Styrene-acrylic, pure acrylic, and silicone-acrylic: How to choose the right emulsion for exterior stone-effect paint? What are the differences?

The differences between the three types of emulsions
Did you know? The durability, environmental friendliness, and lifespan of stone-effect paint all depend on the "emulsion" it contains! What are the differences between the three common emulsions on the market: styrene-acrylic, pure acrylic, and silicone-acrylic?

Afraid of choosing a cheap one that won't last, or a expensive one that's a waste of money? Today, we'll explain the differences to help you avoid common mistakes and choose the right high-quality emulsion!

Styrene-acrylic emulsion: Cheap but with "obvious shortcomings," choose with caution

Styrene-acrylic emulsion

Styrene-acrylic emulsion is the cheapest of the three emulsions and was a common raw material for early stone-effect paints, but its disadvantages are very prominent, and it has gradually been phased out of mainstream household applications.

Core characteristics: Contains benzene compounds, posing a potential toxicity risk, and has poor environmental performance;

Performance: Extremely poor weather resistance and yellowing resistance; easily yellows and fades when exposed to the outdoors for a long time; "whitening" occurs when exposed to water, affecting the appearance; the paint film lacks toughness and is prone to cracking and peeling later, especially in areas with large temperature differences or high humidity;

Service Life: Only 3-5 years; while seemingly saving money initially, the subsequent repair and renovation costs are higher;

Applicable scenarios: Not recommended for home use! Only suitable for temporary buildings, low-budget commercial projects, and other scenarios with very low requirements for environmental protection and durability.

Pure acrylic emulsion:The preferred choice for home use, safe, durable, and cost-effective!

Pure acrylic emulsion

Pure acrylic emulsion is currently the mainstream choice for household exterior stone-effect paint, balancing environmental friendliness and practicality, offering excellent value for money. Core Features: Non-toxic and harmless, environmentally compliant, and will not cause pollution to the human body or the environment; the paint film has high elasticity, can adapt well to minor deformations of the wall, forming an integral part with the wall structure, and has strong adhesion;

Performance: Excellent resistance to acids and alkalis, aging, and frost, able to withstand harsh weather conditions such as wind, sun, rain, and snow, and is not prone to yellowing or chalking; excellent water resistance, and will not turn white when exposed to water;

Silicone Acrylic Emulsion:

High-end, top-of-the-line performance with an ultra-long lifespan!

Silicone acrylic emulsion is based on pure acrylic emulsion, with the addition of organic silicon, equivalent to an "upgraded version of pure acrylic," achieving a leap in performance in all aspects. It is a core raw material for high-end exterior wall imitation stone paint.

Core Features: Inherits the non-toxic and harmless environmental advantages of pure acrylic emulsion, and with the addition of organic silicon, water resistance, yellowing resistance, and mechanical stability are significantly improved; the paint film has higher hardness and strong stain resistance, making it difficult for dust and stains to adhere, and it can self-clean after rain;

Performance: Extremely weather-resistant, able to adapt to various extreme climates such as high temperature, severe cold, and high humidity, maintaining stable performance even in harsh environments such as coastal areas and plateaus; superior adhesion and crack resistance compared to pure acrylic, with almost no peeling problems;

Service Life: More than 20 years, a truly "once and for all" choice, which is more cost-effective in the long run;

Applicable Scenarios: High-end villas, sea-view houses, high-rise building exteriors, and household or commercial projects with extremely high requirements for decorative effect and durability, especially suitable for owners who want long-term peace of mind and do not want frequent maintenance.

Final Reminder:

The quality of exterior wall imitation stone paint depends not only on the emulsion but also on the construction process and raw materials, but the emulsion is the "core framework," and choosing the right emulsion is half the battle!