What Is Limewash Paint and When Should I Use It?

In the ever-evolving world of home improvement, where trends constantly shift, there's a timeless allure to limewash painting. It offers a distinctive chalky and textured appearance that melds old-world charm with modern sensibilities. If you're wondering, “What is limewash paint?” here’s what to know before selecting colors or hiring a professional painter.

What Is Limewash Paint?

Limewash paint boasts a rich heritage dating back centuries. The paint utilizes lime-based mixtures to both protect and adorn walls. With roots tracing back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, lime was prized for its durability and antibacterial properties. For example, many farmers in the U.K. use limewash paint to clean areas for lambing.

It is a reasonably simple yet time-honored recipe. The key ingredients for limewash paint are lime, water, and, optionally, additives for color or texture. The mixture is stirred thoroughly and usually aged for improved stability before being strained to remove lumps or impurities. The last step helps ensure a smooth and consistent paint application.

How Limewash Is Applied

To apply limewash paint to walls, use a brush, roller, or sprayer, depending on the desired finish and surface. Apply the paint in thin coats, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next. Multiple coats may be necessary to achieve the desired opacity and coverage.

What Is Limewash Paint Used For?

Limewash paint has a variety of uses and applications due to its unique properties and aesthetic qualities. 

Exterior Walls

Limewash paint is ideal for porous stone or lime-rendered surfaces, especially for historic or traditional structures. It provides a breathable, weather-resistant coating that helps protect the underlying surface while allowing moisture to evaporate, preventing issues such as dampness and mold.

Interior Walls

Limewash is also appropriate for interior walls. Its matte, chalky appearance adds a rustic yet elegant touch to the interiors, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Limewash paint is especially popular with fans of Mediterranean or farmhouse-style aesthetics. If you’re looking into hiring an interior painter, ask if limewash is one of their offerings.

Decorative Accents

Limewash highlights architectural features such as arches, columns, and moldings, adding visual interest and dimension to a space. Its subtle variations in color and texture help accentuate the unique characteristics of these elements. If you’re in the midst of choosing an accent wall, limewash might be of help.

Pros and Cons of Limewash

Using limewash paint offers several advantages and disadvantages, which are essential to consider before deciding whether it's the right choice for your project.

Pros:

• Natural composition offers a breathable finish, preventing moisture-related issues

• Timeless aesthetic with matte finish and subtle color variations adds charm

• Longevity and durability with proper application and maintenance

Cons:

• Unsuitable for non-porous surfaces like metal, glass, or plastic

• Primer recommended for painting drywall

• May not provide adequate protection in high moisture areas or heavily trafficked walls

Consulting a professional or conducting a test patch can help you decide if limewash paint is right for you.

What’s the Difference Between Paint and Limewash?

To compare limewash vs. paint, let’s consider the composition, appearance, and properties of each. 

• Composition: Unlike paint, limewash does not consist of synthetic binders or resins but natural materials, including hydrated lime, water, and optional additives like pigments for color or aggregates for texture. 

• Appearance: Traditional paint comes in various finishes, including matte, satin, eggshell, semi-gloss, and gloss, while limewash is chalky and matte.

• Properties: Limewash paint is breathable, allowing moisture to evaporate from the substrate, while traditional paint may or may not be breathable, depending on the type and formulation.

The Most Common Small Painting and Staining Projects

If you’re looking to apply limewash paint to a fireplace, you’re not alone. According to Angi data, 8% of homeowners tackling smaller painting and staining projects are looking to paint their fireplace. Repainting the fireplace can breathe some new life into your space and create a new focal point.

How to Maintain Limewash Paint

Maintaining limewash paint is fairly simple as it is water-based. You can dust off surface debris from limewash-painted walls with a dry cloth, and any stains or marks can be wiped off with warm, soapy water. For bigger fixes, just make sure to clean the surface area before you re-paint them.

How Much Does Limewash Paint Cost?

Similar to standard types of paint, a gallon of Limewash ranges from $25 to $100 per gallon. Additional materials, including brushes, rollers, sprayers, and a ladder, can reach upwards of $300, depending on the equipment you already own.

The cost to DIY depends on whether you're painting the exterior or an interior room, the quality of paint chosen, the need for additional supplies, and whether any preparation or repairs are required.

If you're looking to hire a local interior painter, services often range from $1,000 to $2,900, equating to about $2.00 to $6.00 per square foot. Conversely, the average cost for exterior house painting is $3,737. Your specific project and location influence your total expenses.

Limewash is applied in thin coats using a brush, roller, or sprayer. It penetrates the substrate and dries quickly, requiring multiple coats for full coverage, more so than with traditional paint. The extra work will add to your out-of-pocket costs.