What is AcraTex?
Dulux AcraTex is a stylish range of high build, granular and non-granular, 100% pure acrylic texture coatings. Dulux AcraTex is the Finished Tinted Product that you would see on the exterior walls of most "Modern Exclusive Homes" (picture above).
Or, for those that are technically minded, Dulux AcraTex is a high build acrylic based coating, formulated on 100% pure acrylic emulsions, inert mineral fillers, graded aggregates, fungicides and colour stable pigments.
There are many styles of Dulux AcraTex but the most popular in the Perth residential market is the Dulux AcraTex 951 range that is applied by hawk and trowel for a very attractive, flat Sandfinish. The Trowel On range is extremely attractive, tough and water resistant. This range comes in Coventry Coarse, Sand Finish (fine), Vertical and Circular Textures, 1.0mm, 1.5mm and 2.0mm.
Many people when they first see a house done in Dulux AcraTex mistake the exterior finish for a typical cement render finish that has been painted but Dulux AcraTex is so much more than this. For example, Dulux AcraTex (951) complimented with a top coat of Dulux AcraShield (955) won't fade like normal paint. It has a flexible protective layer, so the surface stays looking brand new for years to come. It is also resistant to hairline cracking, mould and atmospheric pollution, protected from UV, moisture and salt efflorescence. Plus, it also comes tinted in a huge range of different colours (so there is no painting required) and with a 10 or 15 year Dulux written warranty (see "Warranty" below) Dulux AcraTex is the ultimate in Exterior Finishes.
Did you know; that Acrylic Textures Systems was actually invented in the early 80's because of too many limitations and failings with Cement Render? Those problems still exist today with cement render.
PPS proudly use, recommend and promote all Dulux AcraTex Premium Products.
"When the walls are plastered perfectly, you notice the house. When the walls are plastered poorly, you notice the wall." - Michael Florido, plastering for 38 years.
WARRANTY
Did you know that only a Dulux Trained Applicator can give you a Dulux warranty on their AcraTex systems?
At PPS all of our employees are fully trained by Dulux in all applications of Dulux AcraTex.
Warranty periods are as follows:
A Dulux AcraTex 2-coat system comes with a 12 month warranty on materials and workmanship.
A Dulux AcraTex 3-coat system comes with a 10 year Dulux written warranty.
And a Dulux AcraTex 4-coat system comes with a 15 year Dulux written warranty.
IMPORTANT: Warranty excludes all walls which may attract moisture from the other side of the wall (e.g. retaining walls) unless it has been prepped to Dulux specifications, inspected, passed and authorised by a Dulux employed, appointed representative.
WHAT CAN DULUX ACRATEX BE APPLIED TO?
Dulux AcraTex can be applied to the following surfaces;
Brochures available by clicking on the substrate.
- Brickwork (This brochure temporarily off-line)
- Brickwork (Mediterranean bagged finish)
- Painted Brickwork (Previously Painted Masonry)
- James Hardie HardieTex System (Blue Board)
- James Hardie ComTex systems
- Humes PRIMAbase (Fibre Cement Board - External Wall Cladding Systems)
- CSR Hebel Blocks
- CSR Hebel PowerPanel
- CSR Hebel PowerBase-PowerFinish Full Acrylic System
- Tilt up Concrete
- Cement Render (brochure not available)
- Painted Cement Render (brochure not available)
- Existing Acrylic Textures (brochure not available)
- Dulux AcraPrime
- Dulux Coventry Coarse
- Dulux AcraShield
- Dulux AcraTex Green Render Sealer
- Dulux AcraPatch
- Dulux FastCoat
WHY USE A DULUX TRAINED APPLICATOR?
If you think any applicator can apply Dulux AcraTex correctly, think again. Like any trade, it requires correct training from Dulux and years of experience applying the correct procedure. If you're getting other quotes (and I strongly recommend this practice) you need to ask questions like:
- Are you a Dulux Trained Applicator?
- Can you give me a 10 year warranty?
- Do you have any jobs that you did over 5 years ago that I can have a look at?
- Why do some Acrylic Textures go "Patchy White"?
- Why do some Acrylic Textures crack?
- Why do some Acrylic Textures bubble and flake off?
These questions are bread and butter to a Dulux Trained Applicator so before deciding on which is the cheapest price, think about how much will it cost you in a couple of years when the application has gone all wrong. And believe me there are plenty of examples in Perth of magnificent homes that have done just that.
So PLEASE, for a Professional Job, don't risk it with just anyone. Use a Dulux AcraTex Trained Applicator.
HOW DO I KNOW IF THE APPLICATOR IS DULUX TRAINED?
Just phone any "Dulux Trade Centre" and ask them. They have a complete up-to-date list of all Dulux AcraTex Trained Applicators.
FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION'S)
"What's the difference between a 2-coat system, 3-coat system and a 4-coat system?"For cement renders:
A 2-Coat System consists of one application of Dulux AcraPrime (501/1-Roll On) followed by one application of Dulux AcraTex (951-Trowel On).
A 3-Coat System consists one appliation of Dulux AcraPrime, one application of Dulux AcraTex and one application of a Dulux AcraShield (955-Roll On).
And a 4-Coat System consists one appliation of Dulux AcraPrime, one application of Dulux AcraTex and two applications of a Dulux AcraShield (955-Roll On).
The main difference is with a 2-coat system you will be repainting your home sooner than you would with a 3 or 4-coat system. This is because a 3 and 4-coat system has a Top Coat application which provides a protective layer that doesn't hold dirt, will resist UV fading and salt efflorescence so the surface stays looking brand new for a lot longer.
"How much will an Dulux AcraTex system cost?"That depends on the type of system and the size of the job. A 2-coat system is the cheapest and the prices go up from there.
A 2-coat system normally costs about twice as much as an unpainted rendered finish and a 3-coat system is about a third more again.
But if you would like an quote on what an AcraTex system may cost you then just send an e-mail to "PPS" for a free, no obligation quote.
"What's the difference between a house that has a painted sandfinish cement render and a house that has Dulux AcraTex 3-coat System?"When they are both new, nothing but as time goes by, plenty. Traditional cement based render is strong; however, it's also brittle and can crack very easily, especially under Australia's extreme temperature variations. That's where problems arise, as cracks split conventional paint, it allows water and other pollutants to penetrate the surface, weakening and deteriorating the appearance and functionality of the coating system. All too soon your great looking contemporary render finish will need timely and costly maintenance.
More than just a render finish, the Dulux AcraTex 3-step process is an integrated high-performance exterior coating system, specifically designed to provide strength and flexibility with proven superior acrylic polymer technology.
In other words Dulux Acratex won't fade, is UV resistant, flexible and will NOT leave any visible hairline cracks. Try getting that with a cement render?
More information is available here. "Dulux AcraTex -The Test of Time"
"Doesn't a Painted Sandfinish Cement Render look the same as Texture Coat?"Yes it does but that's where the similarities end. In the beginning a painted cement rendered finish will look fabulous and so it should, it's brand new. But once the render gets exposed to extreme variations in weather conditions, that's when you know you only get what you've paid for.
Next time you're driving around in the suburbs, stop and have a closer look at some of the painted sandfinish rendered walls at the front of houses. See if you can see any faded paintwork or cracks? They're more common then you think.
"How long will a typical house take to render and texture coat?"Typically, this should take 7 days (plus curing time); one day for masking and preparation, three days for the render application, two days for priming and texture coating and one day for top coating with Dulux AcraShield. Of course this is subject to weather conditions and the size of the house.
“How soon can I AcraTex after the cement render has been applied?”Anywhere from 2 to 28 days depending on the primer your contractor uses. If you contractor has quoted you “Dulux Green Render Sealer” (see brochure above) then the wait time can be as little as 2 days in ideal curing conditions and up to 14 days in adverse conditions. If you have been quoted Dulux AcraPrime then the curing time is normally no less than 28 days, this is because the alkaline in cement needs time to stabilize and the render needs time to dry.
Please note; "Dulux Green Render Sealer" does cost more to purchase and apply than "Dulux AcraPrime" which is why we only use it when we have to. But if you’re building a two-storey home, "Dulux Green Render Sealer" is an extremely efficient product and will save you a considerable amount of time and money in scaffold hire.
"When will I need to repaint?"This depends on the original coating (AcraTex 2-coat, 3-coat or 4-coat system) as well as the environment and maintenance cycle. On average, you will have in excess of 7-10 years with a 2-coat system and 12-15 years with a 3-coat system and 15 years plus with a 4-coat system before repainting is required.
Tip; If you are building a two-storey house or a Second Storey extension in Blue Board, I strongly recommend a 3-coat system. Not only will you get peace of mind knowing that your system is backed with a 10 year Dulux written warranty (see "Warranty" above), but you won’t have to repaint the exterior walls again for many years to come. Repainting can be a costly exercise especially with the cost of having to re-hire the scaffolding, etc. So why not do the job right and do it once?
"Doesn't a 2-coat and a 3-coat system look the same?"Yes it does at first. But without the protection of a topcoat, your home’s exterior will be vulnerable to unsightly stains and environmental damage.
"Do I really need a 3-Coat System?"Apart from the environment, salt is the biggest killer to texture systems in regards to staining. So if you live close to the ocean or river, or have a direct line of sight to the ocean or river. Have a salt water pool or even if you have a reticulation system running off a bore (yes, some bores in the Perth area do contain salt. "More information") then your AcraTex system you may be subjected to unsightly efflorescence staining.
