Distemper Paint
Distemper Paint
At PAINTALL LIMITED, we have been hand producing distemper paints for over 20 years, creating bespoke colours for projects across the UK. Our finishes can be found in historic buildings throughout picturesque villages, as well as traditional and period properties across Suffolk and East Anglia.
Our experience allows us to produce breathable, traditional coatings suited to sensitive interiors and heritage environments.
Distemper is a traditional coating that encompasses several different formulations. One of the earliest forms, now known as soft distemper, was commonly used on plasterwork and ceilings. Its primary ingredients are chalk and a glue size binder, traditionally derived from animal skin, bones, or horns.
Due to its natural composition, soft distemper has a limited shelf life and lacks durability, making it unsuitable for areas subject to wear or frequent contact. While it offers good permeability to water vapour, its softness led to the development of alternative binders to improve performance.
At PAINTALL LIMITED, we manufacture a traditional Oil Bound Casein Distemper, based on a Victorian casein resin emulsion and enhanced with boiled linseed oil.
Oil Bound Casein Distemper is ideal where a breathable, traditional coating is required for internal plastered walls and ceilings.
It is suitable for use on a wide range of substrates, including:
Lime render
Cement
Wattle and daub
Modern plasterboard
Gypsum plaster
Previously emulsioned surfaces
PAINTALL LIMITED offers a wide range of colours across our Oil Bound Casein Distemper, including access to bespoke colour creation. We also hold archived colour recipes developed over more than 30 years of manufacture.
Our colour range includes soft pastels and creams through to deeper terracottas, yellows, reds, and greens. We use traditional and historic pigments such as red, yellow, and black iron oxides, raw and burnt umber, and sienna, alongside selected modern pigments and stainers.
Need Advice on Your Project?
Whether you’re restoring a historic building or planning a new finish,
we’re here to guide you with expert advice and traditional solutions.