What makes "ceiling paint" different?

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cieling paint is realy just a flat white paint... its just labeled as cieling paint through most manufacturers....Show more

Ceiling Paint Vs Wall Paint...Show more

Most ceiling paints are a flat or matte finish latex paint. Flat is normally used on ceilings to show less reflection and minimize imperfections, paint roller marks, blemishes, etc. Quality ceiling paints are made to be splatter resistant as you are painting overhead. Many ceiling paints are not a true white. some will have a slight grayish or bluish cast, others will have a slight umber cast. This makes ceiling paint marketable as non-yellowing or able to hold it's color longer. It should be noted however that if you prefer a flat finish on your walls, a quality ceiling paint like Porter Paints Silken Touch Decorator White Ceiling paint makes a great wall paint as well. It is actually a better quality paint than most flat finish "wall" paints on the market....Show more

There are a lot of good answers here already.

Ceiling paints are "dead" flat (absolutely no sheen) paints.

Many wall flat paints, particularly the better quality wall flat paints, actually have a low angle sheen to them. These paints have more binder to them to permit them to be washed without breaking down. The higher binder percentage also gives these flat paints a slight low angle sheen.

Ceilings have a lot of light from windows etc... shinning across them, this accentuates imperfections in the drywall (or plaster) of the ceiling, as well as imperfections in the paint application on the ceiling. A "dead" flat paint hides lapping marks better and roller directional pattern (as well as roller marks and other application imperfections) better than a "standard" wall flat paint.

I too, do not like a lot of the ceiling paints that are out in the marketplace. Many of them are thick, dry too fast, and have poor hiding. I too, prefer to use a "builder's flat" paint for ceilings. New construction flat paints are made to be touched up. The "flatness" of a paint helps in touch up - therefore you will find that many new construction paints are very flat and work well for ceilings.

Use a spatter resistant roller cover such as the "soft woven" covers made by Sherwin Williams or something similar. There is nothing that is absolutely "spatter free" so still cover up anything you don't want spattered and wear "paint clothes" when doing the painting....Show more

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What makes "ceiling paint" different?
Within a given brand, is ceiling paint somehow different in composition from flat wall paint?...Show more