Silacote is a non-toxic fully tintable inorganic mineral silicate paint. It is made from natural compounds from the earth such as quartz, different minerals and inorganic mineral colourants which are bound together with a potassium silicate binder.
Silicate paints are basically inert coloured rock in liquid form. Traditional paints, such as emulsions, acrylics, elastomerics, etc. are organic in content which will break down when exposed to UV and have a relatively short life. Organic paints form a mechanical bond which sticks to the surface of the substrate. The adhesion process fails when calcium and other salts are brought to the surface of the substrate under the paint film through the natural wetting and drying process. Inorganic paints penetrate deeply and bond chemically to form an insoluble compound of paint and substrate when used on inorganic substrates such as concrete, natural stone, marble, etc.
Silacote is designed for interior or exterior use on inorganic substrates such as concrete, masonry, plaster/stucco, cement board, gypsum wallboard (walls and ceilings), unsealed wood and existing properly adhered clean cementitious coatings.
Silacote is environmentally safe and has no detrimental effects on the environment from manufacture through application to disposal in a landfill. The coating is non-static, non-toxic and non-allergenic, making it healthy for interior use. Being inorganic in content, it is inert so it will not support algae, fungi or toxic mould growth. The coating has a high breathability rate allowing moisture to escape from walls, ceilings, cavity walls and partitions keeping these areas dry and reducing the possibility of toxic mould or fungi growth.
Silacote is non-combustable--it will not burn and spread fires or toxic fumes. Traditional paints will burn, giving off heavy toxic smoke, and will spread the flames quickly. Silacote offers a safer environment and provides more time to escape a fire, potentially saving many lives. Silacote also acts like a radiant heat barrier that reflects heat from the sun rather than absorbing it. This helps keep the building cooler and reduces air conditioning costs. elopment!