Masonry paint: what to use and why.
Masonry paint has to survive UK weather for a decade or more, and the difference between a job that lasts and one that's peeling in three years almost always comes down to prep and product choice — not just picking the biggest-name tin like Sandtex off the shelf.
Smooth vs high build (textured) masonry paint.
Smooth masonry paint gives a flatter, more contemporary look and is easier to keep clean, but shows hairline cracks in render more readily. High build formulas, such as Sandtex High Build, contain fillers that bridge fine cracks as they're applied, making them the safer choice on older or slightly imperfect render and brick. The trade-off is a more textured finish, which suits traditional and pebbledash properties better than sleek modern render.
Why prep matters more outside than in.
Exterior walls take rain, frost, algae and UV, so any shortcut in preparation shows up fast. That means washing down to remove algae and dirt, treating mould with a fungicidal wash, raking out and filling cracks, and applying a stabilising primer on chalky or porous render before paint goes anywhere near it. Paint applied over a dirty or unstable surface will fail early, whatever brand is in the tin.
Coats, drying times and weather windows.
Masonry paint typically needs two coats, and both need genuine drying time and dry weather — rushing a second coat before the first has cured, or painting as rain approaches, is one of the most common causes of early failure and blistering. On a UK exterior job, having a decorator who watches the forecast is worth as much as the paint itself.
Getting exterior paint that lasts.
A properly prepped and painted masonry job should comfortably last ten years or more before it needs attention again. We assess the wall condition first — cracks, damp, previous paint failures — before recommending smooth or high build, so you're not paying for a repaint sooner than you should. Get a free quote for your exterior walls.
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