A beautiful facade with paint

A beautiful facade catches the eye not only master of the house, but any person passing by. Add beauty and brightness of the facade will help paint. The main function of paints for exterior painting and decorating, in addition to creating a decorative effect - the protection of the facade from the ravages of the environment. Speech - the exterior paint for the "stone" facades. That is, of course, to paint the facade of polished granite or marble, nobody, probably not, but the concrete walls, surfaces, trimmed with various types of plaster, lined with sandstone, it is necessary to paint. And the term "stone" refers to just such a surface. The most important function of any covering - protection of the facade from moisture. The fact is that virtually all the mechanisms of destruction of the stone associated with the physical, chemical, biological and mechanical effects, one way or another are based on the action of moisture. Rain, especially with the wind, and flowing down the walls of water can carry away from the particle surface of brick, stone, mortar and concrete. But if this role was limited to water, it would be bad. Like other materials, stone can absorb water, which is accompanied by swelling. It is clear that all the stones to absorb water in different ways: for example, porous brick, mortar and much swell, which is not true of granite, absorption capacity is very low. When water gets into the stone on the border between different building materials, and sometimes even between the particles of the same material (eg, sandstone), cause severe stress. Somewhere in the strength of stone is missing and cracks. Particularly strongly absorbed by water near the joints. They are usually made of highly porous, highly absorbent, lime or cement mortar, so around them on the facades of having the zone of constant dampness. The main mechanism of destruction of the stone in the middle lane - is thawing (ie, the effect of low temperatures). Dry stone insensitive to frost. But these stones in the middle band is not seen. When the water, located in the pores freezes, there is an increase of its volume by about one-fifth and the surrounding material is inevitably broken. Thus, there are cracks that are beginning to actively recruit new moisture, and it freezes again and so on, until the cracks do not merge into the ordinary, of visible cracks. It is a vicious circle: the more water gathered rock, the more it cracks, the more it cracks, the more water it can collect. Therefore, the increase in landslide damage is character. Another threat to the environment - this action of mineral salts. They can penetrate into the material with a rising along the capillaries walls with moisture from the soil, leaching of cement stone. In addition, harsh chemicals are produced in abundance in the industrial zones and the exhaust from cars - oxides of sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorus ("acid rain"). Even the simple act of frontal rain washes at high pH increases sharply. Movement of water provides the transport of salts from inside the building material to the surface. Dissolved in it salts crystallize on the surface, forming efflorescence. Under the crust of salts, especially gypsum, are complex physical and chemical processes that may eventually cause severe surface damage, up to mikrokarsta - education "mini-caves." Mold fungi, mosses, lichens and algae populating the surface, and sometimes the volume of construction materials (especially porous), with acid secretions dangerous products of his life. Especially great harm caused lichens, disintegrating surface suction fibers. It is up to all these destructive factors and should protect the exterior paint. Species they are quite a lot, but we can distinguish three major groups, differing in material binder (base), which are currently the most widely used: it is the dispersion paints, silicate paints and silicone resin. Dispersion facade paints are based on synthetic resins. They are characterized by hydrophobic (water-repellent effect), flexibility, good mechanical strength. Unconditional dignity of these paints - ecological purity, high technological parameters and water as a diluent (and not expensive flammable and toxic solvents). That is, they account for the bulk of manufactured worldwide facade paints. Emulsion paints vapor permeability, ie the surface-treated by them "breathe", is resistant to climatic conditions, giving a coating with excellent barrier properties. Emulsion paints have no odor (except a faint smell of residual monomer), are easily applied by brush, roller or spray gun. According to experts, the best in terms of operational properties recognized water-dispersion paints based on acrylate, although usually in the composition of such paints consists of several copolymers, not necessarily the acrylic series. But just to stipulate that some surfaces such paints are incompatible. Properties of any color is determined by its composition. Emulsion paint is an aqueous dispersion (a system of tiny, fairly stable drops reminiscent of milk), film former with various fillers and pigments. In addition to these components, this paint contains a number of special additives - emulsifiers, which contribute to the formation of droplets of ink in water, dispersion stabilizers, thickeners, antifoam agents, antiseptics, and more. Of course, the main component of the dispersion of paint - this binder, or as it is often called, film former, since it is responsible for the formation of protective film on the treated surface. Here are just some of the communication requirements: low minimum film forming temperature (less than +5 ° C), high hardness, strength and weatherability of the polymer, a high content of film former (more than 45%) and, of course, is stable in storage and mixing. Silicate facade paint - is single-dispersion paints based on liquid potash glass, containing organic additives improve. They have great breathability, but do not have high hydrophobic indices. Silicate paints are supplied in finished form. Paint based on silicone resins - the most modern paint that combines the best properties of silicate and dispersion paints. The basis of organosilicon compounds. These paints are also a water dispersion, but as the binder they use synthetic silicone resin. Silicone paints are durable, long life and excellent breathability, while painted walls safely protected from all harmful atmospheric effects. The main feature and the complexity of the application of any color - to their compatibility with various types of surfaces on which they are applied. There are a number of surfaces that are incompatible with certain groups of colors. Many domestic producers of paints and varnishes have mastered the production of facade paints on western technology and western equipment. But in general in Russia is not widespread production of modern types of facade paints, such as paints based on silicone resins and their compositions. It is for this reason that the Russian market at present its products represents a huge number of companies from Europe, America and Asia. Leading position in terms of price / quality occupy manufacturers from Scandinavia. They are followed by German firms. Active Turkish producers. A recently started expanding into the Russian market the company from Slovenia. And finally - a few words on how to minimize the cost of maintaining the facade in perfect condition. First, before painting the facade should be well prepared, it is no wonder that all the major firms produce not only the paint, but also a whole system of primers, fixers and impregnations, they recommend treating the surface before painting, and, secondly - to use to cover the facades of high quality materials. In this case, it will last a long time (10-15 years), which would represent a significant savings.