There are lots of paint products marketed as washable, and they can be worth paying a bit extra for but, in high traffic areas like hallways, staircases, offices, etc, they can still be prone to scuffs and unsightly marks that may prove impossible to remove.
This is where specialist anti-scuff paints come into their own, being extra tough and much more resistant to scuffing and marking. This added protection does come at a cost though with some anti-scuff coatings costing up to three or four times more than their standard equivalents.
Benjamin Moore SCUFF-X
A premium brand, Scuff-X is acclaimed among professional decorators for its superior finish, great adhesion and durability. The only downside being the extra cost – although this could be considered money well spent in the long term because it will last much longer than cheaper alternatives.
Formulated for use in commercial environments, a water-based matt emulsion which is washable and is an ideal replacement for regular matt finishes in high traffic areas
VOC Content is low at 8 grams per litre
A mid-sheen finish, ideal for busy areas that require regular washing down
Medium VOC Content at 11 grams per litre
A mid-sheen finish suitable for previously painted walls, woodwork and primed metal work, with superb durability and scuff resistance
Medium VOC levels at 11 grams per litre
A high-sheen finish for walls, woodwork and metal work
Medium VOC content at 12 grams per litre
Alternative Scuff-Resistant Finishes
Without doubt, Scuff-X is the best paint in its class when it comes to a hard-wearing finish but it is prohibitively costly. More economic alternatives are available but you really do get what you pay for. Here are some of the better options…
A water-based matt wall finish with added scuff-resistance, scrubbable and stain-resistant. Dulux Trade is a well trusted brand although this product is not that much cheaper than Scuff-X. A true contender for best of the rest though
VOC content 5 – 8 grams per litre
Water-based scrubbable and washable flat matt finish suitable for walls and ceilings in heavy traffic areas. Zinsser are renowned for their range of problem-solving paint products and AllClean is becoming a trade favourite due to its mid-level price point and consistently good results
Low VOC content 2 grams per litre
A scrub-resistant matt finish claimed to be 100% more stain-resistant than regular matt emulsion
The least expensive option of the lot but with a high VOC content 29 grams per litre
*Maximum regulated level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) for water-based emulsion paints is 30 grams per litre
See Also
