Acrylic coating is one of the most widely used finishing materials across UAE residential, commercial, and industrial projects due to its fast drying properties, UV stability, weather resistance, flexibility, and low VOC formulation. It is preferred by fit-out contractors, facility management teams, civil contractors, joinery units, waterproofing specialists, and façade maintenance companies across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Ajman.
This guide includes types, technical parameters, procurement considerations, market trends, price benchmarks, and supplier insights to help UAE buyers make accurate BOQ decisions.
LSI Keywords: acrylic emulsion paints, pure acrylic façade coating, styrene acrylic paint UAE, elastomeric roof coating UAE.
Acrylic coating offers high performance while staying economical.
| Advantage | Real Benefit for UAE Projects |
|---|---|
| Fast Drying | Better for malls, offices, schools, live sites |
| UV Resistant | No yellowing despite harsh Gulf sun |
| Low VOC | Easy consultant approvals + safe for indoor areas |
| Cost Effective | Lower AED/litre compared to PU & epoxy |
| Excellent Adhesion | Suitable for gypsum, concrete, metal & wood |
| Flexible Film | Prevents hairline cracks & peeling |
| Easy Recoat | FM teams reduce maintenance labour cost |
| Type of Acrylic Coating | Approx Price (AED/Litre) |
|---|---|
| Interior Acrylic | 45 – 70 AED/L |
| Exterior UV-Stable Acrylic | 65 – 130 AED/L |
| Acrylic Waterproofing Grade | 75 – 160 AED/L |
➡ BOQ orders reduce per-litre cost by 15–30%.
Acrylic coating used in the UAE must handle:
For this reason, many consultants specify pure acrylic over styrene-acrylic in exterior BOQs.
Procurement engineers in UAE typically check:
➡ Low-cost coatings often cause rework, increasing total labour cost by 2×.
Buildings now require repainting every 4–6 years due to weathering and Dubai Municipality standards.
Acrylic coating is ideal for cabins, containers, site offices, modular rooms due to its flexible film.
Consultants & government projects prefer non-toxic, water-based acrylics.
Epoxy is costly for non-industrial areas → acrylic is now the smart solution.
When approving acrylic coating submittals in UAE, verify:
This ensures the coating performs even in the toughest Gulf conditions.
| Common Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Peeling | Poor surface prep | Apply primer + cleaning |
| Fading | Low-quality acrylic | Use pure acrylic for exterior |
| Cracking | High heat + rigid film | Select flexible acrylic |
| Uneven finish | Wrong roller/technique | Use recommended tools |
| Poor adhesion on metal | No primer | Apply metal etch/anti-rust primer |
Consultants often demand:
Including these in tenders increases approval chances.
| Type | Strength | Ideal UAE Use |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | Balanced performance + value | Walls, façades, interiors |
| PU | Much harder + premium look | Furniture, automotive, high-end interior finishing |
| Epoxy | Chemical & impact resistant | Floors, warehouses, industrial workshops |
1) Is acrylic coating suitable for exterior walls in the UAE climate?
Yes. High-quality pure acrylic and UV-stable exterior acrylic coatings perform very well under UAE sunlight. They resist colour fading, peeling, chalking, and can withstand extreme temperatures common in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and coastal zones.
2) Is acrylic coating waterproof?
Not all acrylic coatings are waterproof. For waterproofing applications, always choose Acrylic Waterproofing Grade or Acrylic Elastomeric Coating, which provides elongation, crack-bridging ability, and resistance to rain, moisture, and ponding water.
3) What is the typical coverage of acrylic wall coating?
Acrylic coating typically covers 8–12 m² per litre, depending on:
Higher solid-content formulas give better coverage.
4) Is acrylic coating low VOC?
Most water-based acrylic coatings are low VOC, low odour, and compliant with consultant and municipality safety standards. This makes them suitable for:
5) Can acrylic coating be used on metal structures?
Yes. Acrylic coating can be applied on metal (MS railings, grills, gates, steel frames) when used after a proper metal primer such as zinc phosphate primer or anti-rust primer. This prevents corrosion and improves adhesion.
6) Does acrylic coating crack over time?
Acrylic coating will not crack if:
In high-heat UAE conditions, flexible acrylic performs best.
7) What colours are acrylic coatings available in?
Acrylic coatings are available in:
Large projects can request custom shade formulation.
8) Is acrylic coating cheaper than PU coating?
Yes. Acrylic coating is generally 20%–40% more economical per litre compared to PU (polyurethane) coatings. This makes acrylic the best choice for:
PU is used mainly when premium hardness or gloss is required.
9) Can acrylic coatings be used in malls or live retail environments?
Yes. Acrylic coatings are ideal for malls, retail stores, and public spaces because they dry fast, have very low odour, and allow quick turnaround without disrupting foot traffic.
10) Which suppliers provide BOQ pricing for acrylic coatings in the UAE?
The following suppliers regularly support BOQ-based enquiries:
These suppliers provide coverage charts, technical datasheets, and project-based quotations for contractors, consultants, and procurement engineers.
