Emulsion paint is incredibly popular in the UK, but you may have trouble finding it in America because it goes by another name.
UK-style emulsion paint is called latex paint in the US. This versatile paint is known for its bright colors and durability on wood walls when used properly. Can you paint the inside of a shed with emulsion?
Table of Contents
Can You Use Emulsion To Paint Inside A Wooden Shed
Emulsion (aka Latex) paint can be used to paint the inside of a shed as long as the interior is made of wood. Emulsion paint will seal the walls against moisture to protect it from mold, mildew and termites. This will extend the life of the shed and avoid costly repairs.
Why Use Emulsion Paint For Inside Of Shed
There are plenty of paint options for shed interiors, so why use emulsion? Well, in addition to being formulated for inside paint surfaces, there are a couple of benefits to using latex paint instead of leaving the wood bare, as so many shed owners do.
The list below covers all the main reasons you should choose latex-emulsion paint.
- Easily the most important reason for emulsion painting the inside of your shed is for its protective qualities. Properly applied latex paint will seal the walls against moisture. Plus, they can protect against insects as well. No one wants mold, mildew, and termites in their shed.
- Painting brings light to the space. A small, closed-in shed isn’t conducive to doing your best work, but a light-colored, open feeling space will help reflect light. A brighter interior also makes it easier to find things when you need them.
- Emulsion paint is cost-effective. Accessibility for any budget makes latex a desirable option.
- According to Very Well Mind, the colors you choose can even impact how much you enjoy being in your shed. Color choices can bring you calm or amp you up to get more done, and emulsion comes in tons of colors to suit anyone.
- When you take the time and put in the minimal effort to use emulsion on the inside of your shed, it adds up. Latex paint sealing the inside walls is one of the easiest ways to help extend the overall working life of your shed and avoid costly repairs.
How To Paint The Inside Of Shed With Emulsion
Painting the inside of your shed with emulsion is a straightforward process. There are several steps to get the paint to adhere properly.
I will walk you through everything you need to know to get outstanding results with your emulsion-painted shed.
- Prepare – Before you can paint inside a shed, you need to clear it out. Mask any window frames or other sections you want to avoid with painter’s tape and lay down a drop cloth or sheet of plastic over the floor.
- Clean – It is vital to remove cobwebs, dust, dirt, and debris before painting, as any mess will get trapped under the paint layers.
- Get Your Materials – You will need paint, rollers, a brush, a mask, and clothing you don’t mind getting paint on. Also, remember to ventilate the space before you start.
- Prime – Using a good-quality primer, coat the inside of your shed. Make sure you cover all of the areas you intend to paint and let the primer dry per the instructions on the container before moving on.
- Paint – This is the obvious part. Use a roller to cover most of the surface and then go back in with a paintbrush to spot check any small spots the roller wouldn’t fit well, such as corners and seams. Most of the time, you will need a second coat which you can apply a few hours later when the paint is dry enough not to be sticky to the touch.
- Finish Up – Let your paint dry completely before removing your masking materials and floor covering.
- Floors Are Different – Use wood floor paint for the bottom of your shed. Do not use emulsion on the floors as it is not meant for foot traffic.
Best Emulsion Paint For Shed
Choosing the right emulsion paint for your shed is vital. Sadly, not all paints are created equal, and while the emulsion is inexpensive, this is not the place to pinch pennies.
A generic brand likely won’t last as long as its name-brand competitors.
Use a trusted and high-quality brand like Boomerang Eco-Friendly Paint from Amazon. Not only is Boomerang better for the environment with four times fewer emissions, but it is also easy to clean up.
Once dry, all you need to do is wipe down the eggshell finish with a damp cloth to remove any spills or messes.
- Premium, Eco-Friendly, eggshell finish latex paint for use in most areas of the house sush as walls and ceilings.
- Washable
- Apply 2 coats, Easy application, Excellent hiding power and cover up to 430f2
- 4X Fewer Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Remember that you’ll need a different type of paint for the floors and exterior walls. Although interior paint is excellent for sealing out mold and mildew, it’s not meant for heavy traffic or outside exposure.
Paints for the outside of your shed will have more resistance to the elements and especially UV.
Emulsion gives you the best option for indoor walls and the best variety of color choices to brighten up your space.
Choose a shade that is pleasing to your eyes and light enough and bright enough to reflect light. The lighter the inside of your shed, the easier it will be to find your tools and equipment when you need it most.
Under your paint, I recommend KILZ Restoration Maximum Stain and Odor Blocking Interior Latex Primer. This well-known brand can cover three to four hundred square feet with a single container. More important, it can help prevent odors and even cover old stains.
- PRIMER | SEALER | STAINBLOCKER: KILZ RESTORATION Primer (Formerly KILZ MAX) is a new generation water-based primer, sealer and stainblocker offering performance of traditional oil and shellac-based primers. It blocks tough stains and odors and provides superior adhesion. Ideal for restoration and disaster recovery painting jobs.
- ADVANCED FORMULA: The innovative modified acrylic epoxy formula provides superior adhesion and the performance of oil-based and shellac primers with the easy clean-up, low odor and low VOC of water-based. This formula also dries hard and sands easily which makes for a great enamel undercoater.
- MULTIPLE SURFACES: Use on most interior surfaces including drywall, wood, plaster, masonry, brick, painted metal, ceramic tile, glass and most other glossy surfaces. Surfaces should be free of dust, grease, chalk, rust and peeling paint prior to application. Use as a subcoat for flooring and carpets to block pet odors. Works with oil, alkyd and water-based paints.
- SUPERIOR COVERAGE: This 1-gallon can of KILZ RESTORATION interior latex primer covers approximately 300-400 square feet per gallon. Dries to touch in 30 minutes and can be recoated or topcoated after one hour.
- KILZ primers have been trusted by pros for nearly 50 years. Famous for providing high quality primer products that provide solutions to a wide variety of painting problems, KILZ is consistently ranked as one of the most trustworthy brands in the architectural coatings market. Lifetime Limited Warranty (see label for details).
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Helpful Tips To Know About Painting The Inside Of A Shed With Emulsion
- Remember to use emulsion properly. You need to mask first, then prime before you can paint. Otherwise, you will get subpar results. Slapping a single coat of latex on wood will cause plenty of problems, like not sticking.
- Don’t paint emulsion on damp days. Whether it’s rain or above-average humidity, moisture will mess with your paint as it dries. Not only will it take longer, but it could create other issues like peeling. Moreover, always let emulsion paint dry for at least two to four hours before adding another coat. Doing this helps prevent clumping and peeling.
- Emulsion paint is temperature sensitive. It’s best to plan your painting for a day when it’s not going to freeze so you can give it plenty of dry time. Additionally, the paint will change color slightly with heat and cold. Don’t save touchups until the first winter day if you initially painted during the hottest part of summer.
- You can keep emulsion paint for about six months before it goes off. Please don’t let the paint freeze. Instead, store it somewhere cool and dry per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Final Thoughts
One of the nicest things about using high-quality emulsion paint is that it gives you so many color choices. However, it’s best to keep in mind that emulsion paint is only for the inside of your shed.
As an exterior paint, latex isn’t the best option. If you need to paint the outside, choose an outdoor-specific paint. Ensure that you choose a good undercoat for your paint to adhere to the surface correctly and stay where you put it.
Peeling, flaking, clumping, or streaking are often the result of improper application, but with a little patience, you’ll have a beautiful shed interior in no time.