The Real Cost of Masonry Paint: Why Emperor Saves You Money

When choosing an exterior masonry paint, price is often the first factor you consider. Higher quality paints like Emperor Masonry Paint can appear expensive at first glance when compared to standard masonry paints, but when you look deeper, there is more to what makes a good-value masonry paint than you might think.

In this guide, we will cover:

• The hidden costs of standard masonry paints
• How Emperor Masonry Paint differs from standard masonry paint
• How does using Emperor Masonry Paint save you money over time

The hidden costs of standard masonry paints

Most standard exterior masonry paints are acrylic-based. This means they will often be cheaper upfront, but they tend to deteriorate quickly, typically within 10 years and often as quickly as 1-3 years.

This is often due to moisture levels being often higher than standard paints can manage.

Signs of problems include:

• Absorbing water, leading to peeling and flaking
• Trapping moisture within the wall, causing damp and blistering
• Fading and discolouration

Once these signs of deterioration appear, repainting becomes unavoidable. At this stage, it’s no longer a simple refresh. Failed paint must be removed, surfaces often require extensive preparation, repair, labour and access costs, all adding to the overall price.

As this cycle repeats every few years, the costs quickly add up. What initially looked like a cheaper option often becomes the most expensive choice over time.

What makes Emperor Masonry Paint different from standard masonry paint?

Emperor Masonry Paint is engineered using cutting-edge nano-technology that lines the pores of masonry without sealing them.

Millions of microscopic pyramid-shaped structures cause rainwater to bead and roll off the surface, preventing rain soaking into the surface, while tiny gaps between them allow water vapour to escape. This creates exterior walls that stay dry, removing the build up of moisture that causes problems for millions of homes across the UK.

By keeping walls dry, it also helps reduce:

• Penetrating damp
• Organic growth
• Staining
• Discolouration

In UKAS-accredited independent testing, Emperor Masonry Paint withstood the equivalent of 25 years of harsh UK weather with no loss of performance or appearance. In fact, because it showed no signs of deterioration after 25 years, it comes with a lifetime guarantee as it will likely far exceed this.

Learn more: The Emperor Paint lifetime guarantee

How Emperor Masonry Paint saves you money

In exterior painting, cost is determined by how often repainting is required, not the price of a single tin. It’s how often you have to repaint, repair and pay for the knock-on costs that are easy to overlook.

1. Improved energy efficiency

Emperor Masonry Paint helps keep external walls drier by reducing water absorption. Damp walls lose heat more quickly than dry ones, so by preventing moisture ingress, the paint helps improve thermal efficiency. Over time, this can contribute to lower heating costs.

2. Less repairs

Once moisture enters your home, it can lead to flaking paint, damp patches and internal repairs. By keeping exterior walls dry, Emperor Masonry Paint reduces the risk of penetrating damp and the problems it causes, saving you from costly repairs in the future.

3. Durability

A cheap masonry paint might save you upfront, but if it begins to look less than its best or peel after just a few years, you pay the price again. A paint like Emperor Masonry Paint that costs more upfront but lasts 25 years often costs less per year than a cheaper paint that needs repainting every 5 years.

4. Fewer repeated costs

The cost of a tub of paint is rarely what it actually costs you. After all, paint is rarely the expensive part of an exterior project. Labour, scaffolding and preparation often cost far more than the paint itself, meaning the savings you make quickly outweigh the higher upfront price.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to paint the outside of a house?

Estimates from Checkatrade suggest hiring a professional to paint the outside of your house can cost between £3000 and £6000. When you break that down, less than 10% of the project is the cost of the paint. The rest goes on scaffolding, labour and materials in order to complete the project.

With a coverage of 5-6m2 per litre, to paint a typical 3-bed semi-detached home (90m2) you would need 30L of Emperor Masonry Paint, costing £375. With a 25 year proven performance, this equates to £15 per year.

Do I need a primer before applying masonry paint?

If you are painting a previously painted surface, you don’t need to apply a primer. If the wall is unpainted and bare, most masonry paints require one coat of primer first to help it stick to the wall.

What is different about masonry paint?

Masonry paint requires more durability and water resistance to cope with the higher demands of exterior masonry. That’s why you cannot use any emulsion paint on exterior walls, as it will simply peel off with rain.

Is it applied differently?

No, Emperor Masonry Paint is applied in the same way as any other masonry paint. While it isn’t completely water-based, it can be cleaned and diluted with water, which means you treat it like any paint.

When you’re taking the time and expense to paint the outside of your house, you want to know you’re doing the right thing and avoiding future problems. If you have more questions, we are here to help with our in-house team of experts. You can chat to them by emailing [email protected] or give them a ring on 01254 936121.

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