Let me tell you a story……
Gary, a close friend of mine, rented an old house a few weeks ago.
Shortly after, his baby got rash on the body.
Eventually, the whole family contracted various skin diseases, including itching. When consulted, the dermatologist told him it was a mold-borne disease that may be acquired from the wall.
As scary as it sounds!
Well, Mold is a fungal virus that, once infected, can spread before you detect it. Contact with the Mold can lead to illness up to death. So, it requires a whole-hearted effort to remove and prevent mold growth. Pick the Mold Resistant Paint is the smartest way to deal with this shit.
But the problem?
Manufacturers claim that their color is effective in destroying the mold.
And you have all right to doubt on the claim.
The good news, I’ll walk you through the whole process of picking the best Mold Resistant Paint to prevent molds from keeping your home and family safe.
Let’s get this show on the road.
Table of Contents
List of the Best Mold Killing Primer
1. Zinsser Mold Killing Primer: RUST-OLEUM 276049 Paint
“Quick-drying, great coverage formula with quick action”
2. Bathroom Ceiling Paint to Prevent Mold: Zinsser Perma-White Paint
“Self-priming and fade-resistant safe anti-mildew primer”
3. KILZ Self-Priming Mold Blocker Paint for Masonry, Stucco & Brick
“Excellent coverage with brilliant adhesive quality”
4. Exterior Paint to Prevent Mold: RUST-OLEUM Watertite 5001
“Impressively low odor and two times stronger compared to typical mildew paint”
5. Fiberlock Aftershock EPA Registered Fungicidal Coating
“Environment-friendly EPA registered anti-fungal coating”
6. High Traffic & Wet Areas: KILZ Mold and Mildew Resistant Finish
“Long-lasting alkali resistant coating with high pressure withstanding capacity”
So, is There A Paint That Is Mold Resistant?
Mold is the most irritating thing I have ever experience!
It can grow where water, air, and light can reach easily. It’s a massive problem for the homeowners. Mold resistant paint can help you with this problem.
There is a vast availability of options among the mold-resistant paint. A unique type of mold-resistant paint is available. You can use this type of color in the bedroom, bathroom, or anywhere indoors or outdoors.
Still confused?
It’s a matter of concern that how you can identify a fine mold resistant paint. Several well-known companies or brands have their mold-resistant color. Now you can search it online quickly or can bring it from the foreign.
You can apply different colors in mold resistant paint as you need. You can use antimicrobial agents’ paint that helps to resist mold. Water-based primer of Zinsser can remove the infection of mold, mildew, or others.
The coolest part is……..
Parma white mold and mildew proof interior paint of the brand Zinsser is good that you can apply on your wall to prevent mold problem.
You can choose rapidly dying paint, which can be useful for mold Resistance. Washable paint efficiently cleaning color is helpful in mold resistance.
Best Mold Resistant Paint for Your Dream House at Ease (Top 6)
Here is our review on 6 Best Mold and Mildew Resistant Paint for a safe home for your family.
1. RUST-OLEUM Mold and Mildew Resistant Paints – Best Self Primer
Specification at a Glance:
- Size: 1 Qt
- Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.8 x 5.3 inches
- Finish: Water base PRIMER
- Material: Liquid
- Certification: EPA
Look:
The mold spreads when it gets in wet or damp areas, and you identify it. The most comfortable position for mold in the house is the bathroom.
So, there is a risk of the first mold attack in the bathroom, which quickly spreads throughout the room.
What does that mean?
If the house walls are already affected by mold, the family members’ health may be at risk.
And I am a family man also and can assure you something……
Rust-Oleum’s primer is best to kill the existing mold in the house. Besides, it removes the foul odor of mold and other mildew from home that already exists in your place.
If you apply these mold preventers directly over the existing molds, it will work great. The odor-causing moss, fungi, bacteria, and other mildew will not grow ever if you apply this primer because its antimicrobial material prevents fungal growth.
And you know what?
This mold killing primer is a water-based primer that is liquid in the material. You will get about 9.98 pounds in one pack of primer.
To ensure its durability and longevity, we researched a lot and found out its excellent working capacity. We got a report that there was no re-mold infestation within nine months of primer use. You can easily apply this primer for 400-450 square feet per gallon. But depending on the surface material, the using rate may vary.
