Painting Outdoor Walls

Why Paint Outdoor Walls?

Knowing exactly what can be achieved from a decorating project is always a good place to start when discussing how to go about it. There are a number of benefits of painting an outdoor wall, that include:

1. A new lease of life

Especially here in the UK, our outdoor surfaces can become dirty & tired looking rather quickly, especially through the wet winter months. Whether you have a bare brick masonry wall or a rendered exterior wall, painting the surface can bring it back to life with a new, refreshed look.

2. A change of colour

We can all get bored of the same look, which is why painting an surface can be the perfect way to change things up easily & cheaply. Outdoor walls are no different! There are thousands of colours to choose from when it comes to exterior paint, you do not have to be limited to using the same colours white, cream & grey that are commonly used in the UK.

3. Protection

Painting outdoor walls is an ideal way to provide them with added protection. As an exterior surface, outdoor walls must endure a large amount of weathering which can cause them damage long-term. Providing the wall with a protective paint can help to reduce this damage & keep the wall looking like new.

What Paint Should You Use On Outdoor Walls?

Knowing what paint is most suitable for your project is the first step in ensuring you achieve the best possible results. If you do not use the correct paint, it will not adhere properly to the surface and you will be left with peeling paint!

Masonry paint is a paint that is specifically designed to be applied to outdoor walled surfaces, such as render, brick, stone & concrete. They are designed to withstand the weathering that an outdoor wall must endure, although the level of durability can vary from paint to paint. The level of protection that a masonry paint offers depends on the quality of the paint and the type of masonry paint it is. There are four broad types of masonry paint on the market today:

Acrylic Masonry Paint

Acrylic masonry paints are the most common type of masonry paint available in the UK, which is why they are often referred to as standard masonry paint. Acrylic masonry paints are water-based formulations that are weatherproof, meaning they will resist some level of weathering, however they are not waterproof and will uptake some level of moisture over time. These formulations are also generally low in breathability when compared to other formulations, which can lead to moisture becoming trapped underneath the paint film. Acrylic masonry paints often come with lifespans anywhere from 3 year to 15 years, depending on the quality of the paint. Widely available & coming in a wide range of colours, they are ideal for DIY projects where you are simply looking to refresh the colour of an exterior wall at a low cost.

Silicone Masonry Paint

Silicone masonry paint is a technologically advanced masonry paint that contains silicone-resins within its formulation. The added silicone-resins gives the masonry paint water repellent properties meaning it will prevent water from absorbing into exterior masonry. They achieve this while also offer high breathability, allowing any trapped moisture to freely escape the masonry. This is what makes silicone masonry paint highly durable, coming with a lifespan in excess of 25 years. Unlike other masonry paints, silicone masonry paint can also be applied to silicone renders such as K-Rend.

The downside to silicone masonry paint is that due to the advanced technology in the paint, it is often only available in light or pastel shades. This means that if you are looking for a deep or dark shade of paint to give you home a unique look, you will struggle to find the right colour for you.

Limewash

Limewash is a traditional form of masonry coating that is highly breathable, which is why it has been used on heritage buildings for centuries. Limewash as a natural form of masonry coating does not offer the some weather protection as modern masonry paints, which is why it has to be recoated every few years. For this reason it isn't a commonly used coating today.

Oil-Based Masonry Paint

Oil-based masonry paint, otherwise known as pliolite, is solely used when temperatures are below 5 degrees. Due to its low breathability it is not recommended for use unless in specific commercial projects where a water-based paint can't be applied.

The Best Paints For Outdoor Walls

When deciding what masonry paint is best for you, it is important to consider what you want from your paint. Do you want a cheaper paint that will allow you to change colours regularly or do you want a paint that offer more waterproof protection to your home? Here are our experts picks for the best paints for exterior walls.

1. Emperor Masonry Paint

Emperor Masonry Paint is designed to offer ultimate protection for outdoor walls. The highly advanced silicone masonry paint creates a super hydrophobic surface on outdoor walls that prevents 96% of water absorption. It achieves this by creating a water repellent surface on wall that means any water that lands on the painted surface simply rolls straight off.

Crucially, Emperor Masonry Paint is highly breathable, allowing any moisture within a wall to escape. This combination of water repellence & breathability gives Emperor Masonry Paint an unmatched durability, as moisture is the biggest cause of outdoor paint failure. In independent testing, Emperor Masonry Paint was found to have no change in appearance of performance after a 25-year accelerated weathering period. Due to this, Emperor Paint offer a lifetime guarantee on their masonry paint, ensuring it's performance for decades.

