Is Latex Paint Waterproof? [Top 5 Waterproof Latex Paints]
Latex paint is one of the most reliable go-to options when it comes to waterproofing your house walls or your furniture. You can also make paint waterproof, but that does not work as effectively as ready-made waterproof paint.
Since oil-based and other chemical-based paints are notorious for producing unpleasant smells and are also known for polluting the environment, they are not as famous as water-based paint.
Latex paint is water-based, and comes in numerous color options, and is environment friendly as well. Since latex paint is water-based, many of you might think if latex paint is waterproof or not.
Is Latex Paint Waterproof?
Yes, latex paint is waterproof; it is one of the best waterproof paints. Latex paint contains acrylic resins, which are plastic substances and are well-known for their excellent transparency, durability, and waterproofing.
Latex paint may not last as long as oil-based or chemical-based paint, but since it forms a plastic-like layer, it is one of the best options if you are looking for waterproof paints.
Latex paint is water-based, so it is washable, and it gives better coverage with fewer coats. Latex paint comes in more finishes and more colors and can use latex paint for both interior and exterior painting.
How Long It Takes for Latex Paint to Be Waterproof After Applying?
One of the things that makes a particular paint better than other paints is its drying time. The earlier your paint dries out, the less chance of it getting any damage or other deformities.
Since latex paint is water-based, it takes 1-2 hours to dry out and become waterproof under direct sunlight.
After two hours, some of the paint can still get washed away in the rain, but most of it will be as it was. Experts recommend waiting another hour or two before reapplying paint.
The paint will take less time to dry and become waterproof if there is less or no humidity in the air and the surface you are painting is under direct sunlight.
Since it is water-based paint, the temperature does not have much effect on the drying time of the paint.
List Of Top 5 Waterproof Latex Paints
Guise To Select the Best Waterproof Latex Paint
There are various types of paints, and each paint type has different applications, benefits, and drawbacks. Latex paint, similarly, has its advantages and disadvantages.
If you want the best waterproof latex paint, there are a few elements that you need to take into consideration while buying waterproof latex paint.
1. The type of surface you are painting
Latex is a water-based paint that provides a high-level protection against physical wear and tear and water. Since latex paint dries out in a short time, you can apply it to interior and exterior furniture.
It is not good at holding its layer when there is a lot of movement on the surface it is painted. So please do not use it on surfaces that need moving all the time, e.g., outdoor furniture.
It works best for interior furniture, sidings, walls, and ceilings. Keep in mind that waterproof latex paint for wood is different than latex paint for concrete or metal. Some paints can be used on all kinds of surfaces, so make sure you buy the right one.
For concrete, waterproof masonry paint is the best option. It is a combination of ceramic and latex paint and is highly waterproof as well.
For wood, acrylic latex paint is the best option. It is a combination of acrylic-latex waterproof paint; this type of paint is well-known for its durability, waterproofing, and ability to hold its color for a more extended period.
Acrylic-latex paint is perfect for painting metal and glass since it holds up well and you can wash the surface whenever you want. For metal, you will need two coats of acrylic latex paint to make it waterproof. For glass, one coat of latex paint will do the trick.
2. Amount of paint
You will also need to keep in mind the amount of paint you will be needing. Some latex paint comes in gallons, while others come in cans. The ones that come in cans are expensive because you will need a lot of these cans for larger painting projects.
3. Types of sheens and their uses
Latex paint comes in various sheens, and all these sheens have different applications.
Flat finish latex:
Based flat finish is well known for its waterproofing and durability. When applied, it gives a non-reflective look which makes it perfect for hiding bumps and scratches on the surface. This type of paint is best for painting ceilings.
Eggshell:
The eggshell finish is even more durable, waterproof, and slightly shinier than the flat finish. It gives a warm look and is also good at hiding minor deformities on the surface. In most cases, it is best for interior surfaces.
Satin:
The satin finish is equally durable and waterproof but slightly less shiny than gloss.
Semi-Gloss:
If you are looking for latex paint for your kid’s room, bathroom, or kitchen, use the Semi-Gloss finish. This finish is more moisture-resistant than other finishes. It is slightly shinier, highly durable, and waterproof as well.
Gloss:
Gloss finish is even more durable and waterproof than eggshell, and it holds its color for a long time. It is best for painting wood and metal surfaces and requires only one coat.
4. Durability
Latex paint is notorious for not holding up for a long time, that’s why you will have to repaint the surface after a few months. When it comes to buying waterproof latex paint, you need to make sure the paint is durable and can last for at least 10 months.
Some paints are durable but cannot withstand continuous harsh weather, so if you are living in such areas, you need to make sure your paint is more durable and can withstand the weather for a longer period.
5. Ease of use
Most paints are hard to use i.e. you will have to prep the surface before applying the paint. For the latex paint, you should only need a good quality roller or paintbrush to apply the paint on the surface.
Few paints come with primers as well, so you should look for the ones that have primer included in them. Our mentioned products do not require prepping the surface or any kind of restrictions, they are the most easy-to-use paints you can get in the market.
Top 5 Best Waterproof Latex Paints
1. Drylok-28613 28613 Extreme Latex Masonry Waterproof
Best for Ceiling and Rooftop
Ceiling and rooftops often get scratches and bumps due to harsh weather and daily wear and tear. It is hard to find paint that gives new and fresh color to your ceiling and rooftop and hides the bumps, scratches and makes it waterproof.
With this waterproof latex paint, you won’t have to worry about rainwater leaking through your rooftop because it provides the highest level of protection against water.
