Repair Systems — Rising Damp
Breathable paint systems
Technical product reference for breathable masonry paint systems for the final decoration of masonry walls after rising damp treatment — mineral silicate paint, breathable masonry paints, vapour permeability classification and brand comparisons.
What are breathable paint systems for rising damp remediation?
Breathable paint systems are the final topcoat applied to masonry walls after rising damp remediation. Their role is to provide colour, surface protection and weather resistance while remaining vapour-permeable — allowing the wall to continue releasing moisture during the drying-out period without trapping it beneath an impermeable film.
Standard acrylic and vinyl masonry paints have low vapour permeability (high Sd values) and are not appropriate for use on walls in the active drying phase after DPC injection and renovation plastering. Applying a non-breathable topcoat traps residual moisture within the wall, accelerates salt crystallisation at the paint-render interface, and typically causes paint failure within 12–24 months through blistering, peeling and efflorescence.
Mineral silicate paint (Keim Granital, Sd ≤ 0.01 m) is the most breathable topcoat available — it chemically bonds to mineral masonry substrates rather than forming a film, giving it very high vapour transmission. Other silicate facade paints (Tikkurila Finngard Silicate) are equivalent mineral options. Standard acrylic masonry paints marketed as "micro-porous" (e.g. Dulux Weathershield) are not genuinely vapour-open and should not be relied on over a drying rising-damp wall.
Do not confuse with:
- Standard acrylic masonry paint — not genuinely breathable — not suitable over rising damp walls or walls in the drying-out phase
- Breathable renders (Parex Monorex, Keim silicate render) — a render system — not a paint — see the breathable render page
- WTA renovation plasters (Remmers SP) — internal salt-resistant replastering system — different role — see the salt-resistant plaster page
- Waterproof masonry paint — specifically formulated to prevent water ingress — typically low vapour permeability — not appropriate for rising damp walls
- Crystalline waterproofing slurries — active waterproofing products — not a decorative paint system
Product Reference
Individual products — one card each — scroll to view all
Keim Australia
Keim Granital
Potassium-silicate mineral exterior paint
Keim Granital is a high-quality potassium-silicate (sol-silicate) mineral exterior paint with a diffusion-equivalent air-layer thickness Sd ≤ 0.01 m and water-vapour diffusion ≥ 2000 g/(m²·d) — among the most vapour-permeable masonry paints — combined with high water repellency. It silicifies (chemically bonds) to mineral substrates rather than forming a film, giving a durable, matt mineral finish. It is the technically superior breathable topcoat over breathable mineral / lime render on a drying rising-damp wall. Confirm coats, EN 1062 class and AU pack with Keim Australia.
Tikkurila Australia
Tikkurila Finngard Silicate Solid
Waterborne silicate facade paint
Tikkurila Finngard Silicate Solid is a waterborne silicate facade paint for traditional lime-cement and lime plasters, thin-layer silicate and mineral-polymer plasters, sand-lime brick and concrete. It is a vapour-permeable coating that allows moisture to leave the wall while remaining hydrophobic with low water absorption. NOTE: the page name 'Silora' was not confirmed — the current Tikkurila silicate facade paint is Finngard Silicate Solid (a silicone-emulsion option is Finngard Silicone Protect). Confirm the AU product, Sd value, coats and pack with Tikkurila Australia.
Dulux Australia
Dulux Weathershield (acrylic — not a mineral breathable paint)
Acrylic exterior masonry paint — limited breathability
Dulux Weathershield is a standard acrylic exterior masonry paint (masonry, brick, concrete, render, fibre cement, timber) with a long weathering warranty under the Dulux DuSpec specification. Dulux markets it as micro-porous / breathable, but it is an organic acrylic film, Dulux does not publish an Sd value, and technical guidance is that general-purpose masonry paints like Weathershield are not genuinely breathable and are not recommended for lime / heritage masonry. For a drying rising-damp wall, a mineral silicate paint (Keim Granital, Tikkurila Finngard Silicate) is the correct choice. Confirm any vapour-permeability data with Dulux.
System Comparison
Breathable paint systems — confirm all selections against the current manufacturer TDS before specifying.
Scroll the table sideways to see every column →
Disclaimer
Information is general only. Product selection must be confirmed against project requirements, substrate type, drying stage and manufacturer technical data sheets. Confirm vapour permeability classification of selected paint before applying to rising damp walls. Do not apply paint over walls still in active drying without confirming suitability with manufacturer. Do not rely on this reference as a substitute for professional advice.