Silicone vs Cement Render & Finishing
If ease of maintenance, an attractive property and professional finishes are something that you desire on your property then perhaps a thin coat silicone based render is what you are looking for. Silicone based renders are flexible ensuring that the effects of the natural wear and tear and movement of a property over time is kept to a minimum.
Sand and cement renders have been used on houses since Roman times, they are cheap and convenient but unfortunately have many drawbacks. The movement of a building over time, generated by numerous environmental factors can cause many unwanted issues. Sand and cement renders are not entirely waterproof (although some additives can help this) and can be very hard, rigid and inflexible. Over time as the temperature and the weather change the render will shrink and contract. Cracks do not just affect the visual side of the building, water can also seep in causing different issues over the years while freezing and thawing of the water can be the cause of blown render. Repair of the walls can be ineffective and ugly.
Thin coat silicone based renders are water repellent and breathable. The water resistant nature of silicone based renders eliminates water staining on properties and the breath-ability of the render means historic buildings can be protected to a greater extent, providing planning consent can be obtained. A strong manufacturing company will test renders in a hygrothermal rig, stimulating twenty to thirty years weathering including freeze – thaw cycles at given temperatures.
Factory compositions ensure a quality product which is vital for an even finish. Contractors benefit from consistency of texture resulting in an easier application and occupiers benefit from a twenty to thirty year tested lifespan.
SAS (Europe) has developed a thin coat 9% silicone based render system called PROREND COLOURTEX.
PROREND COLOURTEX is a highly flexible silicone resin based render, which can be applied to a PROREND base-coat (such as Lite, Prep or Float) in two different textured finishes. The 1.5mm Uniform finish is a tight even finish which is similar to that of sand and cement and the 3mm Grained finish is an attractive highly textured rustic finish. A dragged appearance is created that can be finished in random motions or with a more Alpine vertical finish affect. An individually written specification from SAS ensures that the right basecoat and finish are proposed for your project.
PROREND COLOURTEX is tinted at the SAS (Europe) colouring plant, and a wide range of colours are available. Colours are based on the NCS system, and matching to RAL and BS colours is also possible. Alternatively a sample can be supplied and any colour can be matched. Up to sixty five thousand colours are available
Application is easy by hand with on-site training and support available. If needed, the PROCENTRE training school at the SAS (Europe) headquarters is available for off-site expert tuition on all products off-site.
The great advantage of PROREND COLOURTEX is its ease of maintenance over the years. The cement free finish eliminates the possibility of lime bloom and helps reduce the possibility of algae build up. Natural flexibility and water resistance of course helps eliminate cracks and water damage, and longevity of the system can be increased by following the maintenance advice supplied by the SAS (Europe) team. Dirt and other organic material can be simply washed away by power washing.
For any other information please contact the team at SAS (Europe).


