In interior finishing work, various putty mixtures are used to level surfaces. But what if the surface to be treated is outside? In this case, it is necessary to use a special putty for facade work, which has a higher level of wear resistance and less sensitivity to temperature changes.
Types of putty depending on the purpose of application
Putty is a thick mass, consisting of binding elements, which, when cured, forms a solid surface. Putty is used both in internal and external decoration. The main purpose of facade putty is to level the elements with flaws, filling small voids to form a smooth surface.
It can be sold in two forms:
- dry mix;
- paste.
If a large amount of work is expected, then preference is given to a dry mixture, which is diluted with water according to the instructions to obtain a creamy mass. Facade puttyfor outdoor work in the form of a paste is intended for small jewelry work, it is used in the restoration or filling of small cracks in the walls, as well as in the manufacture of decorative elements. The disadvantages of ready-made putty mixtures are a limited shelf life and quick hardening.
Depending on the place of work and the material, different types of putty are used.
- cement based;
- gypsum-based;
- acrylic;
- latex;
- oil-glue.
In facade work, putty on a cement, acrylic or latex basis is used. This is due to the high level of wear resistance of these materials and resistance to temperature changes, as well as due to the resistance to moisture.
Features of facade putties
The main functions of putties for external work is the formation of a protective layer and decorative design. Materials for exterior decoration of buildings must have a certain list of properties. Immunity to seasonal temperature changes and precipitation makes the puttied surface strong and durable. These are the most important characteristics of facade putty. A high level of adhesion, that is, the ability to adhere to any material, also plays a significant role. Compatibility with any paint and varnish products is a prerequisite when choosing a putty.
Due to the large area to be treated, dry mixes are preferred, which are kneaded using water toobtaining the finished mass. According to reviews, the most popular facade putty is cement-based.
Cement based putties
Excellent option for facade surface treatment. Supplied as a dry mix consisting of cement, sand and some binders. Cement, which is part of the putty, provides the future surface with a high level of strength and moisture resistance. One of the most popular in the construction environment is the Knauf facade putty. This company is engaged in the production of base and top coats.
Preparing putty from the mixture is not difficult, the instructions are on the package. You can apply on your own. There are two types of cement putty: base and finish. The base facade putty can be applied in a thick layer up to 1.5 cm and serves as a filler for large cracks and irregularities. In its composition, it is more granular, so the surface is rough. The finishing putty has a finely dispersed composition; when dried, it forms a smooth and even surface. The use of Knauf cement putty for facade work should be carried out at a temperature of at least +5 degrees and a humidity of 80%. To reduce the drying time, it is recommended to use putty at a temperature of +20 degrees. The finished mixture should not be mixed with paints, glue or other substances, it may lose its properties, which means that the quality of the work will be low.
Both amateurs and professionals note in their comments that cement-based putty is oneone of the most popular materials in facade decoration, as the price is an order of magnitude lower than analogues, and the quality of the coating is at a high level.
Polymer putties
Polymer putties in the field of construction have appeared relatively recently. It is very convenient to use, and when diluted, it can be stored for up to 12 hours. Long hardening makes it very convenient to use. The advantages of polymer blends include:
- durability;
- strength;
- no shrinkage;
- plasticity;
- no strong odor.
All polymer putties can be divided into two groups: acrylic and latex.
Acrylic putties
The surface of acrylic putty has a high level of strength and retains its properties under large temperature and humidity fluctuations. This material is very flexible and does not peel off. Apply with a layer of no more than 3 mm and only on a primed surface.
A significant disadvantage of acrylic putty is its high cost, as well as incompatibility with wood and metal surfaces. In the presence of deep irregularities, it is necessary to apply acrylic putty in several layers.
Latex putty
Supplied as a ready-to-apply paste. Depending on the purpose, two types are distinguished: leveling and finishing. Suitable for application to any surface, including wood and metal. The surface to be treated must be primed.
It is allowed to dilute the latex putty with water, but not more than 1% by weight. You can only work at temperatures above +5 degrees. Shrinkage of the material is minimal, this eliminates the formation of cavities in the form of bubbles. The mixture is resistant to temperature changes, throughout the seasons of the year the coating remains the same durable and does not deform.
The variety of colors will save on painting, and the fine composition of the latex putty will give the wall a smooth look. Such a surface does not need additional processing.
