How to Apply External Wall Coatings

Thanks to the changing British weather and the various punishments which buildings suffer, many home owners now choose to use external wall coatings to not only protect their home and prolong its life but also add a more attractive finish than elderly and failing brickwork.

There is significant choice concerning wall coatings; however, many people now choose some of the more modern wall coverings which are specially formulated and strengthened and thus able to last up to fifteen years and which, unlike traditional rendering, are simply applied like a paint. The huge advantage of using these more modern coverings is their lifespan; this enables the homeowner to simply apply and then forget about them, unlike the case with masonry paint, which often needs regular updating.

For those people who choose to use these more modern wall coatings, there are two main methods of application.

By Brush

Many people favour this process of applying wall coatings, as it allows them to add texture. Brushing on paint also ensures that the person doing so can paint in tight corners and spaces, unlike the case with using a spray, which could lead them to either miss those smaller spaces or fail to keep their paintwork neat without the aid of masking tape.

Painting on these wall coatings is a time-consuming task. Hence, many people choose to do it over many days, through which they tackle one small area at a time before proceeding to the following area once one has been completed. The reason for this concerns the very high thickness of the wall coating, which is in some instances 15 times as thick as ordinary masonry paint. Hence, the task of applying the coating by hand can be extremely laborious.

When applying wall coatings by brush, it is essential to ensure that the underlying surface, whether brickwork or existing render, is free of any loose particles and completely clean. Any grease, dust or other dirt might cause the paint to fail to adhere. Many people choose to first clean the area thoroughly using a spray or hose and some even choose to use a power washer to ensure any loose areas are completely erased. However, caution should be exercised in this case, as the surface may not be as strong as it appears and so the washer's high pressure could damage the surface.

Once the surface has been completely prepared, the wall coating can be painted onto the area in question.

By Spray

As has already been mentioned, the task of adding wall coatings by brush can be extremely long and laborious and so many people choose to instead use air spraying machines which allow them to cover larger surface areas faster and more evenly. Although spraying leaves little texture due to the coating going on completely evenly, the task is completed much faster with the use of a powerful jet spray.