Does your home’s exterior look a little tired? Maybe you see cracks or stains creeping onto your brick or stone. It’s a common problem! Your home’s outside walls face rain, sun, and wind every single day. Choosing the right paint to protect and beautify these surfaces can feel like a huge puzzle. You want something that looks great, but you also need paint that lasts for years without peeling or fading.
The wrong paint choice leads to headaches later: constant touch-ups, wasted money, and a finish that just doesn’t hold up. We know you want a tough, attractive shield for your home. That’s why we’ve broken down everything you need to know about Exterior Masonry Paint.
Keep reading to discover the best types of paint for different masonry surfaces, how to prepare your walls correctly, and the secrets to a long-lasting, vibrant finish. By the end of this guide, you will feel confident choosing the perfect product for your next big painting project.
Top Exterior Masonry Paint Recommendations
- This premium, interior/exterior paint is formulated to waterproof and seal porous concrete and masonry surfaces both inside and outside your home.
- Using nanotechnology, this paint forms a barrier to help stop water infiltration while an alkali resistant coating provides a long-lasting, durable and decorative finish.
- Apply this paint on properly prepped and cured above and below grade basement walls, masonry walls, retaining walls, cinder and concrete blocks, stucco and brick. Do not use on floors or on walls with active water leaks. Apply using a high quality 1/2"-3/4" nap roller, 4" nylon/polyester brush or an airless sprayer capable of delivering 2200-3200 PSI or greater using a .023"-.025" spray tip.
- Prime all uncoated, patched, chalky, and adjacent wood and/or metal surfaces with KILZ Premium Primer. For below grade application, fill all holes/cracks with hydraulic cement prior to painting. A minimum of two coats of this product are required for optimal results. Paint dries to touch in one hour and can be re-coated in 4 hours depending on humidity.
- This is a 1-gallon can of Interior/Exterior Basement and Masonry Waterproofing Paint, White, 1-gallon in white. Depending on surface porosity, 1 gallon covers 75 to 125 square feet per.
- This high-quality, acrylic latex water-base interior/exterior paint offers excellent hiding properties with great adhesion and water repellency on textured interior and exterior surfaces
- This self-priming paint offers a finish on properly prepared smooth, rough and textured masonry, drywall, stucco, and brick surfaces
- It is alkali-resistant up to ph 12.0, easy to apply, and cleans up with soap and water. This paint can be rolled, Brushed, or sprayed on
- This formula is designed to accentuate all textured surfaces while achieving a natural look
- This is a 1-Gallon can of KILZ interior/exterior concrete, brick, and tile paint with a flat finish. Covers 250-400 square feet per gallon depending on surface texture
- This high-quality, acrylic latex water-base interior/exterior paint offers excellent hiding properties with great adhesion and water repellency on textured interior and exterior surfaces
- This self-priming paint offers a finish on properly prepared smooth, rough and textured masonry, drywall, stucco, and brick surfaces
- It is alkali-resistant up to ph 12.0, easy to apply, and cleans up with soap and water. This paint can be rolled, Brushed, or sprayed on
- This formula is designed to accentuate all textured surfaces while achieving a natural look
- This is a 1-Gallon can of KILZ interior/exterior concrete, brick, and tile paint with a flat finish. Covers 250-400 square feet per gallon depending on surface texture
- Colour: Matt White.
- To apply, use a large brush and apply evenly
- The surface area must be clean, dry, free from dust and other contaminants likely to affect adhesion
- 1) Water Based coating for sealing vertical interior and exterior concrete walls. Great for basement walls, foundations and retaining walls.
- Fast Drying waterproof paint for interior/exterior basement walls, cinder blocks, stucco and brick, and masonry.
- High alkali resistance – up to pH-13.
- Waterproofing paint keeps basement walls dry
- Paint only when surface and air temperatures are between 50 ° (10 °C) and 90 °F (32.2 °C).
- Colour: Matt White.
- To apply, use a large brush and apply evenly
- The surface area must be clean, dry, free from dust and other contaminants likely to affect adhesion
- Colour: Matt Black.
- To apply, use a large brush and apply evenly
- The surface area must be clean, dry, free from dust and other contaminants likely to affect adhesion
- This high-quality, acrylic latex water-base interior/exterior paint offers excellent hiding properties with great adhesion and water repellency on textured interior and exterior surfaces
- This self-priming paint offers a finish on properly prepared smooth, rough and textured masonry, drywall, stucco, and brick surfaces
- It is alkali-resistant up to ph 12.0, easy to apply, and cleans up with soap and water. This paint can be rolled, Brushed, or sprayed on
- This formula is designed to accentuate all textured surfaces while achieving a natural look
- This is a 1-Gallon can of KILZ interior/exterior concrete, brick, and tile paint with a flat finish. Covers 250-400 square feet per gallon depending on surface texture
Choosing the Best Exterior Masonry Paint: Your Complete Buying Guide
Painting your home’s exterior masonry—like brick, concrete, or stucco—protects it and makes it look great. Picking the right paint matters a lot. This guide helps you choose the perfect can.
