Elastomeric House Paint: A Step-by-Step Complete Guide 

When using exterior house painting is used to enhance both the aesthetic beauty and protection from outside elements. For that type of application, elastomeric house paint is the clear winner, not just because of its excellent coverage but also because it is durable and flexible. If you have ever had to deal with cracked walls or exteriors dampened by moisture, then elastomeric paint is the perfect solution.

In this in-depth guide, we are going to cover all you need to know about elastomeric house paint when it is the right task for homeowners and professionals alike. This ultimate guide will be your go-to for all things elastomeric house paint, especially if you are a contractor and need more information on the subject.

What is Elastomeric Paint?

Elastomeric paint is a unique type of exterior latex based on the high levels of acrylic with elastic polymers that are significantly more durable in terms of wear. While traditional paints harden and dry into a static coating, elastomeric paint stays flexible after it’s dried so that it stretches and contracts with the surface that is painted. Consequently, it is most appropriate for buildings that need to change size as they are exposed to differences in temperature ranges or scale back by more minor building changes.

The word “elastomeric” is derived from the Latin elastos or elastic and on which that term joined with polymer (Greek as in meros), meaning part. Similar to rubber, these materials can respond to stretching or compressing by recovering their original form. Elastomeric paint, when applied to a surface, creates an almost stretchy coating that can protect small cracks from shifting and eliminate future cracking. This is one of the reasons why elastomeric paint remains a popular choice for places with varying weather conditions and moisture, along with such high-impact environments.

Composition of Elastomeric Paint

The formulation is the secret ingredient of elastomeric paint. The crucial elements of elastomeric paint comprise

1. Binders: Elastomeric paints have a higher number of binders than other traditional coatings. In other words, the medium or (the binder)- acrylic in this case – bound them together and gave them great flexibility. Elastomeric paint also uses an acrylic binder, which is resistant to UV and environmental damage, making it perfect for the exterior.
2. Pigments: just like all paints, elastomeric paint has pigments that provide color and opacity. Pigments offer superior coverage, keeping the sun’s rays from fading color over time.
3. Fillers: This one is pretty straightforward. These are materials that do not react, but as the name suggests, they make up a lot of paint, which can stretch out far from this simple base.
4. Solvents: Solvents are water-based, and elastomeric paints use water as a solvent, which means cleaning up can be done far more efficiently and is better for the environment. There are also solvent-based elastomeric paints that may have different application characteristics, but they are less widely used because of environmental issues.

Key Features and Benefits of Elastomeric Paint

It comes down to being more than a surface coat; elastomeric house paint is essentially a protection on your walls in multiple shapes and forms. In the following sections, I plan to highlight some of the most defining characteristics that differentiate GLP (Glass Liquid Platform) Paints from traditional exterior paints:

1. Enhanced Flexibility and Elasticity

Elastomeric paint is made to expand and contract with the surface it’s painted on without cracking or peeling. Its flexibility allows it to move with surfaces, making it a good choice for stucco masonry and concrete. When buildings are unsettled a bit due to age, temperature change, or slight structural movement, the elastomeric paint is meant to “stretch” with them instead of cracking.

2. Water Proofing and High Moisture Resistance

The major pro to using elastomeric paint is its capacity to provide a waterproof coating. And when properly installed, it cures to create a solid membrane that will stop water from penetrating the building materials underneath. Its concern is for porous materials, like brick stucco or wood, which are the types of surfaces where moisture can enter and cause damage over time. Suppose your home is on the path of water runoff when coated with elastomeric paint. In that case, it also helps to waterproof and protect against moisture penetration, helping avert damage due to mold & mildew.

3. Crack Bridging Ability

It is elastic and thicker than other paints so that it can span over small hairline cracks in surfaces such as stucco or concrete. That way, the cracks were never destined to get worse and hence help in keeping up with its integrity. Although it is not a solution to significant problems in the structure, over time, they do help alleviate some of these issues before real damage happens.

4. Durability and Longevity

Traditional paints will break down long before this product. Flexible properties prevent the peeling and chipping that often plague rigid paints. A top-quality elastomeric paint comes with a guarantee of more than 10 to, in worst cases, can last up to 20 years, depending on the surface and environment.

5. UV Resistance

Since the elastomeric paint has acrylic binders, it proves to be UV protected, allowing aprons not to fade or chark upon exposure to sunlight. This ensures that the color lasts much longer under constant sunlight.

6. Energy Efficiency

Elastomeric paints are often formulated with reflective properties so that less heat is absorbed. Lower temperatures in a home translate to savings on cooling costs for hotter climates since you need AC less when your house is naturally more relaxed.

Ideal Surfaces for Elastomeric Paint

Elastomeric paint, in particular, can be good for a number of surfaces. These are some of the typical applications.

