Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 9
Applied external finishes
Many external walls are self-
finished, or at any rate finished as
part of the process of construction of
the wall - pointing of brickwork and
stonework are obvious examples.
Indeed, over two thirds of all
masonry walls in dwellings in
England are finished in this way; that
is to say, neither rendered nor tile
hung. It is not recorded how many of
these walls were painted
(2)
. This
chapter, however, deals with finishes
which are applied after the
construction of the wall, such as
rendering, whether painted (Figure
9.1) or not, adhered tiling, and tile or
slate hanging.
Where materials guarantees are
required by the specifier, careful
reading of the conditions could
reveal precise requirements for the
application of materials used in
external finishes. Mastics, adhesives,
paints, and concrete repair systems
are often very sensitive to
temperature, moisture, dust and dirt.
It has been suggested, only half in
jest, that conditions are so precise for
some materials that they can be used
on only a few days each year.
Figure 9.1
A newly painted terrace house in Cardiganshire
