Best Elastomeric Paint: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide
What is Elastomeric Paint?
Elastomeric paint is an exterior coating used in construction and painting projects. It is a specialized paint that contains polymers, which give it elasticity and the ability to stretch and contract. This makes it an ideal choice for surfaces that experience movement, such as stucco walls and roofs. Elastomeric paint can be applied to concrete, wood, metal, and other surfaces, and it protects against weathering and water damage. It is also known for resisting cracking and peeling, making it a popular choice for high-traffic areas prone to wear and tear. Overall, elastomeric paint is a durable and reliable solution for various applications in the construction and painting industries.
What are the Pros of Elastomeric Paint?
Elastomeric paint is designed to protect masonry, concrete blocks, and stucco surfaces. It is known for its ability to provide excellent protection against weather damage and UV rays. One of the advantages of this coating is its high elasticity, allowing it to expand and contract as the building moves with temperature changes. This means it won’t crack or peel, ensuring a longer lifespan for the structure. Also, elastomeric coating provides insulation, reducing energy costs by helping to regulate internal building temperatures. It can also be tinted to match existing colors, giving a uniform appearance to a building. Not only does it provide aesthetically pleasing finishes, but it also helps to prevent moisture retention, mold growth, and other issues commonly found in unprotected masonry surfaces. Elastomeric coating is a smart choice for any building looking to improve its durability and appearance compared to latex and other ordinary paints.
What are the Cons of Elastomeric Paint?
Despite its many advantages, elastomeric paint has several drawbacks that should be considered before selecting it for a specific project. Compared to regular paint, elastomeric paint is more expensive and requires additional preparation before application. Its viscosity is thicker than acrylic paint, making it difficult to apply with a sprayer, resulting in a longer application time and a less even finish. Elastomeric paint can also be less appealing visually, as it tends to have a thicker, rubbery appearance that does not lend itself well to intricate details or designs. Moreover, due to its high elasticity, it may not provide a breathable surface, causing moisture to become trapped and leading to potential mold or fungus growth. These drawbacks should be considered when deciding whether to use elastomeric paint for a specific exterior painting project.
Acrylic Vs. Elastomeric Paints: What Type of Paint is Recommended?
When choosing between acrylic and elastomeric paints, the decision is mainly dependent on the substrate conditions and the type of finish desired. Acrylic paint is recommended for surfaces in good condition, while elastomeric is best for surfaces with considerable wear and tear. Acrylic paints are advantageous in that they dry quickly and are easy to apply. They are also cheaper, thinner, and come in a broader range of colors. However, they are not as durable as elastomeric paints, which can last over a decade.
Furthermore, elastomeric paints are thicker and have better elasticity, which can bridge hairline cracks in substrates. If applied correctly, elastomeric paints can also resist water seepage, which is particularly important for exterior walls. Overall, the best choice between acrylic and elastomeric paints depends on the substrate, the level of damage, and the type of finish desired.
Now that we’ve touched on what Elastomeric Paint is, its advantages and disadvantages, and whether you should use acrylic or elastomeric paint as a house paint to form a barrier against moisture, we can delve into the top Elastomeric Paints on the market.
Best Elastomeric Paint Comparison Table
Product | Amount | Color |
Jetcoat Cool King Elastomeric Acrylic Reflective Roof Coating | 5 Gallon | White |
Dicor Corporation RP-MRC-1 Elastomeric Coating | 1 Gallon | Arctic White |
STA-Kool SK-7705 Traditional Acrylic Elastomeric Roof Coating | 5 Gallon | White |
Rust-Oleum 301904 7-Year Elastomeric Roof Coating | 3.4 liters | White |
Kool Seal KS0034600-16Kool Seal Elastomeric Roof Coating | 3.4 liters | Grey |
Henry 280DC White Elastomeric Roof Coating | 5 Gallon | White |
Gardner Series SK-7701 | 3.4 liters | White |
Jetcoat Cool King Elastomeric Acrylic Reflective Roof Coating
Product Overview
The winner of this list today is the Jetcoat Cool King Elastomeric paint, which has been quite a popular product among home contractors and dwellers. There are 5 gallons of white, reflective paint, and it’s of premium quality in every aspect.
