Professional Guide to Painting Masonry
If you aren't sure which product to buy, how to apply a certain product or how to prepare the substrate, please take the time to read the professional guide we have created for painting exterior substrates such as concrete, brickwork and lime render. We will gladly assist those of you with masonry problems or those of you unsure how to go about painting exterior brickwork.
Where to buy masonry paint?
Masonry Paint is manufactured globally by a range of well-known manufacturers in the paint industry, including the likes of Rust-Oleum, Bedec, Zinsser, Keim and Mapei. Although products can be purchased directly from the manufacturers, you can benefit from Promain's manufacturer trained technical team who can advise on types of paint and specify bespoke solutions, tailored for individual project requirements.
We are one of the UK's leading distributors for the worlds leading manufacturers of performance coatings. We offer a range of performance coatings, with over 50,000 colours available.
Which exterior masonry paint to buy?
There is no set paint to buy for all masonry. You will need to consider a few things before you make your purchase:
- How long do you want the paint to last (life expectancy)?
- Has the surface been coated with anything before?
- What type of substrate are you looking to paint? Is it a lime-based render, brick masonry, concrete render, what type of bricks, is it a heritage property?
- Where are you located? What weather conditions do you face daily?
- What is the surface/substrate condition? Are there surface cracks, hairline or larger? Are there any loose materials?
- Do you want elastomeric, micro-porous or anti-carbonation paint?
- Do you want textured or smooth masonry paint?
- How much are you willing to spend?
- Which brand/system would you like to opt for?
- What colour would you like?
Taking all these things into consideration and more will help you to find the right coating to suit your needs. We can match two colours if you require us to, with over 50,000 colours available to choose from.
If you are stuck trying to find the right product, we have a technical team available who are ready and willing to answer any questions you have and point you in the direction of the correct product to suit your needs.
What is the difference between smooth and textured masonry paint?
Despite what people think, a textured finish won't give you any added benefit in harsh conditions. It might, in fact, actually hinder water resistance. A textured coating can slow down moisture from flowing off the surface, opening up to damp problems down the line.
Textured is more decorative, creating quartz or rough surfaces that are visually appealing. Two advantages of the textured finish mean that the paint can be used to hide surface imperfections or cracks. In urban environments, textured coatings can act as an anti-fly coating, preventing people from sticking posters and flyers to the building in question.
Do I need masonry paint or emulsion?
Masonry paint and emulsion are two very different things. For all they might look similar, the emulsion is generally much cheaper and often designed for interior use. Emulsion paint is usually preferred as a decorative interior coating, whereas masonry paint is designed to protect outside walls and surfaces from harsh elements. It's not always as straightforward as emulsion = interior and masonry = exterior, so if you need support, please don't hesitate to contact us and we can answer any questions you have regarding your buying decision.
Bespoke paints for masonry are available for coastal and humid environments, as well as for different constructions, such as stone, brick, flint and lime render. An emulsion paint wouldn't be fit to perform in such conditions or on these types of substrate.
Do I need a primer?
You might, but this is dependent on the substrate as well as if the current surface is flaking and peeling. Ask yourself the following questions and you will find it easier to get an answer:
Is it lime render, brick or concrete render? Are there previous coatings on the substrate?
What system are you looking to buy or have you already bought?
What conditions are you up against? Atmospheric, coastal, high wind and rain, or humid environments for example.
Answering these questions will be a good indication. Some paints you need a primer with and some you don't. It's all dependent on the system and what you need the system to do.
How to apply masonry paint?
Most masonry systems are easy to apply and can be applied using a brush, roller or spray, although some can only be applied by brush. It really depends on the paint and whether you have purchased sprayable masonry paint or not.
When painting any interior/exterior wall, it's worthwhile taking the time out of your day to check if the surface has been coated before. Always check that the paint is compatible with the surface and that it is safe for you to coat over old coatings also, this is to ensure you get good coverage.
Also, consider the condition you are looking to apply in. Don't paint in the rain if you can avoid it. Try to paint the substrate during summer and springtime in the warmer months and make sure you prepare the surface properly following technical guidelines.
The technical department at Promain can help you determine whether it is safe to start applying for your new purchase.
Please Remember: A paint is only as good as the surface you are painting onto. If you are painting onto a loose or peeling surface, you can almost guarantee that your coating will flake or peel off. Prepare the substrate properly and speak to the Promain technical department regarding appropriate coatings so we can find a compatible system to meet your requirements.
How much paint do I need?
This depends on the surface area in question. If you have measurements to hand when you call us then this will help us to help you much faster. We can talk to you about surface areas and application and work with you to determine how much paint you need to buy.
How much paint you need is also dependent on the substrate type and how porous the surface is. This will indicate how much paint will be absorbed into the surface. It also depends on what paint is being used as different paints have different coverage rates, so all things need to be considered, especially as you'll be looking for excellent coverage.
How to apply masonry paint?
Most masonry systems are easy to apply and can be applied using brush, roller or spray, although some can only be applied by brush. It really depends on the paint and whether you have purchased a sprayable masonry paint or not.
When painting any interior/exterior wall, it's worthwhile taking the time out of your day to check if the surface has been coated before. Always check that the paint is compatible with the surface and that it is safe for you to coat over old coatings also, this is to ensure you get good coverage.
Also consider the condition you are looking to apply in. Don't paint in rain if you can avoid it. Try to paint the substrate during summer and spring time in the warmer months and make sure you prepare the surface properly following technical guidelines.
The technical department at Promain can help you determine whether it is safe to start applying your new purchase.
