Sherwin-Williams Loxon paint typically costs about $50-$110 per gallon, depending on the product, color, and local pricing; a five-gallon pail commonly runs $250-$500. A professional masonry-painting project often totals $1.50-$4.50 per square foot, with surface repairs, primer, wall texture, and access affecting the quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loxon coating, per gallon | $50 | $80 | $110 | Product and color affect price |
| Five-gallon pail | $250 | $375 | $500 | Before sales tax or delivery |
| Coating materials per sq ft | $0.60 | $1.20 | $2.25 | Two coats; rough masonry uses more |
| Professional project per sq ft | $1.50 | $2.75 | $4.50 | Typical accessible exterior wall |
| 1,000-sq-ft wall project | $1,500 | $2,750 | $4,500 | Preparation and repairs vary |
What Loxon costs for a typical masonry coating job
Loxon is a Sherwin-Williams line rather than one paint formula. Loxon XP, a common exterior masonry coating, generally falls around $65-$110 per gallon at standard retail pricing. Masonry primers and conditioners often cost roughly $45-$85 per gallon. Local promotions, contractor pricing, color base, and product availability can change the register price, so a store quote is more reliable than a list-price assumption.
For an accessible 1,000-square-foot wall, a typical full professional job is about $2,000-$3,500 before unusual repairs. That estimate assumes sound concrete, stucco, or masonry; standard preparation; two finish coats; and ordinary residential access. Small jobs can cost more per square foot because setup, masking, and travel are spread over less area.
Product labels and technical data sheets specify coverage for each coating, and actual use depends heavily on porosity and texture. At 75-125 square feet per gallon per coat, two coats on 1,000 square feet may require about 16-27 gallons of finish coating. A smooth, previously painted surface may use less; porous block or heavily textured stucco may use more or require a separate primer.
Assumptions: U.S. mid-market pricing, ordinary access, two finish coats, and no major masonry repair.
How coating, labor, and surface prep shape the quote
A contractor quote can combine paint, primer, washing, repairs, masking, application, and cleanup. The table gives broad planning ranges for an accessible project; regional labor rates and the wall’s condition can move the total substantially.
| Quote item | Typical range | Pricing basis | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loxon finish coating | $65-$110 | Per gallon | Formula, color, and quantity |
| Masonry primer or conditioner | $45-$85 | Per gallon | Substrate and product selection |
| Application labor | $0.80-$2.50 | Per sq ft | Texture, height, and masking |
| Washing and basic prep | $0.20-$0.75 | Per sq ft | Soil, mildew, and peeling coating |
| Equipment and access | $100-$800 | Per project | Ladders, lift rental, and setup |
| Delivery and disposal | $0-$200 | Per project | Order size and local service |
Permit charges are not typical for repainting an existing wall, but local rules may apply when work includes structural repairs, historic properties, or a change to a regulated exterior finish. Taxes are additional where applicable. Repairing cracks, removing failed paint, and protecting landscaping may appear as separate line items or be included in a bundled labor rate.
Labor estimates can be checked with a simple calculation: . For example, a two-person crew working 16 combined labor hours at $45-$75 per hour implies $720-$1,200 in labor before overhead, materials, and equipment. That is a comparison tool, not a substitute for a written scope.
Why wall texture and coverage change gallons needed
The coating’s coverage rate is one of the biggest material-cost variables. A smooth, sealed wall may approach the upper end of the label’s coverage range, while porous concrete block, rough stucco, and exposed aggregate can consume more. For planning, two coats at 75-125 square feet per gallon per coat translate to roughly 38-63 finished square feet per gallon.
A rough wall can nearly double the finish-paint quantity compared with a smooth wall of the same measured area. On 1,000 square feet, that means roughly 16-27 gallons for two coats under the stated coverage assumptions, or about $1,040-$2,970 for finish paint at $65-$110 per gallon. This is a broad materials estimate, not a guarantee of coverage.
Wall area and details also matter. A 1,500-square-foot facade requires 50% more coating than a 1,000-square-foot facade at the same coverage. Deducting large windows and doors may reduce gallons, but masking and trim work can add labor. A change from one finish color to a deep or bright shade may also require a different base or additional coats.
Substrate condition can trigger extra products. New or chalky masonry may need a compatible conditioner or primer; existing paint that is sound may not. Cracks wider than hairline openings, active water intrusion, or loose coating need correction before painting. Applying a water-resisting coating over a damp or failing wall can undermine adhesion, so a contractor may recommend a moisture assessment rather than simply adding paint.
How regional labor rates shift Loxon project totals
Paint prices are not identical across the country, and contractor labor generally creates the larger regional difference. As a practical estimate, labor-intensive projects in high-cost coastal metros can run 15%-35% above a mid-market quote. Smaller towns and lower-cost regions may come in 10%-20% below it, although long travel distances or limited contractor availability can offset savings.
