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Monocouche Renders
Just as in clothing, fashions in the construction industry and how people want their homes to look changes over time. The rendering of exterior walls has been practiced for hundreds of years, although over time the process and the style of such rendering has changed. Lime renders, which have been around the longest, are still prevalent and extremely popular with some professionals because of their ecological benefits and the fact that they can be used on a range of substrata. Monocouche renders are fairly recent and are generally sprayed onto a building rather than applied with a brush or trowel.
What is Monocouche?
As with all renders – the term monocouche is taken from the French and has been adopted by industries in Britain and across Europe as a way of distinguishing it from more traditional renders, the process refers not just to the material but to its method of application. If you want them to look good and to last for any length of time then the surface of the building needs to be thoroughly cleaned before the render is applied. One of the primary benefits of monocouche renders is that a similar and probably better finish can be achieved with this method, than was often achieved with the application of three coats of traditional renders. Monocouche renders generally have a certain amount of polymer in the mix, which makes it a more durable and weatherproof exterior wall covering. Spray on renders such as the monocouche should only be applied by a professional.
Coloured Render
Monocouche renders come in a range of colours and consists of polymer and other aggregates that will produce a decorative finish that is designed to mature naturally. Monocouche renders come in different finishes, which may be textured, scraped or stone. Because the monocouche is sprayed on it is a more cost effective way of covering the exterior walls of a building. Monocouche renders come with certification and are tested so that they comply with British Standards. The monocouche does not require curing as lightweight thin renders do, which is why it only needs one application to provide a lasting and weatherproof exterior wall covering. Monocouche renders involves the use of White ordinary Portland cement as a binder and does not involve the use of lime, it is the cement that allows the material to be pigmented for producing a range of colours. Other renders may use grey ordinary Portland cement which cannot be pigmented in the same way. The use of monocouche renders is recommended in areas where there is often bad weather because the render is weather, sea air and crack resistant.
Monocouche and Substrata Type
Monocouche works better on substrata of concrete blocks or brick masonry walls but may sometimes be used for rendering internal walls. The monocouche mix is manufactured and only requires water to be added once the material is on site, once mixed the render is sprayed on and requires little or no maintenance thereafter. Renders like this may be expensive to begin with but because they are designed to last for many years and protect your walls, in the long run they are cost effective.
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