Sherwin-Williams Loxon typically costs about $45-$120 per gallon, depending on the product, finish, and store pricing; painting a masonry wall can bring the total to roughly $2-$6 per square foot. Product choice, surface porosity, repairs, access, and local labor rates make the largest difference to a project estimate.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loxon coating, per gallon | $45 | $75 | $120 | Product and discount vary by location |
| Coverage, per gallon | 75 sq ft | 100 sq ft | 350 sq ft | Depends heavily on texture and product |
| Installed masonry painting | $2 per sq ft | $3.75 per sq ft | $6 per sq ft | Includes typical labor and coating |
| DIY coating for 500 sq ft | $300 | $550 | $900 | Paint and basic supplies, before repairs |
Assumptions: U.S. pricing estimates for typical retail or contractor purchases; actual Sherwin-Williams prices and coverage depend on product, local promotions, and wall condition.
What Loxon costs for common masonry projects
Sherwin-Williams sells several Loxon products, so there is no single price per gallon for the product line. As a planning range, many buyers can budget $45-$120 per gallon for Loxon masonry coatings, with specialty formulations and current shelf prices affecting the final quote. Retail prices may be higher than discounted contractor or sale prices.
Loxon XP is a high-build exterior masonry coating, while other Loxon products are intended for masonry priming, sealing, or particular substrate needs. A primer or conditioner may cost roughly $35-$85 per gallon; a finish coating commonly runs about $50-$120 per gallon. Check the exact product name and current product data sheet before comparing prices, because products with similar labels do different jobs.
Paint quantity is as important as the sticker price. On smooth, sealed masonry, one gallon may cover roughly 250-350 square feet for some products. Rough, porous, or unpainted block can take about 75-150 square feet per gallon, and a second coat may be required for the intended performance or appearance. Follow the product label for coverage and coat requirements rather than relying on the best-case coverage figure.
For a 500-square-foot wall, a smooth surface might take about 2-4 gallons for one coat, while rough block could take 4-7 gallons. At $50-$100 per gallon, coating material alone could therefore run about $100-$700, before primer, sundries, delivery, or labor. Assumptions: One coat for the quantity illustration; real coverage varies by substrate, application method, and product.
How primer, coating, labor, and prep shape a quote
A contractor’s estimate can include more than cans of Loxon. Surface washing, patching, masking, access equipment, primer, and disposal may add substantially to the bill. The table gives typical U.S. planning ranges; small jobs and difficult elevations can exceed the per-square-foot figures.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Loxon coating | $50-$120 per gallon | Formulation, sheen, color, and discount |
| Masonry primer or conditioner | $35-$85 per gallon | Substrate absorption and compatibility |
| Labor for application | $1.25-$3.50 per sq ft | Coats, texture, height, and masking |
| Cleaning and surface preparation | $0.30-$1.50 per sq ft | Efflorescence, mildew, loose paint, and repairs |
| Equipment and access | $100-$600 per project | Ladders, lift rental, setup, and site access |
| Patch or crack repair | $2-$8 per linear ft | Crack width, depth, and repair material |
Labor may be priced by area or time. For an hourly estimate, a painter might charge around $40-$85 per hour, with a helper or specialty access work affecting the crew rate. A two-person crew working 12-20 hours at a blended $55-$90 per hour would represent approximately $1,320-$3,600 in labor, before materials and any minimum service charge.
Ask for separate line items for coating, primer, preparation, and access so the estimate makes clear whether it includes one or two coats and whether repairs are included. Contractors may also add a minimum charge of roughly $300-$800 for a small job because setup and travel take time even when the wall is limited.
Why block texture and wall size change Loxon coverage
The biggest material-cost swing is often the wall itself. A smooth, previously coated surface may use several times less paint per square foot than rough concrete block. Unpainted block, open mortar joints, and highly porous concrete draw in coating unevenly, which can require extra product or a separate primer. A $75 gallon can cost $0.21 per square foot at 350-square-foot coverage, but $1 per square foot at 75-square-foot coverage.
Project size changes the unit price, too. A 100-square-foot repair area may cost more per square foot than a 1,000-square-foot wall because preparation, color matching, and setup do not shrink in direct proportion to the surface. Walls above 15-20 feet, complex corners, or restricted access may require scaffolding or a lift, potentially adding $200-$1,000 or more depending on rental duration and location.
Coat count matters. If the project changes from one finish coat to two, coating quantities and application labor can nearly double, although preparation and equipment charges are usually not repeated in full. Dark-to-light color changes, uneven previous paint, or a porous surface may also make additional coverage necessary. Ask the estimator to specify the planned number of coats and the assumed coverage per gallon.
Measure the actual paintable area and identify the surface condition before comparing gallon prices. For a simple rectangular wall, multiply width by height and subtract large openings. Then calculate gallons using a conservative coverage figure for the particular Loxon product and wall texture, adding a modest allowance for touch-ups and waste.
