CONCRETE SYSTEMS
KEIM.
YOUR SUSTAINABLE
PARTNER FOR
LONGEST-LASTING
CONCRETE FINISHES.
Breathable, compatible and color-fast decoration and protection of concrete.
KEIM is known for providing long-term beauty and protection for all types of concrete surfaces. Iconic concrete structures across the globe attest to its proven track record of unbeatable performance. KEIM’s mineral silicate paints and stains penetrate concrete and form permanent chemical bonds. These finishes are made from mostly the same raw materials as concrete, making them the ultimate compatible choice. KEIM finishes allow concrete to breathe naturally while also providing complete water repellency against wind-driven rain. Our finishes are good for people, good for the planet, and are equitably made to ensure that your paint selections are the most sustainable choices.
MINERAL CONCRETE PAINTS AND STAINS ARE EXTRAORDINARY
See what makes mineral silicate paint long-lasting?
Will not flake or peel
MINERAL PAINT FUSES CHEMICALLY WITH BRICK, STONE, STUCCO, CONCRETE AND MASONRY
KEIM is the perfect solution for those who want a long-lasting and beautiful finish for their home or building. Unlike traditional paints, KEIM paint forms covalent chemical bonds with masonry to ensure lasting, permanent adhesion. This unique process, called petrification or silicification is very similar to the bonds that form limestone in nature to ensure paint cannot peel or flake off. Mineral paints become “part” of the masonry for decades of durability.
SOLID MINERAL COMPOUND
Silicification is a geological process that replaces original materials with silica. The process involves silica-rich binder, the backbone of KEIM paint, penetrating and seeping into voids in masonry. The binder dissolves calcium carbonate, which precipitates silica. The silica, or quartz, results in the mineralization, “turning to stone” of wet paint.
- LEFT: Mineral silicate paint is applied to masonry like ordinary paint.
- MIDDLE: The binder seeps deep into masonry and begins the chemical process.
- RIGHT: Cured paint is now an integral part of the masonry surface with a colored microporous crystalline matrix surface.
Typical latex/acrylic paints adhere to the surface by a sticky mechanical bond, while KEIM mineral silicate finishes penetrate and form permanent, chemical bonds. You will never experience the situation pictured here.
Will Not Flake or Peel
Defies severe weather
MINERAL PAINTS REPEL WINDDRIVEN RAIN
Proven by third-party ASTM standard testing, KEIM mineral paints completely resist winddriven rain without leaking, ensuring moisture cannot penetrate. The stone-like surface is naturally hydrophobic, with no capillary action to draw moisture into walls. Keeping water away from masonry walls is key to longevity and low maintenance.
MINERAL PAINTS ARE NOT DEGRADED BY EVEN THE HARSHEST UV
Quartz binders, the “glue” that binds mineral paints and pigments, like their namesake minerals are not deteriorated by sunlight or UV. From high mountain to desert climates, mineral paints stand the test of time. KEIM mineral paints are a favorite of lighthouses across the globe for their durability, low maintenance, and true colors.
Defies Severe Weather
Colors do not fade
The surface of mineral paint resembles that of stone and is inert, making it impervious to various environmental factors such as UV, wind, rain, freezing temperatures, and acid rain. The paint finish, comprised of mineral silicate binder and mineral pigments and fillers, ensures no degradation from even the severest weather, thus resulting in an extraordinarily long life.
And KEIM offers a 20-year guarantee not to fade or lose adhesion.
KEIM Origins
“Gasthaus Weißer Adler” in Stein am Rhein, Switzerland was one of the first to be painted with KEIM mineral paint in 1891. It has endured and has never been repainted.
Wikipedia, 2020
KEIM IN THE USA SINCE 1905.
KEIM has been providing paint in the USA since 1905. The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum in Jupiter Island, Florida, is one of the first known paint projects in the US. According to records, Keim mineral paint was first used to paint the brick lighthouse in 1905 to improve visibility and protect the historic brick from the harsh coastal climate. The standard KEIM red color was used, proven to be enduring as it survived for over a century without fading. It was repainted in the 1960s and again in 2019 to protect it for another 30 to 50 years. Can you imagine a red exterior paint color
Colors Do Not Fade
Healthy materials
MINERAL PAINTS CONTAIN LESS THAN 5% ADDITIVES
Consider a paint with complete transparency to natural ingredients—KEIM mineral silicate paints are comprised of what you see here. Potassium silicate (liquid quartz), mineral pitments, titanium dioxide, and feldspar— natural quartz comprising more than 95% of the total ingredients.
