Heritage & Monuments Preservations

Creating what is beautiful and preserving what is valuable with KEIM mineral paints.

Silicate System for Heritage

Keim mineral paints for heritage buildings offers significant benefits in preserving and enhancing historical monuments.

These products are known for their exceptional durability, breathability and environmental friendliness, making it an ideal choice for the maintenance of historic structures. Unlike conventional coatings, Keim paints are silicate-based and chemically bond with mineral substrates, allowing moisture to escape while preventing water penetration, which is essential for the longevity of old masonry and stonework.

Exceptional Durability in Local Conditions

South Africa’s heritage buildings face intense sun, variable rainfall and coastal humidity in certain regions. Keim mineral paints are highly resistant to UV light, weathering and pollutants, making them ideal for these diverse climates.

They provide long-lasting protection for Cape Dutch homesteads, Victorian-era structures and stone-built monuments across the countries beautiful landscape.

Breathability and Moisture Management

Many historical buildings in South Africa are built with lime-based mortars and porous stone that need to release moisture naturally. Keim silicate paints chemically bond to these mineral substrates, allowing trapped moisture to escape while preventing external water penetration. This helps prevent structural damage caused by rising damp, a common issue within Southern Africa.

Furthermore, Keim paints are free from harmful chemicals, aligning with conservation principles, practices and protection of heritage sites.

To Future Generations

By using Keim paints, restorers and conservators can ensure that heritage buildings are not only protected from environmental damage but also retain their historical character and visual appeal for future generations.

"It is my aspiration to always be able to convey to future generations the unchanged splendour and beauty of the artistic creations as eloquent witnesses of the respective era."

- Adolf Wilhelm Keim, pioneer of silicate technology in 1881

Colour Stability and Cultural Preservation

Keim paints use natural mineral pigments that resist fading under Africa’s strong sunlight. This ensures that heritage sites like missions, churches, sandstone buildings and other historic urban facades maintain their authentic colours for decades.

Consistent colour stability helps preserve the visual character of iconic sites.

Environmentally Friendly and Aligned with Conservation Principles

Many heritage buildings are in sensitive environments, from the Karoo to coastal reserves. Keim paints are free from harmful chemicals, making them a safe choice for protecting both the structures and their surroundings.

Their non-toxic nature also ensures no impact on delicate historical substrates.

Low Maintenance and Long-Term Cost Savings

The extended lifespan of Keim paints reduces the frequency and cost of restoration projects which is beneficial for heritage councils, museums and private custodians of historical properties.

By minimizing maintenance needs, these paints support sustainable heritage management, ensuring South Africa’s architectural legacy endures for future generations.

The Invention of silicate paints

Neuschwanstein Castle (UNESCO Heritage Site), the legendary creation of King Ludwig II, faced the challenges of the region's harsh alpine climate, characterised by icy winters, heavy snowfall and relentless rain. To ensure the fairy-tale fortress could withstand the elements for generations, a durable solution was needed.

Using Keim mineral colours and protection systems the castle’s natural stone facades achieve a remarkable combination of durability and beauty, allowing the surfaces to breathe naturally while resisting the weathering. The fusion of visionary architecture, the majestic power of the Alps and the scientific ingenuity of Keim’s silicate paint makes Neuschwanstein Castle both a historical wonder and a triumph of art and chemistry.

DISCOVER MORE

fire-resistant and non-combustible

KEIM Mineral Paints possess many qualities that are inherent due to their ingredients, composition, and manufacturing process. One such quality that is becoming increasingly significant is its non-combustibility, meaning that it does not support the spread of flame and nor does it give off any noxious emissions.

KEIM Mineral Paints and renders are incombustible due to their organic composition and are therefore ideal for use in safety critical public areas such as underground stations and tunnels, airports, schools, hospitals, hotels as well as residential high-rise buildings.

There is a difference between fire resistant and fire retardant paints:

▼ Fire resistant, such as KEIM do not melt, or drip when exposed to extreme heat; their integral nature prevent the passage of fire from one area to another and they are able to withstand heat or energy for a given period of time.

▼ Fire retardant paint on the other hand is used to slow down the spread or growth of a fire by using materials that are chemically treated to inhibit the flame or form a protective layer.

OVERVIEW OF KEIM

DURABLE AND COLOUR STABLE

▼ Lifespan of KEIM Facade Coating: Can last at least 20 years, often twice as long, with some examples lasting over 100 years.

▼ Color Fade Resistance: Facade paint does not fade due to the use of lightfast, inorganic pigments.

EXTREMELY VAPOUR PERMEABLE

▼ Moisture Management: Silicate paints are highly vapor permeable, allowing moisture to escape and preventing damage.

▼ Biological Resistance: Alkaline composition inhibits algae, fungi, and mold growth without biocides.

▼ Dirt Repellency: Silicate coatings resist dirt particle adhesion, ensuring long-term cleanliness.

ECOLOGICAL AND HEALTHY:

▼ Sustainability: KEIM products are environmentally friendly throughout their entire life cycle.

▼ Health Benefits: KEIM interior paints are free from solvents, plasticizers, and preservatives, making them suitable for allergy sufferers and children.

▼ Product Quality: KEIM mineral paints are recognized for their outstanding ecological profile and have been tested and certified by numerous institutes.