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Flat Paint In Wet areas (Kitchen, Bath, Laundry)

3 years ago

New Construction Home: The builder is only offering Flat Paint in the wet areas. This doesn’t sound right to me 🤔. I’ve had a few houses built in the past & all of them came with sem-gloss. I also called my County Building Department & they were no help. A few people have told me semi-gloss is required by code. Anybody here have experience or knowledge about this??

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Comments (9)

mindshift
3 years ago
A particular paint sheen is not required for particular areas by code. Code requirements deal with potentially dangerous situations. Flat paint is not hazardous. It simply won't stand up to being scrubed. It's used only in areas unlikely to be touched, or where some wall flaw needs to be minimized. If flat paint is all that is offered and you want the house, there is a simple fix. Plan to paint over these wet areas with a semi-gloss.
kmk10629
3 years ago
We have flat in all the areas you mentioned with no issues. Very easy to use touch up paint on flat painted walls.
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Debrina
Original Author
3 years ago
Hello, I am familiar with flat paint. I understand I can paint the wet areas in semi-gloss post construction. I just wasn’t sure if semi-gloss was required by code. Basically, I want to make sure the builder is doing what they are supposed to do. If we get flat paint then we will be repainting.
Lindsey_CA
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
@Cynthia Pritchard -- Why not ask the builder if he would be willing to have his crew use semi-gloss paint that you will purchase? It doesn't hurt to ask, and if the builder agrees, you'll save yourself the hassle of having to paint. The cost to you will be the same. The work for the builder's paint crew will be the same.
millworkman
3 years ago
"The cost to you will be the same."

Sounds like a tract home/developer type builder to me. One who will only use flat and if you want another sheen you will pay and pay dearly, change order and upcharge wise. He uses flat as he gets a break and more than likely buys high volume.
Debrina
Original Author
3 years ago
I’ve already asked the builder if they will paint the wet areas in semi-gloss. It is not available. The only option is eggshell for the entire house & only a few colors to choose. Like millworkman said....I’ll have to pay dearly for eggshell...$3,900 to be exact. So looks like I’ll have to repaint post construction.
strategery
3 years ago
It's not right. Don't do it. Flat is for ceiling only. Flat cannot be easily cleaned.
john3582
3 years ago
We had a custom home built. The painter said I wanted flat. I would have been less irritated if I was just told upfront they didn't want to and there was a ridiculous upcharge. I have painted all the bathrooms with satin.
Lindsey_CA
3 years ago
Cynthia, what I said was that you should ask the builder if his crew will use paint that you purchase and supply to them. “It is not available” applies to paint the builder supplies.

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