If you’ve ever searched ‘exterior wall coating near me’, you’re likely considering an alternative to painting. Perhaps your walls are beginning to chalk, or develop hairline cracks, or worse, that lovely green streak of mould and algae is creeping up the base. You also don’t want to think of having to repaint your whole house again in three years.
Exterior wall coatings are the answer, but what are they, and how do they differ from paint? What’s a good job like, and what should you ask? This article answers these questions.
What Are External Wall Coatings, and How Do They Differ from Paint?
An external wall coating is a specialist coating that protects and enhances the appearance of the exterior walls of a building. Externally applied paint is a comparatively light coating that can crack, peel or fade. An exterior wall coating is formulated to last.
No Need To Paint uses Andura wall coatings, including Andura ProFlex Ultimate, which is classed as highly breathable and highly waterproof to European standards (DIN EN ISO 7783 Part 2) and (DIN EN 1062-3). It contains silicone resin and silane for added dirt and mould resistance, is also elastomeric, and will bridge minor cracks in your wall as it moves.
These additives are particularly pertinent in Spain, where there is high UV exposure, hot weather, coastal air, and heavy autumn rains, while many buildings are without a vapour barrier to prevent rising damp. A breathable, weather-resistant coat is much more appropriate to the climate than one that traps moisture in.
What Are the Benefits of Exterior Wall Coatings?
What you’re likely to want your coat to do, and what the system is designed to do:
- Weatherproof and breathable: let water rain off, but allow trapped moisture to move upwards and out.
- Crack resistant and elastomeric: will flex with the movement of your building, rather than crack.
- Dirt and mould resistant: your walls will look better for longer.
- Colour stable: formulated to resist fading despite the strong sun in Spain.
- Self-priming, water-based: less pollutive and better for the environment.
- No chipping, flaking or peeling: you won’t have to repaint every few years.
There are 16 classic and contemporary colours, and a bespoke colour service if you want something different. Screens can lie, so ask for a physical test swatch to see the colour before agreeing.
How Is an Exterior Wall Coating Applied?
You only get what you pay for, and it starts with the preparation. No Need To Paint uses a three-step process.
Step 1: Brushing and Cleaning
The team will power wash and wire brush the walls to remove loose dirt and old paint. If required, they’ll apply a biocide to kill any lingering mould or algae and use solvents to remove any greasy or airborne pollutants. They will leave you with a clean, stable surface to accept the primer.
Step 2: Restoration and Preparation
Cracks in the render, blown brickwork or pebbledash will be ground out and filled with a polymer resin. Any loose render will be replaced, and other defects repaired. The doors, windows, and their surrounds, will be masked, and your plants, bushes, and lawns, will be protected with tarps.
Step 3: Priming and Applying
As your walls may be more or less porous, a suitable primer will be applied first. When the surface is ready, the coating will be applied by high pressure spraying in a uniform coat.
How Do You Choose an Exterior Wall Coating Contractor Near You?
It goes without saying that ‘near me’ means you want someone who knows the local area and is easy to contact. But are there other things you should look for?
- Independent product approvals: ask to see if the coating has been tested and approved. Andura has approval from the British Board of Agrément, and has been tested by the Building Research Establishment and Salford University, amongst others.
- Documented process: you should know what will happen on each day.
- Written guarantee: No Need To Paint guarantees their coating for up to 15 years, so always ask for this in writing.
- Proof of finished work: look at their galleries and, if possible, visit houses they’ve coated years previously.
- A named person: when you meet your surveyor, they should take charge and oversee the project.
- Written quote: make sure it’s clear what’s included, and what isn’t. The quote should include preparation, repair work, and materials.
Where Does No Need To Paint Work?
No Need To Paint specialises in the Costa Blanca, with experience in coastal and inland areas, from Valencia and Gandia to Javea, Calpe, Benidorm, Alicante, and Torrevieja. We also work in the Costa del Sol, and in Portugal. We have over 30 years’ experience in the wall coating industry, and offer a free site survey.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an external wall coating?
It is a specialist coating that protects and enhances the appearance of the exterior walls of a building. It is formulated to be more durable and flexible than standard paint.
2. Is it better than normal exterior paint?
It is formulated to last much longer and resist cracking, peeling, and mould, and it is more resistant to the weather in Spain. The best option will depend on the condition of your walls and budget, so ask for a survey.
3. Do I need to prepare my walls before coating?
Yes, and your contractor should do it for you. You need to clean, repair, and prime your walls before applying a coat.
4. How long does an exterior wall coating last?
No Need To Paint guarantees their coating for up to 15 years, but it will depend on your walls, the climate, and the application.
5. Can I choose my colour?
Yes, there are 16 colours to choose from, and a bespoke colour service. Ask to see a physical sample first.
6. Will the coating trap damp in my walls?
A breathable coating should allow any trapped moisture to rise and escape, which is particularly useful if you have rising damp, and a lack of a vapour barrier. Ask your contractor if you have any concerns during your survey.
7. How do I find an exterior wall coating contractor near me?
Look for local experience, documented product approvals, a written guarantee, and a free survey. Then, compare quotes.
Ready to Protect Your Walls?
If you’re in Spain, and want a longer lasting alternative to repainting, contact us for a free survey. Find out more about our external wall coatings, and request a quote on our external wall coating page.