Apply a Wall Coating or use Masonry Paint - Longevity (Part 2 of 5)

There’s not much to say about the difference in longevity with regards to wall coatings and masonry paints...because it’s quite clear cut.  Masonry paints will last on average anywhere between 1 and 3 years depending on factors such as the substrate it is being applied to, weather conditions and even whether applied to north or south facing walls. Wall coatings are expected to and will last for many many decades, maintenance free, assuming they are installed correctly, this is why you will generally see 15 year guarantees with these products from wall coating companies (see our final post on guarantees, to see what you should be looking for).

Wall Preparation, Wall Preparation, Wall Preparation...

The composition of the wall that is being treated is the main factor to consider when choosing the correct paint or wall coating for application. The correct preparation or repaired condition of the wall prior to application is one of the main factors to the longevity (applies in any exterior wall work really). Even though wall coatings will far outlast masonry paint, neither masonry paint nor a wall coating will last for the predicted life expectancy if essential and adequate preparation is not carried out.

Why is there so much difference between wall coatings and masonry paint?

The main reason for difference in life expectancy between masonry paint and wall coatings is simply the raw ingredients that go into each product, I won’t go too much into this here as I will cover this in the next post.  There is considerable research currently ongoing to improve and develop wall coatings as well as masonry paints, but there will always remain a difference in these two products. Apart from wall coating products costing vast amounts more than masonry paints, there is also a reliance on wall coating application machines and skilled staff, which in turn provides the thick, solid quality finish. Therefore masonry paints will never replace wall coatings for the purpose they serve, as roller applied masonry paints, simply cannot provide the long lasting protection of a spray applied wall coating.

Maintenance Free Wall Coating

Once a wall coating is applied to a wall following the correct specification, preparation and application it will be maintenance free for many decades, except if it requires a gentile wash down to remove air bourn pollution as required. If masonry paint is applied to a wall it literally is anyone’s guess as to the longevity of the paint. I can guarantee, you won’t get a long guarantee from a decorator rolling on masonry paint!

Conclusion

So you have a choice, a wall coating which is maintenance free, or a masonry paint, which will need applying again and again over the next decade and beyond. Often the more previous layers of paint on a wall the less time a new lick of paint will last. The reason wall coatings last so long is their research driven chemical composition, made including ingredients like ultra violet filters, so sunlight does not destroy them (more on this in my next post).  Wall coatings are also very low in viscosity which means, when applied can be 20 times thicker than masonry paints, but this means they must be applied by special machinery and skilled staff.  For further information as to why wall coatings last longer than masonry paint, see our next post on the physical properties of wall coatings vs masonry paints.