Big disclaimer:
the Rust-Oleum is a primer that you should use before the final coating. You will get various sizes of primer but usually 1 gallon in size.
What I liked most?
The durability of working action will remain for a long. No re-mold story will appear after the primer application. The smooth finish touch will remove the foul odor and fit the wall for latex-based paint.
What could be better?
After using one coat of primer, a dark spot of mold can appear. That means you need to go for two or three coats of primer to achieve perfection.
There is another alternative mold-killing spray paint of the brand Zinsser, Check here.
2. Zinsser Perma-White Mold and Mildew Proof Interior Paint – Best Bathroom Paint to Prevent Mold
Specification at a Glance:
- Dimensions: 6.75 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches
- Color: White
- Additional benefit: Odor Free
- Weight: 10.49 pounds
The bathroom is the moistest place where molds can grow for the first time and then spread throughout the house quickly.
Already heard that million times, right?
Even if you keep the bathroom spotless and tidy, bacteria may bear without your knowledge. Not all molds are visible, yet they spread terribly.
When mold from the bathroom spreads slowly on the house’s floor and walls, it is too late, and there is no way to remove it. Zinsser provides an interior paint that is perfect for bathroom and basements. The high-quality performance of this mold paint gives a low-odor coating and lifetime durability.
Besides aiding in mold prevention and resisting mold growth, the wet resistant finish is also waterproof. For this reason, the color holds no water in it and keeps the wall dry.
Cool,isn’t it?
If your wall gets spoils or gets any spot, you can remove that spot by scrubbing over the paint. The most remarkable feature of this Zinsser mold killing paint is it is washable paint. The self-priming quality seems pretty impressive, actually.
Why am I saying this?
The 57.1 pounds’ weight paint bottle gives excellent coverage to your wall. The per-gallon paint covers up to 400 square feet. As this paint is applicable in the bathroom, the water cannot harm its longevity. Even the ceiling looks attractive if you apply this paint in there.
The final painting coat works as an excellent seal for preventing mold growth and other bacterial infections on the floor or wall.
What I liked most?
The Mold Paint gives excellent coverage over up to 400-450 square feet. The waterproof coating gives a healthier finish that lasts for up to five years.
What could be better?
Only usable for professional concerns and outside projects. The chemical used in the paint may harm the applying surface.
3. KILZ Self-Priming Mold Blocker Paint for Masonry, Stucco & Brick
Specification at a Glance:
- Color: Gray
- Item Volume: 128 Fluid Ounces
- Exterior Finish: Flat finish
- Surface Recommendation: Walls
- Material: Water-based
- Coverage: 250-400 sq. ft
Imagine how it could be if you can use the paint as a primer and paint, it dramatically reduces the extra cost for your primer.
If you feel the same, then KILZ’s interior/exterior color may be ideal for you.
It works excellent against mold and mildew growth. Once you use a coat of KILZ’s interior/exterior paint, it will hide the mold and kill them inside. The self-priming texture gives a mind-blowing, water-resistant finish.
This is by far one of the popular mold-resistant paint that covers about 250 to 400 square feet quickly per gallon. But the applying method may vary over the surface texture.
You will get a natural-looking texture by this acrylic latex water-based color. But make sure you clean up the surface before applying the paint and make it rust-free.
I assure you something……..
If you apply it with a polyester brush, the KILZ’s color will blend smoothly on the surface.
The weight of the 1-gallon paint box is about 11.4 pounds. It includes masonry and brick paint. A subtle finish gray color will keep your house surfaces mold and mildew free.
What I liked most?
KILZ Interior/Exterior Self- Priming is a water-based latex color that gives enough coverage for your surfaces. This self-priming color gives a flat finish look.
What could be better?
You will get a limited warranty with this KILZ Interior/Exterior Self-Priming paint. It may require several numbers of coating to get the desired finish look. The gray layer may fad up over time.
4. Rust-Oleum Watertite – Best Exterior Paint to Prevent Mold
Specification at a Glance:
- Size: 1-gal
- Color: White
- Material: Liquid
- Weight: 1 pound
- Product Dimensions: 13.5 x 7 x 8.5 inches
Not all oil-based paints are waterproof.
Here is why:
If the color keeps water, it may create moisture. And in a moist place, the mold grows well. If the stain is waterproof, then the walls are no longer likely to be sticky, which prevents bacteria and mold from being born.
