Choose a mildew-resistant semigloss paint for the bathroom ceiling.
Painting a ceiling is a challenging job. Ladders, drop cloths, paint sprayers and roller brushes with long extension handles are all tools for the task. After debating over paint colors and finishes for walls and trim, however, painters may overlook the range of options available for painting a ceiling. Paint manufactures offer a "ceiling paint" for those painters who want a typical flat white paint. Depending on the room you are painting, though, you may find other finishes are better to use.
Bathrooms
Because a bathroom is exposed to humid conditions, the ceiling paint must be resistant to mildew. Mildew is the beginning stage of mold, and it appears as dark spots on a ceiling, often forming over the shower area. Paint manufacturers now offer mildew-resistant paints in a variety of sheen choices. Latex semigloss paint offers a more waterproof finish than a flat paint and is often used on bathroom ceilings because it is easier to clean and scrub.
Room Size
The treatment of a ceiling can make a room seem larger or smaller. Painting the ceiling in a dark color with a low-luster sheen makes a room seem smaller. This can be an effective decorating technique to use if you want to make a large room with a high ceiling feel more intimate. On the other hand, a light-colored paint with a flat finish makes a small room feel larger. This also helps make a room with a low ceiling seem bigger.
Special Effects
A painter can add a creative flair to a ceiling with a decorative finish. The Benjamin Moore paint company, for example, markets metallic paint and glazes that you can use with a stencil to create the look of an old-fashioned tin ceiling. You can also apply texture to a ceiling to add interest. Ceiling textures include popcorn, orange peel and knockdown effects. You can paint or spray textures on the ceiling. For an extra sparkle, apply a clear paint containing glitter effects, or spray the sparkles on a popcorn-textured ceiling.
VOC
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals emitted as gases from paint as it is applied to a surface and dries. Exposure to VOCs may be hazardous to a person's health. The federal government regulates the VOC content in paint, but allows for glossy paints to have a higher VOC content than flat paints. Thus, unless the paint manufacturer has modified its formulas to remove VOCs, a flat finish may be preferred for health reasons when painting the ceiling in children's rooms.
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