What type of paint is best for a commercial kitchen or restaurant in New Brunswick?

Commercial kitchens and restaurants in New Brunswick require paint that can withstand high heat, steam, grease, and frequent scrubbing — which means a high-quality epoxy or acrylic-alkyd semi-gloss or gloss finish on walls, and often an epoxy coating for floors. Standard interior latex paint will fail quickly in a kitchen environment.

The cooking area of a commercial kitchen creates a uniquely punishing environment for paint: grease vapour condenses on walls and ceiling surfaces, steam from pots and dishwashers creates high humidity, temperatures near cooking equipment fluctuate dramatically, and cleaning staff regularly scrub walls with commercial degreasers and disinfectants that degrade lower-grade paints. In this environment, epoxy paint is the industry standard for walls and ceilings in food preparation areas.

Two-part epoxy coatings (such as those from Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, or specialty commercial coating suppliers) cure to a rock-hard, non-porous film that resists grease absorption, is impermeable to moisture, and can be scrubbed repeatedly with harsh cleaners without losing its integrity. The cost is higher — two-part epoxy systems run 0-120 per litre and require mixing, careful temperature control during application, and professional spray application to achieve a smooth finish. But the longevity and cleanability make the investment worthwhile in any food service setting. Expect to repaint a commercial kitchen with a standard latex every 2-3 years under heavy use; a good epoxy system can last 8-12 years.

For areas of the restaurant outside the kitchen — the dining room, server stations, bar, and waiting area — you have more flexibility. High-quality commercial latex paints in eggshell or satin finish from Sherwin-Williams ProMar 400, Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec, or Dulux commercial lines are durable, washable, and available in the full colour range. These hold up well to the humidity and traffic of a dining room and are much easier to spot-repair and touch up than epoxy. A semi-gloss finish on the lower portion of dining room walls (below chair rail height) adds extra scrubbability where chairs bump into the walls.

Colour selection in a restaurant environment also follows practical rules. Very light colours (pure white, very pale tints) show grease splatters and scuffs quickly in kitchen areas. Medium tones and warm neutrals in dining areas tend to hold up visually better between repaints. If your restaurant has an exposed-brick or concrete aesthetic — common in downtown Moncton's heritage commercial buildings — a clear or tinted masonry sealer keeps the character of the material while making the surface easier to clean.

New Brunswick's older commercial building stock (particularly in downtown Saint John, Fredericton's Queen Street area, and Moncton's heritage blocks) often has plaster walls and older coatings that need specific preparation before a commercial kitchen coating will adhere properly. A professional assessment is worth doing before spec'ing the paint system.

For any commercial kitchen or food service painting project, hire a contractor with commercial painting experience who understands the specific product systems and application requirements. This is not a DIY project.

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