Which paint suits a coastal home in Cornwall?

Salt, wind-driven rain and constant damp mean exterior paint in Cornwall fails faster than inland. The right choice starts with what your walls are made of.

1. Cement render and pebbledash

Modern cement render and pebbledash suit tough masonry paints. On exposed sites we like pliolite-based products such as Zinsser AllWeather, which contains biocides and anti-fungal inhibitors and is rated for up to 15 years. On pebbledash, spraying gets paint into the texture far better than a roller.

2. Lime render and old stone

Lime and stone need to breathe. Seal them in plastic paint and moisture gets trapped, leading to blistering and damp inside. Use silicate paints like Johnstone's Sol Silicate, limewash, or breathable stone sealers.

3. Timber windows, doors and fascias

Oil-based systems still give the longest life on external timber by the sea. Bare wood needs priming, and any rot must be repaired first.

4. Extra protection

Hydrophobic and self-cleaning coatings help walls shed water and resist green growth on the most exposed homes.

Preparation beats product

Algae treatment, washing, repairs and drying time do more for a paint job's lifespan than any label. That's why every exterior we do follows the same sequence.