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Dark by Emperor Paint

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‘Dark’ by Emperor Paint is a premium masonry paint that delivers the deep colours homeowners love without compromising on durability, breathability or weather protection.

Suitable for brick, stone and render, it provides long-lasting protection and colour retention for years to come.

  • 25 year proven performance
  • Hydrophobic - Repels rainwater to keep your home dry
  • Highly breathable to allow moisture to escape
  • Contains our cutting-edge nano-technology
  • Deep colours without compromising performance
Find out more

Size

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Tester PotTester Pot
£7.00
Tester PotTester Pot
£7.00
5 Litres5 Litres
£69.00
5 Litres5 Litres
£69.00
10 Litres10 Litres
£125.00
10 Litres10 Litres
£125.00

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Dark by Emperor Paint Primer

£29.00
Emperor Paint Exterior Masonry Cleaner

Emperor Paint Exterior Masonry Cleaner 5L

£20.00

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  • Highly Breathable
  • Highly Durable
  • Independently Tested
  • Self-Cleaning
  • UV Resistant
Suitable for Exterior walls
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. For full delivery information, please visit our delivery page.

If you change your mind, returns are simple and accepted within 28 days. For full returns information, please visit our returns page.

Dark Colours. Emperor Quality.

Deep colours without compromise

For years, Emperor Masonry Paint has set the standard for masonry paint performance.

But due to its formulation, it could only be made in light and pastel shades.

‘Dark’ changes that, bringing our cutting-edge technology to deep shades such as Black and Anthracite Grey, making our 25 year proven performance available in dark colours for the very first time.

Gary using White

Ideal for those finishing touches

Window sill

Window sills

Water runoff and pooling are common on sills - with Dark your sills are protected from the elements and given a beautiful new look that will last for years to come.

A plinth

Below DPC

Breathability in areas of high moisture like this is crucial - Dark ensures these areas can breathe much easier than standard masonry paints or bitumen.

Door surround

Architectural Details

Dark helps to keep architectural details looking their best by avoiding long-term damage and preserving the durability of the building envelope.

Black render

Most other masonry surfaces

Dark can be applied to almost any masonry surface where you want a deep shade including brick, cement and render.

Protection that lasts

25 year proven performance

Dark has been independently tested to demonstrate 25 years of performance (EAD 040287-00-04:2018 quality standard), helping to protect your home from the elements while reducing the need for costly maintenance and repainting.
A black brick wall with a light shining down across it

The quality you need, the colour you want

Self-Cleaning

Enjoy that newly painted look for longer and be the envy of your neighbours. Dirt is washed away with rainfall and the growth of moss, algae and lichens is deterred.

A paint roller with black paint

Premium Formulation

Formulated without compromise using premium ingredients and advanced technology to deliver long-lasting protection and performance.

A white house with black details across the front

UV Resistant

Formulated to withstand the elements, it offers excellent UV resistance to help maintain colour depth and consistency for years to come.

Easy to apply

Create a finish you can be proud of
  • 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
  • Reliable two-coat coverage
  • On bare surfaces, apply one-coat of Dark Primer first before painting
Applying dark masonry paint

Invest once, save for years

The price on the tin doesn’t reflect the true cost. If you choose a standard masonry paint you could need to paint your walls five times in 25 years, multiplying the cost, the inconvenience and the effort in a way that turns the ‘cheap’ option into the expensive one. With 'Dark' by Emperor Paint you pay once, save yourself money and enjoy the peace of mind knowing your home is protected for decades to come.
'Dark' by Emperor Paint Standard Masonry Paint
info icon Dark has been independently tested to the EAD 040287-00-04:2018 quality standard, demonstrating long-term performance in accelerated weathering tests.
? info icon Often independent testing is not transparrent with results not openly disclosed.
25 years
5 years info icon Many standard masonry paints will not exceed this in real conditions, and stated longer lifespans are often not independently tested or are stated as a maximum lifespan.
£5 info icon Based on the cost of 10L of Dark spread across its 25-year expected lifespan.
£10 info icon Based on the cost of a typical 10L standard masonry paint spread across a 5-year repaint cycle.

*Based on the purchase price of 10L spread across the expected lifespan of each product. Standard masonry paint refers to a typical product, not a specific brand. Five-year durability reflects performance commonly seen in real conditions. Price used as benchmark based on leading brands. Emperor Paint durability and features follow independent testing and published data. Full test details are available at emperorpaint.co.uk/testing-certifications.

Try it for yourself

See the colour on your home

The best way to decide if a colour is right for your home is to see it on your own walls. Order a sample to experience the colour, finish, coverage and quality for yourself before starting your project.

Dark by Emperor Paint tester

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.

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