THE BEST ANTI CONDENSATION PAINTS TO PREVENT MOISTURE
Condensation is a frequent problem in many homes. Not only do the damp spots leave unflattering stains on the ceilings and walls, but condensation favours the formation of mould and mildew. Aesthetics apart, these fungi can cause respiratory inflammations and allergies.
That’s why treating your walls with a high-quality anti-condensation paint is essential. But how to find a trustworthy product that can fix rather than just cover the issue?
Painting your walls with anti-condensation paint only to find that the product isn’t as good as advertised is frustrating. That’s why our expert team has tested and rated the most popular anti-condensation paints in the UK. Check out our top picks below.
OUR BEST PICK ANTI-CONDENSATION PAINTS
Coovar Anti Condensation
Awkward consistency but exceptional quality – our top pick is ideal to use in rooms prone to airborne moisture.
Low Cost Option
Polycell Damp Seal
One-coat anti-condensation paint for interior walls and ceilings – affordable quality recommended by Dulux.
Best Of The Rest
HQC Insulating Paint
A versatile anti-condensation insulating paint available in 32 colours and suitable for all interior walls and ceilings.
Ronseal Anti Condensation Paint
A tough anti-condensation paint drying to a washable finish. May act as a topcoat or undercoat.
Thermilate InsOpaint Anti-Condensation
Anti-condensation paint reduces heat loss, providing a long-lasting protection from severe condensation.
Fungicide-enriched formula keeps mould and mildew at bay.
Finding a great anti-condensation paint is rare, but Coovar really impressed us with its exceptional qualities. Tested in rooms prone to airborne moisture, including bathrooms and kitchens, the product performed impressively.
The paint is supplied in 500ml tins and it comes in one colour: white. Ideal to use either as a topcoat or as an undercoat, the product dries to a slightly textured matt finish and is suitable to use on plaster, wood, metal and brick.
Easy to apply with a brush or roller, initially the paint presents an awkward consistency that doesn’t promise much. However, thanks to a quick drying time and long-lasting finish, Coovar succeeds in eliminating and preventing condensation and related issues.
Our favourite trait was that, although the paint can be coated over with emulsion, it has a beautiful finish on its own. Benefitting from agents that reduce discolouration from moisture, Coovar delivers long-lasting results.
Of course, this paint isn’t a magic potion and the product may struggle to keep the surface dry if your environment suffers from heavy condensation issues. In this case, we recommend first fixing the cause of condensation through proper insulation or ventilation before painting the walls with Coovar.
Pros
• High-quality formulation contains a fungicide which inhibits the growth of unsightly mould.
• Coovar is available in 500ml, 1L and 2.5L tins. A litre of paint covers up to 10m² and the manufacturer recommends applying at least two coats to achieve the desired results.
• This paint touch dries in 2 hours and it can be re-coated in 4 hours. Leave the product to dry overnight before coating with emulsion.
• Water-based paint is safe to use in enclosed environments. It has a low odour and a very low content of harmful compounds.
• Ideal to use in residential and communal environments, including: kitchens, bathrooms and changing rooms.
Cons
• The product has to be stirred constantly during use to ensure an even distribution of the biocidal agent.
• It takes over two coats to effectively treat any surfaces affected by heavy condensation.
White damp seal paint ideal to use in all high-condensation areas.
An affordable anti-condensation paint from Polycell. Damp Seal is an anti-condensation undercoat formulated to seal the damp patches on interior walls and ceilings. The product is recommended by Dulux and has an outstanding quality despite the low price.
Coming in white colour and drying to a matt finish, Damp Seal can be painted over with the emulsion of your choice, although this isn’t essential. Once dry, the product prevents moisture from penetrating its film, maintaining a flawless finish for a long time.
Damp Seal is compatible with a wide range of surfaces, a quality that ensures versatility. The product can be applied on indoor plaster, brick, stone and cement, provided the surface is properly prepared and primed.
Like any other product on the market, Damp Seal comes with its limitations and drawbacks. Some users complained about the long drying time while others affirmed it may take more than one coat to properly seal the surface.
Tested in ideal conditions, we couldn’t complain about the drying time, although it is a bit longer than average. We can also confirm that it takes two or more coats to achieve satisfactory results despite their “one-coat” promise.
Pros
• Polycell Damp Seal delivers great value for the money and is supplied in 500ml, 1L and 2.5L tins. An aerosol version is also available for quick jobs.
• Drying to a matt white finish, Damp Seal may act as an undercoat or topcoat. It is compatible with most interior wall and ceiling emulsions.
• Impressive coverage: this anti-condensation paint covers up to 14m²/litre, depending on surface porosity.
• Thick consistency makes it easy to apply the product without making a mess. Damp Seal can be applied with a brush or roller.
Cons
• Damp Seal touch dries in four hours, which is a little longer than average. It can be re-coated after about 12 hours if necessary; you may have to wait up to a week for the product to hard dry if you plan to coat it with emulsion.
• The packaging comes with design flaws that make it difficult to reopen once you put the lid back on after the first use.
Eco-friendly water-based anti-condensation paint insulates and reduces heat loss in your home.
HQC is an outstanding anti-condensation paint specially formulated to act as an insulator – reducing the heat loss in your home while preventing major condensation problems such as discolouration, blistering and staining.
However, it should be said that this paint isn’t specifically formulated to stop mould growth or water penetration; you’ll rather need to invest in a specialised product to deal with any of these issues.