Key Features to Look For
Good exterior masonry paint offers several important features. These features keep your walls safe from weather and looking fresh for years.
1. Waterproofing and Breathability
- Waterproofing: The paint must stop rain and moisture from getting into the wall. Wet walls can crack or grow mold.
- Breathability (Vapor Permeability): This is crucial. The paint must let trapped moisture vapor escape from inside the wall. If it traps moisture, the paint will peel. Look for “highly breathable” or “microporous” on the label.
2. Durability and Flexibility
- UV Resistance: Sunlight fades colors. High-quality paint resists fading from the sun’s harsh rays.
- Crack Bridging: Masonry walls often develop tiny hairline cracks. The best paints are flexible. They stretch over these small cracks, hiding them and preventing water entry. This is often listed as a specific thickness or capability (e.g., bridging cracks up to 2mm).
3. Mildew and Algae Resistance
If your house is in a damp or shady spot, mold and algae can grow on the surface. Choose paints that have built-in fungicides or biocides to fight off these unwelcome guests.
Important Materials and Types of Paint
The ingredients define how well the paint performs. Most exterior masonry paints fall into two main categories based on their binder (the ingredient that holds the pigment together).
Water-Based (Acrylic) Paints
- These are the most popular choice today.
- They clean up easily with soap and water.
- They dry fast and usually offer excellent breathability.
- Look for 100% acrylic formulas for the best long-term performance.
Solvent-Based (Oil or Alkyd) Paints
- These used to be common but are less popular now due to strong fumes and cleanup difficulty (requiring thinners).
- They can sometimes create a tougher shell, but they often lack the necessary breathability for modern masonry.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
A high-quality paint job depends on more than just the can; preparation is key. However, the paint formula itself plays a huge role.
Quality Boosters
- High Solids Content: More actual paint solids mean thicker coverage and better protection when dry. Cheaper paints have more water or fillers.
- Long Guarantees: Manufacturers who offer 10-year or 15-year warranties usually stand behind a superior product.
Quality Reducers
- Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds): While low VOC is good for the air, sometimes extremely cheap low-VOC paints sacrifice durability. Always check the performance rating, not just the VOC number.
- Poor Surface Preparation: No paint, no matter how expensive, will stick well to a dirty or crumbling wall. Always clean and prime the surface first.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the paint affects your satisfaction. Think about the surface you are painting.
User Experience Tips
- Application: Water-based acrylics usually apply smoothly with a brush or roller. Thicker, high-build textured paints might require a specialized roller or spraying equipment.
- Drying Time: Check the recoat time. If you need to finish a large job quickly, choose a paint that allows you to apply the second coat the same day.
Common Use Cases
- Weathered Brick: Use a highly breathable, flexible paint to stop moisture problems while refreshing the look.
- Damp Basements/Foundations: Look for specialized tanking or damp-proof coatings, which are thicker and designed specifically to resist hydrostatic pressure (water pushing from the ground).
- Stucco/Render: These surfaces are porous. A high-quality acrylic sealer/primer followed by two topcoats works best for long-lasting color.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Exterior Masonry Paint
Q: Can I paint over old oil-based paint with new water-based paint?
A: Yes, usually. You must first clean the surface thoroughly and then apply a specialized bonding primer. This primer helps the new paint stick to the slick old surface.
Q: How long does exterior masonry paint last?
A: A good quality acrylic masonry paint should last between 8 to 15 years before needing significant touch-ups or a full repaint, depending on the weather exposure.
Q: Do I need a primer?
A: Always use a primer, especially on bare, chalky, or very porous surfaces like new concrete or old render. The primer seals the surface and ensures the topcoat adheres properly.
Q: What is the best temperature to paint masonry?
A: Most manufacturers recommend painting when temperatures are between 50°F and 80°F (10°C and 27°C). Avoid painting in direct, hot sunlight or if rain is expected soon.
Q: How much paint do I need?
A: Coverage varies, but a general rule is 1 gallon covers about 300 to 400 square feet for one coat. Always buy extra, as a second coat is almost always necessary for full protection.
Q: What is “bridging cracks”?
A: Bridging cracks means the paint film is thick and elastic enough to stretch over and cover small, static cracks (usually under 2mm wide) without cracking itself. This stops water entry.
Q: Can I use interior paint outside?
A: No. Interior paint lacks the necessary UV resistance and flexibility to withstand freezing, thawing, and direct sun. It will fail quickly.
Q: What is the difference between standard exterior paint and masonry paint?
A: Masonry paint is thicker and specifically formulated to handle the rough texture and high porosity of brick and concrete. It has better breathability features than standard exterior wood paint.
Q: Does the color affect durability?
A: Yes. Very dark colors absorb much more heat from the sun. This constant heating and cooling can stress the paint film, potentially reducing its lifespan compared to lighter colors.
Q: How do I clean mildew off the wall before painting?
A: You must clean the surface first. Use a solution of mild detergent and water, or a specialized masonry cleaner containing bleach or fungicide, rinse thoroughly, and let the wall dry completely (sometimes for several days) before priming and painting.