Every day, residential and commercial buildings are exposed to climatic extremities including rain, high temperatures, and dust. Over time, these conditions can cause buildings to lose their aesthetic appeal. Apart from ensuring a proper installation or application procedure, it is crucial to search for different types of wall cladding and choose a surfacing material that offers diverse design options and high durability. In this blog, we will have a look at some of the common issues that develop over time with exterior surfaces and discuss the ultimate solution.

Efflorescence

One of the most common issues with exterior surfaces, efflorescence, is a condition in which exterior surfaces made from cement develop fluffy deposits on their surfaces. Efflorescence results from several reasons, such as providing insufficient time for newly applied cement to settle and the presence of hygroscopic salts in cement or mortar. These crystals will continue to expand and can weaken the overall structure if left unchecked.

Cracking

Cracking is defined as the process of splitting of the paint layer through any of the coatings, resulting in a chain reaction in which all the paint films are flaked off. It often starts from hairline cracks, which ultimately makes the complete paint fall off. Some of the reasons that trigger the cracking process include using low-quality paints that have poor adhesive properties, incomplete surface preparation – not using a primer before applying the paint, and applying paint on the previously applied substrate.

Chalking

Another common issue with external surfaces that simply have a paint coating is “chalking”. It refers to the process of development of a fine powder-like substance on the paint coating during weathering. It is caused by paints that contain alkyds or when an interior-grade paint is used for exterior applications such as soffits, boundary walls, and parapets.

Blistering

If there’s one external surface issue that affects the aesthetic appeal of the building the most, it’s the formation of blisters. Blistering is the formation of bubbles on a particular section or all across the surface due to loss of adhesion from the underlying surface.

Alligatoring

When it comes to issues in external surfaces of constructions, alligatoring is a special type of cracking process in which the paint film cracks in a pattern similar to an alligator. Alligatoring is caused by a variety of reasons such as applying the paint coat directly under the sun, extreme temperature fluctuations which affect the elasticity of the paint film, and applying a hard-drying topcoat over a non-drying coating.

HPL Cladding: The Ultimate Solution

The root cause of all the aforesaid complications with exterior surfaces is the inability of the surfacing material to withstand climatic extremities and the presence of hygroscopic salts which trap moisture over time. This is where it is advisable to search for different types of wall cladding and choose the one that offers a perfect combination of aesthetics and functionality, such as compact exterior wall cladding. Renowned for its high durability, compact exterior wall cladding is made by treating multiple layers of Kraft paper with thermosetting resins followed by compressing them under high pressure. This process equips HPL sheets with special attributes such as resistance to acid rain, moisture resistance, and resistance to extreme temperature fluctuations (-60 to 80 degrees C).

About Greenlam Clads

When looking to buy compact wall cladding, look no further than Greenlam Clads. We are a trusted name in providing different types of wall compact wall cladding – interior and exterior. Our compact wall panels are made by using advanced GLE technology that helps you enhance the aesthetics of your buildings with exceptional durability. To discuss your requirements, call our toll-free number 1800-833-0004 or email info@greenlamclads.com. Alternatively, you can fill out our contact form.