Solventborne binder compositions which include a copolymer obtained by reacting a mixture of monomers in the presence of an organic solvent, wherein the monomer mixture includes an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a vinyl ester monomer having a formula CH2CH—X—C(═O)—R, where R is a linear or branched alkyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, an aromatic group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, or R is bonded to X to form a 5- to 7-member ring, and X is O. Intumescent coatings containing the solventborne binder compositions, and substrates coated with the intumescent coatings are also disclosed.