WHAT ARE MINERAL STAINS AND PAINTS?
Mineral paints and stains are characterised by their adhesion principle known as ‘silicification’. This is a bonding process whereby the mineral coatings and the substrate combine chemically with each other and become inseparable. The great advantage of this fusion is that the substrate can breathe, an essential feature for ensuring durability and longevity over the seasons and years.
Mineral paints and stains are essentially made from the same raw materials that make up the substrates to which they are applied, starting with the binder itself, the potassium silicate (derived from quartz), also known as ‘liquid glass’. To this binder are added the mineral fillers that give the paint its layer density, necessary to protect surfaces from the elements. Natural and inorganic pigments are then incorporated for colouring, and finally other additives are used to regulate certain product characteristics, such as consistency and water repellency.
What are the advantages of mineral paints and stains?
- Extreme vapour permeability: the substrate can breathe
- No flaking: exceptional durability
- Non-flammable: no release of toxic gases or smoke in the event of fire
- UV stability of all components
- Water-repellent: excellent weather resistance
- Anti-static properties: surfaces stay clean longer
- Resistant to fungal growth and algae
- Low VOC content
Whether you are working on historic or modern buildings, these numerous advantages should be taken into account to ensure the durability and longevity of the rendering.
