Coatings and articles containing the coatings that can be used as impact resistance thermal barriers in high temperature applications. The coatings comprise calcium silicate and an inorganic binder comprising an alkali silicate or a sol. The coating may optionally comprise fibers. Articles containing the coatings can be made by mixing together the calcium silicate, optionally the fibers, and either a solution of the alkali silicate or a sol to form a coating solution, applying the coating solution to at least the first major surface of a substrate, and hardening the coating solution by drying and curing the coating solution.