Advantages of Mineral Paints over conventional acrylic film forming coatings

Mineral Mineral paints create a microcrystalline bond with the surface making the coating an integral part of the
Structure substrate. Conventional Masonry coatings are surface film forming coatings.

Breathability This microcrystalline bond allows moisture vapour to pass through the minute gaps between the particles
within the substrate. Mineral paint can achieve in excess of 96% of the original breathability of a surface
once applied. Film forming coatings smother the entire surface and restrict the passage of moisture
vapour, which can build up behind the coatings leading to paint flaking.
Longevity The microcrystalline bond formed by Mineral paints creates a longer lasting coating. The paint becomes
an integral part of the substrate – in Europe there are buildings painted with Mineral paintafter 100 years
still in excellent condition. Film forming coatings typically do not have this kind of life span as the bonding
is adhesive.

Colour Fast As Mineral paints are made from earth oxides pigments the colours do not fade, they are completely UV
stable. There will be no discernible difference between buildings painted in the same colour at different
times. Film forming coatings are not UV stable and therefore can show significant fading of colour over
time.
Dirt Due to the presence of petrochemical additives, conventional film forming paint coatings have a negative
Retention electrostatic charge on their surface and therefore attract dust from the atmosphere. Mineral paints do not
have any such residual negative charge on their surface and therefore the rate at which dust accumulates
is lower.
Algae & Mineral paints are inherently resistant to mould and fungal growth due to their high alkalinity, (pH is
Fungal approximately 12.3), and will therefore provide long term resistance to mould and fungal growth. Mineral
Growth paints are inorganic so there is nothing for algae to feed upon, preventing its growth and build up on the
surfaces. Conventional film forming coatings are slightly more acidic than Mineral paints, are closer to the
middle of the PH scale and, being organic, provide a food source for fungus and algae spores.

Acid & The crystalline structure formed by Mineral paint is an insoluble silicate structure, similar to silica sand on
Alkalis a microscopic scale, and is highly resistant to both strong acids and strong alkalis.
Composition Mineral paints comprise a liquid potassium silicate paint binder with natural earth oxide pigments and
natural mineral fillers, such as feldspar. They contain no solvents, are VOC free, odour free, harmless and
have no toxic emissions. Mineral paint products are carbon neutral. The majority of film forming paint
coatings contain all or a combination of oil based additives, petrochemicals, hydrocarbons, acrylics etc.

Structural Due to the crystalline bond between Mineral paint and the underlying substrate it takes on the same co-
Defects efficient of expansion as the mineral substrate, allowing existing or any possible future structural defects to
be effectively monitored.

Light The crystal structure of Mineral paints provides excellent light reflectance characteristics, which can satisfy
Reflectance lighting performance requirements in a wide variety of shades. Film forming coatings will often absorb a
proportion of light rather than reflecting it, meaning they are not as light reflective. The crystalline structure
of Mineral paints reflects light as it hits the surface, the paint is a flat matt in appearance; resulting in
Mineral paints appearing crisper and brighter in all lighting and weather conditions.
Fire Mineral paints are inherently non-combustible and do not give off any toxic gases. Both the manufacturing
Retardant process and the composition of the material create an incombustible product Conventional film forming
coatings contain petrochemicals and acrylic which are more likely to burn in a fire.