Clever solution for a façade – render imitating wood

Façade should protect a building against adverse weather conditions. Should it also be its glory? Absolutely! Therefore, while choosing the type of top finish, one should think not only about safety parameters, but also about aesthetics. For example, we can use render imitating wood.

Effect of wood

Wood – one of the oldest materials used for surface finishing. It is very popular and has wide range of possible applications. However, wood requires significant financial resources because of some practical issues – application upon façade (wood is an expensive material) and maintenance in good condition (wood is characterized by very high vulnerability to external factors). Hence, we can choose another solution – beautiful, but cheaper in application and easier to maintain. ATLAS, inspired by nature, includes in its offer products which can successfully replace natural wood and can form an attractive wood texture.

System advantages

System imitating façade timber boards is devoid of typical drawbacks of wood, which are: need for specialist renovation and maintenance as well as change of colour in time. Above all, it gives beautiful decorative effect which can be obtained with far lower cost (in comparison with natural timber boards attached to the façade).
Façade made of ATLAS products has many advantages:

• Durability – façade is hydrophobic and thus resistant to dirt. Furthermore, it does not deform under influence of temperature change and air humidity; it is not vulnerable to weather conditions.
• Effect of beautiful wood texture – owing to templates which give an unique design and rich colour palette which perfectly imitates the appearance of natural wood.
• Application does not require professional trainings.
• Does not require special maintenance – dirty surface can be washed off with water under slight pressure.

What is on offer?

ATLAS system providing the effect of wood consists of several products:

• Atlas Cerplast – to prime the surface prior to render application. It is characterized by improved protection against biological and weather factors.
• Atlas Cermit WN – specially prepared mineral render, designed so that the template can be imprinted in it. What is the difference between Cermit WN and other ATLAS renders? Cermit WN is more malleable (its aggregate is finer). It has also improved flexibility – it is resistant to microcracking. It is reinforced with cellulosic fibres, so it does not break within thin coat (recommended coat thickness is 3-4 mm).
• In Cermit WN composition there are also additives which reduce the possibility of salt efflorescence. High alkalinity of cement-lime mortar forms natural barrier against biological corrosion (fungi, algae, etc.) on the render surface both outdoors and indoors.
• Atlas Bejca – coloring and impregnating agent which enables to obtain desired colour of wood and gives the final “timber board effect”. Rich colour palette offers 10 colors which authentically express the natural colour of wood: rosewood, alder, nut tree, oak, teak, mahogany, stone pine, birch, ebony and acacia. Impregnator protects the render against influence of weather conditions and dirt. In addition it provides long term durability and colour stability.
• Silicone mould (template) – it is 2 m long and 20 cm wide. Therefore, the wood pattern is unique. Since the mould is long, one needs to imprint it just a few times to finish the entire wall surface. Furthermore, the mould is made of silicone, so it is suitable for multiple use.
• Anti-adhesion agent – agent preventing Cermit WN render from adhering to silicone mould. Small amount of agent should be applied upon mould surface before imprinting it upon façade.

 Colours

Original text: Łukasz Kulczycki, ATLAS Group

English text: Piotr Marciniak, Michał Gosławski, ATLAS Group