I have read with interest over the last year the postings on this website regarding the merits of using natural breathable paints such as limewash, distemper and the more recent earth or clay paints but I was wondering is this absolutely necessary on internal walls where breathability is less of an issue? Unfortunately all of the internal lath lime plaster stud walls in my home were painted in emulsion paint by the previous owners. I’ve been living here nearly 4 years now and there doesn’t appear to be any detrimental effects from this. I am debating as to whether I should continue painting in emulsion or would there be any advantages in painting over the emulsion with say one of the earthborn paints?
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should I continue using emulsion on my internal walls
- Thread starter michael
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Nemesis
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What are the walls which are external ones (but inside the building...) painted with?
michael said:Unfortunately all of the internal lath lime plaster stud walls in my home were painted in emulsion paint by the previous owners.
I am debating as to whether I should continue painting in emulsion
Nemesis
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Yes Moo I read that. I presume that the external internal walls are painted in something different then?
I'm just wondering if Michael wants different paint effects on different walls.
And there is a reason unrelated to me being stupid why I asked the question I did.
I'm just wondering if Michael wants different paint effects on different walls.
And there is a reason unrelated to me being stupid why I asked the question I did.
skier-hughes
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The decay brought about by using Emulsion on the inside of the external wall may take years to be seen, such things as the wood gradually rotting from inside out due to high levels of captured moisture. As in the inside of the wood rather than the inside of the building.
These walls need to be breathable on both sides.
Now internal walls are slightly different as they don't have such high moisture levels on one side., but will still have a certain amount, depending on where they are, it could be quite high. Next to bathroom, above kitchen etc.
These would also benefit from breathable paint.
If you are just going to paint over the emulsion, then I wouldn't bother paying extra for a good breathable paint, as you won't see any of it's benefits.
If you are going to strip the emulsion off first, like I am doing, then it certainly would be great if you used a paint in keeping with the building construction you have and you buy a nice breathable paint.
Graham
These walls need to be breathable on both sides.
Now internal walls are slightly different as they don't have such high moisture levels on one side., but will still have a certain amount, depending on where they are, it could be quite high. Next to bathroom, above kitchen etc.
These would also benefit from breathable paint.
If you are just going to paint over the emulsion, then I wouldn't bother paying extra for a good breathable paint, as you won't see any of it's benefits.
If you are going to strip the emulsion off first, like I am doing, then it certainly would be great if you used a paint in keeping with the building construction you have and you buy a nice breathable paint.
Graham
Nemesis
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Some emulsions are slightly more permeable than others. Putting a less permeable one (modern vinyl type) on top may possibly cause some problems on some walls. Hard to give a definitive answer.
Mostly it's external walls which need the most permeable paint, but it depends on so many variables.
Mixing paint types in the same room might give an odd effect.
Mostly it's external walls which need the most permeable paint, but it depends on so many variables.
Mixing paint types in the same room might give an odd effect.
biffvernon
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The cheap stuff known as 'trade emulsion' is pretty breathable - that's why they put it on plaster that is really properly dry.
I'd say the main choice of paint on an internal wall depends of looks. The clay paints and paints that use mineral pigments rather than dyes do make for a different appearance.
I'd say the main choice of paint on an internal wall depends of looks. The clay paints and paints that use mineral pigments rather than dyes do make for a different appearance.
CHRIS
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Of all the modern paints on the market I thing things like Dulux super matt are the best for this application (except in the bathroom as the condensation can make it blister)
Thanks for comments every body.
In answer to Nemesis’s question, all of the walls have a lath and lime plaster application to some degree. The internal walls as previously mentioned are just lath and lime plaster stud walls. The external walls are 9”brick with lath lime plaster on the interior face which stands proud of the brick by about ½ inch to an inch due to a series of wooden pegs and batons. All of the internal walls whether exterior or not have been painted in emulsion with no detrimental effects with the exception of one wall.
This one particular wall is south facing and exposed to wind and rain and was at one stage in need of some external patch pointing repair. The internal face had also been badly repaired. This wall consists of a series of four ‘internal’ solid brick pilasters each keyed into the solid 9 inch wall. In-between each pilaster there is a window surrounded by lath plaster panelling again standing proud of the brick with pegs and batons. Previous owners had skim coated the solid brick pilasters and the lath plaster panels in a gypsum plaster and then painted over this entire internal surface with emulsion. Needless to say, weaknesses in the external pointing allowed water in, which was soaked up by the gypsum causing it and the emulsion to blow.
I have now had the external pointing repaired, I’ve had the gypsum removed from the solid brick pilasters and replaced with lime& horsehair and I’ve simply scraped of the emulsion where it had blown on the lath panels. The gypsum skim on the panels seems to be drying out and holding up as this has no direct contact with the brickwork behind.
I intend to paint this wall which is part of a very large room with a breathable paint, as this is most defiantly needed on the newly plastered solid brick pilasters. Not sure what to do with the rest of the building however which seems to be holding up fine with its emulsion paint. I don’t intend removing the emulsion. This is a large property and it would be a lifetimes work. I think if I do use the earthborn paints over the emulsion in the rest of the property it will just be for visual effect. Is there a significant difference in appearance?
In answer to Nemesis’s question, all of the walls have a lath and lime plaster application to some degree. The internal walls as previously mentioned are just lath and lime plaster stud walls. The external walls are 9”brick with lath lime plaster on the interior face which stands proud of the brick by about ½ inch to an inch due to a series of wooden pegs and batons. All of the internal walls whether exterior or not have been painted in emulsion with no detrimental effects with the exception of one wall.
This one particular wall is south facing and exposed to wind and rain and was at one stage in need of some external patch pointing repair. The internal face had also been badly repaired. This wall consists of a series of four ‘internal’ solid brick pilasters each keyed into the solid 9 inch wall. In-between each pilaster there is a window surrounded by lath plaster panelling again standing proud of the brick with pegs and batons. Previous owners had skim coated the solid brick pilasters and the lath plaster panels in a gypsum plaster and then painted over this entire internal surface with emulsion. Needless to say, weaknesses in the external pointing allowed water in, which was soaked up by the gypsum causing it and the emulsion to blow.
I have now had the external pointing repaired, I’ve had the gypsum removed from the solid brick pilasters and replaced with lime& horsehair and I’ve simply scraped of the emulsion where it had blown on the lath panels. The gypsum skim on the panels seems to be drying out and holding up as this has no direct contact with the brickwork behind.
I intend to paint this wall which is part of a very large room with a breathable paint, as this is most defiantly needed on the newly plastered solid brick pilasters. Not sure what to do with the rest of the building however which seems to be holding up fine with its emulsion paint. I don’t intend removing the emulsion. This is a large property and it would be a lifetimes work. I think if I do use the earthborn paints over the emulsion in the rest of the property it will just be for visual effect. Is there a significant difference in appearance?