Energy savings capacity is one of the considerable homeowners in which this Jetcoat product succeeds. Providing a couple of coats of this will keep heat or coldness from getting into the home to a good extent. The result will be seen right on the electricity bill of yours.
With one gallon of Jetcoat Cool King Elastomeric paint, you can cover up to 70 square feet of area. Therefore, the 5-gallon pack can cover up to 250 square feet of area. But for the best results, we’d recommend applying two coats on the roof.
This paint is compatible with a diverse range of roof types. The list includes rubber roofs, modified bitumen roofs, APP and SBS roofs, RV roofs, concrete roofs, wooden roofs, and many more. However, you cannot apply this on some flat, gravel, or shingle roofs.
However, you must stick to some rules while applying this paint. First, it’s some certainty about the temperature. And secondly, it’s the drying time. The average drying time of this paint is 2-3 hours. But to be completely weatherproof, it might need up to 8 hours. And this is pretty much the industry standard, we have to say.
Pros
- Long Lasting Protection – 5-Year Guarantee
- For Use on a Variety of Surfaces
- Maximum Coverage – Just 1 Gallon will cover 50-70 sq ft
- Easy Application
- Dries within 2-3 Hours
Cons
- Scuffs easily
- It tends to peel if the substrate surface is not prepped properly
Dicor Corporation RP-MRC-1 Elastomeric Coating
Product Overview
Usually, there are tons of elastomeric paints available in the market with bulk sizes, such as 5 gallons. But for small roof repair chores, you don’t need to waste that much money. Take the RV roofing as an example to understand the scenario better.
You would need a 1-gallon product that checks all the boxes’ quality. And the Dicor Corporation RP-MRC-1 is just the kind of product you need. It can cover a space of 200 square feet on the roof.
This is made of 100% acrylic elastomeric resin that ends up in a rubber-like layer of coat. Also, the benefit of such formulation is, it will expand and contract as per the movement of the roof. For RVers, this is something that they look for in a roof coating.
However, this coating is strictly limited to fiberglass and metal RV roofing chores. For TPO or EPDM roofing, it’s not recommended. It also suits well on metal, aluminum, and steel-made RV roofs.
The color is white, and that implies a brilliant reflectivity of the roof. That eventually reduces the temperature and induces energy savings.
Pros
- It is made of 100% acrylic elastomeric resin formula.
- A perfect choice for roofing RV roofs.
- Adheres well to metal, aluminum, fiberglass, and steel.
- Contracts and expands as per the movement of the roof.
- White and reflective, induces energy savings.
- It can cover up to 200 square feet of area.
Cons
- One gallon would be insufficient if you have a regular-sized house roof.
STA-Kool SK-7705 Traditional Acrylic Elastomeric Roof Coating
Product Overview
Next, we have the STA-Kool SK-7705 in hand- a budget-friendly roof coating that works as a protective coating and as a roof repair essential. There are 5 gallons of the layer in this bucket, and it comes for a impressive price.
One of the most significant facts about this elastomeric paint is its coverage. There are 5 gallons of color available in this bucket, with which you can cover about 13,000 to 15,000 square feet of any surface. It can be the roof, the warehouse, the garage, or anything else; it will do its job.
Apart from that, we’ve also noticed that this paint is super effective at repairing roof leaks. If your roof shingles are getting leaked and you plan to replace them soon, applying this coating will enhance its lifespan to a certain extent.
The last thing we don’t want you to miss is the price. The STA-Kool SK-7705 is a budget-friendly elastomeric paint and coating compared to many other 5-gallon buckets. That’s a significant thing when you need this coating in bulk.
Pros
- Protects roof shingles from decay and damage.
- Prevents leaks and other similar damages.
- It can cover up to 15,000 square feet of area.
- 5Fivegallons of paint in the bucket.
- Quite long-lasting ,with no color fading away.
