Painting internal masonry

[AlwaysLearning]

I've an enclosed porch around what used to be the front door. The old external cavity brick wall is now an internal wall so never sees rain.

Is masonry paint truly necessary, or will emulsion do just fine?

[arco_iris]

I'm not a professional decorator, but I would say that matt emulsion will be fine. Good quality (branded) masonry paint might last longer (cheap masonry paint isn't much different to emulsion anyway) as it is waterproof. IMHO.

[Tom d'Angler]

Is masonry paint truly necessary, or will emulsion do just fine?

Personally, I would use masonry paint. If the porch doesn't have any heating, it will be subject to extreme differences in temperature and ordinary emulsion may not withstand that for very long. However, as a rule, exterior paint shouldn't normally be used indoors as it often contains chemicals such as anti-fungus thingybobs and these can, apparently, give off harmful fumes (although I think this would only cause you harm if used in a bedroom or somewhere else where you spend a lot of time).

[BuntyCollox]

Zinsser allcoat would be the perfect solution to this one.