What is Masonry Cream – What Do You Use it For?

Masonry cream is a deeply penetrating, breathable, and colorless water-repellent treatment applied to exterior walls of buildings to prevent penetrating damp.

It is a viscous, silicone-based (silane/siloxane) cream that soaks into porous building materials like brick, stone, concrete, and render, lining the pores without blocking them.

This high-performance one-coat treatment is smart too—as it blocks water from soaking in while still letting moisture breathe out, so your walls stay dry inside and out.

But before you grab a brush or make a trip to the hardware store, it helps to understand why this kind of protective upgrade matters and what it can really do for your walls. So, let’s break it down…

Benefits of Masonry Creams

Masonry creams might look simple, but they’re engineered with some serious science behind them.

Applied as a single-coat cream with a brush or roller, they penetrate deep into brick, stone, concrete, lime render, and most mineral surfaces.

Once absorbed, they chemically bond within the substrate to create long-term protection—without changing how your walls look. Here’s what makes them so effective:

1. Superior Waterproofing

These waterproofing creams form a hydrophobic, nano-scale barrier inside the masonry.

Instead of soaking in, rainwater beads up and rolls off from waterproof exterior walls—dramatically reducing moisture ingress, penetrating damp, and the risk of structural deterioration.

2. Breathable by Design

Unlike film-forming sealers or paints, masonry creams allow trapped water vapour to escape.

This prevents condensation buildup, frost-related spalling, and salt efflorescence—issues that often creep up when walls can’t “exhale.”

3. Invisible, Natural Finish

Though applied as a white cream, it dries completely clear.

No sheen, no colour shift, no plasticky coating. Your brick or stone keeps its original charm while quietly gaining a serious upgrade in protection.

4. Better Thermal Efficiency

Dry walls insulate up to twice as effectively as damp ones.

By keeping masonry dry, these creams reduce thermal bridging and improve heat retention—translating into noticeable energy savings, especially in older homes or exposed elevations.

5. Long-Term Durability

High-quality masonry creams (often BBA-certified) can last 20–30 years on a single application.

Their deep penetration means the protection doesn’t flake, peel, or weather away like conventional sealants.

6. Defence Against Biological Growth

By limiting moisture absorption, they naturally inhibit moss, algae, lichen, and mould growth—keeping your exterior cleaner for longer and eliminating the cycle of constant power-washing.

7. Flood & Freeze Protection

A wall that is dry is stronger. Masonry creams reduce the water load during heavy rain or flooding and drastically cut freeze–thaw damage, helping prevent crumbling, cracking, and long-term degradation.

Drawbacks of Masonry Protection Cream

Masonry creams do a lot of heavy lifting behind the scenes, but they’re not magic potions.

Like any building product, they come with their own set of limitations you should understand before committing.

1. Needs Bare, Absorbent Masonry

Masonry creams must sink deep into the surface to work. If your walls are painted, sealed, or coated, they simply can’t penetrate—meaning you’ll need to strip everything back first.

On extremely porous or crumbling bricks, absorption can also be patchy and less effective.

2. Cannot Fix Existing Damage

These creams are protective, not corrective. Cracks, missing mortar, rising damp, structural faults, or deteriorated substrates won’t be solved by a coat of cream. All repairs must be completed before the application.

3. Limited Against Certain Types of Damp

Masonry cream excels at blocking penetrating damp, but it won’t do anything for rising damp or moisture caused by internal leaks or condensation. It’s a shield—not a miracle cure.

4. Weather & Curing Dependent

Application requires dry, stable weather. Rain or freezing temps can affect absorption, and full curing takes days to weeks.

So if you’re hoping for instant waterproofing before a storm, you’re out of luck.

5. Higher Upfront Cost & No Aesthetic Change

High-quality creams are pricier than basic sealers, and they offer zero cosmetic enhancement. No shine, no colour correction—just invisible protection. Great for purists, less exciting for makeover seekers.

