i live in a older home and our bathroom is wainscoted with what appears to be bead board but is actually 2 inch tongue and groove it was painted with oil based paint and has held up well
I guess once you explain the potential for water damage and they say "we aren't worried we are care full about the water getting on the wood " you have them sign a waiver of your warranty and cover your backside

oh and i would use an oil based paint or stain to answer the origional question sorry i was just thinking of covering your liability

 

Understandable about covering your ass. When you did yours what kind of primer did you use? I'm thinking that if it is properly sealed it would be better for the wood.

 

All the time. We use a semi-gloss paint to help with moisture. I also installed a heavy duty quiet fan with timer. As long as they arent splashing water directly on it, it will be fine.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking about. Yes a good fan that runs properly can counteract most moisture issues.

 

our's was existing when we moved in but i did repaint it .
I like zinsser oil based primer if there is a question of moisture but there are plenty of quality paints out there some may even suggest latex but i prefer oil if there is any chance of moisture just my 2 cents

 

A quality oil based primer makes sense. Thanks for the info guys. Contractor Talk to the rescue again. :thumbup:

 

Installed it in my parents master bath 1/2" x 3" turned out good and no problems

 

That's really nice. I like the crown molding too.

 

If you're not wanting to paint the wainscoating check www.swanstone.com
They have beadboard panel and other patterns available in 36 different colors.

 

All the time. We use a semi-gloss paint to help with moisture. I also installed a heavy duty quiet fan with timer. As long as they arent splashing water directly on it, it will be fine.

Ditto here too.

 

What Kevin said x2 (I'm outta thanks).

Really, unless you've got some major water issues, it doesn't really matter...it doesn't. But...I always err on the side of caution.

I could put bare mdf all over a bathroom, if it wasn't subjected to direct water, it would be fine in 5 years.

I wouldn't sleep well about it, but it would be fine.

 

What Kevin said x2 (I'm outta thanks).

Really, unless you've got some major water issues, it doesn't really matter...it doesn't. But...I always err on the side of caution.

I could put bare mdf all over a bathroom, if it wasn't subjected to direct water, it would be fine in 5 years.

I wouldn't sleep well about it, but it would be fine.

Oh yes you would :laughing:

 

Maybe... :whistling

 

pvc

 

I agree with Tom...:blink:

 

:stupid:

 

:rockon:

 

Oilbase paint... I agree with that 100 percent I did a bathroom remodel and they didn't want me to bring in my paiter they wanted to paint themselves and used a latex paint and this is what happens.

Little bit of movement with moisture & humidity

 

I used 1/4" unfinished oak beadboard in mine. I stained and finished the face side in oil based stain and varnish. I varnished the back side as well as any cuts I made. It's been up for three years now with a wife and two teenage daughters and me, showering in there daily with ZERO issues. But, like others have said, it rarely gets any water directly on it.

 

Those examples look really nice. So oil based paint instead of latex with a good primer/sealer. Should not be any issues with moisture unless water gets directly on the wainscoting.

 

Correct. Don't forget about the cut ends, it's safest if you prime front back and cut ends. Also, no one mentioned mildewicide, and you'll definitely need a paint with mildewicide.

 

Yeah.... I hit all the cuts with a bit of finish. But no mildewcide.... didn't know I could even get something like that for stain or finish.

 

I will check out that product and see what paints are in it. I spoke with the client and im not sure if they want to go with the wainscoting in their bathroom anymore. If I do it I will take some decent pictures.

 

Something to think about if you have an exhaust fan move it to over the shower if it's in the middle of the room where most of them are, then it's more just a fart fan.