Mix preparation
Each manufacturer gives detailed instructions for preparing putty from a dry mix, the proportions are indicated on the package itself. To cook it with your own hands, you will need water, its amount must strictly comply with the instructions. If there is more or less water, such a mixture will give a poor-quality coating. As a container, you can use a construction bucket or any other container of a suitable volume.
Kneading the mass is done using a special mixing nozzle on the drill. Make sure that the mass is homogeneous, without visible fractions of dry material. After you have kneaded the mass, you must leave it for 10-15 minutes and mix thoroughly again. Do not prepare a lot of solution at once, it can dry out and will no longer be homogeneous. Finished facade putty should be used within 20 minutes. The rotation speed of the drill must be no more than 800 revolutions per second, otherwise you may getporous mortar.
Homemade Putty Recipe
If you decide to prepare a cement facade putty with your own hands, then you will need:
- cement;
- quartz sand.
Cement and sand are mixed in the ratio 1:4. The sand must be clean, sifted, without lumps of clay and stones. Cement must be taken grade M400. First, mix the dry mixture, then add water. The mixture should not be too thin or thick. The consistency of thick sour cream will do. To obtain a light putty, you need to use white cement. Such a mixture is suitable for applying the main layer, after drying it must be covered with a finishing layer of fine putty. Homemade putty is often used by experienced plasterers.
Putty Tools
The choice of tool depends on the amount of work. The most important tool for performing these works is a spatula. It is better to immediately purchase a set of different sizes. If you need to putty a large area of \u200b\u200bthe wall, then the spatula should be large, small and hard-to-reach places are puttied with a small one. Rubber and silicone spatulas are very convenient to use, they make it easier to apply the mixture and level the surface.
In facade works, it is worth giving preference to a better spatula, as the material used is rough and heavy. Carbon steel spatulas have proven themselves best, they are strong and will not sag even when working with heavy masses. For processing corners it is more convenient to use the angularputty knife. It will form a clear and even 90 degree angle.
To mix the mixture, you will need several plastic construction buckets. After the first mixing, when the mixture has stood and needs to be re-mixed, the solution is poured into a clean container. This must be done so that the parts of the putty that have dried along the edges do not get into the mass when re-mixing.
Applying technology
To obtain a neat and smooth surface and fill all the irregularities, it is necessary to follow the technology of puttying. If you skip or poorly prepare the working area, then the finish will not last long. Over time, peeling will appear, the coating will begin to crumble. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to perform all the steps without fail.
Technology for leveling the plane with putty for facade work includes the following phases:
- Before applying the mixture, it is necessary to clean the surface, if necessary, treat the wall with a special antifungal solution.
- Apply 2 coats of primer. This is necessary to create a protective moisture-resistant layer, on which the putty material will be better fixed.
- Apply the first layer of putty. To do this, you need two spatulas. A smaller one is applied to the wall, and a larger one is needed to take a portion of putty.
- After complete drying, the second layer is applied.
- Finish with a thin finish to form a perfectly smooth surface.
- We process the coating with fine-grained sandpaper on the holder to remove the remaining irregularities.
If it is planned to paint the surface, then at the final stage we use a sandpaper with an abrasiveness of 120-150.
If you want the surface to have texture, then you need to apply the technology of textured wall putty.
A regular long pile roller can create a nice rough surface. If you want to paint the texture in the form of stripes, then you need to use a tile adhesive comb. The direction of the stripes can be the same or random. A sea sponge is also used to create the texture, you can buy it at a hardware store.
Unconventional use of putty mix
The ability of putty for facade work to create a solid and durable structure when dried allows it to be used in the manufacture of various interior elements. You can make a relief panel or a picture from putty.
Compositions can be made using templates. The antique-style house is harmoniously complemented by hand-made frescoes, and ordinary flower pots after decorating with putty will become a work of art. In this case, it is necessary to use facade putty, it will give a better product that is immune to water.
Figurines, decorative tiles and elements for lining vases can be made from cement-gypsum-based putty. Make sure that the thickness of one layer is notexceeded 3 cm, otherwise cracks may form on the finished product during drying. Apply facade putty in several thin layers.
Conclusion
The processing of facade surfaces must be approached wisely. After all, this is not only the creation of a beautiful design of the house, but also the formation of a protective layer from external influences. If you decide to putty the facade of the house yourself, then do not neglect the important steps in the technology for performing this process. After all, the omission of one of them can lead to poor-quality results, as well as loss of money and time.
