What to choose between architectural coatings or paint?
When the time for renovations arrives, we wonder which product to use. The market offers different exterior cladding options, all with characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Wall coatings are among them, but, are they really any different than the paints found at the home improvement center? Let’s see this.
Welcome to our new article “Using Architectural Coatings or Paint”.
What are exterior acrylic coatings?
The phrase “exterior wall cladding” is, for most people, pretty self-explanatory.
The first difference between architectural coatings and paint is that the former is an exterior coating, yet paint is only a product to beautify the coating. It is obviously an elastomeric coating, for the exterior walls of a building, but is it really that simple?
This article explains in detail what a wallcovering really is by definition, and the advantages of having one. If you want to find out the differences between acrylic plasters and traditional stucco, here is the link.
For starters, acrylic wallcoverings are also referred to as elastomers (wallcoverings), textured coatings, textured coatings, stucco coatings, and of course, acrylic coatings.
So they are designed to replicate ordinary house paint, but with advanced features not found in traditional paints.
Did you know that:
Textured exterior wall coverings were originally designed by the US military; the objective is to quickly coat the exterior of military bases in countries with hot climates.
These characteristics may include the following:
- color fastness;
- waterproofing;
- protection against damage from UV rays;
- air barrier;
- water barrier;
- ecological components.
It must be said that a common characteristic of all of them is the fact that they are designed to last several times longer than exterior paint.
If you arrived here looking for a company that manufactures coatings here, for the most rigorous requirements, visit our catalog now.
Why a coating and not paint?
First, an exterior wall coating such as acrylic sealer is a long-lasting replacement for masonry paint, but with two main functions or characteristics, whereas traditional masonry paint has only one characteristic: decoration.
So a typical exterior wall coating has the dual benefit of being both decorative and protective, which sets the system apart from masonry paint in terms of durability and longevity.
Using architectural sealers or paint is not a difficult decision, considering the differences between these two products.
Since paint seems like an inexpensive material, and painting the exterior walls of your home with masonry paint can make it look great, this feature will only last a few years at best before the paint starts to wear off. degrade.
The main benefit of having exterior wall cladding applied to your home is the fact that not only will it be aesthetically pleasing, like paint, but it will continue to look attractive for at least 2 decades.
Preparation is the key to a well-executed plaster job.
Above all, this means that any defects in the walls of the building, such as cracks or loose plaster, must be repaired before an exterior wall coating is applied.
Well-known brands of exterior of exterior wall coverings available in Canada include Texnov, a Canadian company that manufactures products ready for the harshest of climates.
Although exterior wall coverings are now environmentally safe, they once contained asbestos, as shown in this vintage Canadian advertisement.
Did you know that wall coverings once contained asbestos? Thank goodness we have moved on since the 1960s. Pictured above was a Canadian company in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Are all wallcoverings sold as “professional only”?
Yes and no.
Let’s start by reviewing, a textured wallcovering is a special type of enhanced product that needs to be applied by trained installation crews.
Typically, the wallcoverings of yesteryear for consumers were just paint with some form of added enhancement. Fortunately, the quality of “pro” products and “do-it-yourselfer” products are increasingly efficient.
It must be said that a wallcovering installed by a passionate handyman will in no way reach the quality of application that a wallcovering installed by a professional would have, and no guarantee will be offered either.
As a result, the application of wallcovering without specialized training and knowledge can involve many hazards and risks that far outweigh the financial savings to the customer.
To learn more, please read the article: “ doing business with an entrepreneur”
Doing business with professionals
A professional exterior wall coating application would normally include preparation work such as repairs to existing plaster or substrate, removal of old paint and cleaning of walls, repair of cracks, replacement of pebbles, the masking of doors, pipes and windows, in addition.
In conclusion, exterior wall coverings can be applied with either a trowel or a gravity gun. Everything will depend on the desired result.
Exterior wall coverings also have a very good hiding power compared to paint.
In fact, there are a number of things that affect the covering power of a paint, such as the color of the paint used and the quality of the paint, as well as the thickness of the product when applied.