This Rust-Oleum exterior paint is odor-free oil-based paint. It works well over basements and masonry surfaces. The mildewcide mixed with this paint prevents the mildew to grow.
The thing that impresses me most, Rust-Oleum paint is excellently preventing water from getting inside. The smooth, non-sticky coating gives a great finish look to your wall, floor, or basements.
Too good to be true!
The durability is much longer than any other mold-resistant paint. The 1-pound weight bottle of color provides excellent coverage. No smell will come out after the application of this paint that works for a long time. The smooth and clean finish will come out if you apply several coatings of this paint.
Its white color gives a perfect glossy look over the basement and ceiling. The twice coat provides a non-gritty finish. No wonder this paint will make its place on the top chart of the high-quality mold resistant paint.
What I liked most?
The Rust-Oleum exterior paint gives the most extended durability with odor-free working capacity. This paint is also perfect for bathroom surfaces.
What could be better?
You may need to use two or three coatings to get a perfect finish look. Before applying, you need to clean the existing mold to get a good outcome.
5. Fiberlock Aftershock EPA Registered Fungicidal Coating
Specification at a Glance:
- Pkg Qty: 1 Gal
- Solids By Weight: 42.0%
- Viscosity At 70: 95-100 Kreb Units
- Solids By Volume: 32.7%
- Flash Point: Non-combustible
It is tough to keep a clean place at all the times where so many people arrive. Though you use mold-resistant paint, various mildew, including bacteria, may transmit.
And you know what?
Mold attacks on different social buildings such as schools, colleges, offices, courts ruin the building’s beauty and create health risks.
And you will be glad to know that Fiberlock technology brings such a mold-resistant paint that kills both existing and incoming mildews. If you clean the surfaces before applying the color, the first coat will work well over that surface.
What so special about it?
The antimicrobial coating of Aftershock Fungicidal kills the residual mold and other institutional molds too. The 100% acrylic regiment significantly addresses the fungal infestation and kills them.
Heavy metal, plaster, wooden material will not spoil because this paint rather than fabric will remain safe from mildew infection. The drywall and masonry block is the perfect surface for applying this Fiberlock Aftershock anti mold paint.
What else?
The white color liquid paint kills and prevents mildew by omitting low odor. It gives low VOC with great coverage, even for the bathroom wall. After painting, you will be sure that there will be no more mold infestation in the future.
What I liked most?
The product finish is smooth and provides an excellent finish to the surfaces. The durability of Fiberlock Aftershock is mentionable.
What could be better?
You may need to follow some precautions while using paint. You cannot contaminate water when you apply paint. Besides, contamination of this paint with food or preservatives will cause a health risk. The consistency of color may vary. But in most cases, it gives a thick layer.
6. KILZ Mold and Mildew Resistant Finish – Best Paint for High Traffic & Wet Areas
Specification at a Glance:
- Color: Multicolor
- Exterior Finish: Mildew-resistant
- Surface Recommendation: Walls
- Full Cure Time: 4 hours
- Paint Type: Watercolor
You may notice that the exterior of your home is not as beautiful as the interior.
The paint on the outside of the house has to fight a lot against pollution and rain. Even is the color of your bathroom walls as beautiful as the walls of the house?
Not at all.
Apply waterproof paint in such a high moisture place like the bathroom. It will keep the walls beautiful and protect them from various germs and bacterial infections.
So, What paint to use in the bathroom to prevent mold?
KILZ Interior/Exterior Basement Paint possesses nontechnology formula that resists water. Its excellent finish touch will give a glossy look in masonry walls, retaining walls, or stucco walls. It stops water from getting into the surface.
That’s why the surface area remains dry.
Its long-lasting service to keep the surface mold-free omits low odor. The durability and longevity are outstanding of KILZ Interior/Exterior Basement Paint. The extra coverage will help you to reduce the additional cost of purchasing paint. You will get about 12.38 pounds of color per paint bottle.
What I liked most?
KILZ Interior/Exterior Basement Paint provides excellent coverage for 200 to 300 square feet per gallon. But it may vary depending on your surface materials. There are various colors available for the preference that gives you a ten-year-long guarantee.
What could be better?
You cannot use KILZ Interior/Exterior Basement Paint over any exiting mold or mildew. Even you are unable to coat this paint over oil-based or latex paint.
Does Mold Killing Primer Really Work?
