The best anti-mould paint

If you feel like you’re fighting a losing battle against mould in your home, we get it. You’ve found the cause and removed the mould, but it just keeps coming back. So, to make sure it never comes back again, there’s no better time to invest in some anti-mould paint. The question is, which is best for your situation?

In this guide, we will be exploring the causes of mould across different rooms in your house, as well as explaining the best anti-mould paint solutions to help you tackle the issue for good.

Why do I need anti-mould paint?

Whether it’s in your kitchen, bedroom or bathroom, it’s simply not effective enough to use a mould remover to eliminate any blights on your walls, ceiling or furniture. Fungi spores remain once the surface has been cleaned which can lead to a stubborn mould infestation if left unresolved. Mould can damage surfaces and structures, as well as potentially causing health and respiratory issues, meaning it’s vital that any mould in your home is dealt with as soon as possible.

Painting your wall or ceiling with anti-mould paint kills the harmful spores which cause mould to grow and works to prevent it from returning. The paint contains chemicals known as biocides which inhibits the spread of any rot, making anti-mould paint an essential part of the mould removal process for interior ceilings and walls.

However, for anti-mould paint to be effective, you need to clear the affected area of any visible mould. To do this, you need to fully understand where in your home the mould has come from and why it has emerged.

What causes mould to grow?

The main culprit of mould growth in UK homes is condensation, caused by water vapour forming into droplets as it meets a cold surface. If left unresolved, this build-up of moisture can lead to mould developing. Mould can also be caused by a leak in a ceiling or wall, as well as faulty plumbing or drainage.

Where is mould most likely to grow?

Since mould is caused by condensation, it’s most likely to occur in high-moisture areas of your house such as your kitchen or bathroom. Mould in these areas can be caused by ordinary tasks such as showering, drying clothes, or cooking without proper ventilation.

It's harder to find the cause of mould in other rooms in your home, such as the living room or a bedroom. However, it’s often a sign that the room requires further insulation, especially in older properties.

How do I remove mould before painting?

In order for anti-mould paint to be effective, you first need to use a mould remover to ensure the affected area is completely clear. You should also use filler to fix any gaps or holes in the surface before applying the anti-mould paint. If you’re clearing away mould in your bathroom or kitchen, you may need to use a silicone sealant to seal any gaps around fixtures or windows.

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KilrockPRO Mould & Mildew Remover

Dryzone Mould Remover & Prevention Kit

Wickes FFP3 Dust Mask

Polycell Polyfilla Multi-Purpose Ready Mixed Filler

What are the different types of anti-mould paint?

Regardless of what’s causing mould in your home, or where it’s located, you need to apply anti-mould paint to the affected area to prevent it from coming back. However, there are two types of anti-mould and anti-condensation paints available for home use, depending on your desired colour and finish. Here’s an insight into each:

Biocidal paints

The most common type of anti-mould paints, biocidal and fungicidal, prevent mould from returning by adding an anti-mould coating to a surface. Examples of these paints include Zinsser Perma-White Matt Mould Paint, Ronseal 6 Year Matt White Anti-Mould Paint and Wickes Mould Protect Emulsion Paint.

The advantages of biocidal anti-mould paints include:

Long-lasting protection with many biocidal anti-mould paints lasting upwards of 7 years.
Low VOC levels, meaning that biocidal paints are safe to use and have minimal impact on air quality.
Biocidal paints are suitable for a variety of surfaces throughout the home, even those found in high-humidity areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
They create an easy-to-clean surface after painting without impacting the paint’s effectiveness.

The disadvantages of biocidal anti-mould paints include:

Limitations in terms of colour, often only available in standard white variations.
Some biocidal anti-mould paints can’t be painted over as this will stop them from working, which limits design choices in your home. However, some manufactures such as Zinsser suggest that you can paint over their mould resistant products once they’re fully dry.

If your focus is on protecting a room which battles constant exposure to condensation, such as a bathroom or kitchen, an anti-mould paint is the right choice for you.

Anti-mould paint additives

Anti-mould paint additives are a type of water and damp proofing, which work by combining them with a standard paint product to add biocidal mould resistance properties. The best additives are those which are compatible with a wide range of paint finishes without compromising on protection, such as Dryzone Anti-Mould Additive.

The advantages of anti-mould paint additives include:

Easy-to-use and cost-effective as they can be added to any type of paint.
Offers versatility when mixed with other water-based products such as wallpaper paste and grout.
Anti-mould paint additives allow you to retain your creative freedom while decorating, meaning you can protect your home from mould without compromising on the design elements.

Despite these benefits, some issues can arise when using anti-mould paint additives, including:

Anti-mould paint additives are only effective for around 3 years, meaning they’ll require more frequent reapplication.
The effectiveness of the protection is determined by the ratio of additive to paint, with too little additive impacting the effectiveness of the mixture.

If you’re looking for additional protection in bedrooms or your living room, using an anti-mould additive with your chosen paint product will still offer you peace of mind without compromising on your desired aesthetic. Regardless of whether you’ve decided to use an anti-mould paint or an additive, they both offer effective mould protection.

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Zinsser Perma-White Matt Mould Paint

Ronseal 6 Year Matt White Anti-Mould Paint

Wickes Mould Protect Emulsion Paint - White

Dryzone Anti-Mould Additive

FAQs

Applying anti-mould paint is an easy bit of DIY which can be done by any homeowner to protect their property from mould and damp. Firstly, ensure that the cause of the mould has been resolved and cleaned from the surface. Then, simply apply the anti-mould paint using a paintbrush or roller, following the manufacturer's instructions to ensure maximum protection and the perfect finish. A minimum of two coats is recommended for anti-mould paint products, and you should wait for the first coat to fully dry before applying the second.

Regular anti-mould paint is not suitable for outdoor use, however, our range of weather-resistant brick and masonry paints are perfect for protecting any exterior walls from mould growth.

Anti-mould paint offers protection against all types of mould, including black mould, just as long as you have properly removed the black mould from the surface before painting using a suitable mould remover.

Versatile and cost-effective, anti-mould paint solutions are specifically designed to keep every part of your home mould-free.

If tackling mould is just one small part of your renovation project, don’t worry. Our advice and guides have everything you need to make your next DIY tasks as stress-free as possible.