1. Stucco: When painting over stucco, the best type of paint is elastomeric since it flexes to prevent cracks from forming or re-opening and has excellent waterproofing properties. The DSR membrane can bridge hairline cracks and provides a waterproofing layer that works great over stucco walls.

2. Concrete and Masonry: Use elastomeric paint for concrete and masonry surfaces such as foundations, retaining walls, and brickwork. They are great in regions that experience severe temperature changes as they can stop water seeping into porous materials such as concrete, which would otherwise damage the structure of your home.

3. Wood: Though less widely used on wood surfaces, elastomeric paint can do the job effectively when it comes to wooden siding or trim in areas where moisture protection is a must. The paint was designed to be flexible, providing the room it needs for wood contraction and expansion that would otherwise cause peeling.

4. Metal: Elastomeric Paints for Metal Well is surface preparation, however crucial before an application stage as it ensures good adhesion and performance.

5. Roofs: Elastomeric coatings are also one of the popular means to seal and protect flat or low slope roofs from water damage due to their waterproofing ability and UV protection. Elastomeric roof coatings can extend the life of a roof, reduce energy costs, and protect it from water damage.

Application Process for Elastomeric Paint

First, all surfaces to be sealed with elastomeric paint must be prepped and then painted using the proper techniques. Application Procedure (Step by Step)

1. Surface Preparation

Surface preparation is crucial to the success of any painting project, and it can be essential for elastomeric paint because this acrylic latex formula is thick like a pancake and seals out water. First, clean the surface and scrub away any dirt or loose paint. In many cases, surfaces such as stucco and masonry will be recommended for pressure washing.

They should be patched with quality patching compound before painting. Elastomeric paint goes some way to bridging small cracks but not large ones — in these cases, aim for a flat surface with no noticeable textural differences.

2. Priming the Surface

If the surface is porous or if you’re painting on a material that quickly soaks up moisture, like wood or masonry — which requires granules to hold paint and large amounts of water-resistant materials a primer may be needed. Using a high-quality Masonry or Acrylic primer will enhance adhesion and give the elastomeric paint an even surface to adhere to.

3. Application Tools

Elastomeric paint is thicker than regular paint, so the application requires different tools. Because elastomeric paint is thick and it needs a smooth surface, most professionals apply it with an airless sprayer. One can also apply it using a roller or brush, though this method requires more time and work.

Use a roller with extensive nap (¾-inch to 1¼-inch) if you are using one. The paint has more of a masonry-type consistency, so it is essential to only use brushes with synthetic bristles for this.

4. Coating Thickness

However, elastomeric paint differs from traditional paints in the coat thickness. The paint thickness of Elastomeric is typically 10 to 20 mils(mil stands for one-thousandth of an inch) and goes well on walls. In terms of comparison, traditional paint is sprayed on at 3 to 5 mils.

After that, adhere to the maker’s referral, including use for multiple coats if required. Outside of a few exceptions, two coats are recommended for best protection and waterproofing. Remember, elastomeric paint is much thicker than standard paint and will need more time to dry between coats!

5. Drying Time

It takes much longer to dry than traditional paint due to its thickness, and it requires extra moisture on the surface to evaporate. This can always vary depending on the environmental conditions (temperature, humidity). It will be anywhere from 4 to up to 24 hours for a Saturated pore fill to dry enough not to stick when you touch the piece. After three days, they are at complete cure.

6. Finishing and Cleanup

They can be applied to any surface — drawn or painted on top of after the paint has dried and cured for a durable, flexible, waterproof coating. The cleanup water-based elastomeric paint is more accessible to access by using soap and water. Elastomeric coating paints based on solvents will need paint thinners or mineral spirits to clean up.

Pros and Cons of Elastomeric House Paint

Elastomeric paint is very beneficial in many ways. Still, it also has downsides, so you need to be aware of both the pros and cons when considering whether or not elastomeric paint should be an option for your next project.

Pros of Elastomeric House Paint

• Durability: Elastomeric paint holds many more years than traditional paints and will save you time from repainting over a few spans of months.
• Crack Bridging: It is capable of filling in small cracks, as well as sealing/bridging over them to prevent more instances down the road.
• Waterproofing: Elastomeric paint acts as a protective barrier against the elements, preventing moisture damage.
• UV Resistance: This material is resistant to color loss and white staining, even in strong sunlight.
• Flexibility: the paint has a bit of elastomeric quality, so it can stretch and shrink with your surface instead of cracking or peeling.

Cons Elastomeric House Paint

• Cost: Elastomeric paint is more expensive than ordinary paints in terms of materials and labor. However, the long life span of this paint can eventually justify that cost.
• Application Difficulty: This paint has a thickness, which makes it hard to apply, especially if you are not an expert. Using a technique like airless sprayers is often the solution.
• Longer Drying Time: Elastomeric paint dries faster and takes longer to cure, so if you are in a hurry, this can be an inconvenient fact.
• Limited Surface Suitability: This type of paint may only stick on some surfaces, exceptionally smooth and glossy ones such as some types of metal or plastic.

