Keim Mineral Paints Case Study
If you are looking for a breathable, water-based paint then look no further.
Keim Mineral Paints (founded over 130 years ago and in the UK since 1987) is becoming increasingly specified by Architects and builders on new build, and where any form of lime plaster, render or breathable products are used, it is in my opinion the best paint to use.
They are possibly better known for their exterior grade paints, Granital, Royalan and Soldalit, but less so for their interior paints, Optil and Ecosil ME.
The products vary slightly in application, which can confuse some, and the German sounding names do stall some people into thinking it is a very complicated paint to use, but it is not. If you thought of the system as Stabilisers and Mist Coat additives, followed by standard application top coats, rather than Soldalit Fixativs and Grnital Dilutions, there would never be any issue. The fact that the exterior grade paints are measured in Kgs, rather than Litres also adds to the hesitations from the domestic customer, but get over these tiny hurdles and you have a standard paint, with added extras!
Look at it like this - if you want to have a paint that is water-based, chemically bonds to the surface to which it is applied - so will not flake or peel, will allow the substrate to breathe, and outlasts film forming paints by two or three times, then you should be all over Keim Paints.
Yes, it is true that the exterior paints probably work out about 3 times more expensive initially than a standard Masonry paint, but if it lasts 3 times as long, you have already saved yourself 2 lots of labour costs, and in some cases scaffolding costs, neither of which are cheap.
Whilst the exterior grade paints are more expensive, the interior paints are cheaper.
Whilst the exterior grade paints are more expensive, the interior paints are cheaper.
Farrow & Ball - All White Estate Emulsion - £61.00 inc Vat for 5L
Keim Ecosil - equivalent colour - £32.70 inc Vat for 5 L
So there is also a high delivery charge of £18 per order (no limit on quantity) from Keim compared to £4.95 from F & B, but even with that in mind its 30% cheaper (aside from the fact that it has better coverage, is fully breathable etc etc....)
So to the case study:
A Norfolk Barn conversion.
A high spec Barn conversion with the emphasis on low carbon footprint and renewables. PV solar panels and heat recovery unit, along with underfloor heating and triple glazing. The customer wanted a breathable paint that would be able to go over a mixture of substrates - Lime, Brickwork, Plaster and standard render. Interior to be plain white and a flat matt, breathable paint. Exterior, again white on the brickwork, to help mask the huge amounts of variations in brick work renovations (not all good) carried out over the years and to give added protection to the soft Norfolk red bricks, whilst retaining the breath ability of the buildings natural materials.
Paints chosen:
Interior: Keim Optil White - £39.00 /5L inc Vat
Exterior: Keim Soldalit White - £72.60/5kgs inc Vat (5 kgs is approx 3.5l so yes it is quite expensive, but compared to Lime wash -an obvious alternative, it works out way cheaper once you have taken the labour costs into account. Limewash also does nothing to protect your render or brick work, and you are almost better off not putting anything on at all. Keim will give your substrate all the breath ability of a limewash, but the protection of a standard masonry paint).
The Optil is flat matt - approx 1% sheen, massively light reflective, quick drying and has excellent hiding power. The decorators had never used it before and were sceptical, but massively impressed by its need for only 2 coats onto bare plaster, and its ease of use.
They got through quite a lot of Soldalit externally, and this has proved expensive, but i doubt it will need re doing in the next 10-15 years so a saving already.
Keim Ecosil - equivalent colour - £32.70 inc Vat for 5 L
So there is also a high delivery charge of £18 per order (no limit on quantity) from Keim compared to £4.95 from F & B, but even with that in mind its 30% cheaper (aside from the fact that it has better coverage, is fully breathable etc etc....)
So to the case study:
Site view
A Norfolk Barn conversion.
A high spec Barn conversion with the emphasis on low carbon footprint and renewables. PV solar panels and heat recovery unit, along with underfloor heating and triple glazing. The customer wanted a breathable paint that would be able to go over a mixture of substrates - Lime, Brickwork, Plaster and standard render. Interior to be plain white and a flat matt, breathable paint. Exterior, again white on the brickwork, to help mask the huge amounts of variations in brick work renovations (not all good) carried out over the years and to give added protection to the soft Norfolk red bricks, whilst retaining the breath ability of the buildings natural materials.
Paints chosen:
Interior: Keim Optil White - £39.00 /5L inc Vat
Exterior: Keim Soldalit White - £72.60/5kgs inc Vat (5 kgs is approx 3.5l so yes it is quite expensive, but compared to Lime wash -an obvious alternative, it works out way cheaper once you have taken the labour costs into account. Limewash also does nothing to protect your render or brick work, and you are almost better off not putting anything on at all. Keim will give your substrate all the breath ability of a limewash, but the protection of a standard masonry paint).
The Optil is flat matt - approx 1% sheen, massively light reflective, quick drying and has excellent hiding power. The decorators had never used it before and were sceptical, but massively impressed by its need for only 2 coats onto bare plaster, and its ease of use.
They got through quite a lot of Soldalit externally, and this has proved expensive, but i doubt it will need re doing in the next 10-15 years so a saving already.
All interior walls finished in Keim Optil White.
All woodwork finished in Osmo Oils.
With only a few more months to go until the client moves in, my job supplying the Keim & Osmo oils is almost complete, they are, however, very pleased with the results the Keim paints have given. Taking the savings made in using the Keim Optil internally, against a 'designer' brand, the extra cost of the Soldalit for the exterior is negligible and they have a breathable paint, that will not flake or peel off, and will out perform standard film forming paints by over 10 years!
Will we be seeing more of Keim paints? I think so.
For more information on Keim, price enquiries and ordering, please contact me on the details below.
Paints & Interiors,
Units 1 & 2 South Farm,
Alburgh,
Harleston,
NORFOLK
IP20 0BS
t: 01986 788993
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