Coastal buildings are popular for a reason, but with the sea views and fresh ocean breezes comes the burden of maintenance, and upkeep in a corrosive environment.

Materials used in a coastal building must be able to withstand the salt air, high humidity and wind-blasted sand, as well as the normal wear and tear caused by exposure to strong sunlight.

Using harsh-weather-resistant materials such as decay-resistant woods in construction is a first step. Every bit as important is picking primers and paints that will tolerate the conditions.

Maintenance requirements

Coastal buildings need more frequent maintenance than those in inland areas.

No matter how good the paint application may be, it really comes down to the type of paints used, and whether or not they are strong enough to withstand the elements.

Coastal properties need robust materials that can withstand the environmental challenges. Image courtesy of Plascon. House Kommetjie – Shavan Rahim.

Exterior wall protection

Exterior paints take a beating on a beachfront building. A lasting coastal paint job is possible with careful preparation, and the right paints.

First, all surfaces need to be washed to remove any salt residue or mildew. And the surfaces must be dry before moving on to priming.

Plascon Professional Bridging Compound can be used as a sealer coat on walls and parapets, to bridge both small and repaired plaster cracks.

Product selection

For the topcoat, Plascon’s experts highly recommend one of its durable pure acrylic emulsion paints:

• Plascon Professional Superior Matt is suitable for plaster walls and wood (among other surfaces). It features Silicone Enhanced Acrylic Technology (SEAT) for improved protection against moisture and stain resistance.
• Plascon Professional Aquarista is a durable pure acrylic emulsion paint with low water-absorption properties. It prevents the ingress of moisture and its good flexibility allows it to expand and contract over cracked surfaces.
• For any trim coat, apply a durable protective finish, such as Plascon Professional Gloss Enamel or Plascon Super Universal Enamel, on all doors, gates, windows and trims for extra weather resistance that is also suitable for washing; and protects the metal against corrosion.

A lasting coastal paint job is possible with careful preparation, and the right paints. Image courtesy of Plascon

Planning and preparation

One last piece of advice when painting a coastal home: all careful preparation of the surface could quite literally be washed away by a coastal cloudburst or seaspray-laden windstorm. It is advisable to check the weather forecast when planning to paint a coastal property, or before starting the painting project.

Maintaining properties at the coast, made easy with top tips from Plascon.

For more information, contact Plascon:

Tel: +27 0860204060

Email: advice@plascon.co.za / colouradvice@kansaiplascon.co.za

Website: https://plascon.co.za/