Materials for damp rooms
Steam, condensation and cold walls destroy a poster faster than any amount of foot traffic. A few simple material swaps make a big difference.
First, what kind of damp?
Print can cope with steam in a bathroom, or humid air in a changing room. Water coming through a wall is another matter. If a wall is wet, stained or growing mould, sort out the cause with a surveyor or builder first. Anything fixed over it will trap moisture, and the wall will keep getting worse behind the graphic.
Verdicts by material
| Material | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Foamex | Good | Foam PVC takes up little water |
| Dibond | Good | Aluminium skins, and stays flat |
| Corex | Fine for simple signs | Plastic flutes, but water can sit inside at open ends |
| Encapsulated print | Good for notices | Sealed all round, if the border stays intact |
| Vinyl on a sound, dry surface | Often good | Fails if the surface itself is damp |
| Sealed photo paper on Foamex | Possible | Edges remain the weak point |
| Polyboard | Avoid | Foam-centred boards are meant for dry interiors |
| MDF | Avoid | Swells and loses its shape when moisture gets in |
| Stretched canvas | Avoid | Timber bars and cloth can move and encourage mould |
| Loose paper | Avoid | Cockles and curls quickly |
Three sorts of room
Bathrooms and shower rooms. The air swings between steamy and dry. A print on Foamex or Dibond copes well. Keep it away from direct splashes and open a window or run the fan.
Cellar bars, basements and stores. The air can be cool and steady, with cold walls and condensation. Fix panels so that air can pass behind them. Spacers or stand-offs do more good than a thicker board.
Pools and spas. Warm, wet air, often with chemicals, is hard on everything. Check fixings as well as print, because ordinary metal can corrode. Ask the pool operator what they use, and take advice on any safety signage.
Fixing tips
- Avoid sticking anything flat to a cold outside wall, as moisture collects behind it.
- Sticky pads and Velcro may give way in steam. Screw fixings are usually more reliable.
- Leave a small gap along the bottom edge so that condensation can run away and not collect against the board.
- Seal or protect the print surface. See laminate or seal for how they differ.
For large images in wet rooms, it helps to compare our guide to rigid boards for outdoor signs, as similar thinking applies. Tell us about the room and we will suggest a combination.
Interiors with printed surfaces.
Your questions.
Can I put a canvas print in a bathroom?
We would not advise it. Moisture is hard on the cloth and the wooden bars. A sealed print on a plastic-based board is a safer way to get the same image on the wall.
Is a framed print safe in a kitchen?
Away from the hob and sink, it can be fine, but steam and grease can get inside a frame. A sealed frame or a wipeable board is easier to look after.
Are these materials mould-proof?
No material can promise that. Plastics give mould less to feed on, but it can still grow on dirt, so good ventilation and cleaning matter most.