What is Antimicrobial Paint & Should You Use It? If you’ve ever lived in a house with mold issues or bubbling paint around moist areas of your home, you might have thought, “I wonder if that’s healthy.” That thought might have been followed by a manic Google search to assess whether or not your home might be killing you.
Before you go all Web MD on yourself and misdiagnose your home with an issue it doesn’t have, let’s discuss what you might have found on your quest for answers: antimicrobial paint. While antimicrobial paint is used (hence the fact that many paint manufacturers make it), it’s worth assessing whether or not you should use it.
First, you need to understand what it is.
What is it?
Antimicrobial (or antibacterial) paint is used in areas with high contact with germs, microbes, and bodily fluids. Can you guess one place that might tick all three boxes? Any takers? If you thought hospitals, you’re right. This type of paint is specially formulated with ingredients (such as silver ions and copper) that kill bacteria or prevent them from multiplying on surfaces.
When antimicrobial paint was first invented, it was almost impossible to find it in any color other than white. However, as hospitals become more aesthetically pleasing and demand for the paint grows, various colors and finishes are steadily entering the market. This is a game-changer for anyone who wants to add a touch of medical cleanliness to their home.
Who Should Consider Antimicrobial Paint?
If you have a mold issue in your home, antimicrobial paint can help prevent mold from regrowing. Now, you need to remember that if you have an unresolved moisture issue or a slow leak that you’re not aware of within your walls, no amount of paint will stop the mold from regrowing. However, if you live in a humid, shaded, and wooded area that creates the perfect climate for mold and mildew (and you’re sure that your mold problem is not structurally-related), you can safely dry the place out, scrape the walls down, prime them, and repaint them with an antimicrobial paint.
On the other hand, this type of paint is excellent for anyone with a compromised immune system, severe allergies, asthma, and other environmental conditions that might worsen. If you or a family member has any of these conditions, consider contacting us to discuss your antimicrobial options.
So, the question is, how does it work?
Antimicrobial Paint: How Does it Work?
As mentioned, the ingredients used in antimicrobial paint kill off bacteria and prevent them from multiplying on your surfaces. If you want to get technical on how this all works, silver ions and copper ions (the most common ingredients of antimicrobial paint) damage the outer cell walls of bacteria. This, in turn, makes the cells “bleed out” and die before they have a chance to replicate.
As with any preventative measure, be aware that the science is still murky on how long-lasting the effects of this type of paint are. Moreover, there are whispers in some circles that the bacteria might learn how to evade these defenses and become more aggressive. However, these are just whispers, so let’s not be too hasty!
You should be fine if you’re keeping your home clean and using this to fortify your fight against germs.
Is it Worth the Cost?
Yes, antimicrobial paint used to cost a pretty penny several years ago. However, nowadays, the price difference isn’t really that huge. Plus, if you only paint particular areas of your home, you won’t break the bank on a single paint can. These could be areas such as:
- Rooms prone to mold.
- High-traffic areas like bathrooms.
- Bedrooms of family members who have chronic illnesses or allergies.
Summary
This is an excellent option if you’re looking for a solution to an existing mold problem or would like to offer yourself and your loved ones some added protection from microbes. It makes even more sense for people with pre-existing conditions that environmental factors might worsen.
If you need to refresh your residential, commercial, or investment property, contact us today for a custom quote! Please keep your eyes peeled for our next article on the best interior and exterior paint for coastal living.
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