The best emulsion paints should provide a strong solution so it holds its colour and needs fewer coats. But, a good emulsion paint should also cover well and offer good coverage per m2.
Emulsion Paints Overview
You do not want to be applying coat after coat and your emulsion paint is still not covering as expected. It’s all about the thickness and strength of your paint mixtures.
The cheaper emulsions have more volumes of water when compared to a more premium brand. The cheaper the paint and less quality the more work that has to be done to get that crisp finish.
- The emulsion should hold its advertised colour
- Cover a wall in 1 or 2 coats
- Cover a large m2 area
- Does not resemble water
There are thousands of emulsion paint brands sold in the UK, but the majority of them are not worth the time of day.
We have cheap bulk paints that have the consistency of water and sold as a leading brand in many DIY shops.
Best Emulsion Paints for Walls
If you are looking for a product that actually dries the colour advertised with 1 or 2 coats maximum then we have some great picks below:
1) Dulux Trade Emulsion (Best Choice)
Dulux Trade is the best all-round emulsion paint for walls and ceilings.
It produces results time and time again, it generally covers a light wall in one coat for darker walls it might take 2 coats.
The consistency of this emulsion is spot on and the colours are vast.
- Available in silk and matt
- Available in many colours
- Will cover a light wall in 1 coat
- Dries in 2-5 hours
- Suitable for both brushes and sprayers
- Water-based formula
- Covers 12m2 every litre
2) Johnstone’s Trade Emulsion
Trade paints are designed for contractors so their formulas need to be good for returning customers.
Johnstone’s trade line emulsion paint is our second option and still a great choice!
With many colours to choose from and a cheaper price tag than Dulux, the Johnstone’s trade line is a solid option for both walls and ceilings.
- Available in silk and matt
- Available in various colours
- Will cover a light wall in 1 coat
- Dries in 3-6 hours
- Suitable for both brushes and sprayers
- Water-based formula
- Covers 16m2 every litre
3) Leyland Trade Emulsion
The Leyland brand is our final recommendation for the best emulsion paints in the UK. This paint line offers good consistency and a wide range of colours for you to choose from.
It’s a thick paint so you’re not going to get a lot of coverage, but the quality of paint makes it cover extremely well on all types of walls.
- Available in vinyl matt
- Can be wiped without loss of colour
- Available in many colours
- 1-2 coats needed
- Dries in 3-7 hours
- Suitable for both brushes and rollers
- Water-based formula
- Covers 11m2 every litre
Silk Or Matt Emulsion?
Are you looking for a silk or matt finish?
A matt finish is a dull colour without any shine.
A silk paint is wipeable and gives a high sheen finish which is great for hallways and staircases because these are high traffic areas.
Preparing For Emulsion Paint
Before you start painting your emulsion, there are a few things you can do to make your wall or ceiling more presentable.
The more effort you put into preparing at this stage the better your overall paint job will look.
- Sand your wall
- Fill any scuffs or dents
- Make sure you sand the corners
- Sand your filler so its flush with the wall
How To Paint A Wall with Emulsion Paint?
I have been following this method for many years and I get a great finish every time.
Once you have prepared the wall for your emulsion paint, you should be presented with a smooth clean wall that is dry.
- Cover your floor and furniture with dust sheets
- Grab a 2-inch soft brush and cut in the ceiling, skirting boards and corners. Cutting in your paint needs to look sharp so take your time and hold your brush in a high angle position so you get a straight line!
- Once you have cut in the edges and corners grab a roller and paint in lanes up and down. When you paint in lanes you get a much better distribution of paint without missing areas.
- Leave your paint to dry and enjoy your DIY painted wall
Conclusion – Emulsion Paints!
Like all painting and decorating tasks in and outside of the home, preparation makes a huge amount of difference to the end result!
Using these best emulsion paints listed above will give you an amazing finish in 1 or 2 coats.
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