Silicone render can last up to 25 years, sometimes even longer if treated well. However, as a coloured render, while it may last, its colour doesn't always. This leads to people looking to recolour silicone renders.
But is that possible? Can you paint silicone render? Or do you need to re-render your home all over again? The render experts at WeDoRender have gathered together everything that you need to know.
First and foremost, is it possible to paint silicone render without ending up with flaking paint and a poor-looking facade?
The short answer is yes. You can paint silicone render to improve the colour of your property, so long as you do it correctly. This means using the right paint, and following the right process (or, if you're unsure, hiring experts like WeDoRender to help you decide what steps to take and to bring your silicone render back to new).
Check out: What Is Silicone Render
With that in mind, what can you use to paint silicone render? Will the masonry paint left in your garage do?
Generally speaking, silicone renders should not be painted with standard masonry paint. This is because most masonry paint is acrylic-based, and it isn't breathable - the water vapour is trapped beneath it, even if you use a thin coat. This then forms a seal over the silicone render and negates the silicone's breathable property.
In addition to that, silicone render is not a suitable base for acrylic paint so acrylic-based masonry paint does not adhere well to the surface. This may mean you're left with flaky, fading paint. Even good quality paint, if acrylic-based, will cause issues.
Discover: Is Silicone Render Breathable
There are a few different types of paint you can use on silicone render that will work significantly better than acrylic masonry paint.
The first is silicone paint (or silicone-based masonry paint). This is another type of masonry paint, but instead of acrylic, silicone paint uses silicone as a base. The perks of silicone paint when it comes to painting silicone render is that both the silicone render and the silicone paint have similar properties. They are both flexible and highly breathable. So by painting silicone render with silicone paint, you're unlikely to remove or impact any of the qualities that you chose silicone render for!
You may find that silicone masonry paints are referred to as silicone resin paint. These paints are the same. Silicone paint contains silicone resins within it, allowing it to properly spread, dry and stick to your silicone renders. Silicone paint is water-resistant, providing a super hydrophobic surface for your external wall which is great when it comes to surviving the harsh weather conditions in the UK. It's perfect for anyone trying to paint the render.
There is also the option of mineral paint, which is another alternative to masonry paint. Unlike silicone paint, it is not based on silicone, but its natural qualities are similar. It is ideal for older properties which will benefit from its breathability.
One of the most popular paints when it comes to painting silicone renderings is emperor masonry paint.
When you are looking for masonry paint or silicone paint to use on your silicone render, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Silicone render is usually chosen for this quality. Any paint that removes this is not worthwhile.
As your silicone render is outdoor, you need your paint to last against the UK weather, otherwise, you will be painting the render again and again when the colours fade.
Choose a colour that you think will look nice and improve the kerb appeal of your home once applied.
If someone has suggested to you that you paint your silicone render, you might be wondering why. After all, the existing render is coloured, and painting all of your external walls is no simple job.
Well, there are a few different reasons you might choose to whip out that paintbrush and pot of silicone paint. For example:
Render, just like anything else, is subject to discolouration and algae growth. This can significantly impact the value and appearance of your home. Every render is subject to this, whether it's cement render, lime render, or anything else.
When it comes to silicone render, you will often find that the UV rays have faded the colour of your render. You might also find, in moist climates, that algae growth and other green growth have occurred on your exterior walls. This can lead to extensive staining that can be unsightly.
Since silicone render lasts so long, it is a common occurrence that people's taste simply changes over time. As a result, you might look into how to change the colour of your exterior walls or garden wall, and painting silicone render may be the best option!
When you buy a new home, it is common to redecorate, to put your stamp on the property, and to make it feel really yours. However, moving home is costly! Not many people will want to completely re-render a property after just moving unless completely necessary. Instead, they may choose to paint the exterior walls.
Render can crack over time, and this can be unsightly. Once the cracks have been repaired (and only then), this can be hidden by painting the render with silicone paint or the right masonry paint in order to blend the newly rendered section in with the older areas.
It is vital that you fix the render before painting with either masonry paint or silicone paint, though, as failing to do so will simply cover the issue. This could then come back worse later down the line.
Learn more: Does Silicone Render Crack
In addition to the reasons listed above, there are some benefits to a fresh coat of paint on your silicone render. For example:
There are, of course, disadvantages to painted render, too.
When painting silicone render, there are a few things that will make the process much easier. For one, remember that if you're ever unsure, render professionals like the WeDoRender team will always be happy to help with render work.
If you do decide to do it yourself, though, the most important thing is to ensure you have the right tools and the right paint. Once you get started, you should always work in small patches to make the job easier for yourself. Finally, when you get to the painting, always apply two coats to your render(unless otherwise instructed by the manufacturer's instructions).
Painting silicone render is a careful job. Doing it poorly will impact your home's value. It is important that you take care while working.
You will need:
You should first of all ensure that your silicone render is completely structurally sound. This means that there should be no cracks or holes in the surface. These can lead to damp problems if painted over. Should you find any holes or cracks, they need to be filled using an exterior filler and a filler knife. Leave the filler to dry completely, then sand it back until the surface is smooth.
You will then need to clean the render to remove any green growth or rust and discolouration from the surface. You can do this using a stiff brush. It is advisable to apply a fungicidal masonry cleaner during this process.
Take a look: Explore: How To Clean Silicone Render
It is then time to prepare the surrounding area. Windows and the ground should be covered using a tarp and window film to protect against paint splatter. Secure these in place with painter's tape or masking tape where necessary.
You should only paint silicone render in mild temperatures. This means above five degrees Celsius and below twenty degrees Celsius. Otherwise, you will find that the paint will dry too quickly, leading to an uneven finish. It must also be dry outside both while you are painting and while the paint is left to dry. If it begins to rain, the paint will not dry completely. You should plan in advance to pick a dry weekend.
With silicone renders you do not need a render due to the structure of the render itself. With other renders, an appropriate primer would be essential here.
Using your paintbrush, you should first cut around the exterior trim of the walls. Then you can go in using the masonry roller to apply the first coat. Once the coat is complete you should let it dry. Only when it is completely dry can you go in to paint the second coat. The coats should be a thin but even coating of paint across the wall, but your second coat should be particularly even as this will be your final coat and you want a neat finish. Two coats are all that should be necessary for a clear and solid colour.
There are hundreds of brands of masonry paint out there, all of which claim their own attributes are better than others. But when it comes to painting silicone renders, which of the options are the most popular? Is there a 'best paint' for rendering?
Some of the biggest names in silicone masonry paint include Emperor Masonry Paint, Johnstones Stormshield Silicone Masonry Paints, and K Paint. These brands are readily available in stores and online for those looking to DIY their silicone render painting. Between Emperor Masonry Paint and the other brands, you should be able to source paint for any silicone render paint job, whether you're looking to paint your home light grey or bright pink - there are all sorts of colours and options available!
