EXPERT ADVICE
What are the benefits of weather coating?
Updated 10/24
By: Emma Potter
When professionally applied, weather coating can restore the look of your home’s exteriors and weatherproof them for years to come. Weigh up the benefits verses the costs in this comprehensive guide.
Has your home’s exterior started to look weathered, with flaking, faded paintwork, and superficial cracks? If so, it might need specialist weather coating.
This guide looks at the benefits of weather coating and how much you can expect to pay.
What is weather coating?
The outsides of our homes take quite a beating from the wind, rain, sun, and constant temperature changes.
Even the highest-quality exterior paints or rendering will only last so long before wear and tear appears, and it’s time for a repaint.
But that’s where weather coating is different. Using a blend of minerals, resins, and chemicals up to 20 times thicker than standard exterior wall paint, weather coating can last for 20 years or more.
Even better, weather-coating solutions are highly water-resistant and highly breathable. This means the coating repels water while allowing moisture inside the building to escape, preventing damp issues.
Search for checked tradespeople working in your area
Benefits of weather coating
Along with returning your home’s exterior to its former glory, weather coating has plenty of other benefits, including:
Waterproofing – Protects against penetrating damp, mould, moss, dirt and sea air
Weatherproofing – Guards against wall cracks and fading and flaky paintwork caused by frosts and extreme heat
Insulating – Improves the energy efficiency of your home by reducing heat loss
Durability – If professionally applied, the coating should last around 20 years
Low maintenance – You may never need to repaint the outside of your home again!
Flexibility – They come in a range of colours and finishes and can be applied all year round, regardless of how damp the weather is
Roofs can also be treated with specialised coatings to protect against leaks, mould, and moss and extend the lifespan of your roof tiles.
Reasons to weather coat
Weather coating is perfect for covering minor cracks and other cosmetic repairs, including:
Flaking paint chips
Crumbling brickwork
Damaged rendering
Damp infiltration
Broken pebbledash
However, bear in mind you or a tradesperson need to repair damage to the exterior walls first before the weather coating is applied.
You can find out more about repairing outside walls in our how-to guide.
What does weather coating involve?
Applying weather coating to your home is time-consuming if you're doing it yourself. As mentioned earlier, before applying the solution, you must ensure that any repairs to the existing external walls are carried out. It's also worth remembering that scaffolding must be hired if you're working at height.
For a durable finish, a safer bet might be hiring an expert trained in exterior wall repairs and painting. They will also have professional equipment, including high-pressurised paint sprayers, to get the job done efficiently.
Types of weather coating treatments
Weather coating treatments offer different levels of protection and durability depending on the part of your property that needs addressing.
A specialist can advise on the proper treatment for your home, but the different types include:
Waterproof coating – Creates a weatherproof barrier and stops water from seeping into a home’s walls and foundations
Heat-resistant coating – Reflects sunlight and prevents paint fading
Anti-fungal – Prevents the growth of mould and moss, especially on damp, poorly ventilated or shaded external walls
Thermal insulating coating – Helps insulate older or poorly insulated buildings
Damp-proof coating – Prevents penetrating damp and repels moisture
Emergency weather coating – Protects homes at risk of weather damage. For instance, an emergency weather coating can be applied if a building is experiencing leaks through the roof or walls
Roof coating – Protects your home from leaks, mould, and moss build-up and extends the lifespan of roof tiles
Cost of weather coating
The cost of weather coating depends on the size of your home, the level of repairs that need to be made first, and ease of access. The type of coating you choose, as explored above, can also impact the costs.
However, to give you a general steer, wall coating can cost between £1,200 - £3,600.
Meanwhile, roof coating costs are between£1,000 for a small terrace with easy accessto£5,000 for a detached house or complex job.
Remember, you may also need to factor in the cost of hiring scaffolding for safe access.
Our comprehensive cost guide gives a full rundown of weather coating prices.
How to find a weather coating expert
Are you keen to get cracking with weather coating before the next cold snap?
Hire a professional tradesperson or company specialising in exterior painting and weather coating for the best results.
Use our free directory below to search for reputable weather coating experts in your area.
Search for checked tradespeople working in your area
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply weather coating myself?
Anyone can apply weather coating to their home, but you'll need to block out a lot of time for the project. Preparation, proper materials, and careful application are vital for a durable and professional finish. You’ll also be working at height and may need scaffolding. That’s why we recommend leaving this job to the professionals!
Is weather coating different from rendering?
Yes. Rendering is mainly used to hide wall imperfections and provide additional insulation. Meanwhile, weather coating goes one step further by improving the appearance of the exteriors, along with waterproofing and weatherproofing.
Unlike rendering, which requires repainting every few years, weather coating can last up to twenty years without painting.
Another advantage is that weather coating can be applied at any time of year, regardless of the weather. That’s because of the 'breathable' coating systems. Meanwhile, rendering is often only applied in summer months when the weather is less wet (hopefully!).
House rendering: Cost breakdown (UK) 2026
Discover how much house rendering costs, what affects pricing, and how to budget accurately using our house rendering cost calculator.
Will I need to pay for scaffolding?
Sometimes, the cost of scaffolding is included in a weather coating quote from your tradesperson. But it’s always wise to double-check first.
Will the treatment be guaranteed?
Some weather coating companies offer a 25-year labour and materials guarantee against the wall treatment chipping, flaking, peeling, and cracking. Meanwhile, roof coatings usually come with a 15-year guarantee.
For added peace of mind, if you choose a tradesperson with Checkatrade, we guarantee their work up to £1,000. Guaranteed for 12 months – Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.
We also make sure all our Checkatrade members have up-to-date public liability insurance.
Can weather coating be applied to pebble dash?
Weather coating is a great way to improve the durability and appearance of pebble dash. However, as pebble dash is highly porous, you may need to apply a primer first and two or more coats of the weather coating solution to achieve adequate coverage.
Can you choose the colour and texture?
Absolutely. You can choose between smooth or textured finishes and a range of colours.
Are exterior wall coatings a good idea?
Weather coating is a win-win. You’ll improve your home's durability and appearance, which might even improve its saleability.
More Weather Coatings Articles
See the tradespeople we've checked for your job