No plasticizers or other plastics, no biocides, no VOC’s and no harsh chemicals. Allergy sufferers will find KEIM paints a breath of fresh air with no odor or outgassing of toxins. Once the water has evaporated from the wet paint, no other chemicals are outgassed.
And our ingredients are fully vetted by multiple third party testing and certification agencies:
- UL Greenguard Gold
- Cradle to Cradle Product Institute
- The International EPD System
ALL KEIM PAINTS ARE CERTIFIED GOLD FOR MATERIAL HEALTH
With their natural, safe, and non-toxic ingredients, KEIM paints and stains are certified Gold for Material Health by the Cradle to Cradle Product Institute®.
- Potassium carbonate and water are the chief ingredients—no harmful chemicals.
- Minerals are odorless—in the container and on your walls.
- Truly VOC free—no solvents are ever added.
- Experience the peace of mind that comes with knowing that KEIM paints and stains contain only naturally occurring minerals, fillers, and pigments. No biocides, plasticizers, or harsh chemicals are used, ensuring a truly eco-friendly product.
- Pure—KEIM finishes are safe and nontoxic, tested for over 10,000 harmful chemicals and solvents.
Healthy Materials
Paint that breathes
NO PAINT IS MORE VAPOR PERMEABLE THAN MINERAL PAINTS
Imagine a paint finish that allows your masonry walls to breathe naturally. Ordinary latex/acrylic paints seal masonry surfaces with a plastic layer that can trap moisture inside walls. KEIM mineral paints are microporous, allowing moisture to pass freely without damaging the paint.
Keeping masonry walls drier is critical to longevity and lower maintenance.
KEIM mineral paints will never blister. This latex/acrylic paint was installed on concrete, and trapped moisture is bubbling the paint and damaging the concrete beneath.
Latex/Acrylic VS KEIM Mineral Silicate
Moisture inside masonry or concrete walls is inevitable, but walls should dry out quickly to avoid mold surface damage, bubling paint, and deterioration of the wall itself. Here is an illustration of the difference between typical latex and acrylic paints and mineral paints
LEFT: Latex/Acrylic paints are made from petroleum and are considered nonbreathable. Trapped moisture cannot escape and builds behind the paint layer, ultimately pushing it from the surface.
RIGHT: Mineral paint is microporous and is completely breathable—moisture vapor escapes freely, without harm leaving masonry drier and healthier.
Paint that Breathes
Paint will not burn
MINERAL PAINTS ARE CLASS-A BUILDING MATERIALS
Mineral paints, such as KEIM mineral silicate paints and stains, are considered Class-A building materials because they are inert and won’t burn, making them safe in the event of a fire. ASTM E 84-08 testing shows that mineral silicate paints have a flame spread index of zero and a smoke-developed index of <5, which is the best performance for a paint surface.
This is because the components of these paints, including mineral silicate binders, quartz fillers, and mineral pigments, do not burn and do not provide fuel for a fire. On the other hand, latex, acrylic, and elastomeric paints, despite being waterthinned, are petroleum-based and their resins can burn and provide fuel in the event of a fire.
Paint Will Not Burn
Sustainable materials
Sustainability is a pivotal consideration in discussions about the future of construction. The building sector significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, with 37% of global emissions coming from this industry, mainly from material production. KEIM mineral paints are specifically engineered to conserve natural resources, minimize waste, and reduce energy consumption. Let’s delve into how mineral paints contribute to sustainable practices:
- Mineral paints are exclusively made from renewable and abundant earthen materials, such as potassium carbonate,
quartz, and mineral pigments. - KEIM’s manufacturing process unequivocally demonstrates its unwavering environmental commitment by using solely renewable energy and recycling all water, resulting in a significantly reduced environmental impact.
Mineral paints are low-carbon-emitting products that actively consume CO2 during the curing process. - All suppliers undergo rigorous vetting and certification to ensure compliance with local guidelines and laws regarding material extraction, safety, and ethical treatment of workers, with a strict prohibition on the use of child or slave labor.
- KEIM’s paint formulas are impeccably optimized for a circular economy and necessitate no specialized processing for disposal.
Sustainable building materials provide a way to conduct environmentally responsible construction practices. This helps promote resource conservation and reduce carbon emissions. KEIM mineral paints offer durability, energy efficiency, low-maintenance, and aesthetic appeal. Embracing sustainable building materials in construction projects can help create a greener future while providing healthy and comfortable living spaces for inhabitants.
The construction industry must urgently do better to protect the environment. This is, after all, the only planet we can live on, so promoting sustainability will serve us — and future generations-in the most crucial way.
KEIM and construction pros are already taking steps in the right direction. Builders are now exploring sustainable construction materials to traditional materials, many of which are a significant source of emissions.
