Paint for concrete for outdoor use: rules for choosing

Painting is one of the most common and simple methods of rendering front surfaces of attractive appearance. Reinforced concrete facades are most widely applicable in modern construction. This material has excellent strength and performance characteristics, but it is absolutely not able to withstand ultraviolet rays and other weather phenomena.

It is for this reason that concrete facades are in urgent need of painting, and we will talk about how and what such finishing should be done in this article.

Main properties and characteristics of facade paints

Facade paint for concrete for exterior work should be selected taking into account the basic properties of this building material, which should be simply perfect:

1. Moisture resistance. The finishing layer should be a reliable barrier to the penetration of moisture into the depths of the concrete;
2. Fire resistance. In the event of a fire, such paint should not ignite, thus contributing to the spread of the flame;
3. High adhesive performance. Such a coating should adhere perfectly to the concrete surface due to intermolecular exposure;

Council If you choose a material with low adhesion, you can be sure that the finish will peel off or be separated in pieces from the surface of the facade.

1. Resistance to UV light. This quality of coating will indicate that it will retain its original color even in the conditions of the scorching sun;
2. Resistance to temperature extremes. This property indicates that the finish will be able to withstand any changes in temperature;

Note! The temperature difference, stated in the technical characteristics of facade paints, is large enough and equal to the interval from -50 to +50 degrees.

1. Steam permeability. The paint should create such a layer on the facade, which would allow to pass the vapors formed inside the room. Such a coating should have zero water-carrying capacity and at the same time should be as vapor permeable as possible;
2. Hiding power. This indicator indicates the amount of material needed to cover 1 square. m. surface;
3. Resistance to contamination, easy removal. The denser the paint, the easier it will wash and less pollution;
4. Resistance to mechanical and chemical damage. The finish layer must be durable and not subject to chipping and cracking even with mechanical shocks.

Types of paints for concrete

According to the solubility method, such materials are:

1. Water soluble. The basis for the production of such building masses are synthetic resins. Pigments and filler are also included. The binder for such formulations is water, and it can be diluted directly at the construction site with your own hands. The service life of the coating created by such paints is about 12 years;

Council Work with water-soluble compounds should be at a temperature above 0 ⁰WITH.

1. Paints containing organic solvents (white spirit, acids, solvent). It is possible to make coloring by such structures in any temperature condition. The disadvantages of these funds include their toxicity and flammability.

In addition to this classification, wear-resistant concrete paint for exterior work is divided into the following types:

• Water emulsion;
• Silicate;
• Oil;
• Acrylic.

Water emulsion

This type of paint coating is very easy to apply, has low consumption and a very diverse color range. In addition, such mixtures are distinguished by a rather low price. (See also the article How to paint a concrete floor in the garage: features.)

In addition to the above positive characteristics, there are such colors and disadvantages to which include:

• Low resistance to mechanical stress;
• Low resistance to chemical attack;
• Low resistance to temperature extremes.

Silicate formulations

Paints of this type have excellent adhesive properties, UV resistance, low temperatures and are endowed with a wide range of shades. But such a coating should be applied in several layers, since one layer is unable to qualitatively hide the cracks and irregularities of the concrete base.

Oil paints

These paints are classified as low-cost, moisture-resistant UV-resistant coatings. But the instructions for their application stipulates a sufficiently long period of drying and thorough preparation of the base before application.

Acrylic materials

Acrylic paint for exterior work on concrete has a high resistance to abrasion, elasticity of the coating, environmental cleanliness and safety for the environment. Such compositions are economically consumed due to excellent hiding power, but at the same time the price of such compositions is several times higher than that of other paints.

Especially expensive are those paints that are made on a 100% acrylic binder component. But in practice, copolymer latex compounds are most often used. In the composition of these paints used a cheaper latex dispersion.

Latex is a generic name for a huge amount of binding components for creating paint, which can be both PVA glue, acrylic copolymer, and acrylic itself.

The price of copolymer paints is much lower than 100% acrylic, but the quality of such coatings will be lower. Over time, cheaper paint begins to fade, get dirty and crack, which means it will have to be repaired more often.

Finally

Having taken up the painting of the concrete facade, you should first decide on the type of paint to accomplish this goal, familiarize yourself with all the properties and characteristics of the composition, and only then begin work outdoors.

In the modern market of paint and varnish products, there will certainly be one coloring composition that will meet all your requirements. Do not forget that in addition to paint, you also need a primer for concrete, which ensures the quality and durability of the coating being created.

And you can learn more about the paintwork materials for the finishing of the concrete facade from the video in this article.