The Best Paint for Basement Walls: Choosing the Right Coating
including acrylic paints for basement walls and other concrete surfaces. In this article, we’re taking a look at the different types of paints best suited for use on the walls of basements–and what Gellner has to offer the coatings industry when it comes to concrete and similar substrates.
The Challenge of Maintaining and Painting Concrete Basement Walls
Coating and maintaining concrete basement walls presents a few challenges. First, concrete substrates tend to be difficult to coat. As we’ve discussed in a previous article, concrete is a porous material, so even though it makes for a strong substrate and durable material for basement walls, many coatings won’t adhere easily to its rough, porous, and uneven surface.
The second challenge comes from the basement environment. Basements tend to experience a lot of unique wear and tear compared to other areas of a home or commercial property. They can be especially prone to moisture, cracking, debris collection, and other conditions, all of which can impact the durability of the walls and the paint.
The Types Concrete Paint for Basement Walls
Concrete coatings typically fall into one of three categories: epoxies, acrylics, and polyurea/polyaspartic paints.
Epoxy coatings are the most common and often most popular type of concrete paint, especially in garages, industrial spaces, and commercial buildings with high vehicle and foot traffic, and high risk of impact and stains. However, despite being very strong, they typically aren’t UV-stable unless paired with an additional topcoat, and so are best suited for indoor applications.
Polyurea/polyaspartic coatings are a combination of two materials, creating a versatile, non-porous surface that cures quickly into a durable, highly UV and chemical resistant protective layer for both indoor and outdoor use. However, this type of paint tends to be very expensive, and is best suited for applications that need maximum protection.
Acrylic paints and coatings include both topical concrete sealers and outdoor deck coatings and depending on the formulation, can be better suited to indoor or outdoor use. Acrylics are the most common type of concrete coating found in residential basements and homes, being a cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing option, even if it isn’t as strong as other types of concrete paints.
When it comes to picking the right paint for basement walls in an average home or residential property, acrylic coatings offer a good balance of cost and performance. However, epoxy coatings and polyurea/polyaspartic coatings are also excellent choices for those looking for more durability and longer-lasting performance in harsh environments.
Water-Based Acrylic Polymers from Gellner Industrial for Concrete Paints
At Gellner Industrial, we specialize in manufacturing acrylic resins for use in paints, primers, adhesives, and printing inks, improving the strength, adhesion, and aesthetics of these applications and more. If you’re looking for an expert in water-based polymers for use in paint for basement walls, consider partnering with us. Contact Gellner Industrial today to get started.
