Are you wondering what you should use elastomeric paint for? It’s important to choose the right type of paint for the surface you’re working on if you want it to last. So, when should you use elastomeric paint?
Elastomeric paint should be used when you’re painting stucco and masonry. This is one of the best types of paint to create a protective seal over hairline cracks on masonry surfaces. It creates a flexible coating that’s also resistant to moisture, which prevents mold and mildew. However, working with elastomeric paint does require experience to achieve the best results.
If you’re planning on painting masonry, elastomeric paint is one of the best options. Today, we’re going to discuss why you should use this paint and what you should be prepared for. Read on as we cover the pros and cons of using elastomeric paint.
What Is Elastomeric Paint?
Elastomeric paint is used on masonry surfaces to prevent moisture from penetrating into the building. Masonry surfaces are very porous. This makes it easier for moisture, dirt, and debris to get inside, where it can cause damage.
Bricks, concrete, and other masonry surfaces should be painted with elastomeric paint because it creates a waterproof coating. It’s a high-build paint that’s designed to be flexible. Elastomeric paint can expand and contract during extreme temperature changes without causing cracks or peeling.
One of the main reasons people choose elastomeric paint for masonry is the waterproof finish. This acts as a shield to protect the bricks and concrete from moisture and dirt. You won’t have to worry about mold and mildew buildup on the masonry.
The biggest issue that a lot of people face with masonry is hairline cracks. Often people don’t notice these cracks because of how fine they are. With elastomeric paint, people don’t have to worry about damage from hairline cracks. The paint creates a protective seal, preventing these cracks from getting worse.
Benefits Of Using Elastomeric Paint
Elastomeric paint should be one of the types of paint you consider for painting masonry. However, you still might not be sure if this is the right paint for your project. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of using elastomeric paint.
Waterproof Coating
The top benefit of elastomeric paint is that it creates a waterproof coating. Waterproofing masonry is very important to prevent rot and damage. Elastomeric creates a very strong coating that’s resistant to moisture.
Moisture from condensation and rain can cause damage to bricks if they don’t have a protective layer. When moisture gets inside the pores of the bricks, it can cause them to rot. If elastomeric paint is applied correctly, all of the pores of the bricks will be sealed and protected.
Durability
Elastomeric is a lot stronger than other types of paint. This is because it’s a very thick paint. The durability of elastomeric paint adds to its lifespan. Homeowners can expect elastomeric paint to last a lot longer than other types of paint.
Most elastomeric paint comes with a 10-year warranty. If it’s applied correctly, it will last even longer than that. It will even last through extreme weather conditions.
So, how does this compare to other paints? Most other paints on the market only come with a 2 or 3-year warranty. The durability of elastomeric pain prevents it from wearing off and chipping after only a few years.
Thickness & Density
You need thick paint to cover masonry surfaces. This is why your best option is elastomeric paint. It is much thicker than other paints on the market.
The thickness of paint is judged by mils. Each coat of elastomeric paint has 10 to 20 mils. That’s a lot compared to acrylic and latex paints, which only have an average of 2 to 3 mils per coat.
So, why does the thickness of a paint matter? Thicker paint offers better protection. Once the paint dries, it’s a lot tougher. This is how it prevents dirt, moisture, and other elements from causing damage to the masonry.
Flexibility
Masonry surfaces require flexible paint. This is because bricks and concrete are known to expand and contract with temperature changes.
When the temperature drops below freezing, the bricks expand. Once they thaw, they contract. While this change is minimal enough that you won’t notice it by looking at the bricks, it’s enough to affect the paint.
Elastomeric paint is the best choice when it comes to flexibility. The paint is able to expand and contract along with the masonry without cracking. It will remain watertight, keeping the masonry protected.
Disadvantages Of Using Elastomeric Paint
Elastomeric paint sounds like an excellent choice, but it’s not right for every project. There are some reasons why you might not want to use elastomeric paint. Let’s take a look at the disadvantage of using elastomeric paint.
Not For Beginners
You will need experience to use elastomeric paint the correct way. Unlike other paints, elastomeric isn’t beginner-friendly. If you don’t have a professional background working with paint, you won’t get the results you expect.
