waterproof sealant can provide a decent solution.
The final membrane offers over 1000% elongation, thus avoiding adhesion failure. It is UV Stable and can stop the product from degrading in the sun for years. The LR waterproof sealant is eco-friendly and comes without solvents, VOC’s or harmful odors as it is water-based.
It is safe for the family and pets and can be used in bathrooms or outdoors without risk. You can use the waterproof sealant on various materials, including plastic. With a rough guide price of just under $65, it is an expensive option, yet it is a premium product and can be the best waterproof paint in the ideal situation if you opt for this fix to your damp problems.
3. INSL-X AMW100009A-01 WaterBlock Acrylic Masonry Waterproofer Paint
Pros
- Water-based and eco-friendly
- Copes with a wide range of temperatures
- Affordable
- Suitable for indoor or outdoor uses
Cons
- The surface needs to be fully prepped before application
- It can’t be used with other paints
- Not suitable for floors
You will find the INSL-X is a water-based and mold resistant coating for interior or exterior concrete walls of all types, such as basements, foundations and retaining walls. It is a quick-drying waterproof paint that can be used on many brick types, such as cinder blocks, stucco and brick, and masonry. Besides water repellency, it has a natural high alkali resistance up to pH-13.
The waterproofing paint can dry basement walls, although it should only be applied when surface and air temperatures are between 50 ° F and 90 °F. You can find many application tips on the can. With a guide price of just over $35, you get a decent-performing masonry sealer that comes in white. It does have a 4-hour cure time, yet it does clean up with soap and water.
4. KILZ Interior/Exterior Basement and Masonry Waterproofing Paint
Pros
- Good area coverage
- It can be applied by brush or roller
- Uses nanotechnology to prevent water infiltration
- Easy to clean off the glass
Cons
- Not multicolored as advertised
- It doesn’t offer thick membrane-like others create
- Walls need full preparation before use
If you need affordable multicolor masonry waterproofing paint, then the KILZ paint could solve your issues. The premium interior and exterior paint have been designed to waterproof and seal porous concrete and masonry. This you can do from the outside to the inside. The paint develops a barrier to stop water infiltration and offers an alkali-resistant coating for a long-lasting finish. (Read Remove Tiles From Wall)
It is easy to apply this paint on properly prepared basement walls, masonry, and more, as long as there are no active water leaks. A 1-gallon can of Interior/Exterior Basement and Masonry Waterproofing Paint covers 75 to 125 square feet per. It requires a minimum of two coats of this product, yet it offers great value for money compared to alternatives. The paint dries inside an hour, and you can apply another coat in four hours. With a guide price of less than $28, it offers a very effective solution to completely waterproof any space so long as it isn’t on the floors. (Learn How to Remove Spray Paint from Concrete)
Best Waterproof Paint Buying guide
When you want waterproof paint, there are a few things to consider. It will depend if you want to paint tile and walls or add a waterproof background to your shower walls and pan. Here are a few things to consider when you are undertaking a bathroom painting project.
Paint Types
- Flat: Offers a matte coating and best suited for low-traffic areas where it won’t be touched. It absorbs moisture and isn’t suitable for bathrooms, yet it is great for hallways and dining rooms.
- Eggshell: Here, you can find a slight sheen from this paint, which can be lightly washed than flat paint. Eggshell is best suited for areas that don’t have lots of moisture.
- Satin: You begin to see some gloss, and you can use this type of paint in low-moisture bathrooms on walls and the ceiling.
- Semi-gloss: You will discover this is an excellent finish for any bathroom. It repels moisture well and doesn’t offer the high shine of high-gloss. It is suitable for walls and possibly a ceiling if it isn’t brightly lit.
- High-gloss: When you reach this level, you have the toughest selection for bathroom walls. However, glossy paint doesn’t look appealing on large surfaces like walls as it reflects light and shows any bumps.
Color
Since bathrooms are small, the lighter colors are used to create an illusion they are larger and brighter than they are.
Painting Tiles
If you want to paint over tiled surfaces, you will need a high gloss tile paint. Tiles can be one of the most challenging things to paint over. To paint over ceramic tile walls in a bathroom means you lose the tile characteristics as grout lines are the same color as your tile. You can also find that it is better to avoid painting tile that faces lots of water.
- Latex Paint: You need one to two coats of bonding primer to adhere to tile surfaces such as tile. Once dry, follow with two topcoats of acrylic latex wall paints.
- Epoxy Paint: You need two coats of two-part epoxy paints made for tile.
Damp Patches
If you already have a damp patch or wish to paint behind tiles or on walls to make sure your entire shower area is waterproof, you need specialist paints that can withstand anything your shower can throw at it.
Final Verdict
In testing, it was easy to find a winner for stealing bathroom walls before moving forward. Liquid Rubber Foundation and Basement Sealant were effective in many areas, including cement in a floor area and many more. (Learn How to Repair Peeling Paint)
It is easy to apply, and you only find the true settings once it sets. It delivers great area coverage and can stop water from getting in and out of your house. It is environmentally friendly and has no nasty toxic smells during application. The Liquid Rubber sealant has to be the best way to treat your bathroom wall before carrying on with your next project.
