The importance of the durability and appearance of your building cannot be understated. Not only does a well-presented exterior help improve the image of the business and brand, but well-maintained cladding also keeps it protected against the elements for years to come. But how do you treat the cladding to maximise these benefits? The answer is a high-quality and professional cladding spraying service.
In this article, we’re going to introduce you to cladding spraying, how it’s carried out, and the advantages that come with this quick and efficient service.
What is cladding spraying?
Cladding spraying is the process of coating a building’s external or internal cladding with specialist products via spray applications. These products include a variety of coating solutions such as specialist cleaning treatments, adhesion primer and various high-performance cladding coating systems, each with its own purpose and benefits.
Cladding, the external material that covers the exterior elevations of both commercial and industrial buildings, can degrade over time. This degradation not only leaves the cladding looking old and tired but also leaves it vulnerable to cracking, peeling, and the onset of corrosion. This will result in the building looking unsightly and can diminish the reputation of the business that occupies the building.
The type of cladding most commonly seen on buildings is made of metal, which is typically manufactured with a plastisol coating. This coating deteriorates over time, particularly on south-facing elevations, as UV rays from the sun cause coloured cladding to fade and degrade the plastisol coating, to the point it can start to delaminate. You will also see degradation to cement cladding, asbestos cladding, and timber cladding, which is also an effect of long-term exposure to adverse weather conditions and UV degradation.
What cladding materials can be sprayed?
Nearly all types of cladding can be sprayed to improve their appearance and durability, including, but not limited to, steel, aluminium, timber, cement, and asbestos. Here at Cladspray, we can also prepare and spray coat fascias, soffits, downpipes, canopies, and all other types of trim on your commercial or industrial building.
How do professionals spray cladding?
A professional spray cladding company should always follow a thorough process to leave you with perfect results. While we can’t promise that every business will always use the exact same steps, we can tell you what our process looks like.
- Building survey and quote – Firstly, an appointment will be made by one of our surveyors to attend your premises to carry out a full, in-depth survey of your building and measure up for an accurate quote. During this appointment, any questions around access, methodology, coating options, colour choices, etc, can be discussed to ensure that we deliver the right solution and an accurate quotation.
- Site induction and pre-work prep – A site induction (where required) is carried out to ensure the safety of those involved, where everyone will be made aware of any high-risk areas, emergency procedures, and site-specific rules and regulations, among other checks. We hire cherry pickers and other necessary powered access equipment straight to your site so we can reach upper levels. We also supply scaffolding whenever required, if there are any areas of the building that are inaccessible with normal MEWPs. It is also helpful for entry and exit points with a lot of traffic to be closed down for the duration of the work. This ensures minimal disruption to the workforce so that projects are carried out in the most efficient way.
- Clean the surface – Next, we thoroughly clean the cladding and trim to be sprayed. We perform the intensive cleaning process with the help of high-power jet washers to remove dirt, grime, contaminants, and compromised coating, be that the original factory plastisol coat or very old spray coating. We also have additional cleaning agents such a de-greasing solutions and fungicidal wash for areas of more extreme surface contamination.
- Repair and treat the surface – Next, we will always give our clients the option of us repairing any dents and damage that could lead to future problems or interference with the final appearance. We can replace entire cladding panels if necessary. We ensure any areas of corrosion are thoroughly prepared to ST3 standard, and, if necessary, we will treat any cut-edge corrosion, which occurs when sheet edges are left open to the elements and begin to rust. We then spot-prime the areas where the area of prepared corrosion to ensure the rust doesn’t return.If you have a mildew problem on your cladding, which can occur on north-facing walls in damp climates like the UK, then we can use a fungacidal wash (as mentioned above) to remove the mould or algae and prevent it from regrowing.
- Mask the surface – After cleaning, repairing, and treating, we mask surfaces adjacent to areas that we are spraying to ensure that they are protected from overspray. This includes doors, windows, signage, brickwork, and any other sensitive areas that must be protected during the spraying process. We also lay sheeting around the building to ensure no product gets on the ground.
- Spray the surface – Then, we begin spraying the cladding with an even coating of the chosen product with our specialist equipment. We aim for as little disruption to your operations as possible, so we offer a 24/7 service, allowing us to work around your business hours and keep disruption to your business to an absolute minimum.
- Inspection and customer walkaround – Finally, we inspect our work to ensure it has the perfect finish. We then take our customers on a walkaround of the site to show them the work and confirm they’re happy with the results.
How long does it take to spray cladding?
As a very rough guide, 500 square metres of vertical cladding, including cleaning, preparing, masking, and spraying, would take around 2 to 3 days. This estimate can vary, depending on external factors such as weather, temperature, and your business’s operational requirements. We estimate timings as closely as possible when we visit your site to assess the property.
The benefits of cladding spraying
Getting your cladding sprayed or resprayed comes with a host of incredible and cost-efficient benefits – it’s a smart choice for any business with a property that needs a boost in appearance, longevity, and value.
- Restores appearance and appeal
- Protects against weather damage and exposure
- Seals against corrosion
- Increases property value
- Improves sustainability efforts
- Cost-effective replacement alternative
- Customisable to suit your branding
What we use to spray cladding
We use a wide variety of tried and tested products from industry-leading manufacturers such as Rust-Oleum, Giromax, AkzoNobel, and Tor Coatings to ensure only the very best results. The type of product used depends greatly on the cladding material, type of property, and the season in which the spraying occurs. We offer solvent-based, water-based, and polyurethane coatings, each aptly suited to different jobs and environments.
Solvent-based products are high-performing all-rounders with anti-corrosion protection built in. They’re best suited for use during winter, as dew won’t interfere with the product.
Water-based elastomeric products are another great option and are flexible, perfect for ensuring no cracks or peeling in the coating should the cladding shift or move naturally over time.
Polyurethane paints come in various levels of sheen, giving customers the opportunity to choose how glossy or matte they would like the finish to be, alongside being durable and highly resistant to UV.
Included in our range are both single and twin-pack products, such as products that require the mixing of an activator and a base. When speaking with our customers, we factor in all variables and identify which type of product is best used on their cladding.
Choosing the right commercial cladding spray specialists
Whether your commercial or industrial building is looking worse for wear, or it needs its first layer of defence against the elements, professional cladding spraying is the next step. We create tailor-made solutions for your specific on-site spraying needs, using our years of experience and state-of-the-art equipment to leave you with a high-quality, long-lasting finish, just as we did for FV Carpentry’s industrial unit refurbishment.
To learn more and arrange a free site visit and survey, so we can ensure you have an accurate quote, give us a call on 01603 405318 or fill out our simple online enquiry form.
