What paint is best for high-traffic commercial hallways and stairwells in a Moncton building?

For high-traffic commercial hallways and stairwells, you need a hard-wearing, washable finish — specifically a 100% acrylic latex paint in a semi-gloss or satin sheen, applied over a quality bonding primer. Products like Benjamin Moore Aura or Sherwin-Williams Duration Home in a satin or semi-gloss finish are the go-to choice for Moncton commercial properties that see constant foot traffic, scuffs, and cleaning.

The reason sheen matters so much in these spaces is durability and maintenance. Flat or matte paints absorb scuffs, marks, and moisture into the surface — once they're there, you can't wipe them off without damaging the paint film. Satin and semi-gloss finishes cure to a harder surface that can be scrubbed with a damp cloth repeatedly without wearing away. In a busy hallway or stairwell that gets cleaned weekly, this difference translates into years of extended paint life.

For the walls themselves, satin is the most popular commercial choice — it's durable enough for regular cleaning but doesn't show every surface imperfection the way full gloss does. Semi-gloss is ideal for doors, door frames, handrails, baseboards, and any trim elements in these spaces, as it handles the hardest abrasion zones best. If your Moncton building has older drywall or plaster walls that are a bit rough, satin will be more forgiving visually than semi-gloss.

NB-specific considerations: Many commercial buildings in Moncton — particularly those along Main Street and in the downtown core — are older buildings with plaster or older drywall that may have been painted dozens of times. Before selecting your paint, assess the existing surface. Multiple old paint layers can be brittle, and a fresh coat without proper prep will peel within a year. Commercial spaces also tend to have higher humidity from HVAC systems, people traffic, and cleaning — another reason to avoid flat paint and choose products formulated for moisture resistance.

Practical tips: Apply a bonding primer before your topcoats if the existing surface is glossy or you're making a significant colour change. For commercial stairwells, consider a more durable anti-scuff product — Sherwin-Williams Emerald or Benjamin Moore Scuff-X are specifically engineered to resist the kind of marks that walls in busy stairwells accumulate from bags, equipment, and hand contact. Use a 10mm (3/8-inch) roller nap for smooth walls and apply two full coats for proper film build.

Hiring a professional painter for commercial hallways and stairwells is almost always the right call. Access issues, the need to work around building occupants, proper drop cloths and containment in active spaces, and the volume of wall area involved make this a job that benefits from experienced commercial painters with the right equipment and WorkSafeNB coverage. New Brunswick Painting can match you with local Moncton commercial painters for a free estimate.

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