HISTORIC PRESERVATION
YOUR PARTNER FOR
PROVEN AND SUSTAINABLE
PRESERVATION.
KEIM.
KEIM.
Compatible.
Vapor permeable.
Proven track record.
Keim is a name synonymous with historic masonry preservation. With over a century of experience and expertise, Keim has been a pioneer by inventing mineral silicate paints in 1878. Today, we offer consultation services to help solve problems related to historic landmarks and are known as the go-to brand for more historic projects than any other paint brand. Mineral solutions are essential for historic masonry, as they are made from compatible materials and deliver extremely vapor-permeable paints and stains. Furthermore, Keim paints last a long time, reducing the need for frequent refinishing and minimizing disruptions. Choose Keim for your historic masonry preservation needs and experience their unparalleled quality and reliability.
Why Mineral Paints
Protecting our historic architectural legacy
1.
Won’t Flake or Peel
Masonry is naturally porous and requires mineral paint for preservation. The paint should also have a matte flat finish to maintain historical accuracy while being subtle and attractive. Keim offers many paint and stain options, some without modern ingredients like titanium dioxide for the most compatible finish.
3.
Lasts for Decades
Keim paints are famous for their durability. They use mineral silicate that turns to stone on the surface making it completely resistant to UV radiation. With every gallon of Keim paint, you can expect 20—30 years of beauty and durability, guaranteed.
2.
Paint that Breathes
Keim paints breathe and contain no plasticizers or plastic. Unlike latex/acrylic paints that use thermoplastic resins derived from petroleum, Keim paint is solely mineral based, making it highly vapor permeable. This ensures historic masonry walls can breathe, stay dry, and last longer. In contrast, latex/acrylic paints can trap moisture inside the historic surface causing blistering, peeling and premature degradation of the wall.
4.
Colors won’t Fade
Keim paints only use artist-grade mineral pigments, never synthetic tints. The earthen colors are inert and not impacted by sunlight, no matter how harsh the climate. The colors used are sourced from nature, with namesake colors like cobalt blue and nickel titanium yellow used in historical times.
Additional Resources
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.
KEIM. The paint of kings.
Keim paints were invented at the direction of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. You see, the King was enamored with the beautiful frescoes of Italy and wanted to decorate his fairy-tale castles in the same manner. The Alps were far too harsh a climate for lime-based frescoes, and he challenged the chemists of the era to develop paints that appear soft and beautiful like lime paints, but durable enough to stand up to the harsh winters of the Alps. In 1878, Adloph Wilhelm Keim won a coveted prize, but also the first patent for mineral silicate paints. So
you see, the legacy of Keim and many royal palaces and castles have been intertwined since Keim’s founding.
Today, Keim mineral silicate paints and stains are prized within the preservation community not only for their durability and compatibility with historic masonry, but also for their stunning beauty and depth of color. Here is a brief glimpse at some of the hundreds of castles and palaces across Europe that feature the durable beauty of Keim mineral paints.
Featured Conservation Project
A Partnership for Complete Success.
KEIM’s unsurpassed commitment to historic preservation powers our products and services. With 140 years of experience, you can trust KEIM for your masonry preservation project. Products that are time-tested and people whose expertise is at your fingertips.
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum, Savannah, GA
St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Charleston, SC
CONSERVATION RESOURCES AT KEIM
Material Analysis
Keim’s Conservation Lab allows us to expand our ability to make informed and accurate treatment recommendations for historic masonry. The lab is equipped with technology, but perhaps more importantly with personnel that are extremely experienced in evaluation and analysis of historic surfaces. Interior and exterior historic finishes are expertly evaluated and Keim’s factory trained and experienced sales/service team can perform on-site material sampling to determine the scope of analysis and preparation of specifications that are appropriate for each project.
Lab Services
- Ion Chromatography (salt analysis)
- Infrared spectroscopy
- UV Spectroscopy
- Paint layer stratigraphy
- Chemical composition
- Microscopy—cross section analysis
- Stucco/Mortar analysis
- Colorimetry and color matching
- Conservation treatment recommendations
