What type of paint is best for garage walls?

Author: Dedric Bernhard Jr.  |  Last update: Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Interior latex paint, specifically varieties formulated for high-traffic areas, is what's best for garage walls thanks to its fast-drying speed, minimal odor, and easy clean-up compared to oil-based versions.

What type of paint finish is best for garage walls?

Garage walls should be painted satin if you want them to be easy to clean, wipeable, and reflect more light. Flat paint is more difficult to clean and is best for low traffic spaces.

What kind of paint to use in an unheated garage?

The best choice for painting your garage walls is a durable interior paint such as acrylic latex paint. This water-based paint is superior because it will dry quickly, is easy to clean, and has a long lifespan.

Should garage paint be flat or satin?

Garage walls should be painted satin if you want them to be easy to clean, wipeable, and reflect more light. Flat paint is more difficult to clean and is best for low traffic spaces.

Is acrylic or latex better for garage walls?

When your garage has bare concrete or brick walls, painting them with an acrylic-based paint could be the best way to go. These paints have a higher polymer count than latex paints, meaning they are more expensive but durable.

Best Paint Colors for Your Garage Walls: Tips and Ideas

What is the best material to use for garage walls?

Unlike traditional drywall, PVC wall and ceiling panels are non-porous and 100% waterproof. They never absorb water, making them resistant to mold and mildew. This makes them particularly suitable for use in garages, which can occasionally experience high humidity levels from spills or moisture.

Does acrylic paint last longer than latex?

While acrylic paint is generally more durable, especially for outdoor use, latex paint still offers a reasonable lifespan of 2 to 10 years. The longer a paint lasts, the less frequently it needs to be replaced, which can reduce overall environmental impact.

What paint is recommended for a garage?

Latex paint, also called acrylic latex, is water-based and easy to apply. It's beginner-friendly, dries quickly, and emits fewer fumes than other options. This type of paint is flexible, meaning it resists cracking over time, making it ideal for garages with temperature fluctuations.

What is the best Sherwin Williams paint for garage walls?

Top Picks from Sherwin Williams

Alabaster (SW 7008): A warm white paint that creates a clean, open feel. It's a popular choice for garages used primarily for storage space. Naval** (SW 6244): A bold choice, this deep navy blue can turn your garage into a stylish retreat or a unique storage area.

What is the best color to paint the interior of a garage?

The best garage paint colors are white, grey, beige, or blue, as these colors will enhance lighting, look cleaner, and open up your space. A pure white ceiling contrasted with a slightly darker color for the walls and floor will trick your eyes into thinking the room is much taller than it is.

How to prep garage walls for paint?

Get Your Garage Ready

Clear out or cover up any stuff like baseboards or cabinets that might get in the way. The walls need a good clean – a mix of water and dish soap should get rid of any dirt and oil. A quick go-over with a shop vac can help get rid of any pesky dust that might mess up your paint job.

What is the best wall covering for an unheated garage?

Plywood, MDF, or OSB is the best material for building garage walls because it is both inexpensive and easy to work with. They may be attached to the studs with frame screws and, unlike drywall, don't necessitate any finishing touches.

What is better, eggshell or satin?

Of the two, satin is more durable and is slightly less likely to scuff or mark than eggshell and it's easier to clean when it does get marked. This makes it a better choice, especially for woodwork such as painting skirting boards, than eggshell for high traffic areas like hallways and living rooms.

What is the cheapest way to finish a garage wall?

Cost-Effectiveness: Plywood and OSB are often more affordable than other wall materials like fiber cement board or metal panels, making them a budget-friendly option for homeowners looking to upgrade their garage walls without breaking the bank.

How many gallons of paint for a 2 car garage?

An average size 2-3 car garage would take 7 gallons to spray walls and ceilings one color. Garages are usually bare drywall and are all open wall space that eat up paint very fast. A trim pack in a 2500 sqft house would typically be around 7 gallons of trim paint.

Is semi-gloss good for garage?

Semi-gloss paint is an ideal choice for a garage door as it reflects sunlight, withstands harsh weather, and is relatively easy to clean, but it will not conceal scratches, dents, or other blemishes.

What paint finish is best for garage walls?

Semi-Gloss: Semi-gloss finishes provide a slight shine and are highly durable, making them ideal for high-traffic areas like garage walls. Gloss: Gloss finishes offer a high sheen and maximum durability, but they can highlight imperfections in the wall surface.

Why do painters prefer Sherwin-Williams paint?

Many contractors are impressed by the fact that Sherwin-Williams has more than 140 years of experience behind them, which means they've had a long time to perfect what they do. And they've done it well, as they are among the most trusted suppliers of quality paints in the industry.

Which is better Behr or Sherwin-Williams?

The consensus is that, on the topic of Sherwin Williams vs Behr paints, the former is more durable and long-lasting than the latter. This makes Sherwin Williams paints a good choice for areas in your home that have a lot of traffic or if you have kids and pets.

Is garage paint worth it?

Conclusion. Painting your garage floor can be a great way to enhance the appearance of your garage and make it a more welcoming and organised space. It can also offer some protection against wear and tear, make it easier to clean, and increase the safety of the area.

Should I use acrylic or latex paint?

Both can work, but acrylic paint's elasticity and resistance to wear and tear make it better for high-touch areas and furniture. Latex paint works well for larger indoor projects where low toxicity and easy cleanup with a brush are priorities.

Should you texture garage walls?

Most Builders Don't Texture & Paint Garages

The answer is most likely yes. Floating the seams- joints with joint compound will eliminate the unsightly gaps where the seams of the sheetrock meet. Texturing the walls and ceilings will create a uniform consistent finish like the inside of your home.

Is Behr paint latex or acrylic?

BEHR PREMIUM PLUS Exterior is a 100% Acrylic, low VOC formula designed for a long-lasting finish that resists moisture, fading & stains and provides a mildew and corrosion resistant finish. It delivers exceptional hide and excellent touch-up while also providing comprehensive all-climate protection.

What paint can last 100 years?

Linseed Oil Paint can last 50 to 100 years with minimal maintenance. Maintain with the Purified Organic Boiled Linseed Oil and the Linseed Oil Wax.

How to tell if paint is enamel or acrylic?

Gently rub the Methylated Spirits onto the surface and if the area tested has become soft and the paint has dissolved slightly, or come off onto the rag, then you have acrylic paint. If no paint has dissolved or come off onto the rag, then you have enamel paint.

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