A façade is a general term for the last layer of a building’s external wall. It performs important functions. It decorates and complements the architectural style of the house and garden and, above all, it protects against negative external influences. Among the most popular ways of finishing a façade is plastering. In this article, we will take a look at the types of plaster and the methods of applying them. We will also touch upon the subject of painting a plastered façade and its maintenance. We encourage you to read on.
Plaster for facades versus building insulation
Plastering the façade has far more advantages than disadvantages. The plasters are relatively cheap and easy to apply. Any type of wall can be plastered, irrespective of the chosen method of building insulation.
The key to success, i.e. achieving a durable, aesthetically pleasing and weather-resistant façade, is choosing the right plaster. For example, mineral, silicate, silicone and hydrophilic plasters have parameters suitable for mineral wool insulation. Acrylic plasters are more commonly used on polystyrene insulation.
Caution: Acrylic plaster has parameters unsuitable for wool.
Do you want to know how to insulate a house with polystyrene foam step by step? Go to OBI handbook >>
What plaster should I choose for the façade?
Did you know that the choice of render affects how much effort it will take to keep your façade in good condition in the future? When choosing a render for a façade, be guided by the location of the building. A house located next to a busy street is exposed to dirt, to which silicone render is the most resistant. It does not absorb dirt from the air and is able to clean itself during rainfall.
Silicate and hydrophilic plast ers are recommended for use on buildings close to bodies of water or near green areas that affect increased humidity, as well as on walls facing north. These plasters have resistance to microbiological contamination and do not collect green deposits.
Mineral plaster is the cheapest exterior plaster on the market. Its advantages include its durability and versatility – it is suitable for covering wool and polystyrene foam. Over time, discolouration occurs on the surface, which must be painted over in order to maintain the facade’s attractive appearance.
Fine plasters (pebble, mosaic) are the most attractive way to finish a façade. They are used on the whole building or to decorate selected elements – door and window surrounds and corners. In addition to their decorative qualities, stucco plasters are easy to keep clean and do not lose their colour over a long period of time. They are also resistant to weather conditions.
We can also divide the plasters according to their texture, which can be smooth, scratched or rough (so-called lambda). For buildings that are more exposed to dirt due to their location, it is recommended to choose the lambskin plaster type, as it is easier to clean.
Go to OBI’s guide and find out more about plasters for home facades >>.
How to clean a house façade?
No matter how stain-resistant a render you choose, the façade will need a bit of care over time – cleaning and possibly refreshing the colour or completely changing the look of the house from the outside.
One of the most important maintenance activities for the façade is to inspect its condition. Check it at least once a year, after winter, for cracks and cavities. If the façade is in good condition, it is time to wash it. The best and easiest way to do this is with a pressure washer and a specialist plaster cleaner.
Go to the compendium of knowledge on house façade cleaning: https://www.obi.pl/porady-i-inspiracje/mieszkac/sciany-podlogi-sufity/mycie-elewacji >>.
Annual cleaning with a pressure washer and the use of protective preparations is usually sufficient and prevents the growth of mould. However, if larger clusters of fungi have appeared on the building, remove them mechanically by applying a biocide with a rice brush on a boom.
If you notice cracks or cavities in the plaster on the façade, abandon pressure washing. Carry out the cleaning mechanically and fill the cavities with repair compound.
How and with what should the render on the façade be painted?
Most ready-mix plasters are available in a range of colours to choose from. This means that you can forget about painting the façade for many years until the appearance of the façade becomes dull, the colour fades, discolouration occurs or the render needs repairing.
The exception is mineral render, which must be painted, even if it is tinted. Paint on mineral plaster provides an additional protective barrier against contamination and salt efflorescence. It also makes it possible to even out unevenness in the colour of the render mass. Before painting, the facade should be coated with a primer.
Painting over an older façade should always be preceded by checking for damage. Old, peeling paint must be removed. The defects should be repaired with the same mortar that was used for the façade.
Before painting an old façade, it should be cleaned and treated with a suitable protective product. The next step is priming. The primer reduces the absorbency of the substrate so that the paint covers better, which saves wear and tear.
It is advisable to choose a sunny day for painting the façade. The paint can be applied with a roller, brush or – in the case of a larger area – with a spray gun.
Which façade paint should I choose?
First of all, think about the colour. Will it match its surroundings and work well with the architectural style of the building and the garden. If you want to be extravagant, opt for striking façade elements rather than covering the entire façade in a flashy colour.
The colour doesn’t stop there. The façade paint should be matched to the type of render. To do it right, use the following download.
Which paints go with which type of render?
- Acrylic render – acrylic paint.
- Mineral render – acrylic, silicone or siloxane paint.
- Silicone render – silicone fabra.
- Siloxane render – siloxane paint.
Choosing the right paint will increase the chance that the façade will remain in excellent condition for a long time.
You can read about how to choose paint to protect your home’s façade in the OBI guide >>.
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