Is Farrow & Ball Paint Breathable?

If you’re working on a period property or freshly plastered walls, breathability is key — and one of the most common questions we get at Prime Paint is: “Is Farrow & Ball paint breathable?”

The short answer is yes...
Farrow & Ball paints are formulated to be micro-porous, meaning they allow small amounts of water vapour to pass through. This makes them suitable for many traditional surfaces where you want the wall to “breathe,” especially compared with fully plastic acrylic paints that can trap moisture and cause peeling or mould.

All Farrow & Ball paints are also water based, making them low-odour, low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), and quick to dry. 

Understanding Breathable Paint

“Breathable” paint doesn’t mean air passes through the coating — it means moisture vapour can move freely through the layers of paint and substrate. On old lime plaster, stone, or heritage walls, this movement helps prevent damp and blistering.

Farrow & Ball’s modern water-based formulas are designed with this in mind. While they’re not fully mineral-based like traditional limewash, they offer enough permeability to be used safely on most walls — even where moisture regulation is important.

Farrow & Ball Finishes and Breathability

Different finishes have slightly different vapour permeability levels, and your choice will depend on both the surface type and the desired look:

• Limewash Finish – The most naturally breathable option. Farrow & Ball’s traditional Limewash is mineral-based and allows maximum vapour permeability, making it ideal for historic and lime-rendered buildings. It penetrates into the surface rather than sitting on top, creating a beautifully soft, textured appearance that evolves with time. Limewash is best suited to unpainted, porous masonry and lime plaster surfaces.
• Casein Distemper – Casein Distemper shares the very flat matt finish of Dead Flat, but has a breathable, permeable structure that is more suited to plaster walls and ceilings. Carefully source casein resins with unique open polymers let moisture pass through this flat matt finish, allowing plaster walls and ceilings to 'breathe'. Not suitable for kitchens, bathrooms and other high traffic areas as it is not washable or wipeable.
• Dead Flat Finish – The new generation of Farrow & Ball Dead Flat is one of the most versatile. It has a soft, chalky matte look and can be used on walls, ceilings, wood, and even metal. It remains micro-porous, so it performs well on both modern and traditional substrates.
• Modern Emulsion – Durable, washable, and still breathable enough for most plaster walls. It’s an excellent choice for kitchens, hallways, and busy family areas where durability is essential.
• Estate Emulsion – Farrow & Ball’s signature matte finish. Highly breathable and ideal for older properties or newly cured lime plaster walls, it offers that classic, powdery look decorators love.
• Flat Eggshell (New) – A recent addition combining durability with a low-sheen finish. It’s perfect for woodwork and trim in period homes, maintaining breathability while providing extra resilience and a refined aesthetic.

At Prime Paint, we’ve seen decorators successfully use Limewash, Dead Flat, and Estate Emulsion on lime plaster and heritage walls with fantastic long-term results — provided the surface is properly prepared and dry.

Preparation Matters

Even the most breathable paint can’t perform well without the right prep:

• Allow new plaster to fully cure before painting.
• Use Farrow & Ball Wall & Ceiling Primer & Undercoat in the appropriate tone.
• Avoid sealing with non-breathable primers or vinyl coatings.

This ensures the final system maintains vapour permeability throughout all layers.

Final Thoughts

So — is Farrow & Ball paint breathable?
✅ Yes — it’s micro-porous and suitable for most traditional and modern walls, including lime plaster, when applied correctly.

If you’re working on a restoration or want a natural finish that lets your walls “breathe,” Farrow & Ball is a premium, stylish, and technically sound choice.

Shop Farrow & Ball Paints at the Best Price

At Prime Paint, we’ve supplied decorators and property developers with Farrow & Ball paints for nearly 20 years.
We stock all finishes — from Dead Flat to the new Flat Eggshell — and we won’t be beaten on price.

🛒 Shop online at PrimePaint.co.uk or email hello@primepaint.co.uk for bulk-buy deals and expert colour advice.