Choosing the Right Paint

The market offers three main categories of facade paint, and choosing between them depends less on aesthetic preference and more on your building's condition and age.

Acrylic paintsAcrylic paintA water-based paint with an acrylic resin, the most common choice for outside walls. It stands up to sun and rain and has some flexibility to follow small movements in the wall. are the most affordable and common choice, with good flexibility that lets them move with the building's small movements without crackingCrackA split or gap in render, concrete, a wall, a coating or wood. Fine cracks are usually only on the surface; ones that grow, keep reopening or run diagonally need attention.. They're suitable for the vast majority of modern buildings without particular moisture issues, offering good value for a lifespan of 8-10 years.

Silicone-based paints do something that sounds contradictory but is technologically achievable: they're both breathable and water-repellent at the same time. That means they let moisture already inside the wall "breathe" and escape outward as vapor, while simultaneously repelling rain like beads on waterproof fabric. This combination makes them the best choice for older buildings with a history of dampness, since they don't trap moisture the way a less permeable paint would.

Mineral or silicate paints represent the most durable and eco-friendly option, with a lifespan that can exceed 15-20 years. They form a chemical bond with the substrate rather than simply sitting as a surface layer, which makes them extremely resistant to UV radiation and pollution. They're the recommended choice for listed buildings or facades with particular architectural value, where long-term protection justifies the higher upfront cost.