Re-decorating black and white timber frame farmhouse

[Hazelbarn]

I am looking to repaint inside a large black and white timber frame farmhouse. I do understand about breathable/permeable paints but finding Auro/F&B/Lakeland/Keim etc very expensive when there are so many rooms to do. Happy to do everywhere white initially just to clean up and probably colour in specific rooms down the line one at a time. It is lathe and plaster panels in many areas as well as stone and brick. Everywhere has already been painted with standard emulsion over the years. Maybe long term I’ll think about stripping it all back but not in the next few weeks.

My questions are:

- Has anyone used a decent and economic water based & permeable emulsion? Any other reasonably priced ideas for a big job?
- The kitchen/larder/pantry rooms seem especially problematic with very flaky paint coming off brick, and we’ve been told there may be salt in the walls. You can see in the pics attached – these were painted with standard emulsion about 6 years ago. I need something that will make the walls hygenic so flakes aren't falling off in the food, without damaging the brick underneath... anything exist?
- What about the woodwork in general in the house; window frames, bannisters etc? Gloss/Silk – are there kinder (and reasonably priced) alternatives?

Any thoughts on any of this will be very gratefully received!

With thanks
Hazel

 

[MatthewC]

This is a way down the list without an answer! I would say try Earthborn Clay Paint or similar. It is breathable and (in my experience) pretty durable; because it's not affected by damp, it's not going to fall in your food. However, I have only used it onto lime plaster.

For woodwork I have used Laura Ashley water based eggshell as well as Homebase satin (water based).

HTH

Matthew
PS it's lath not lathe

 

[Flyfisher]

If everywhere has already been painted with 'standard' emulsion then breathability has probably already been compromised as most emulsion paints these days are vinyl based, which makes them more durable and 'washable' but also makes them essentially a layer of thin plastic. It might also be why its peeling.

I understand that the main exception to this is 'contract matt emulsion', the stuff that is often used on new plaster by housebuilders hence the 'contract' name. It's not as durable as a vinyl emulsion but as a result it is much more breathable. It's also generally cheaper.

 

[88v8]

- What about the woodwork in general in the house; window frames, bannisters etc? Gloss/Silk – are there kinder (and reasonably priced) alternatives?

Hello and welcome.

Gloss is more durable. You could use it, for instance, on window sills.
The flatter finish of silk/satin/eggshell looks more Period. Gloss can also be used to make highlights. It doesn't have to be one or the other.

The key to durability is preparation. Clean with sugar soap. Rub down thoroughly, Make good where required. Primer, undercoat, two top coats, rubbing down lightly between coats. Without thorough prep, even the best paint will give poor results. And after you have done all that, use the best paint, because compared to the time it takes, the extra cost of good paint is piffling.

Cheap paint is cheap for a reason. Better to decorate slowly and thoroughly, room by room, than do a cheap rush job.

As regards the flakiness, clay paint as Matthew says. I have always thought that there are no really breathable emulsions. Only emulsions with 'breathable' on the tin. Flyfisher may have lit upon a useful trade secret.
However, unless you get rid of the modern paint, you have to regard whatever you do as temporary, because you have not eliminated the underlying problem.
And if there are salts in the walls, brush them off. Do not wash!!!! That will just send the salt back into the wall.

Ivor

 

[Hazelbarn]

Thank you Matthew, Ivor and Flyfisher,

Sorry, I haven’t checked in a while as this was answered by a few in another thread a while back. My fault for posting twice and then losing track - such a newbie. But I’m really grateful for all the extra info and thoughts and comments. In the end I have gone for Auro clay paint in the salty brick kitchen rooms (after neutralising) and white contract mat in the other rooms. Also having sorted some gutters which were throwing big amounts of water on the walls. Will see how it all goes as a first tack.

Hazel