Average Cost of Elastomeric House Paint

Elastomeric house paint cost will depend on the brand you choose; the quality of elastomeric paint is a unique type for each region where it can be purchased and depends on how large your home is. Some standard costs related to elastomeric paint include the case accompanied by:

1. Cost of Elastomeric Paint per Gallon

• Low-End: $30 to $50 per gallon
• Mid-Range: $50 to $70 per gallon
• Premium: $70 to $100+ per gallon

Premium elastomeric paints offer greater flexibility, a longer life, and better waterproofing. These could also be treated for additional features such as UV resistance or added breathability.

2. Coverage

• Elastomeric paint covers 50 to 100 square feet per gallon on average, depending on the thickness you apply. This is much lower coverage per gallon than traditional paints that typically provide 250-400 square feet of a coating with one gal. Elastomeric paints are an example of latex paint, but they only finish and perform properly when applied in a thickness layer. It takes more gallons to make the film covering since elastomeric requires thicker application than regular house painters who adopt dee doo coating!

3. Labor Costs

• DIY Application: If you intend to do the painting yourself, then all that needs to be taken into consideration is how much paint costs and any supplies if required (brushes, rollers, etc.). Yet, since elastomeric paint is so qualitative, a lot of people hire professional painters for this task.
• Professional Application: You can expect to pay $1.50- $4 per sqft in labor depending on location, the complexity of the system, and surface prep (pressure washing etc).

4. Total Cost

The exact cost of painting your house in elastomeric paint can differ significantly depending on how large the home is and will depend mainly upon preparation.

• Between elastomeric paint itself and the likely higher costs of professional installation, such treatment for an average-sized 1,500 to 2,000 square foot home could cost anywhere from about $3500 to $7000. If you handle the job on your own, however (and many people love it), total expenses could come down to $1,000$ to 2,500 or less per home.

Additional Factors That Affect Costs

• Surface Preparation: Homes with a fair amount of surface damage, cracks, or moisture can drive up costs due to the need for more prep.
• Thickness of Paint: The paint thickness in which it is to be applied can determine the quantity of paint required and the amount of time needed for completion, affecting both materials & labor costs.
• Location: Where you live can alter labor rates and material costs, generally when coastal or urban locales have higher-than-average base prices.

Overall, While elastomeric paint costs significantly more than traditional exterior paints, its durability, waterproofing properties, and elasticity often justify the price for homeowners in need of decades-long protection.

Elastomeric Paint vs. Traditional Paint: Which is Better?

So, which should you choose? Elastomeric paint or traditional exterior paint? For paint that best resists cracking, moisture, and extreme weather conditions like wind-driven rain or searing heat: Elastomeric Paint It is best applied for surfaces such as stucco, concrete, and masonry where you need the surface to be waterproofed but still somewhat breathable.

However, for cost and simplicity of application in projects, traditional paints are advisable. Elastomeric paint is simply more expensive on the front end and requires some work to be applied.

Tips for Choosing the Right Elastomeric Paint

If you have determined that elastomeric paint is the solution for your home, here are a few tips to help you select the best product.

1. Check the Stretch Ratio: Always buy elastomeric paints that have a substantially good elongation. So, the higher the elongation of paint, the more it can be stretched without cracking. A good elastomeric paint has an elongation of 300% minimum.
2. Waterproofing Ability: Check that the paint is appropriate for waterproofing. Elastomeric paints for some elastomeric paints formulations, flexibility is emphasized over moisture resistance.
3. UV Resistance: When painting an exterior surface that will be in direct sunlight, use elastomeric paint with good UV resistance to reduce fading and chalking.
4. Brand Reputation: When it comes to brand reputation, go with big brands that are known for their reliable performance. More extended warranties, too, because these are high-quality elastomeric paints.
5. Consult with Professionals: If you need help deciding which type or brand of elastomeric paint to invest in, get professional help from a painter. At Affordable Action Home Services LLC, we can assist in choosing the right product and applying it correctly.

Conclusion

Elastomeric house paint could be a game-changer for homeowners as well as contractors who seek durable, flexible, and long-lasting exterior coating. This makes it the perfect topcoat for many surfaces, including stucco masonry and even wood. While elastomeric paint may cost more upfront and often requires specialized application methods, it is a wise consideration for homeowners looking to extend the life of their exterior surfaces.

At Affordable Action Home Services LLC, we offer the ultimate remedy whether you are experiencing cracked walls, problems with moisture, or just looking to add a new mock-up weather-resistant finish. Knowing more about how this paint works and its unique properties will help you make an educated decision on whether acrylic best fits your needs in your next project.