- Works for most building materials and ladders.
- It is manufactured in the USA, maintaining high standards.
Cons
-
It does not adhere as well on rubber roofs
- It may begin to peel if not applied properly.
Rust-Oleum 301904 7-Year Elastomeric Roof Coating
Product Overview
Rust-Oleum is a brand you can recognize if you’ve completed any painting projects over the past few years. They have several roof coating and protection paints in their inventory. And the Rust-Oleum 301904 is one of them.
As the name implies, it comes with a 7-year warranty. But is such confidence in them worthy as long as the product quality is concerned? Let’s check out.
This Rust-Oleum 301904 is a white roof coating of elastomeric type made with high-quality ingredients. It’s protective against mildew and mold buildup within the roof, a common problem in the summer and rainy seasons.
While applying, you don’t have to wait for a long time to get it ready. After applying, it will be waterproof within 6 hours. And you can touch it after 4 hours only.
It’s pretty reflective as an elastomeric paint. According to the brand, Rust-Oleum 301904 is 67% reflective against sunlight and heat. So, it would lead to less heat transfer into your home and less stress to the air conditioner.
So, we can say that Rust-Oleum 301904 can help with energy efficiency
Pros
- 67% reflective against heat and cold.
- It gets ready to touch within 4 hours.
- Gets water-protective within 6 hours.
- Can resist mold and mildew development.
- Available in white and black color.
- Offers seven years of warranty from the brand.
Cons
- Some of the users are dissatisfied with the price.
Kool Seal KS0034600-16Kool Seal Elastomeric Roof Coating
Product Overview
The following product on our list is the jack of all trades, as long as elastomeric paint is concerned. It’s called the Kool Seal KS0034600-16, and we will be breaking down the specs below.
The formula that this paint is made on is called the Kool Seal premium formula. This is proven to be UV resistant and prevent peeling and cracking of your roof or shingles. Also, it provides deep rust and corrosion resistance. With the moisture-resistant properties, your roof will also be taken care of during the rainy season.
Color is essential when you are selecting the right paint for your roof coating. And this one comes in a grey elastomeric paint, which some users might find appropriate as per their roof color.
This paint can work fine on many roof types, including- concrete, polyurethane foam, metal roof, shingle ply, modified bitumen, smooth BUR, etc. If you have an elastomeric or asphalt paint done before, you can directly apply this paint on it, ensuring you’ve cleaned the surface properly.
This has been quite a product as long as the features are considered.
Pros
- Tough, durable, and resistant.
- It is powered by Kool Seal technology.
- Suits many roof types.
- It adheres fast on various types of surfaces.
- It provides a long-lasting coating.
- Weatherproof, all the way.
- It is made from 100% acrylic.
Cons
- The grey color might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Henry 280DC White Elastomeric Roof Coating
Product Overview
The following product that we have got is from Henry – a new and unpopular brand. But the values the brand had put together in this paint seem worthy of your and our attention. It’s called the Henry 280DC.
It’s a 5-gallon bucket of elastomeric paint that can be applied on various roofs. With 88% reflectiveness against heat and light, we found it pretty energy-saving for your home. Although this particular percentage might depend on how many coats you have applied on the roof. But the best score that this painting had scored so far (before and after the painting) is impressively 88%.
To make sure that you can clean it up once it’s time for a new coating, Henry made this paint easily soluble in water. Now, even big brands forget to do that in their elastomeric paints. We appreciate that, Henry.
The kind of protection it provides includes water sealing and energy saving. This elastomeric paint is also effective against UV rays. The deterioration that is caused by the Sun’s UV rays is prevented by this paint to a reasonable extent.
To back all of these features up, this product has certification from CA Title 24. Now, that’s something many of us can rely on one, right?
Lastly, let’s talk about the coverage. Well, as we said before, this bucket has 5 gallons of paint. And together, they can cover 250 square feet, provided that you have applied two coats on each of them.
Pros
- Five gallons of highly reflective paint.
- It is 88% thoughtful, provided that it’s applied twice.