Three Loxon project estimates with different wall conditions
These examples show how the same product family can produce different budgets. They are illustrative estimates, not fixed Sherwin-Williams prices, and do not include unusually extensive masonry repair or local taxes.
| Project | Material and coverage | Labor assumption | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small, smooth wall, 250 sq ft | 2-3 gallons at $55-$95; $110-$285 | 6-9 hours; $350-$700 | $550-$1,200 |
| Typical block wall, 600 sq ft | 6-10 gallons at $55-$100; $330-$1,000 | 16-24 hours; $900-$1,800 | $1,500-$3,400 |
| Rough exterior masonry, 1,200 sq ft | 14-24 gallons at $55-$110; $770-$2,640 | 30-48 hours; $1,800-$4,000 | $3,200-$8,000 |
The small-wall example assumes sound, reasonably accessible masonry and limited masking. The typical wall allows for rougher block, more paint, and ordinary preparation. The larger project allows for greater coverage uncertainty and access needs; a lift or extensive repairs could push its total above the range.
Material totals in the table cover the coating allowance, not necessarily a separate primer, specialized sealant, or patching compound. Ask whether the contractor’s proposed Loxon product is self-priming for that substrate and whether the estimate includes required primer. A written scope that names the product and coat count is more useful than a single lump-sum price.
How regional labor rates affect exterior masonry pricing
Labor rates and access costs can vary by market. Large metropolitan areas and high-cost coastal markets may run about 15%-35% above a national-style estimate, while some rural markets may be 10%-20% below it. The difference is not guaranteed: a shortage of experienced masonry painters, travel distance, or a small local contractor pool can make a rural quote expensive.
For a 600-square-foot block wall estimated at $2,100 in a moderate-cost market, a comparable job might land around $2,400-$2,850 in a high-cost metro or $1,700-$1,900 in a lower-cost area. These comparisons assume similar preparation, product, access, and coat count. A local quote should be compared against another quote from the same area, not just a national online average.
Climate and season can affect scheduling more than the price per gallon. Exterior coatings need suitable surface and weather conditions, and rain, extreme temperatures, or high humidity can delay work. Busy exterior-painting periods may reduce contractor availability and increase scheduling pressure. For an accurate regional comparison, request at least two estimates with matching specifications.
When masonry cleaning, repairs, and access add charges
Paint should not be used to cover active moisture problems, loose coating, or deteriorating masonry. Washing, scraping, and drying are common prep tasks, but chalking, efflorescence, mildew, and failed sealant need the right treatment. Basic cleaning may add roughly $0.30-$0.80 per square foot; more demanding prep and repairs can push the combined preparation charge toward $1.50 per square foot or more.
Crack filling and mortar repair are often quoted separately. Minor cracks might cost about $2-$8 per linear foot to prepare and fill, while damaged joints, spalled block, or recurring water intrusion may require a masonry trade before coating begins. A painter should identify such conditions rather than treating every defect as a routine paint-prep item.
Height and site access can be major expenses. A one-story wall that can be reached from the ground or a ladder may need little equipment. A second-story wall, steep grade, landscaping, or an obstructed work zone can add $200-$1,000 or more for scaffolding, lift rental, delivery, and setup. Have access charges and repair allowances listed separately before approving the work.
Loxon XP or masonry primer for the planned wall
Loxon XP and Loxon primer products should not be treated as interchangeable price options. XP is a finish coating designed for masonry applications; a primer or conditioner is used to prepare or seal a substrate as specified for the project. Choosing a cheaper primer alone does not provide a finished, weather-resistant paint system, and a finish coating may not eliminate the need for primer on every surface.
As a broad comparison, a masonry primer or conditioner may cost $35-$85 per gallon, while a Loxon finish coating may fall around $50-$120 per gallon. The primer can appear cheaper per can, but the relevant comparison is the complete specified system, including coats, coverage, and expected maintenance. Product labels and technical data sheets determine compatible substrates and application requirements.
For a sound, previously painted wall, the needed system may differ from bare concrete block or a highly porous surface. Ask the painter or Sherwin-Williams store to confirm the exact product, whether a separate primer is recommended, and the expected coverage on the actual masonry. Compare the cost of the complete coating system, not just the lowest gallon price.
Ways to reduce a Loxon painting estimate without cutting corners
Control the area and work scope first. Separate necessary masonry repair from optional repainting, and avoid including sound surfaces simply because a crew is already on site. If several walls or buildings need coating, request a bundled quote; setup costs may be shared, although the discount depends on the contractor and access requirements.
Prepare the site where practical. Moving furniture, trimming obstructive vegetation, and providing clear access can reduce crew time. Pressure washing or scraping should be left to the contractor when the work risks forcing water into masonry or damaging the surface; poor preparation can lead to coating failure and a more expensive correction.
Compare quotes using the same product, area, preparation, number of coats, and access plan. A quote with a lower price per gallon may require more coats or less coverage than another proposal. Ask whether leftover unopened paint is included in the estimate and who keeps it. Scheduling during a contractor’s less busy period may improve availability, but weather suitability should still control the application date.
Skip upgrades that do not address a real exposure or substrate need, but do not substitute a generic interior or non-masonry paint for an exterior masonry coating. The most dependable savings come from avoiding unnecessary scope and preventing premature failure, not from underbuying paint.