Difference Between Ceiling Paint And Wall Paint

It may come of as a new news or a surprising facts that there are paints for ceilings too. While few are unaware of it, there are quite a few evident differences between the wall paint and the ceiling paint. And it also depends on the quality, brand and the space where the paint is required, as the place also plays a major factor in making the paint work.

So, if you are confused on whether you can apply wall paint to the ceiling or if the ceiling paint can be used in the walls, read on further to know more about the benefits of each paint, the susceptibility of the paint and the resistance quality of it compared to the other, the better option of the two and whether they can be mixed together and used for more hold on the surface.

What Is Ceiling Paint?

Ceiling paint is an interior paint, being tinted in the colour pale blue or pink colour. Viscosity of the paint, being the thickness of the paint, is used for a ceiling to keep the surface of the ceiling strong and withstanding any kind of external effects.

A reason for the ceiling paint being thicker than the wall paint is so as to not drop on the floor as it requires such strong hold and not to fall on the place or people who live there.

This can be found and experimented while applying the ceiling paint on the ceiling and where we apply sheets or tarps below so that even if the paint drips, it won’t fall in the ground, dirtying the place.

And that being said, all you want to know is that the paint is relatively lesser drippy and not to fall in the eye while applying or after the application too.

The strangeness is comparatively larger than the wall paint, as wall paint is quite thinner and even if the paint drips there would be less of a worry than the ceiling paint falling down. But it to be also noted, the wall paint can be used on the ceiling, but too much of the wall paint ruins it as it gets drippy.

Also Read:

Brown Granite Countertops For Kitchen Ideas-Design Ideas To Enhance Your Space

Is ceiling paint different to wall paint?

Yes, ceiling paint is quite different from the wall paint and it also comes down to the quantity used and the brand of the paint used for both the ceiling and the wall.

As for the sources, even with a few splashes and splatters you can cover the ceiling in no time, but the more thick the paint is, the less drying time it takes.

Having lesser water content than that of the wall paint, it doesn’t drip or evaporate. In case of the wall paint, it has the same drying quality as that of the ceiling paint, but the ceiling paint qualifies for being the fast dryer between the two.

So if the paints are exchanged to be used for the other purpose, being the wall paint used for ceiling or the ceiling paint used for the wall – one has to be careful with the thickness of the paint and also its nature with respect to its drying quality. Ceiling paint is also different to the wall paint, as it requires less coating than wall paint.

The initial layer applied will be thicker than the first layer applied for the wall, with the wall paint. And also the ceiling paint is more resistant to smoke, vapours, mould, mildew and stains as whenever one smokes or cooks, the ceiling gets affected than the walls around.

As the heat rises, it stays in the form of stains in the ceiling, but doesn’t affects the durability of the paint coated there, as it is more resistant to it even with less coating of paint.

The Benefits Of Using Ceiling Paint OR Wall Paint

Benefits of wall paint:

Wall paints have a glossier effect than the ceiling paint.
Ceiling paints have less impact on the viewers than what the wall paint has.
Walls are quite easy to clean and patch, while the ceilings are quite hard to clean or patch depending on the height of the ceiling.
The dents, cracks or marks have to be filled in properly or covered properly to make the walls look better, and a flat paint can be used for that in ceilings.
But the wall paints have better options than the ones fixated for the ceiling paints and that is one big advantage with the wall paint where many options could be explored.

Benefits of ceiling paint:

Fewer splashes and splatters is all it takes to get the ceiling covered with paint and not multiple layers of coating of paint.
The thickness of the paint is much more durable and withstanding than the wall paint so that the paint doesn’t fall on the surface.
One layer of the ceiling paint is enough to cover the ceiling and much layers of paint makes it dripper.
Less coats is better as that particular coating in itself is thick to withhold the space.
Added benefits of ceiling paint are that it is resistant to mould and mildew.
Each time one cooks or smokes, the heat rises and the smoke stays in the ceiling marking it with marks.
Though it gets hard to clean, the paint doesn’t wash off or fall off, indicating it’s durability.
It’s quite resistant to moulds, mildew, smoke, vapours and stains.

CAN I USE WALL PAINT ON CEILINGS?

Yes, wall paint can be used on the ceilings. But due care should be taken on using the wall paint to the ceilings as wall paints are comparatively thinner to the ceiling paint.

If the wall paint is applied to the ceiling without taking necessary measures, it has the result of dripping on the surface. So if the ceiling is extremely damaged or has multiple textures, you can use the wall paint, if not it’s better to take the suggestions of the professionals of that field.

Though the wall paint comes with many varieties and colours, and if you bring in the idea of making your ceiling a more colourful one than using the staple ceiling paint – which comes in common colours of beige or similar shades of white, it is better to think more into it as rather than the colour effects of the ceiling, durability and the viscosity of the paint should be taken into consideration.

But overall, you can use a wall paint on the ceiling after a prep on the surface to make it more durable and stable.

CAN I USE CEILING PAINT ON MY WALLS?

Yes, you can use ceiling paint on the walls, as it’s quicker drying than the wall paint. And comparing the thickness of the paints, the ceiling paint is thicker than the wall paint and it can speed up the process, helping you save time and energy.

Wall paints require more than one layer of paint and also few more coatings than the ceiling paint. So if the ceiling paint is used, it can be used to paint the wall in one coat as it is thicker in its consistency.

The cracks or dents of the walls can be covered and the imperfections can be covered with the ceiling paint, than the regular primer, as this paint can be used as a solid base for the new colour of your wall.

One disadvantage is that the ceiling paint comes in lesser textures and colours than the wall paint, and if you are using this as the final coating the options for a colourful paint may be limited.

And being prone to handprints and other kind of touches, the ceiling paint may not be a good option for a finishing touch on the paint.

What’s The Best Type Of Paint For Ceilings?

Matte finish is one of the most common options for ceiling paint.
The finish on the ceiling has that satin finish making it more glossy and appealing.
The options for the paint helps to scatter light on the ceiling and not fall brightly on the eyes.
Another alternative to the common ceiling paint is flat later paints, and they provide similar finish as the ceiling paints.
It dries fats and has less odour, and also scatters light well.
But it requires to be applied in thin layers, to avoid any runs or dripping from the ceiling.
Flat acrylic paints also offer a better option for the ceiling paint as it’s more durable and dries quickly.
But based on the consistency, it is imperative to know whether to paint thick or thin accordingly.
Textured paints also offer a good alternative to the staple ceiling paints, for flat or bare drywall.

Ceiling Paint Vs. Wall Paint- Is One Better Than The Other?

When it comes to cost effectiveness or cost saving aspects of the paints, ceiling paints are quite costly and expensive than the wall paint.
And considering the way it was designed, the ceiling paints can be used only on ceilings and walls paint on walls.
The ceiling paint is a better option in terms of durability and sustainability and it doesn’t require a primer for firmness or thickness to withhold the space.
But it’s also doesn’t mens that wall paint is less effective compared to that of ceiling paint.
Ceiling paint is comparatively expensive to the wall paint and in terms of different colours and varieties and cost- effectiveness, wall paint takes the merits here.

Can I Mix Wall Paint And Ceiling Paint?

Yes, the wall paint and ceiling paint can be mixed only if they have the same base. For instance, a water based wall paint can be mixed with water based ceiling paint, as it has the same solvent of water.

The mixture can bring in both the benefits of the wall paint and ceiling paint making the final result to be a colourful one with thick paint that are more suitable to ceilings and doesn’t drip.

One point is to be noted that, if at least one of them has a different solvent or base, it cannot be mixed together. You can not mix water solvent with an oil based solvent paint.