Other benefits of the technology within Emperor Masonry Paint are self-cleaning properties, improved heat retention & protection against penetrating damp. This is all achieved once again by preventing water from absorbing into outdoor walls.

Emperor Masonry Paint comes in 12 standard colours, which is less than other masonry paint manufacturers. This includes white, off-white, witney cream, beige & light grey, plus a number of pastel pinks, blues & greens. While it is slightly more expensive than other masonry paints on the market, Emperor Masonry Paint is designed to offer better long-term value, as it prevents the need to repaint the masonry every few years when other paints can fail.

If your outdoor wall suffers from damp problems, green growth or discolouration, Emperor Masonry Paint is ideal for you.

You can order a tester pot of Emperor Masonry Paint to see the super hydrophobic technology for yourself and to get the best possible representation as colours as possible, as computer screens can alter the look of colours.

Pros:

• Super hydrophobic
• Highly breathable
• Self-cleaning
• Proven to keep painted walls up to 6°C warmer on average
• Lifetime guarantee
• Prevents penetrating damp
• High opacity

Cons:

• Only available in light or pastel shades
• Is more expensive than other masonry paints on the market

2. Armstead Masonry Paint

When it comes to a standard acrylic masonry paint we recommend Armstead Masonry Paint. This is the ideal paint if you are looking for a trade-quality masonry paint.

Armstead is a brand that is known for providing excellent value for money, with their masonry paint is no different. While not waterproof, it still offers good durability with a 15 year lifespan, which is higher than many retail masonry paints that you will find on the shelves at DIY stores.

Armstead Masonry Paint is especially useful if you are looking for a specific colour, as it can be mixed on demand in almost any colour you want. Whether you want a specific RAL or British Standard colour or you want it colour matched to an equivalent of another brands colour, it can be done with Armstead Masonry Paint. This includes designer shades, meaning you can get that perfect colour for you at a fraction of the cost and in a better quality paint.

Pros:

• Shower resistant
• 15 year lifespan
• Can be mixed in almost any colour
• Cheaper than other trade masonry paints

Cons:

• Does not offer waterproof weather protection

3. Dulux Trade Weathershield Maximum Exposure

Dulux Trade Weathershield Maximum Exposure Smooth Masonry is a high-quality trade masonry paint that offers 5x more flexibility than other masonry paints. This makes it ideal for covering hairline cracks on masonry, leaving you with a smooth, uniform finish. Once again it has a 15 year lifespan and can also be mixed in almost any colour, including RAL, British Standard, NCS & equivalents of all major paint brands.

All in all, if you are looking for a high-quality acrylic masonry paint from a well-known brand, this is a great option.

Pros:

• 15 year protection
• 5x more flexible than conventional masonry paints
• High opacity
• 14m² per litre coverage

Cons:

• Does not offer waterproof weather protection
• Is more expensive than other options

How To Paint Outdoor Walls

What You Will Need:

• Masonry paint
• Long-pile paint roller
• Paint tray or scuttle
• Paint brush
• Sandpaper
• Dust sheets
• Masking tape
• Exterior filler & filling knife (may be required)
• Scraper (may be required)

1. Preparation

The first step of any decorating project is the preparation. It is crucially important if you want to achieve long-term beautiful results, so do not rush this step! When it comes to an outdoor surface, they are very rarely ready to paint straight away so make sure you check the surface thoroughly before you do anything.

Start by removing anything from the wall such as loose and defective paint. This can be done by using a paint scraper to remove the paint until you have a firm edge where no paint will continue to come off the wall. Once the paint has been removed, you can then fill any holes or cracks using an exterior filler & a filling knife. Make sure you remove any loose material from inside the crack or hole before filling. You can then sand the filler back to a smooth edge once it is fully dry.

The surface must be cleaned next to ensure nothing will prevent the paint from adhering to the wall. Remove any large bits of dirt using stiff brush or a hose pipe. If the wall has any green growth or fungus, you can then apply a fungicidal masonry cleaner such as Emperor Masonry Cleaner to the wall. This kills any fungal growth that is left on the wall as this could cause the paint to fail when it continues to grow. Apply the cleaner undiluted to the masonry with a brush and leave the cleaner on the exterior wall for a minimum of two hours. You do not need to wash the cleaner off the wall before painting.

