What is breathable paint, I hear you ask? Good question. First take a deep breath in through the nose, out through the mouth... now let's explore.

So what is breathable paint?

First things first, let's be clear on what we’re talking about as marketing jargon can often be thrown around in this arena, confusing matters. If you need a paint that allows water vapour to pass through it, then you need a true breathable paint. If you’re looking for a paint that is breathe-easy, ideal for folk that are easily sensitised then you’re after a premium water-based emulsion. 

Do I need breathable paint?

Do you have a very old property or is your home lime rendered? If the answer is no, then you’re probably fine. Breathable paint has been used on traditional buildings for centuries, predominantly on the exterior. Some older structures, particularly those that suffer from damp, require a coating that will allow water vapour to pass through. As the building naturally changes and flexes throughout the seasons the breathable paint (which soaks into the wall rather than bonding on to the surface) allows the structure to breathe.

Most premium water-based masonry (exterior) paints now promote themselves as being microporous or breathable. Pay particular attention though if your property is lime rendered as this is typically where a traditional breathable paint is required.

So what about breathe easy paint then?

So now we’re talking about you rather than your home. Breathe easy is a marketing term coined to promote water-based paint that is low in VOC, odour and generally better for your environment. This is particularly important if you suffer from allergies or you have a family member that is easily sensitised.

Modern, premium paint has been developed specifically to minimise VOC and chemicals that aggravate allergy sufferers. The aim of the game is to ensure you have a high performing paint yet minimise the impact on air quality. Our COAT paint falls in this bucket, great for kids rooms and nurseries, you’ll be surprised at the lack of a traditional paint smell! 

So now you can sleep easy, breathe it in, with good quality paint you can be confident that you’re not subjecting yourself to the paint fumes of days gone by.