Yeah, in most cases Mold resistant paint or primer destroys mold. But from my own experience, I saw that this would not be true in all cases.
It is because no mold or bacteria will be visible within a few years of painting. But in case, it may return within a few months or years.
So, it is better to use mold-resistant paint/primer from an excellent company like Zinsser Rust-oleum, Kilz. Otherwise, you may need to bleach if mold attacks again.
Still not sure about it?
Sometimes you may not see the tiny mold. But mold exists in small sizes. Does mildew-resistant paintwork? All these molds spread quickly in the house afterward. For which it is better to choose mold-resistant paint while painting.
Another essential aspect of mold-resistant paint being practical is whether you apply the color correctly. When you use paint on the exiting mold, if you do not remove the mold well, there remains a re-attack risk.
Where Can Mold Resistant Paint be Used?
Mold-resistant paints are usually manufactured for rooms that have a greater entry of moisture or the rooms with a higher amount of moisture in the air. The rooms with more exposure to moisture, include bathrooms, kitchens, humid closets, attic, basement, utility rooms, laundry rooms, shed, greenhouse, garage, etc.
Although applying the paint will not get rid of the moisture issue, but it will reduce or even cease the spreading of mold throughout the walls.
How does Mold Grow?
The primary requirement for the growth of mold is moisture. The three things that mold needs for growth and reproduction in your happy abode are-
- Mold requires oxygen and it’s everywhere, so we can’t really stop its supply.
- It needs organic matter on which it would develop. For instance, it can be a fabric, wood, food stuff, or even paint materials.
- Finally, as I told earlier, it needs moisture. Without moisture, mold cannot grow. Molds reproduce through tiny spores. These spores float through air and land on areas with moisture, that’s when mold and mildew starts developing on such surfaces. We cannot cut out the access to both oxygen or organic material but we can definitely do something about the moisture.
Can Mold Cause Harm to Humans?
If we are talking about health issues here, most molds do not create major health problems or issues for the human body.
Mold spores are a regular thing and they are present almost everywhere. No doubt, they do not possess much harm to us. However, if mold spores roam around or are found in greater quantities that can create probable health issues.
For instance, greater mold quantities can develop allergic reactions in people, and with continuous exposure to more mold spores, one may be at risk of respiratory problems, or coughing, sore throat, itchy eyes, and continuous sneezing.
On the other hand, there are harmful molds that release mycotoxins. If these harmful molds are present in your home, the mycotoxin can create neurological problems and sometimes even prove fatal, especially when you are exposed to them for longer.
And the worst part is, mycotoxins cannot be identified through visual perception. Hence, why take the risk?
Besides, even the mold doesn’t possess any bodily harm; it surely does harm your home which in turn will create manifold problems.
How to Use Anti Mold Paint to Prevent their Growth?
Mold-resistant paints are very similar to apply just like your typical wall paints. However, if you still have any confusion, let me clear out the steps for you-
- Begin on a fresh wall with no molds or mildew accumulated on it.
- Take a cloth soaked in water and wipe the wall with it. It will get rid of any dust, dirt, or debris of the wall. Let the water dry off completely.
- Take your mold resistant primer and apply it to the whole wall along with the nooks and corners, at junctions of the ceiling and floors. Molds have a tendency to grow on such corners, so be careful about it. Give it a whole day to dry up.
- Now time to apply your mold resistant paint. Apply evenly and give it about 24 hours to dry completely.
- Then you can move on the next coat as you make sure the first coat has dried perfectly.
- Remember not to use the room until the final coat has dried completely. And that’s it; easy as a piece of cake!
What to look While Buying Mold Resistant Paint
Having a preconceived notion about everything before buying is actually a boss move.
Why?
If you know nothing about the product’s features, you can’t decide which one will be best for you.
Just like when you buy paint to paint your new house walls, you have to make sure that the color will protect your walls from mold at all. In this case, you have to keep in mind some issues that are the subject of this discussion.
Antimicrobial Agents on Paint
Any mildew resistant paint contains a type of material that destroys the microbes in the area where you apply the paint. It also prevents foul odors caused by mold. This material can destroy all visible molds. Although the ability to kill these microbes is lost daily, applying them once every few days can protect them from mildew.