Finally, any surfaces that you need to protect can be covered using a dust sheet on the floor & applying masking tape around windows, doors & other exterior trim. A good-quality masking tape is the secret to achieving a beautiful finish. We recommend you use an exterior masking tape such as Q1 Precision Line Masking Tape.

2. Priming

If you are painting a bare outdoor wall that has not previously been painted you should apply a primer before painting. This ensures that you have a suitable base for the paint to be applied to, without it soaking into the bare surface. This includes areas where you have filled, so ensure you spot prime these areas before painting or you could have uneven patches on the wall. If you are painting a surface that has previously been painted, you do not need to apply a primer.

The primer you will need depends on the paint you are using. Paint manufacturers will often recommend their own primer with the relevant masonry paint as this has been developed to be used together. With Emperor Masonry Paint, Emperor Paint Exterior Masonry Primer must be used as it contains the same water repellent technology. Often with standard masonry paints, you could you a universal primer such as Zinsser Bullseye 1-2-3. We recommend that you check with the manufacturer which primer should be used with their paint if you want to ensure the best possible results.

Apply a thin but even coating of the primer to the masonry using a brush or roller and leave to dry completely as per the manufacturers instructions.

3. Painting

Once the surface has been prepared, you can then apply your masonry paint. A long-pile roller is the best way to apply paint to exterior masonry as it has long fibres that allow you to apply large amounts of paint to textured surfaces without missing any areas. A paint brush is required also in order to 'cut in' around the edges of the wall.

You should start painting the walls from top to bottom, starting with cutting in the edges of the walls before painting the rest of the area. Apply the first coat of paint to the recommended coverage of the paint you are using. The coverage will be reduced on rougher surfaces. You should check the manufacturers instructions for further advice on the coverage you want to achieve with the paint.

Allow your first coat of masonry paint to completely dry before applying a second coat. While most water-based masonry paints will be touch dry in 1-2 hours, the recoat time of the paint will be longer than this. Again, check the instructions for the exact recoat time of the paint. A good quality masonry paint will often cover fully in two coats, however apply three coats if you do not achieve the desired finish.

You can then remove the masking tape and clean your tools with water, if you have used a water-based paint. You can then admire you handy work!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What finish does masonry paint leave?

You will find that most masonry paints will leave a matt finish, which has the lowest level of sheen of paint finishes.

Q. How much masonry paint do I need?

The amount of paint you will need depends on the paint you are using, the size of the area and the number of coats required. Simply measure the length + height of the wall and multiply these together. This will give you the metres squared for the wall. For example, if a paint has a coverage of 5m² per litre, you will need 10 litres to cover a 25m² wall in two coats of paint.

Q. What colour should I paint my outdoor wall?

With masonry paint, there are a multitude of options when it comes to colour. Here are some of our favourite shades to transform your outdoor wall!

White

White is by far the most popular colour for outdoor walls in the UK at the moment. It is a timeless classic that provides a clean & modern look to any property. While it can be more susceptible to discolouration, modern technologies like Emperor Masonry Paint mean they can stay looking pristine for decades without discolouring.

Light Grey

Light grey shades are most likely the second most popular colour for outdoor walls, with Anthracite Grey being the most popular colour for exterior windows & doors. The combination of the two shades is a common one, providing a beautifully modern look, especially to properties with rendered walls.

Pink

A colour that can bring a huge amount of character to a property is pink. While a less commonly used colour, it does not out of place at all on properties. We particularly love it on terraced houses in order to make the house stand of from the neighbours! Pink is also a great shade to add some personality to a garden wall.

Emperor Paint offer a beautiful shade with their Emperor Masonry Paint Rose Pink, which is a pastel pink that brings that beautiful baby pink tone without being too overtly strong a shade.

Beige

Neutrals tones like beige are another popular colour for outdoor walls. The earthy tone creates a look that keeps the property in fitting with its surroundings as is especially effective on older properties that benefit from a more natural colour.

We hope this has answered any questions you may have had regarding painting outdoor walls. If you require any more help, just send an email to hello@paintersworld.co.uk and our expert team will be on hand to give you any advice you require. At Painters World we have a wide range of paints available, so no matter the job, we've got the right tools for you. We offer FREE next working day delivery on all orders over £50, so what are you waiting for? Shop our full masonry paint range.