Nonetheless, HQC anti-condensation is an excellent product. It boasts an eco-friendly formula which is water-based and non-toxic. Ideal to use in all environments where you’d use conventional emulsion, the product solves condensation problems in bathrooms and kitchens, basements, attics, swimming pools and spas.
Coming in 32 colours, the product can be used either as an undercoat for wallpaper and emulsions or on its own. The colour palette comprises a selection of neutral shades and dramatic tones that dry to a slightly textured matt finish.
For convenience, the product is supplied in 500ml, 1L, 2.5L and 5L tins.
Pros
• HQC anti-condensation paint provides long-lasting protection by acting as an insulator, preventing the walls from getting too cold.
• The product is easy to apply with a brush, roller, or sprayer and two coats usually provide satisfactory results.
• This paint touch dries in two hours and it can be re-coated in 4 hours. It may take up to 24 hours for the product to fully dry.
Cons
• Coverage is on the low side – a litre of paint covers up to 6m². Considering the price, this paint may not be ideal for large projects.
• The colour chart is extremely inaccurate and the shades are often either lighter or darker than expected.
Great anti-condensation paint for interior walls and ceilings – but it only comes in 1 colour.
Ronseal Anti Condensation paint is similar to the HQC paint above, in that it acts as an insulator on the wall, preventing heat loss and condensation. However, the product doesn’t contain any biocidal agents and will not prevent existing mould from spreading.
Another similarity is the coverage. Both paints cover up to 6m²/litre. But an important difference is the colour range. Ronseal comes in White Matt alone and it can be over-coated with any interior wall and ceiling emulsion.
The matt finish has a sandy texture, and the paint has a rather thick consistency. Although it dries beautifully on walls, the thickness and texture will require you to paint the whole surface, not just the area affected by condensation. And this can translate into a very costly redecoration project.
Ronseal Anti Condensation is supplied in 2.5L tubs and can be applied with a brush or roller. It usually takes two coats to achieve full coverage, but thanks to a quick drying time you’ll be able to finish the project in a breeze.
Another thing we like is the versatility of the paint that can be used as an undercoat for both emulsion and wallpaper.
Pros
• Water-based product is safe to use in poorly ventilated spaces and easy to clean from brushes with soapy water.
• Washable product touch dries in two hours and it can be re-coated after four hours. Allow the paint to dry for at least 24 hours before coating with emulsion or wallpaper.
• Ronseal Anti Condensation can be used on bare and previously painted interior walls and ceilings.
Cons
• This product is expensive and is not specifically formulated to prevent mould growth or water infiltration in the walls.
Premium quality paint to use in residential and communal environments.
Thermilate InsOpaint Anti-Condensation is another product that showcased multiple qualities. Similar to the products described above, this paint may act as an undercoat or it can be used on its own. It dries to a slightly textured matt finish, and it’s available in 24 colours.
Preventing the most common condensation problems, the product can be applied on a variety of surfaces, including previously painted wallpaper. Alternatively, you can use this anti-condensation paint as an undercoat for wallpaper or interior wall and ceiling emulsions.
Acting as an insulator, the product prevents condensation by reducing heat loss. This not only maintains the flawless aspect of your walls but it also cuts down on your energy bill.
Supplied in 5L tubs, the paint is formulated to go a long way. A litre of paint covers up to 14m² and two coats are sufficient to achieve a full coverage.
Water-based and eco-friendly, the product is non-toxic and safe to use in the proximity of children and pets.
Pros
• Thanks to an ideal viscosity, the product can be applied with a brush, roller or sprayer.
• InsOpaint prevents the most common condensation problems like mould, discolouration, staining and more.
• Excellent value for money. This is one of the most affordable anti-condensation paints on the market.
Cons
• The finish is more textured than expected – this isn’t a major drawback but some users found it annoying.
HOW TO PREVENT MOISTURE BUILD-UP
Moisture build-up has multiple causes, such as the poor insulation of exterior walls, wall damage that allows water infiltration, and even a lack of ventilation.
The golden rule to prevent moisture build-up is to prevent condensation through a proper ventilation of the rooms. Using a specific anti-condensation paint in prone areas, such as the kitchen or bathroom, can also help prevent moisture build-up.
Ensure a proper ventilation of home environments by airing the rooms at least 10 minutes a day: we recommend installing an extractor fan in the bathroom and to use the kitchen hood when cooking.
Laundry is an important source of moisture and drying it in the wrong place can cause condensation and moisture build-up. Preferably, dry your laundry outdoors or in a tumble drier. If you really have to dry it indoors, place the rack next to an open window.
It is also advisable to leave the electric ventilation system on for at least four hours a day. If your house has air vents in the walls, don’t obstruct them. Modern vents are designed to prevent heat dissipation but at the same time they ensure a proper ventilation.
Fine cracks and damages in the wall can also cause moisture build-up by promoting water infiltration. To fix this problem, check the exterior walls and the roof regularly to make sure they are completely sealed.
In the interior, check the joints of the sinks, bathtub, and shower, as they may leak and provoke water infiltration.
Lastly, if you notice water infiltration and moisture build-up, contact a specialist to assess the cause of the issue. Hiding the moisture by painting the walls with a waterproof product may be counter-productive in the long run.
Once you’ve assessed and solved the problem, wait for the surface to dry, then treat it with an anti-damp or anti-condensation product.