Dark by Emperor Paint
Free delivery‘Dark’ by Emperor Paint is a brand-new formulation designed to provide a higher quality alternative to standard masonry paint for those looking for dark shades. With our Emperor Masonry Paint unable to be formulated in dark colours due to the nature of its composition, we wanted to create a unique formulation that improved on the performance of what was available in the UK today, but in two beautiful deep shades.
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Contains our cutting-edge nano-technology
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Suitable for use on masonry surfaces such as brick, stone and render
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Formulated for durability - 25 year expected lifespan
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Hydrophobic - Repels rainwater to keep your home dry
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Highly breathable - SD value of 0.14
Size
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Highly Breathable
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Highly Durable
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Independently Tested
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Self-Cleaning
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UV Resistant
Suitable for | Exterior walls |
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Finish | Semi-matt |
Composition | Pure arcylic resin |
Application method | Brush, roller, airless spray |
Coverage | 5-6m2 per litre on smooth surfaces, rougher textures will reduce the coverage accordingly |
Number of coats | Two-coats |
VOC's | > 40g/l |
We offer free and fast delivery on all UK mainland orders. Once your order has left our warehouse, we will send you an email with tracking information. Additional charges apply to Scottish Highlands and UK islands.
We accept returns up to 28 days after purchase. For full delivery and returns information, please visit our delivery and returns page.
Dark Colours. Emperor Quality.
YOU ASKED, WE LISTENED
By popular demand- For years homeowners have loved the performance of our Emperor Masonry Paint but wanted to use a dark shade
- Due to the composition of Emperor Masonry Paint this isn’t possible, meaning it is only available in light or pastel shades
- If compromising on colour wasn’t an option, this meant compromising on quality and performance, until now
- After countless requests from our community to provide a better alternative to the standard masonry paints available we set out to formulate the best possible masonry paint we could in dark colours
- The result is ‘Dark by Emperor Paint’ – a brand-new formulation that offers greater breathability, durability and weather protection than standard masonry paints, while delivering the deep hues of Black and Anthracite Grey

NEW FORMULATION, SAME QUALITY FINISH
Paint that you'll love- Dark has the same unrivalled opacity that you would expect from us here at Emperor Paint
- Easy to apply – anyone can achieve a flawless, fuss-free finish
- Suitable for use on brick, stone, render and previously painted exterior walls
- Can be applied with a brush or a roller
- Two-coats required
- On bare surfaces, apply one-coat of Dark Primer first before painting

Frequently Asked Questions
How is it different from Emperor Masonry Paint?
Dark is formulated using pure acrylic resins rather than silicone resins like Emperor Masonry Paint. The reason behind this is the resins used in Emperor Masonry Paint mean it cannot be formulated in deep and dark shades. In short, the amount of colourant required would dilute the paint.
In contrast, Dark has been specifically engineered to still contain our Emperor nano-technology, meaning it is still highly breathable and durable, but is able to be formulated in Black and Anthracite Grey.
How is it different to standard masonry paints?
Dark is a pure acrylic resin, which helps to provide it with better durability, breathable and weather protection compared to standard masonry paints which often use a blend of acrylic and cheaper binders. While having a slightly higher SD value than our standard Emperor Masonry Paint, it is still highly breathable.
What surfaces is Dark designed for?
Dark is designed to be applied to a range of masonry surfaces including brick, render and stone. When it comes to surfaces such as limestone, sandstone, lime render and silicone render, we recommend using Emperor Masonry Paint. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you’re not sure which is best for your property.
Can Dark be applied over the top of other paints?
Yes, Dark can be applied to previously painted surfaces providing that paint is sound and not a silicone-based masonry paint. We do not recommend applying Dark over Emperor Masonry Paint as this is a silicone-based formulation.
When applying both Emperor Masonry Paint and Dark to the same property, apply Dark first followed by Emperor Masonry Paint to the other areas. This means that where the two paints overlap, the silicone-based paint won’t interfere with adhesion and both products can perform to their full potential without compatibility issues.
What finish is Dark?
Dark is a semi-matt finish with a slightly higher sheen than our Emperor Masonry Paint, which is a flat matt finish. This subtle difference gives Dark a richer, more defined appearance, while still maintaining a low sheen look that suits traditional and contemporary properties alike.
Does it come with a lifetime guarantee?
No, we don’t offer our lifetime guarantee on Dark by Emperor Paint. This lifetime guarantee only applies to Emperor Masonry Paint and Emperor Masonry Creme.
While Dark is formulated to an exceptionally high standard using pure acrylic resins for extreme durability, it is a different type of system. We only offer guarantees on products that have gone through a rigorous independent testing program over an extended period of time.
As a new formulation we do not extend the same lifetime claim to Dark at this time. That said, you can still expect Dark to deliver premium performance and we will continue to the testing process so we can hopefully offer our lifetime guarantee on Dark in the near future.