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What is the Best Masonry Cream You Can Use?

One popular brand that has proven to be exceptional in terms of quality, application, and durability is Stormdry.

Thanks to its deep penetration within the surface Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream provides a barrier against water intrusion and simultaneously prevents algae growth on brick, renders, stone, granite, and cement.

It also keeps away the damage that can occur due to harsh ultraviolet rays.

And here’s the kicker: Stormdry offers a 25-year, one-coat guarantee. That means, barring anything extreme, you’re covered for a solid quarter-century before even thinking about reapplying.

Depending on your location, you may not find Stormdry cream always available.

If that’s the case, ProPERLA Masonry Crème, Wykamol Dryseal, Emperor Masonry Creme, and Climashield Masonry Protection Cream (from Smartseal) are a few other popular brands that can work as a good substitute for Stormdry, recommended by builders.

Before choosing any product for external brick or stone facades, make sure it meets your specific needs—look for qualities like deep penetration, water resistance, UV protection, and longevity.

A bit of research goes a long way toward ensuring you’re getting a top-notch product that will keep your walls looking great and standing strong for years.

*Last update on 2026-03-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How to Apply Waterproofing Cream for Masonry?

Ready to give your brick walls a serious upgrade? With just masonry cream, a large roller, and a brush (for tight spots), you’re good to go.

1- Prep the surface: Begin by fixing any cracks or defects in the masonry – blown mortar joints and dirty cement need to be tackled first.

2- Clean thoroughly: Use a stiff brush to scrub away any algae or moss, making sure your airbricks are clear. Also, use brick acid that can restore the original color for a fresh, clean base.

3- Protect your space: Lay down a sheet to keep your floors clean and safe from any drips or spills.

4- Apply the cream: Use the roller to spread the cream, starting from the top and working your way down. It will leave behind a milky-white residue when wet. But once it dries, the color will clear away and blend into the wall naturally.

5- Finish with paint if required: If you’d like to paint over the cream, wait at least three days (but no more than ten). Use solvent-based paint, and test a small spot first to ensure compatibility.

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Alternatives to Masonry Protection Cream for Bricks and Walls

If you are looking for a less expensive option to protect your masonry surface, you can make your own cream/sealer using PVA glue and water.

Mix the two in equal amounts, and you have your DIY masonry cream ready to seal cement, bricks, concrete, stone, and masonry walls.

You can apply it in the same manner and do so reasonably quickly. While this mixture will only last about five years and not 25, it’s a fraction of the cost compared to most masonry cream products.

Depending on the material of your walls, the climatic conditions, and how much maintenance you’re willing to do overtime here are a few other effective substitutes you can try…

Silicone-Based Sealants: While they don’t penetrate as deeply as creams, they’re excellent for short-term moisture protection.

Acrylic Sealers: They add a slight sheen and can be a good choice if you want to enhance the appearance as well as protect the surface.

Limewash or Mineral Paints: These are traditional but effective coatings that offer some level of weatherproofing while allowing walls to breathe.

Options such as limewashing also provide a classic matte look, often chosen for historic buildings for aesthetic purposes.

Besides the above, there are products like silane-siloxane blends that provide a balance of water repellency and breathability.

Moreover, coatings such as epoxy or polyurethane provide a tough, waterproof layer on surfaces that need heavy-duty protection.

While typically used for concrete, they can also be applied to masonry if a very durable barrier is needed.

The Bottom Line

A masonry cream is an essential component for protecting your property, it not only enhances the aesthetics by keeping your walls looking fresh and vibrant but also plays a crucial role in preserving the long-term value of the property.

However, don’t just grab any old masonry cream for your brickwork—choose a high-quality product that truly lasts, especially if you’re leaving the natural look of the bricks unpainted.

A top contender in durability and effectiveness is Stormdry Cream which not only creates a robust barrier against water intrusion but even protects against UV damage on brick, render, stone, granite, and cement surfaces.