White Emulsion Paint
Shop a wide range of trade-quality white emulsion paints at The Paint Shed. We supply everything from pure brilliant whites to softer, more muted classic whites from the UK's top trade brands, including Dulux Trade, Johnstone's Trade and Crown Trade.
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Get the job done right with professional-grade emulsions from The Paint Shed. Order online today and enjoy free standard UK mainland delivery on orders over £50.*
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What is White Emulsion Paint?
White emulsion is a water-based paint for interior walls and ceilings. It's low-odour, quick-drying and easy to clean up, making it a popular choice for most painting jobs, whether trade or DIY.
White emulsions come in a few different types, depending on your needs:
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Vinyl matt: The everyday option for walls and ceilings, good coverage and a clean, flat finish
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Durable & scrubbable: Holds up to regular cleaning, better suited to hallways, stairwells and busy rooms
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Stain-resistant: A good call for homes with kids, pets or heavy use
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Mould-inhibiting: The right choice for kitchens, bathrooms or anywhere prone to damp
The right emulsion depends on the room, the level of traffic and any environmental demands. For a trusted, all-round, durable option, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt is one of our most popular choices and is also available in colour-match finishes.
Our Range of White Emulsion Paints
We supply various white emulsions from the most trusted trade paint brands. Explore our range below.
Diverse Finishes
Our white emulsions are available in a variety of finishes, from ultra-flat, light-absorbing matts to smooth, washable silks. Different finishes suit different rooms and substrates.
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Matt finishes like Crown Trade Vinyl Matt create a clean, non-reflective finish that helps minimise surface imperfections. It’s a natural fit for bedrooms, reception rooms and ceilings.
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Eggshell finishes like Dulux Trade Diamond Eggshell offer a subtle, low-sheen, wipeable surface, useful in hallways and living areas that see a bit more wear than the average bedroom.
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Satin finishes like Johnstone's Trade Acrylic Satin provide a mid-level sheen suited to kitchens, bathrooms and high-traffic rooms, giving busy rooms a more hardwearing finish.
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Silk finishes like Dulux Trade Vinyl Silk deliver a smooth, light-reflecting surface that cleans easily and is well-suited to moisture-prone or frequently wiped-down areas.
Durable & Scrubbable White Emulsions
Scrubbable emulsions maintain their finish through repeated cleaning without fading or leaving marks. These are perfect for high-traffic areas such as hallways, stairwells, kitchens and commercial interiors. Our durable emulsions include:Â Â
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Johnstone's Trade Acrylic Durable Matt:Â A long-established trade favourite with outstanding scrub resistance, high opacity and a consistent flat finish. This mould-resistant, water-based formula is suited to busy areas that need to take a knock and still look the part.
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Crown Trade Clean Extreme Stain Resistant Matt:Â A low-VOC, water-based emulsion independently tested to ISO 11998 Class 1 scrub rating. Delivering a flat matt finish that resists stains, this paint is ideal for high-traffic residential spaces like kitchens, hallways and bathrooms.
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Zinsser Allclean: A specialist washable matt with superior stain-blocking properties, designed for environments where grease, heavy marks and frequent cleaning are expected. It’s a reliable option for renovation projects and rental properties.
Mould-Resistant & Anti-Bacterial Formulations
For environments with persistent moisture, mould risk, or strict hygiene requirements, these paints tackle mould and bacteria without compromising on finish quality.
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Zinsser Interior Perma White is designed for bathrooms, kitchens and other humid spaces, offering a durable, Class 1 mould-resistant surface where standard emulsions would fail.
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Crown Trade Clean Extreme Mould Inhibiting Matt combines scrub resistance with a built-in fungicidal treatment, making it suitable for homes and buildings that regularly experience damp or condensation.
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Dulux Trade Mouldshield Fungicidal Matt provides robust protection in high-risk environments, including schools, care homes and commercial kitchens.
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Crown Trade Steracryl Anti-Bacterial Scrubbable Matt is formulated with SteriTouch® silver ion technology to reduce bacterial growth on painted surfaces. With a class 1 scrub rating, it’s ideal for healthcare, education and food-handling environments.
Not sure which paint is ideal for your project? Get in touch with our friendly team or use our handy paint finder tool.
FAQs
Yes, but new plaster needs a mist coat first. A mist coat is a diluted emulsion (roughly 70% paint to 30% water) that seals the porous surface and ensures the topcoat bonds properly. Skipping this base coat can cause the topcoat to flake or peel. Once the mist coat is fully dry, apply two full coats of your chosen white emulsion for a durable, even result.
It depends on the surface being painted:
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Previously painted surfaces in good condition require two coats as standard.Â
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Bare or newly plastered walls require a mist coat first, then two full coats.Â
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Painting over a strong colour may require an additional coat unless using a high-opacity formula like Johnstone's Trade Acrylic Durable Matt.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to achieve a perfect, clean finish.
Pure Brilliant White is the brightest, most intense white available, with a very cool, clean tone. It is the standard trade choice for achieving a clinical, sharp white finish.Â
Brilliant White is slightly warmer and less stark, making it a softer choice for living spaces and older properties. It is often preferred for a more natural, warmer look.
Choose a white emulsion with moisture resistance and mould-inhibiting properties. Options like Zinsser Interior Perma White are specifically designed for high-humidity spaces and offer superior mould resistance. For walls that need regular wiping down, a scrubbable eggshell or satin finish is also worth considering. Standard vinyl matt won't hold up well in humid conditions.Â
One of our most popular white emulsion paints is Johnstone's Trade Covaplus Vinyl Matt. It delivers a highly dependable matt finish, is competitively priced and easy to apply. This paint is available in Brilliant White and tinted colours, as well as colour matching, so you can choose from any shade you desire. For more guidance, read our experts’ guide to the best white emulsion paints.
Water-based emulsions are typically touch-dry in roughly 1–2 hours. However, allow around 4 hours before applying a second coat to avoid streaking in the finished surface.
Water-based emulsions dry faster than oil-based alternatives and can be cleaned from brushes and rollers with water, making them more straightforward to use on site.
Our best matt white emulsion has to be either Johnstone's Trade Covaplus or Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt. Both of these products offer great application, affordability, excellent coverage and high opacity.Â
The main difference between a normal white emulsion and a durable white emulsion is the durability properties.Â
Durable emulsions are formulated to withstand scrubbing and regular cleaning without damaging the finish or colour. You can repeatedly wipe away scuff marks and stains without affecting the wall's appearance, making them ideal for high-traffic spaces like hallways, kitchens and living rooms. Our top-rated durable paints include Dulux Trade Diamond Matt and Crown Trade Clean Extreme.
Still have a few questions? Contact us or explore our helpful tips and advice.
Shop White Emulsion Paint at The Paint Shed
The Paint Shed is the UK’s most recommended independent paint retailer, with 24 stores across Scotland and Northern England. We aim to make it easier, quicker, fairer and simpler to buy trade-quality paint at competitive prices.Â
Why shop with us?
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Carefully packaged orders delivered UK-wide*
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Specialist trade paint from the world’s leading paint manufacturers
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In-house colour-matching service
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Bulk discounts and frequent paint deals
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Quality tools and accessories to get the job done right
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Enjoy free standard delivery on orders over £50*
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