Which Facade Decor Should You Choose?
Today, almost all facade decor manufacturers use similar types of polystyrene foam. However, what truly matters is not only the base material, but also the coating used to reinforce the decorative element.
Currently, there are two main types of coatings:
- “Acrylic” coating — usually recognizable by its white color and flexibility;
- “Cement” coating — typically gray in color and commonly used together with reinforcing mesh.
What is the difference between them?
The service life of decor with a cement coating is approximately three times shorter than that of decor with an acrylic coating.
At the same time, the price difference is usually only around 3–5%.
Why does this happen? Main reasons:
1. Linear Expansion
The coefficient of linear expansion of cement coating is approximately three times higher than that of acrylic coating.
As a result, cement coatings are much more vulnerable to cracking during temperature changes, which may eventually lead to the destruction of decorative elements.
2. Carbonation
Carbonation is the process of material deterioration caused by exposure to carbon dioxide.
The average CO₂ content in the air is around 0.04%, and this value continues to increase. This creates a significant destructive effect on cement-based coatings.
Acrylic systems are approximately three times more resistant to carbonation than cement-based systems.
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As of the publication of this post, our production facilities in Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Lviv, Zakarpattia, Poltava, and other regions of Ukraine, as well as abroad (France, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Spain…), have fulfilled hundreds of orders. Hundreds of kilometers of decorative elements have been installed. It’s true—we can produce a large number of […]
How We Work During Wartime
This is a reality that cannot be ignored. But we decided that even in such difficult times, stopping is not an option. That is why the Grafio Decor team continues to work and look for new ways to grow. For example, we are currently open to cooperation with companies relocating to Kyiv from occupied territories […]
The Problems of Facade Decor with Cement Coating
After just 5–7 years, decorative elements with cement coating often require restoration. The main reasons for this are: 1. Increased vulnerability to carbonation; 2. A high coefficient of linear expansion (and, as you can see, even reinforcing mesh does not always prevent damage). These problems can be avoided by using facade decor with acrylic coating. […]