Using elastomeric paint can be overwhelming for someone who isn’t experienced with paint. On top of that, if it’s applied incorrectly, it won’t be effective at protecting the masonry surface.
Now, this doesn’t mean that you should use elastomeric paint. You should still use elastomeric paint on masonry surfaces. However, you should hire an experienced professional to apply it.
More Expensive
Elastomeric paint can cost nearly twice as much as other paints on the market. If you’re planning on painting a masonry surface, you will need to prepare for a higher budget. The formula is thicker than other paints and features more costly ingredients.
If you’re hiring a professional service to apply the paint, you will likely pay more as well. That is because there is a very thorough process that the painters take to prepare and paint the masonry. The extra work involved will end up costing more.
Another thing to factor in is that many brands of elastomeric paint are sold in 5-gallon buckets. If you only have a small surface area to paint, you may be required to buy more paint than you actually need for the project.
Not Every Brand Is Equal
One brand of elastomeric paint can be completely different than another. This is another reason why only experienced painters should use elastomeric paint. The quality of the paint and how it performs is different per brand.
Are you experienced with painting, but not sure which brand to choose? Take some time to research different types of elastomeric paint online. Reading the reviews can give you a better idea of how the paint is to work with and what to expect.
Requires A LOT Of Preparation
There is a lot of prep work involved before using elastomeric paint. In order to get the best results from the elastomeric paint, thorough preparation needs to be done. If you skip the preparation, your paint job won’t last as expected.
Many surfaces just need to be cleaned and repaired before painting. However, when using elastomeric paint, you will need to remove everything from the surface. This includes old paint, grease, and substrates.
Paint Appears Lumpy
One of the downfalls of using elastomeric paint is that it appears lumpy. That is why beginners shouldn’t work with it. If the surface isn’t completely clean and clear for the paint, it can look lumpy once it dries.
Those lumps do occur naturally when air and moisture get into the paint. It’s essential that you pay strict attention when working with elastomeric paint to prevent these lumps from becoming an issue.
It’s common for lumps to appear after the first coat of paint. For this reason, you will likely have to apply a few coats of paint to achieve a smoother finish.
Does Not Permeate
Elastomeric paint can’t permeate through the surface. If there are any cracks or holes in the surface, you will need to fix them before applying the paint. While elastomeric paint can create a strong protective layer, it can’t fill in gaps.
This is part of the reason that proper cleaning and prep work need to be done before painting. If these issues are attended to before painting, the paint won’t be able to bond. This will also cause it to start peeling.
How Much Does Elastomeric Paint Cost?
Elastomeric paint costs an average of $35 to $115 per gallon. The price is twice as high as acrylic and other masonry paints. However, not all elastomeric paints are created equally. The final price of your project will depend on the surface area and which brand of paint you choose.
You might be wondering why elastomeric paint is more expensive than the other types of paint available. It all goes down to how thick the paint is. Elastomeric paint has a rubberized coating that costs more to make. This coating is very protective and better at resisting moisture.
Most of the best-selling paint brands have elastomeric paint available. However, the price will vary depending on the brand. Let’s take a look at the average costs of the top elastomeric paints.
| Paint | Cost |
| Valspar Duramax Elastomeric Masonry Stucco & Brick Paint | $179.00 |
| Benjamin Moore UltraSpec Masonry Elastomeric | $49.95 |
| Sherwin Williams Conflex Elastomeric | $73.49 |
| Behr Premium Elastomeric Masonry Stucco & Brick Paint | $37.98 |
Conclusion
Elastomeric paint is an excellent choice for concrete, brick, and other masonry surfaces. It’s durable and waterproof, creating a protective layer for the surface. However, this paint isn’t easy to work with.
Your best option is to contact a professional if you want to use elastomeric paint but don’t have experience. This will ensure that the surface gets the proper level of preparation beforehand. It will also guarantee a quality paint job that will last longer.
Our team includes many home improvement professionals such as painters interior decorators and architects. Collectively, we have over 30 years of experience.