There are also wall coatings for interiors and is often used in residential, industrial and commercial construction as they can be much more hygienic and easier to clean than normal paint.
Buy local for local conditions
Exterior wall coverings are manufactured by different paint manufacturers and in several countries around the world. So which one to choose?
Of note, many of these products manufactured abroad are specially formulated to meet the climatic conditions and ambient temperatures of that specific country.
Let’s put for example, products made in countries with a milder climate than ours, this product will have less acrylic ingredients, because in this country the exterior of the buildings is not exposed to a harsh climate than ours. . Consequently, during freeze-thaw cycles, this foreign product will easily crack and peel quickly.
Wall coverings are also suitable for the typical or most common form of house construction in a specific country.
An example would be European masonry cladding which is best suited to the typical Italian or Spanish home, which is traditionally built of brick, plaster or cobblestone.
In conclusion, for a balanced and unbiased opinion, TexNov Acrylic Coating (Fine or Regular) is another high quality exterior wall coating that benefits from these waterproof and highly decorative properties.
The insulating qualities of an acrylic exterior wall cladding mean that it can protect the exterior of any typical home you will find here, from erosion, moisture and general weathering, whilst also reducing the wind chill, cold interior walls and lower heating bills.
Some featured products
High-end foreign products can be compared and contrasted with another high-quality exterior wall cladding product such as Texnov Premium Sand-Tex.
Indeed , Texnov Premium Sand-Tex is an acrylic floor finish (ideal for garages and walls) with a fine round grain texture. For exterior and interior use, applying on Base Coatings such as: TexNov Premium 200 , TexNov Premium 200 LT , TexNov Premium 200 PRX . To learn more, please visit the datasheet here.
Other countries around the world have their own wallcovering formulas that meet the needs of homes in their own country, so be careful and invest in quality products, designed for our conditions.
A good example would be the highly insulated wall coverings found in particularly cold countries around the world. So, use architectural sealers before painting; this easy choice, because it is necessary to consider the multiple advantages of the products adapted to any project.
The masonry paint will therefore serve only to decorate the walls, while the surface coatings of the exterior walls will provide protection against extreme weather, in addition to the decoration.
These wall finishes are laboratory tested with accelerated aging machines. Texnov’s tests are clear proof that a wall covering will last beyond its posted expiration date. One of the conditions is that it has been applied correctly in the first place, and by a competent professional and experienced team.
How is a wall plaster technically different from a paint?
A normal strip of latex paint, for example, can be opened and applied with a brush, by more or less anyone.
An exterior wall cladding is a specialist product that requires special training and equipment for its application, and therefore generally cannot be applied by the general public.
It must be added to the idea that an acrylic coating specially designed for exterior walls is often much thicker than commercial paint, both in terms of volume and viscosity, and is therefore generally applied by a spraying machine or by using a trowel .
They can also be applied by a combination of a plaster trowel and a roller in the case of more viscous and/or cementitious plasters such as FlexStop CB .
FlexStop CB is a cementitious base for TexPro’s elastomeric breathable waterproofing membrane.
Compatible Substrates:
Use TexPro brand FlexStop CB on a substrate of:
- Gypsum;
- rigid insulation;
- masonry;
- stucco;
- concrete.
In other words, the FlexStop CB product from TexPro offers a cementitious base with increased protection against weathering and also interior surfaces. This product is applied by trowel and the covering power is 150 sq.ft.
To learn more about Texpro solutions, please visit this page here.
A wallcovering is designed to be a premium product for your home, rather than being a cheap or economical option like masonry paint. But even at that, acrylic coatings are one of the least expensive building coating options.
With that in mind, choosing durability makes sense ; a long-term view is the best approach to take when choosing a wallcovering for your home.
Main advantages of elastomeric coatings
A summary of the main advantages of exterior wall cladding, compared to paint, when applying to your home.
That said, acrylic plasters offer many benefits and savings , both in the short term and in the years to come.
1 Protect all buildings from penetrating moisture.
Wall coverings prevent moisture and water from entering the building. This characteristic is provided thanks to the super hydrophobic water dispersants included in their manufacture.
This means that a textured exterior wallcovering, when applied correctly to a building, will cause any existing moisture to evaporate; this prevents further moisture penetration. Isn’t that great?
It should be noted that masonry paint offers NO protection against moisture.
2 Wall plasters are self-cleaning products
Typical wallcovering will rarely pick up dirt the way masonry paint does, but the nature of their water-repellent characteristics allows rainwater to naturally wash away any dirt particles without worry.
Use a pressure washer for deep cleaning.
3 The ability to cover wall defects
An exterior wall coating is applied to a much greater thickness than masonry paint, often with the added elements of a texture within the coating. In existing walls, using architectural plasters or paint will also be an easy decision, as plasters cover small defects quickly.
This allows the wallcovering to completely cover defects, previous repairs or cracks where masonry paint with low opacity would not hide any pre-existing wall issues.
Given the same thickness of paint film applied, not all paints are equally opaque (or transparent). We call this concealment strength or covering power.
Several parameters affect the hiding power of the paint. The difference in the refractive indices of the pigment and the carrier, the particle size and dispersion of the pigment, the proportion of pigment in the vehicle and the thickness of the film applied.
These factors determine the opacity of a particular paint.
4 Resistance to mold growth
The number one enemy of a building’s air quality: hidden moulds.
Green mold growing on an exterior wall is often a problem in shaded areas of the exterior. This situation is repeated in situations where the house is near trees or extensive hedges.
Mold is an organic element and, like any other plant, it needs humidity to grow.
To monitor the presence of mold on the surface of an exterior wall. In this case, identify the source of the problem. If water is trapped nearby, it creates a toxic environment for green mold to spread.
An acrylic exterior wall coating deters existing moisture and thus prevents the growth of green mold.
5 Add value to your home
Applying exterior wall cladding to your home will bring many benefits, such as a good return on investment.
Compared to using paint, using architectural coatings adds value to your home, quickly.
As an architectural coating is designed to enhance your home, it provides you with additional functionality.
Among them:
- Protection from the elements.
- Eliminating the need to repaint.
- Adds significant value to any building.
“Buyers are often looking for homes that need minimal repairs, and no one wants a deal to fail because the home inspector[arpenteur] found a problem that buyers can’t stomach.
A little prevention can save you the pain of seeing a buyer walk away.
Most exterior wall cladding products come in a variety of textures and colors . All designed to visually enhance a home, but with added benefits.
Such benefits are:
- weather protection;
- colors that never fade; and
- the ability to permanently deal with penetrating moisture and mold.
The application of Texnov architectural coatings can provide significant benefits, while being completely inexpensive to purchase.
Many homeowners have seen the benefits of coatings on their properties. Beautify the exterior and protect the interior with the same product, all at once!
Most homes can be repaired and painted with wallcovering in a short space of time, and our own wallcoverings are available for pickup at one of our addresses or through this dealer network .
Conclusion:
First of all, when doing home renovations, three parameters are in the spotlight, quality, durability and cost. Using architectural sealers or paint will be a wise choice that takes some knowledge.
Why not choose acrylic coatings? Since they are a less expensive solution than most exterior siding. In addition, they provide increased protection to any surface (either walls or floors).
In conclusion, if longevity is your goal, coat it!
If you want the best look, change the color or if you want a look without smudges or brush strokes, coatings are your choice.
A final positive aspect of acrylics is their ability to repair existing hairline cracks and prevent water intrusion.
The next question: but what stucco coating should I use?
Local manufacturers offer solutions tested for our conditions. Texnov has been manufacturing coating products since 1988. During all these years, the company has continued to improve the recipe, by carrying out tests both in the laboratory and in the field. In short, products adapted to your needs, at competitive prices, and available in a large network of retailers.
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Sources:
We consulted several external sources of information to develop this text “Use architectural coatings or paint”.
Here are a few:
Warning:
TexNov presents this new article to you with the aim of informing and maintaining our relationship with our community. This text entitled: “Using Architectural Coatings or Paint” is only to inform, not to train.
The company does not take responsibility for any construction or repair work. Texnov recommends the supervision of a professional.
Have you read our last post? Here it is: What is stucco?