- It can cover up to 250 square feet of roof area.
- It can reduce heat gain and UV consequences.
- Has got CA Title 24 certification with it.
- It comes with a warranty of 10 years.
Cons
- It doesn’t offer a great color once it’s done painting.
Gardner Series SK-7701
Product Overview
The last slot of this list of best elastomeric pain is taken by our most budget-friendly pick of the list – the Gardner Series SK-7701. Don’t get confused with the garden paint by the brand’s name. It’s a roof paint that serves with a decent grade performance as long as product quality is concerned.
It contains 3.6 liquid quartz or 3.4 liquid liters of elastomeric paint. The color is white, which would look like on the home roof and the RV roof of various materials.
It offers a durability promise of 7 years, which is quite dramatic as long as the roof coating industry is concerned. But our honest opinion is – if it can stick to even half of what it promises, it would be a win-win situation for both your roof and you.
The product price is another of its USPs, which is pretty low. But just because it’s a cheap product doesn’t necessarily imply that the quality will be poor.
Apart from that, all other features are pretty regular as long as a roof elastomeric paint is concerned. You can keep it on your shortlist.
Pros
- It contains 3.4 liters of white elastomeric paint.
- It comes with seven years of warranty.
- Made in China.
- It comes in a pretty convenient bucket.
Cons
- Not as durable as many of the other listings in this article.
Buyer’s Guide for Best Elastomeric Paint
While you’ve gone through several products, we quoted earlier in this compelling; it might have been overwhelming. To help you make the right buying decision, here goes the buying guide to get the best elastomeric paint in your hand-
The Amount
We are talking about the amount of paint you have in one unit. Small roofs like RV roofs would require about 200-300 square feet to cover the painting. On the other hand, more extensive roofs like regular home ones would require higher.
There are options available from 1 gallon to 5 gallons in this regard. Make the right choice in this regard.
The Energy Savings Capacity
Each of the roof coatings we have talked about contains heat protection in them. Now, how much can they prevent the heat from entering your house? Because that’s related to how much savings on the energy they can imply.
Some paintings can provide up to 90% heat retention. Make the right choice from the list.
The Color
The color of the roof coating should match the color of the rest of your house exterior. If you’re an RVer, that’s even bigger of a concern. We, therefore, recommend you choose the right color from the list of many.
Number of Coats Required for Elastomeric Paint
The number of coats required for elastomeric paint depends on the surface’s condition, the color and type of paint, and the desired level of coverage. In most cases, two coats of elastomeric paint are sufficient to achieve the desired results. However, in situations where the surface is especially rough or porous, more coats may be necessary. Additionally, if a darker or more vibrant color is applied, additional coats may be required to achieve full coverage. Following the manufacturer’s guidelines is essential when determining the coats needed for a specific elastomeric paint product to ensure optimal results.
The Price versus Quality when Choosing Elastomeric Paint
Choosing between price and quality can be difficult when looking for elastomeric paint options. Typically, the higher the price, the better the paint’s quality. However, this does not always hold. It is essential to research the brand and read reviews to determine the quality of the color before making a purchase. Lower-priced elastomeric paints may have a thinner consistency and not hold up well over time. Higher-priced paints often provide better coverage and durability. However, it’s essential to remember that cost does not always equal quality. It’s important to take note of the warranty because the coverage varies among manufacturers. It is necessary to consider price and quality when choosing elastomeric paint to ensure a long-lasting and attractive result.
FAQs
Question: What kind of elastomeric paint should I go for an RV?
Answer: RVs usually come up with a short amount of area. This implies that about 3 gallons of elastomeric paint will do the job.
Question: What available colors are there?
Answer: There are a number of them. But white, transparent, and grey are the most common ones. You can also have tint added if you want to go that route. Check with your local paint store.
Bottom Line
Hopefully, this informative article and list of the best elastomeric paints have been helpful to you. When deciding which color to purchase, it’s essential to consider factors such as quality, quantity, and budget. By making an informed decision, you can ensure your project turns out great and enjoy the result for years.