This latex variant paint provides the perfect layer and coverage from the rain. It makes sure not a single drop of water gets through its rich coating.
Another unique and fantastic feature of this paint is that it can withstand 15 pounds of hydrostatic pressure. It is fully transferable and comes with a 15 years warranty as well.
Pros:
- Fully transferable
- Non-toxic, and it has a low odor
- It hides scratches and bumps rather well.
- Provides better coverage against physical wear and tear and water
Cons:
- It takes 24 hours to dry out
2. KILZ Interior/Exterior Enamel Porch & Patio Latex Floor Paint
Best for Floor
When it comes to painting floors, you need the most durable paint as floors have foot traffic and get more physical abuse than other surfaces.
To make sure your floor looks as good as new and keep its shine regardless of the foot traffic and the mistreatment in daily use, you need the best waterproof paint for floors. The KILZ Enamel paint fulfills all the requirements required for waterproof paint for floors.
The KILZ enamel paint provides the perfect low-luster enamel finish that enhances your floor’s look and offers high-level protection against water and physical abuse.
The acrylic-latex-based paint offers a thick coating to penetrate the pores in the surface and block them, hence making your surface waterproof.
One gallon of this paint can cover 200-300 square feet of area. You use this paint with a high-quality roller or paintbrush. This paint takes one hour to dry out, and you can apply another coat after four hours.
Pros:
- Dries quickly
- Provide high-level protection against water and foot traffic.
- Versatile
- Affordable
Cons:
- It does not hold up for a long time; you will have to repaint the surface after 7-8 months.
3. Rust-Oleum 285140 Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint
Best for Wood
Wooden structures add to the beauty of a house, and they give a more natural and warmer look to your home. It is also true that wood-made things require more care and maintenance.
To ensure your furniture and other wooden stuff don’t get damaged, you need to paint them with waterproof paint. Waterproof paint will not only protect your furniture from water but will also make it resistant to wear and tear as well.
According to our research, the best latex waterproof paint for wood is the Rust-Oleum ultra-matte paint. This low-odor and non-toxic paint form a thick layer on the wooden surface which fills the pores and make sure not a single drop of water can get through it.
It provides a rich coating and gives excellent adhesion and is easy to apply as well.
This paint comes in small cans so you will have to buy a lot to cover a huge area. With this paint, you won’t have to wait for hours to apply another coat because it dries out in just 30 minutes.
You will have to wait for only 30 minutes to apply another coat. The Rust-Oleum paint comes in various colors, and it will give an ultra-matte velvety finish to your wooden surface.
Pros:
- Offers top-quality protection against water
- Versatile
- Provides excellent adhesion
- Dries within 30 minutes of application
- It comes in various colors.
Cons:
- It comes in small cans, and it can be expensive if you are painting a large project.
4. INSL-X SU092209A-01 Sure Step Acrylic Anti-Slip Coating Paint
Value for Money
There are numerous paint types for various surfaces; most are surface-dependent, i.e., you can use them only on a specific surface made of a particular material.
For things made of multiple materials, you will have to buy multiple paints and end up spending a lot of money on a single painting project. In such cases, you will need paint that you can apply on multiple surfaces.
So, we made sure we came up with at least one paint brand that can fulfill your needs, and that paint is the INSL-X Sure Step anti-slip paint.
You can use this paint on any surface; it is an excellent abrasion-resistant and waterproof paint that not only offers the highest level of protection against water and abrasion but also gives a fresh and lively look to the surface.
With this paint, you can cover up to 100 square feet of area. It dries out in an hour or two, and you can apply another coat after 3-4 hours.
Pros:
- Highly waterproof and abrasion-resistant
- Super-durable
- For multiple surfaces
- Anti-slip
- Take little time to dry
- Affordable
Cons:
- There are a few complaints about the color of this paint not being the one mentioned in the product description.
5. Diamond Brite Paint Wall Paint
Best for Walls
When you are painting your house, painting your house walls is a sensitive part, as you have to make sure you are using the right colors and finish and doing it the right way.
We have researched for you, and we have come up with the most suitable waterproof paint for walls, the Diamond Brite Paint.
The Diamond Brite paint is a latex-based durable paint that forms a rich coating on your wall surface. It fills all the cracks and pores and makes the surface waterproof and mildew-proof as well.
Kids love to scratch walls and draw pictures on them; with this paint, you can clean the dirty area as quickly and easily as you clean any other cleanable surface. This paint comes in white color only so you only have one color option.
Pros:
- Highly waterproof and mildew resistant
- Durable and long-lasting
- Holds up well
- It dries out quickly
- Affordable
Cons:
- This paint comes in only one color – white.
Comparison Of Above Listed Waterproof Latex Paints
| Drylok Masonry paint | KILZ Enamel Paint | Rust-Oleum Ultra-matte paint | INSL-X Sure Step Paint | Diamond Brite Paint | |
| Quantity | 128 Fl Oz | 128 Fl Oz | 30 Fl Oz | 128 Fl Oz | 128 Fl Oz |
| Finish type | Smooth | Flatt/Matte | Matte | Flatt/Matte | Semi-Gloss |
| Color options | 1 | 1 | 13 | 7 | 1 |
| Exterior/Interior | Exterior | Both | Interior | Both | Interior |
Final Words:
Latex paint is a highly waterproof paint that protects the surface from water and makes it resistant to other wear and tear. It dries quickly and becomes waterproof within minutes or at most hours.
Before buying waterproof latex paint, you need to make sure the paint you are buying has some critical features. If you consider the elements we shared while purchasing the perfect latex paint, you will get the best latex paint that fulfills all your requirements.
