May 5, 2023, 2:19 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
When it comes to the facade design of residential buildings, plaster is still the most commonly used material. Since this is often a decision that lasts for decades, a new coat of paint is occasionally needed. And because a house wall must withstand many stresses over time, there are some important points to consider when purchasing facade paint.
Often, when discussing color, the focus is on the interior design and wall decoration. But what if your house facade also needs a new coat of paint? After all, it must withstand various stresses for many decades while still looking appealing. Therefore, before buying new facade paint, it’s important to consider several relevant aspects.
Stresses a Facade Paint Must Withstand
While facade paints give a building an attractive appearance, they should primarily serve as a protective layer for the house. After all, the house holds significant monetary and emotional value for its residents and should last as long as possible. Over the decades, the facade faces several challenges. In addition to weather conditions such as heavy rain, hail, frost, or storms with flying branches, sunlight with its UV radiation also affects the paint’s substance.
Dust and dirt from exhaust fumes on nearby roads accumulate on a facade over time. Therefore, a facade paint must have sufficient coverage and adhesion. It should also be breathable to prevent moisture from accumulating in the building material. In areas where a house is more shaded, such as in a backyard or near forests, there is a risk of algae, moss, and even fungus growth on the facade.
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What Types of Facade Paints Are Available?
Technically, a plastered wall doesn’t require paint, but a coat of paint provides additional protection for a facade. Various facade paints are available for redesigning. These not only make a house wall look attractive but also make it more resistant to external influences. However, when purchasing, the focus shouldn’t necessarily be on price, as a low-quality product may require multiple coats. This could end up costing more and potentially compromise the quality of the house facade.
Silikat Paint
A facade paint based on silicate, also known as water glass paint, offers optimal color properties. With potassium water as a binder, it results in a rich color on the house wall. However, there are relatively few colors available for purchase. Silicate paint is also extremely robust, easily withstanding harsh weather conditions. Another strength of this facade paint, which belongs to the group of mineral paints, is its composition of organic ingredients, which provides no basis for algae, moss, and fungus growth.
Because silicate paint has an alkaline-caustic effect, it should only be applied with sufficient expertise and utmost care. This facade paint does not form its own layer but bonds inseparably with the mineral substrate, usually based on cement, resulting in silicification.
Dispersion Paint
Dispersion paint is a popular choice not only for interiors but also for house facades. It is relatively inexpensive and offers several useful properties. Dispersion paints have good breathability and are available in many different shades. However, this type of facade paint consists of a mixture of various plastics such as acrylates, ethylene, or styrene. These components do not dissolve or bond with each other but merely mix, requiring additional binders and solvents. Only by stirring before application do all ingredients temporarily bond, and as the drying process progresses, the water gradually disappears, forming a film-like coating on the facade.
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Silicone Resin Paint
In areas with frequent rainfall, silicone resin paint is recommended for house facades. This type of facade paint features the so-called lotus effect, making it extremely weather-resistant. Water droplets easily bead off surfaces coated with silicone resin paint, preventing moisture from penetrating the interior. Thanks to its water-repellent protective film, silicone resin paint is also resistant to algae, moss, and fungus growth.
However, because silicone-based paint contains microplastic particles, the house facade becomes dirty more quickly. As the surface of the small plastic particles opens under sunlight, it can better absorb dirt particles. When the air cools down later, the pores close again, along with the dirt. Silicone resin paint is available in a wide range of colors.