How much paint do I need?
This depends on the surface area in question. If you have measurements to hand when you call us then this will help us to help you much faster. We can talk to you about surface areas and application and work with you to determine how much paint you need to buy.
How much paint you need is also dependent on the substrate type and how porous the surface is. This will indicate as to how much paint will be absorbed into surface. It also depends on what paint is being used as different paints have different coverage rates, so all things need to be considered, especially as you'll be looking for excellent coverage.
Which Masonry Paint Do I Choose?
There are many things to consider when looking to find the correct paint to suit your needs, paints will come with a range of benefits and features. We have outlined a few of the main things to consider below.
Elastomeric
Firstly, you need to consider the condition of the wall you intend to paint. If the wall has lots of hairline cracks in the render then you might want to consider an elastomeric masonry paint, specifically designed for application to walls will hairline cracks present.
Choosing a product that will bridge the cracks effectively is essential. The paint will need to expand and contract during the winter and summer months to prevent water ingress and render damage. Elastomeric masonry protection is an ideal solution to meet your waterproofing requirements.
Elastomeric paints such as Bedec Extra Flex and Rustoleum Murfill Renovation Paint will prevent water from entering through the gaps and cracks, stopping it from progressing further behind the render. If ingressed water is allowed to progress behind the render, icy temperatures can freeze the water, causing it to expand and turn to ice. Due to the water expansion the render can become damaged and crumble. With that said, it's imperative that you consider an elastomeric coating rather than a cosmetic one.
Micro-Porous and Breathable
Another thing you will want to consider when purchasing a paint for protecting your exterior walls is how breathable the paint is. Breathable or “Micro-porous” masonry paints, as they are often referred to as, allow excess moisture in the walls to evaporate and dry out.
These sorts of paints are highly effective for application to older buildings, where cavity wall insulation wasn't included in the building regulations. A solid masonry wall will often draw in dampness from the outside, thus causing problems within. When dampness builds up walls can become very cold, effecting your heating bills drastically. The chances of mould growth and organic contamination will increase too, both inside and outside.
Cottages and churches are usually constructed using a lime based render, therefore a breathable paint needs to be considered in this type of building. Solignum is one of our most popular products, designed for application to older buildings.
Anti-Carbonation
Most well-manufactured masonry paints are anti-carbonation, meaning the coating will prevent excess carbon being absorbed into the concrete or brickwork. The excess carbon can cause any metal reinforcements within the walls to rust and corrode quicker than they usually would, thus causing problems. External walls that are exposed to the elements are far more likely to be effected and should be top of your priority list when looking to decorate and protect the outside of your property.
As well as specialising in breathable and elastomeric coatings, we can help you find an anti-carbonation coating to protect your exterior masonry from carbonation and water ingress.
Things to Consider when Buying Masonry Paint
There are many things to consider when looking for a weather protection or weather resistant, decorative coat of paint to protect your exterior walls. We have outlined a few of the key things you will want to think about below.
Location
When choosing any paint, you should also consider where the property is located. If your property is located in land, then your standard range of masonry coatings for different types of masonry will usually be fine. Extra Flex and Paracem are popular choices among people looking to protect exterior walls on properties positioned away from coastal or exposed areas.
For highly exposed conditions however, such as out on the coast or up in the highlands and islands, a high performance coating will usually be required. Murfill Waterproof Coating from Rustoleum is a popular choice in this scenario. This particular product has been used on countless occasions to protect lighthouses up and down the country and around the world. Lighthouses are probably the most exposed type of building we have on the British Isles, so you can sleep safe in the knowledge that Murfill will serve you well for many years as it is long lasting and will offer years of protection.
Life Expectancy
Life Expectancy can vary between products, although this generally depends on the location and exposure. We'd expect to see a maintenance cycle of between 7-10 years once the paint is fully cured.
Surface
When painting your home or commercial property, it's important to consider the surface you are painting and whether or not it has been previously coated. You may need a wall primer and the wall may need to be treated (especially the north wall where a lot more organic contamination can take place) with a fungicidal wash first. We also supply coatings for wet walls, often found in cellars and garages.
Colour
You probably know the colour you are looking for already, although certain products are available in different colours. There's no need to panic if you've found the perfect paint but it's not available in the exact colour you require. Speak to the Promain technical department about possibilities to tint the paint and we can talk you through your options.
Price
You will no doubt be considering the cost of masonry paint when shopping online. Many of the exterior wall coatings we supply differ in price, but not drastically. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. If you want to achieve high levels or protection with a quality finish and a longer life expectancy, it's always worth spending a little extra to have your requirements met.
Brand
If you are looking for the best exterior masonry paint, branded products can be purchased online from Promain Paints. As previously mentioned, we supply a comprehensive range of exterior masonry protection from some of the biggest names in the industry, including Rust-Oleum, Keim, Bedec, Mapei and Zinsser.
Type
Whether you are searching for a standard acrylic, limewash, elastomeric or silicate masonry paint, you will find what you are looking for here. If you are specifically looking for alternatives to the high street brands, a quick call to Promain will stand you in good stead.
Finish - Textured or Smooth Masonry Paint
Whether you want to achieve a smooth finish or a textured finished we have coatings here to suit your needs. Glixtone EM18 is a textured coating offering durable protection against extreme conditions.
Protecting your Exterior Walls
In order to properly protect your outside walls you need to purchase a paint that has good life expectancy and waterproofing properties. For crack bridging, an elastomeric coating should be considered and for areas exposed to the elements, a high performance masonry paint should be on your list.