Contract matt is manufactured to a tighter budget than vinyl matt and contains less polymer binder. This makes it ideal for new plaster, as it allows the substrate to breathe. Some decorators still use it as a mist coat, opting for higher-quality paint for topcoats. However, because it has less binder, contract matt isn’t very durable, so it doesn’t make an ideal finish coat on walls. But can you use contract matt to paint a ceiling??
Using Contract Matt to Paint a Ceiling
Interior ceilings do not need to be very durable, so in theory, you could use contract matt. However, it still comes with a few drawbacks. Contract matt is very porous, so any condensation or bad smells in the room can be absorbed by the paint. So, contract matt is no good in a kitchen, bathroom, or any other room that contains mould.
It can also drag on application, meaning roller marks and picture framing can be an issue. Because of this issue, you should avoid using contract matt on large, open plan ceilings. It can make your ceilings look terrible. Also, you should avoid using contract matt on a ceiling in a room you intend to wallpaper. You can wipe excess past from a vinyl matt, but try wiping it off contract matt and the paint will come off with it!!
So, you can’t use contract matt on a ceiling if it’s in a kitchen, bathroom, anywhere that suffers condensation, large ceilings, or wallpapered rooms. But even decorators I know still use it.
Why? Because it’s cheap and has good opacity!! That’s all it is. You can give a ceiling a “quick refresh” by applying one coat of contract matt over a previously painted ceiling. Bare plaster will look solid after two coats of a good quality contract matt, so you can see the appeal!
The Alternatives to Contract Matt
Most people I know would use vinyl matt on a ceiling, but you could go one better!! There are specialist ceiling paints available now, that look amazing, are easy to use and will not stay porous. Most of these products leave a luxurious, ultra-matt finish. I’d recommend looking at either Teknos Teknoceiling, or Tikkurila Anti-Reflex. Both these products perform better than anything else out there. Or, you could always opt for a regular vinyl matt.
If I had to choose between the two, I think I’d edge towards Tikkurila Anti Reflex. The opacity isn’t as good as Teknos Teknoceiling, but the finish is unreal. It was recently voted the best emulsion for ceilings on a poll we ran amongst Decorators. Click here to see online prices.
FAQs
Is contract matt paint good?
Contract matt is a very cheap paint used to prime bare plaster, as a finish to paint ceilings, and as a “builder’s finish” in new houses. The lack of polymer binder in the paint means it is breathable, but porous and not very durable. It isn’t a good paint. You should opt for vinyl matt if painting your own home.
What paint do most contractors use?
A lot of contractors use contract matt, especially when working on new build houses. This is because contract matt is cheap, it can be used on plaster that isn’t fully dry, and it can be touched up if it gets damaged (in most cases).
Is contract matt ok for ceilings?
Yes, a lot of people use contract matt to paint ceilings. Mostly because it’s cheap, and the low sheen level hides imperfections. The poor durability of contract matt isn’t usually an issue on a ceiling.
Can you mix contract matt with vinyl matt?
Yes, it’s the same polymer in both products in most cases (polyvinyl acetate). That means you shouldn’t have an issue when mixing contract matt with vinyl matt.
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