Sustainable Products
EXPLORE OUR CONCRETE FINISHES
CONTACT PLUS®
Textured Bonding Primer
Exterior sanded primer for filling cracks up to 1/32 inch, repairing aged, and sanding concrete and masonry. It provides a pleasing overall “lightly” textured surface to improve the aesthetics of older masonry without altering vapor permeability. Use on bare or previously acrylic-painted surfaces or as a mineral bridge coat for Granital or Limewash.
CONTACT PLUS® GROB
Block Filler Primer
Interior/Exterior coarse texture block filler for filling cracks and gaps up to 1/16 inch. Use on all types of concrete and masonry, especially suited for CMU block surfaces, and is vapor permeable. Use on bare of previously acrylic-painted surfaces.
CONCRETAL® PRO
Sol Silicate Textured Paint
Penetrates concrete and fuses via chemical bonds for permanent, lasting adhesion. Paint is vapor permeable and lightfast even in bright colors. Use on all types of concrete facades with a full color range available.
CONCRETAL® W
Sol Silicate High-Performance Paint
A well-rounded, thin-layer sand finish renovation plaster/stucco based on hydraulic lime and white cement as the binder. This plaster is modified with glass fiber and less than 5% organic additives, making it ideal for both restoration and new construction where monolithic surfaces are required without the use of control/expansion joints. Grain size is 0—1.3mm or 0.05 inches
CONCRETAL® BLACK
Sol Silicate High-Performance Paint
Pure black aesthetics for concrete that is guaranteed not to fade. Utilizing a highly specialized inorganic black pigment, for the deepest, purest black color. It fuses with concrete and is vapor permeable for lasting protection and low maintenance.
CONCRETAL® LASUR
Sol Silicate Transparent Stain
Sol silicate transparent stain for all types of concrete, is vapor-permeable and colors are lightfast. Does not “fill-in” or alter the surface of natural concrete and the surface will not look “painted”. Color deeply penetrates and “dyes” the concrete without forming a film. Hide concrete imperfections, patches or other blemishes without change the look/feel of the concrete.
CONCRETAL® MORTARS
Repair Mortars and Fillers
A collection specialty mortars and fillers that are perfectly compatible with all types of concrete in need of filling and repair. See product page for full details.
SILAN 100
Penetrating Water Repellent Finish
100% active ingredient silane, water-based penetrating clear water repellent for all types of masonry. Deeply penetrates to stop water intrusion by interrupting the natural capillary action of masonry. Long-lasting and UV resistant for up to 10 years of performance. Dries to an invisible finish with no gloss.
FACEAL OLEO HD
Int/Ext Permanent Clear Matte
Deeply penetrates porous masonry and concrete surfaces for heavy-duty clear protection of floors and walls. Permanent graffiti protection for 10 years, this finish is durable enough for traffic. It dries to an invisible finish with no gloss and is highly water-repellent.
FACEAL OLEO WET LOOK
Int/Ext Permanent Glossy Protection
Deeply penetrates porous masonry and concrete surfaces for glossy, heavy-duty protection of floors and walls. Permanent graffiti protection for 10 years, this finish is durable enough for foot traffic. Dries clear with a high gloss finish and is highly water-repellent.
DESIGN METALLIC FINISH
Interior/Exterior Shimmering Metallic Finish
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Healthy,
Climate Positive,
Equitable Made.
Sustainable Design is Non-negotiable.
Keim paints are certified Silver by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute and Gold for material health. Trust Keim to deliver the most sustainable and eco-positive paint and stain options. Period.
Additional Resources
PAINT OR STAIN—YOU CHOOSE
Mineral silicate finishes give you complete control over the aesthetic of the finish. Transparent stains add permanent color to concrete without altering the concrete's appearance and never hide the concrete patina. You can also choose solid-color painted finishes to achieve a flawless concrete surface while minimizing surface imperfections. With KEIM, you can even patch, repair, and fill blow- holes to create a completely seamless surface.
Concrete can be
sexy too!
Mineral metallic finishes are perfect for giving concrete an attention-grabbing look while providing long-term durability
Design Metallic Finish, a sol silicate finish with a sparkling and radiant appearance, is the perfect companion for concrete facades. Guaranteed never to tarnish or fade, these stunning mineral finishes offer you the ultimate design options.
Colorful concrete is
now achievable.
Mineral color is completely UV stable and will not fade or change over time, regardless of the climate.
Embracing colorful concrete with confidence has always been difficult. KEIM Concretal paints and stains penetrate and integrate: permanently fusing with concrete, guaranteeing that your concrete color is long-lasting, just like the concrete itself.