For a straightforward 1,000-square-foot wall estimated at $2,750 in a mid-market area, a comparable coastal quote might land around $3,160-$3,710. A lower-cost market could be closer to $2,200-$2,475. These are planning comparisons, not fixed regional rates; surface condition, access, and scope must match for the percentages to be useful.
Climate affects the work schedule more than the can price. Rain, high humidity, extreme temperatures, or strong direct sun can limit application windows and drying time. A contractor may schedule extra visits or postpone work to meet product application requirements, especially on large exteriors. Ask whether the estimate includes weather delays and return trips, and confirm that the proposed temperature and moisture conditions suit the selected Loxon product.
How many labor hours do masonry walls usually take
A crew might spend 1-2 days on a small, prepared 300-500-square-foot wall, while a 1,000-1,500-square-foot exterior can take 2-5 working days. Time covers washing, drying, masking, minor repairs, primer if needed, two coats, and cleanup. The actual schedule depends on crew size and weather, and drying intervals may extend elapsed time beyond hands-on labor.
Professional painters commonly charge roughly $45-$85 per labor hour per worker when quoted hourly, though many price masonry work by the square foot or as a fixed project. Tall walls, narrow side yards, steep ground, and extensive masking slow production. A lift can add about $200-$800 per project, including rental and delivery in some markets; a multi-story building or difficult setup may cost more.
Ask for the measured wall area, estimated gallons, number of coats, and preparation steps in writing. This helps distinguish a lower quote that omits washing or primer from a genuinely more efficient bid. The estimate should also state whether crack filling, caulking, masking, cleanup, and disposal of loose coating are included.
When Loxon XP makes sense over primer or standard paint
Loxon XP is a masonry coating intended for exterior concrete, stucco, and similar surfaces; it is not interchangeable with every product in the Loxon line. A primer or conditioner prepares a substrate but is not generally a substitute for the specified finish coating. Standard exterior paint may cost less, but the right choice depends on the wall, moisture exposure, and the product’s approved use.
For a 1,000-square-foot wall, Loxon finish paint at $65-$110 per gallon may use roughly $1,040-$2,970 in coating under the two-coat coverage assumptions. A lower-priced exterior coating at $35-$65 per gallon might reduce the paint bill, but it may not offer the same specified masonry performance. Compare the exact product data and surface suitability rather than comparing can prices alone.
Repair can be cheaper than recoating the full facade when damage is limited. Small isolated patches may need only compatible repair materials and touch-up paint, whereas widespread peeling, chalking, or water-related failure usually calls for broader preparation. If the wall has active leaks or persistent dampness, correcting the source first is generally more economical than paying to repaint a surface likely to fail again.
Three Loxon quote examples for different wall sizes
These examples show how wall area, texture, and access affect a plausible installed price. They assume two finish coats and ordinary regional labor, but actual contractor bids can differ. The finish-paint quantities use a planning range of 38-63 square feet per gallon for two coats.
| Project | Specs | Paint estimate | Labor and other work | Example total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small garage wall | 400 sq ft, smooth, ground level | 7-11 gal; $455-$1,210 | 12-18 hours; $600-$1,350, plus $150-$350 prep | $1,200-$2,900 |
| Typical stucco exterior | 1,000 sq ft, moderate texture | 16-27 gal; $1,040-$2,970 | 30-45 hours; $1,350-$3,000, plus $250-$700 prep | $2,700-$6,700 |
| Large block facade | 1,800 sq ft, porous, lift access | 29-48 gal; $1,885-$5,280 | 55-80 hours; $2,475-$5,600, plus $700-$1,500 access and prep | $5,100-$12,400 |
These examples use broad material and labor ranges, so the high end reflects more paint, slower production, and added access or preparation rather than a guaranteed premium product. A written bid should identify whether primer is included and whether the quoted wall area is measured gross or after openings are deducted.
Where to reduce the Loxon bill without cutting needed prep
Measure the wall and request separate prices for washing, repairs, primer, and finish coats. A clear scope makes contractor bids comparable and prevents a low per-square-foot rate from hiding excluded work. Confirm the product name, number of coats, estimated gallons, and whether the quote covers masking, cleanup, and delivery.
Buying the right quantity can reduce per-gallon expense if a larger pail has a lower unit price, but avoid ordering far more than the job needs. Color changes, leftover product, and extra coats can erase the savings. Ask the Sherwin-Williams store or contractor to calculate gallons from the actual wall area and substrate, then allow a modest reserve for touch-ups rather than buying an arbitrary surplus.
Scheduling during a contractor’s less-busy period may improve availability or pricing, but exterior work still needs suitable weather. Combining nearby masonry repairs or painting with other planned exterior work can reduce setup and mobilization charges. Do not skip washing, drying, crack repair, or primer where the product specification calls for it; those steps address the common causes of premature peeling and repainting.
Finally, compare at least three itemized quotes and check that each uses a compatible Loxon product for the same substrate. A bid that is $500 lower may reflect one coat instead of two, less preparation, or an unrealistic coverage assumption. The lowest total is meaningful only when the scope, warranty terms, and surface preparation are comparable.