6 Elastomeric Paint Pros And Cons For Homeowners

Let’s start with the advantages of using elastomeric paint.

It creates a watertight seal

Elastomeric paint offers a watertight seal on any surface, making sure that moisture is unable to intrude into the walls. After all, the last thing you want is mold or mildew forming. 

If you’ve been there, you know much money it can cost to get it removed and how much of an eyesore it can become. Elastomeric paint can be applied to poured concrete, stucco, brick, roofs, and other surfaces to create a watertight connection.

It has a high density

You’ll notice something right away with elastomeric paint: it’s much thicker than regular paint. When it dries you can really feel the difference. For each coat applied, there’s about 20 mils while regular paint has about three mils for each coat. 

Why is this important? For the simple reason that it creates a much more protective and strong barrier against everything including wind, rain, debris, dirt, and more.

Elastomeric paint is long-lasting

Don’t worry about replacing elastomeric paint any time soon. It’s very long lasting and can hold up to ten years while a coating can last even longer. That means you spend less money in the long term on paint jobs (and maintenance). 

It forms to the surface it’s applied on

You might think because elastomeric paints are so tough and thick, “Won’t it eventually break or chip?” and the answer is no. This is because elastomerics are made up of a stretchy material that can form to the structure it’s placed on. That means it can shift with wood or a metal roof for example.

Disadvantages of elastomeric paint

Next, let’s talk about some of the downsides to using elastomeric paint.

It can be more expensive

In some cases, it can cost up to 50% more than regular paint. However keep in mind that covers the same space with a much thicker protective coating so it’s worth the investment in the long term. If you work with professional painters like Earls Paintworks, you will get the most bang for your buck.

According to HomeAdvisor, you can expect to pay $1,500 for a 2,000 square foot home as a benchmark.

It does not permeate

Elastomeric paint doesn’t go through the base coating surface, so if you have any repairs that are needed for fracture or hole, you will need to fix those first. It’s also essential to properly clean the surface where elastomeric is being applied to avoid bonding issues.

There can be unwanted lumps if not applied correctly

If you go about applying elastomeric paint by yourself without hiring a professional, be weary that it can leave unwanted lumps if you don’t use it correctly. 

There can be bumps and slight imperfections that can lead to cracking and further expensive damage in the future. If you take a DIY approach, use one more than one layer of the product on the surface. Watch this video to learn more: