We assume a structure is well maintained anytime we see it newly painted, whether this is due to human nature or something else. After all, if money is being spent to update the structure, then these are undoubtedly proud owners who have taken care of everything.
But that difficulty is one we encounter all too frequently. Never consider a fresh coat of paint to be a structural fix. Instead, it is merely a step in a process.
Masking rust stains or spalling, or masking the fact that a window or door frame no longer fits squarely, is denying the existence of a larger issue.
Sure, everything appear to be going well, but deeper down, there could be more serious problems.
But now for the second item. Let’s assume that a building has been correctly repaired and well maintained. Why must painting be the default finishing option? There are a few options which can be considered for the outside of a building inclusive of cladding, tinted render, and more.
In this article, we’ll tackle how painting for building is not always the solution to your every structural issue nor should it be the only finishing option you consider.
The Ideal Building Surface
Finishes are used to create the final surface of the structure during the last stage of construction and restoration. These coatings can be functional, designed to make the building shine, or they can be aesthetic, designed to protect the structure from minor impacts, water, ice, corrosion, abrasion, and even heat.
While building painting appears to be the most popular option, there are some disadvantages that are best known in advance, just as with other materials. We do not for a moment suggest that it is a bad decision, but in some circumstances, other options might be preferable:
What other kind of finishing are there, then? Let's investigate.
Cladding
To create an additional layer, cladding involves applying one material on top of another. Thus, it serves as the exterior covering for your structure. Several possible advantages exist for this skin. First off, it works to safeguard the concrete structure below by providing a great layer of protection for the building's actual structure. In addition, since cladding protrudes from the wall, it produces an air pocket that insulates the building both thermally and acoustically (though we should point out, different materials will achieve different results).
But because the cladding materials can be fashioned in distinctively architectural ways, a building can go from being unremarkable to being spectacular. Overall, cladding provides safety, protection, and aesthetic value that are quite advantageous, particularly when trying to update a building façade.
Tinted Render
A rendered surface is nothing new in our field of work, as you might anticipate. However, rendered surfaces have a highly pleasant aesthetic quality. Today, rendered surfaces are no longer guaranteed to be made entirely of concrete due to advancements in technology.
In reality, there have been a number of advancements, including
rendered textures
coloured or tinted renderings
Composite renders with additives that increase the render's flexibility and sturdiness make the render far more resilient to breaking.
Stucco Walls
A plaster-like wall coating is stucco. In actuality, stucco is often known as "plaster siding." It is applied moist and becomes a highly solid, dense substance. Additionally, it has shown to be among the most adaptable and durable wall coatings available. Stucco was a little out of style in the 1990s and 2000s, but as tastes evolve, this is one architectural trend that might be returning.
Even though stucco has significant disadvantages (it should not be used on structures where there is known foundation movement because it may break), there are some benefits that we should highlight. In particular, tt is resistant to termite infestation, fire, rot, mould, and impact. Additionally, it resists sound just like cladding, which is a huge benefit if your property is next to a busy street.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is a robust type of outside plastic wrapping, making it comparable to cladding. In the past, single-family homes were the most frequently employed, but a growing number of strata layouts, particularly in townhouse-style arrangements, are using this technology more frequently for decorating and weatherproofing.
Because vinyl siding doesn't chip, peel, dent, or decay, it never needs to be painted or stained. It is a dependable, sturdy material with a long track record. It is a choice that might work for some strata plans because some manufacturers offer a variety of styles, technology that enables the board to self-extinguish in the event of fire, and vinyl sidings' availability in hundreds of colours, textures, and profiles.
Maintaining your Building’s Exterior
A building's exterior gives off the impression of being solid and robust. But even bricks are susceptible to degradation over time and after exposure to weather changes.
Painting
You've probably seen numerous instances where a painted surface exhibits all the telltale signs of underlying degradation. Consider the times you have noticed rust streaks penetrating a building's paint or enormous paint blisters on a building's side capturing more water than you expected.
In actuality, exterior painting and membrane application are crucial for maintaining a building's general health. Only when problems are covered up with paint is there a higher chance that bigger problems will develop.
Tens of thousands of litres of paint and membrane have been applied to a building's exterior over the years. But we are aware that, in the end, if we don't offer the appropriate counsel and structural repair know-how to address problems that extend beneath the surface, we aren't doing our jobs effectively.
We recommend
Commercial building painting is not always the answer to external issues you might be experiencing because there are probably a number of issues you need to take care of first. One area to start with is wall maintenance, such as tuckpointing, caulking, replacing bricks, and even replacing bricks. After that, you should check at whether you need to replace any reinforcing that may have rusted. If you don't do this, your building may appear fine now, but it will likely develop serious structural problems in the future.
Comments