Base of Paint
Different color bases are other. For example, some colors are water-based, some are oil-based, some colors are latex-based. Now which one to choose to keep your house mold-free? If you want to know the experts’ opinion, then, first of all, you need to know that the oil-based color is right for the exterior project.
But never choose water-based colors for the house. Water-based paints can hold water. And the best place for mold to grow is high moisture areas. So, the water base color is not right for the home. You will see that water-based paints dry very quickly but retain water for a long time, mostly if the walls are plywood made.
Latex-based paint is perfect for the house, and it can prevent mold and keep the walls dry. But nowadays, people use water-based colors more for outdoor projects.
Paint Works as Primer
The primer is the first applicable material. However, some colors act as primers themselves. Some companies say that their color primer will work together as primer and lacquer. But that may not always be true. So before buying the paint, find out if the primer will work properly. If the finishing gets perfect when using primer, the color durability is also much higher. But if you don’t use the right primer, your coloring intent may fail.
Coverage of Paint
Decide in advance how many colors you need for space. Every mold-resistant paint does not work everywhere like all other pigments. You can use mold resident paint as primers.
Each gallon of color can give coverage up to 150-400 square feet and more. That’s why measuring the mold-affected area of your house is vital. Then quickly calculate the amount of color you need.
Paint’s Drying Time
Not all best mold resistant paint’s drying time is the same. Some colors dry out in a few hours, while others take days or even weeks to dry. So before applying the paint again, make sure that the previous coating has dried. However, if you look at it manually, all the colors will seem as is dry. But you should not apply the paint before it dries well from the inside.
But to be honest, water-based paint and latex-based paint dry out quickly. Here, oil-based paint takes a lot of time to dry. Again, the drying time depends a lot on the surfaces.
How Long Does Mold Resistant Paint Last?
Between 4 to 6 years!
Pretty straightforward? Well, to be honest, It is challenging to say how long the mold-resistant paint will be useful. Nowadays, different mold-resistant paints are available in the market. The working capacity of paint varies from one to another.
Not all colors are permanent.
The durability of the color also depends on the type of surface you are applying the paint. Because not all places are the same, some have a brick cover, some have wood, and some have plywood.
It is also necessary to know whether the surface you are using is already mold-infested or painting a mold-free wall. If your walls are already mold-affected, the paint may be less effective.
But if you use fresh wall paint that will protect the wall from the new mold, then maybe that color will be more effective. Usually, mold-resistant paint lasts for 4 to 6 years.
What are the Benefits of Using Mould Paint in the Bathroom?
Bathroom is one of those places with exposure to higher content of moisture. Come on! It’s water everywhere and all the time! But you don’t have to worry about the molds and building mildew if you can get hold of some good mold resistant paint. However, why should you? Because of the following benefits-
- Anti-fungal benefits:
Molds grow and reproduce by means of spores. But once you apply a nice coat of mold resistant paint on the mold spore-prone areas, you don’t have to worry because the paint prevents the mold spores from forming.
These paints do not have higher exposure to moisture since they are easy to clean up and lock the wall pores to block water seeping inside. Besides, they even possess fungicides to kill mold spores before they grow and spread. Hence, no fungus, no mold, no mildew, no risk of damaging the structure or own health!
- Functional benefits:
Look at the shower ceiling, moisture droplets accumulate there the most. A mould paint can keep the mildew and molds at bay which if not applied, the ceiling will be damaged. And the ceiling will not survive there for long.
Hence, there will be functional disadvantages as well, such as you cannot fix your shower there or hang wooden boards on the walls. But applying two simple coats of these paints will take care of the job, so why not?
Final Words……..
Everyone wants to keep his house mold-free. And the first line of defence is to use mold-resistant paint to do the job.
There are many other ways to prevent mildew from spreading. However, it is best to destroy the mold before or during growth. But in this case, it is essential to choose the best paint. Since not all colors are effective on mold, you rely on the mold or mildew resistant paint in this review.
A small patch of mold poses a serious health risk to us. It can also spoil the beauty of the walls or flooring by spreading all over the surface. When you see mold attack on the floor, walls, ceiling of the house, the invasion is already high. So, it is essential to take timely actions.
The mold spreads a foul odor that can cause itchy skin. Mold also carries the risk of death. So, if you are the victim of this problem, take immediate action and save your family.
Sources:
1. Mauro Henrique, How to Paint a Mold-Resistant Bathroom, This Old House, November 1, 2020