Clay Paint Versus Trade Matt

[Roger111]

Hi All

We refurbed a grade two property (Student Let) four years ago. We kept like to think we did a solid job ensuring use of Lime plaster etc. We used Earthborn clay paint. We are now due a repaint. A decorator who I know to be excelllent with 40 years in the trade, much on listed property has stated that Trade matt will offer the same breathability and challenged me to look up the values.

Does anyone have a view here. Given that Trade Matt is about 10% of the price im keen to learn!

Thanks

 

[Flyfisher]

I've always thought that Trade Matt is basically emulsion without the vinyl based on thinking that it allows builders to have newly plastered walls painted before the plaster is totally dry, ie it might look dry but still needs a bit of time to fully lose all its moisture. It then looks smart enough to sell the property (hence the availability of Magnolia Trade Matt!) and provides a good 'undercoat' for the new owners to apply their choice of hard-wearing, scrubbable plastic paint, by which time the walls really are totally dry.

It's a sensible-sounding story but I've no hard facts to back it up. I once spent some time trying to find if Trade Matt contained any vinyl content but never found anything conclusive and, not being brave enough to experiment in my own house, I ended up using clay paint . . . after a sharp intake of breath at the price!

 

[Stevers]

Breathability is a spectrum, my take is that 'contract matt' and 'flat matt' emulsions (of which F&B Estate Emulsion is an example) are at the acceptible end of the spectrum. I shall be using all of those in combination to decorate my problematic basement room without qualm. It's sad that washability seems to reduce with permeabilty, and on that basis Contract Matt ought to top F&B Estate Emulsion for breathability.

I had a test patch of Crown Heritage Flat Matt on a bit of wall that salted. The salts came straight through the finish without disrupting it, and brushed off - that's good enough for me!

 

[Roger111]

Thanks All.

I can confirm my era of using expensive breathable paint is over. Trade Matt would appear to be the way forwards!

 

[Stevers]

It's sad that washability seems to reduce with permeabilty,

Should be washability seems to reduce with increased permeability.