You may be wondering can you use Masonry Paint on wood or perhaps what is the difference between masonry paint and wood paint? If so you are in the right place. We are going to cover these and a number of other frequently asked questions so you can make sure you find the perfect treatment for your exterior wood painting.

What is masonry paint?

Masonry paint is a specially developed formulation that is designed to endure weathering on the exterior walls of properties. Exterior masonry paints come in a number of forms, including limewash, acrylic and silicate.

These forms hold different properties and vary in degree of water repellence, longevity & breathability. Some masonry paints are cheap, temporary formulations that can offer short-term aesthetic appeal to exterior surfaces. While many of these products offer water repellence, this is often for as little as five years.

Furthermore, crucially some acrylic waterproof masonry paints form a ‘sealant’ on exterior walls, which provides a waterproof coating on the house. While this prevents water from entering the building, the high plastic content significantly reduces the breathability of the structure. This means that moisture from inside the property cannot escape as it is trapped within the property, which ultimately leads to substantial damp problems, damage to the brickwork and costly repairs. This is especially prominent with older buildings of solid wall construction that can be extremely damaged by these ‘new’ masonry paints.

We explain breathable masonry paints further here.

Technologically advanced waterproof masonry paints have been developed, such as Emperor Masonry Paint and Masonry Crème that form a chemical bond with the exterior wall, instead of creating a sealant on the surface. This means that the breathability of the painted wall is not affected, allowing water vapour to escape from inside the building, while creating a waterproof surface on the outside that repels water.

This not only prevents penetrating damp but is paramount to a long-lasting protection from weathering.

The waterproof masonry paint and masonry cream developed by Emperor Paint have been proven to last at least 25 years in harsh weather conditions. This is thanks to the combination of extremely high breathability and water repellence, which protects the exterior brickwork and masonry. This protects both cavity wall and solid wall construction houses, new and old.

The super hydrophobic coating that the treatments create (meaning highly water repellent) also means the exterior masonry is self-cleaning, as dirt cannot attach itself to the surface.

Finally, by waterproofing the exterior masonry and reducing the level of moisture within homes, the thermal efficiency of the home is increased considerably. On Emperor Paint for example, an independent test conducted found that a wall painted with Emperor Masonry Paint was kept 6°C warmer on average compared to a non-painted wall. This demonstrates one of the most important benefits of an advanced masonry paint, the insulation it provides.

Can you use masonry paint on wood?

Now we have established what masonry paint is, we then come to the question of can you use masonry paint on wood? To put simply, yes you can use masonry paint on wood.

Standard masonry paint will adhere to the timber; however many are not breathable, which is essential for an organic material like wood. If a non-breathable masonry paint is applied, a build up of moisture will lead to peeling and flaking.

Highly advanced masonry paint such as Emperor Paint can be applied to wood if primer is used before painting. This ensures that the masonry paint can correctly adhere to the wood and won’t peel or flake in years to come.

One downside to applying Emperor’s waterproof masonry paint to wood is that Emperor Masonry Paint colours have been developed are specific for masonry. Masonry colours are often in lighter, neutral tones. If these colours are what you are looking for, applying Emperor Masonry Paint will lead to long-term protection for your exterior wood!

Take a look at our colour visualiser to see the colours for yourself.

Where can I buy a dedicated wood treatment?

If you are looking for a dedicated wood paint, decorators merchants such as Painters World have a wide range to choose from. There are a number of products that are specifically designed for use on exterior wood. While these paints may not offer complete waterproof protection, they are your best option if you want a coloured finish on your exterior wooden surfaces.

If you are looking to protect exterior wood but do not want to change the appearance of the timber then Emperor Exterior Wood Waterproofer is an ideal choice. This is a clear water repellent treatment that once applied to exterior wood prevents any water absorption. Simplying applying one-coat of the waterproofing treatment will protect the exterior wood from the damage & discolouration that weathering can cause, giving you peace of mind.

Hopefully this should have answered any questions you had regarding masonry paint being applied to wood! If you have more questions, we are here to help with our full technical support from our in-house team of experts. Talk to one of our experts today or buy the best masonry paint.