Masonry paint is specially formulated for use on stone and brickwork. It goes without saying that many of its applications are outdoors, which means that it needs to stand up to the elements all year round. Understandably, that leaves many buyers sceptical about its longevity.
Read on as we discuss how long masonry paint lasts and how it measures up to the alternatives.
When you’re asking, ‘how long does masonry paint last?’, the answer depends on where you draw the line with its deterioration. While masonry paint products are marketed as weather-resistant, the truth is that they’re pretty non-durable.
With continuous battering from the rain, even the best masonry paint will start to flake and peel within the first five years. As well as looking worn and unkempt, that will leave your building exposed to the elements.
Another issue is the colour, which potentially makes masonry paint’s lifespan even shorter. Masonry paint typically begins to fade within two to three years. If you want to keep your walls looking their best, repainting will be quite a regular occurrence.
With a new coat needed every three years to keep the colours fresh or every five years to eliminate flaking, the longevity of masonry paint is similar to paint on your internal walls. The difference is that internal walls don’t have long-lasting alternatives.
When it comes to covering your external walls, you can also opt for coloured render or an overspray to add colour and protection. A high-quality render should last around 15 years, with many products available in a choice of shades.
Walls usually need to be re-rendered because of cracking. This happens because of the natural movement of walls over time, along with the freezing (expansion) and thawing (contraction) of moisture within the render.
With that in mind, the most long-lasting option is a cork-based overspray. Drawing on the natural properties of cork, the coating is water-resistant, so it doesn’t absorb moisture. It’s also more flexible than render to eliminate cracking. As a result, you can expect it to last for upwards of 25 years.
If you’re comparing how long masonry paint lasts compared to an exterior wall coating, there’s no contest. Masonry paint lasts up to five years, while high-quality exterior wall coatings have a lifespan of five times that.
There are also a number of other factors to take into account, including how they cover uneven walls and the additional benefits on offer. Take a look at our blog post on six key differences between the two to find out more.
Alternatively, if you’d like to find out more about an exterior wall coating that stands the test of time, get in touch with the CorkSol team. Our flagship SprayCork coating comes with a guarantee of 25 years, so you can rest assured it will keep your walls looking great without the need for maintenance.
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