Salt efflorescence is the white powdery substance you see on walls that fit the above-mentioned criteria. Next time you’re driving along the coast, stop and have a look at some of the magnificent homes and see if you can pick the homes that have salt efflorescence staining? They should be relatively easy to spot.
So if you think your texture system is bullet proof against the environment, think again?
"Is the Dulux AcraTex system weatherproof?"Yes, the Dulux AcraTex 3-coat system has been designed to prevent water ingress through the film of Dulux AcraShield (top coat), but allows water vapour out, so the system will breathe.
"What about if I don't like the colour after it is finished?"No problem, you can simply paint over it with a Top Coat of Dulux AcraShield to what ever colour you like. Just remember that the work has to be done by a Dulux Trained Applicator to maintain your warranty. Cost wise, it should only take a day or so to complete (depending on the size of your home) plus the cost of the materials. Your Dulux Trained Applicator can normally give you a quote over the phone as he should be very familar with the job.
"What is the maintenance / cleaning cycle?"Your home is possibly the largest investment you will make, so keeping your house in good shape makes sense. As a rule of thumb, get your home cleaned with a low pressure water blast (less than 400kpa) every 12 - 18 months, however around coastal regions every 6 months. You wouldn't go 18 months without washing or servicing you car so why would you with your biggest investment?
By doing regular inspections on your home this will allow you to keep an eye out for any unsuspecting problems that may occur. You should be paying particular attention to areas where different substrates meet like doors and window frames etc. If a crack does appear in the substrate, get this checked out as soon as possible as this could be the result of an underlying structural problem.
"Will Dulux AcraTex stop big cracks in my walls?"Hairline cracks "yes", big cracks "no". Dulux AcraTex will not hide large cracks or prevent them from reappearing. This is because Dulux AcraTex has been designed to treat common problems associated with cement renders and not structural problems.
If your home has structural problems like big cracks appearing in your walls then there is a very good chance that the problem lies underneath in the foundation (the existing soil). This is because the strip footings may have moved (created by "differential settlements") which in turn may have caused the wall to crack. This is very common in retaining walls and screen walls. There are a number of reasons for this like "varying foundation" (different soil types), "varying compaction" or it could be that the project was simply "under engineered".
To fix the problem normally requires the intervention of suitably qualified engineer.
"What If The Cement Render Under The AcraTex Is Weak And Brittle?"Dulux AcraTex is only as good as the render on which it is applied to. If the render is weak and brittle, then there is a very good chance that the AcraTex system may fail i.e. cracks may start to appear in the system. If that happens, it could lead to a even bigger problem like 'drummy render'.
I have emphasised above the importance of using Dulux Trained Applicators but I would also like to emphasis how important it is to use suitably qualified plasterers and no, not all plasterers are the same.
To ensure that the exterior render is strong enough, your plasterer should use one full 20kg bag of GP cement in every mix. Also make sure your plasterer when rendering the exterior goes all the way down to the footings of the house. This will help prevent rising damp.
Lastly I can't emphasise the importance of adding a damproofing product (to manufacturers specifications) to every mix. Cement render in its raw state will act like a sponge and draw moisture up the wall which in turn may cause the texture on top of the render to bubble. Adding a damproofing product to the mix will help reduce the risk.
More information on Plastering faults available here. "Repairs & Faults"
"I've heard that you can't repair AcraTex, is this true?"We are taught by Dulux that you can only repair small holes, no bigger than an inch (like when someone has drilled a hole into it). Like any specialist trade, it requires the skills of a very experience craftsman to repair anything larger. PPS have had to repair a wall where a plumber has chased up on the outside of a new AcraTex system (barely a month old) which expanded over 6 feet. The repair came out near perfect and was difficult to locate even with a trained eye.
To repair a large section, we are taught that the wall should be retextured from one corner to another. This is because Dulux AcraTex has to be applied with a wet edge. But please understand that Dulux AcraTex is a very strong and hard product (a lot harder than just cement render) that doesn't damage easily so there should be no need for repairs. In my experience the only time we have had to repair or redo an AcraTex system is when it has been hit by something hard (like a car) or when a plumber has chased up the wall with a 6 foot saw cut.
Tip; If you can, keep any left over AcraTex. That way if you need to do any touch ups, the right product and colour is always on hand.
"Why Do Some Texture Systems Fail?"Too many times I have been asked to inspect a texture system that has failed. The reason for this failure is simple. Whenever you apply texture coat to any of the above-mentioned substrates (surfaces) there is a strict preparation and application process that must be adhered to. If any step is missed throughout any of these processes then there is a very good chance that the application may fail.
It is important to note that a texture system failure may not be evident straight away. This is because when a product is new, like most products it will look and perform beautifully. The problems normally start occurring once the product has been exposed to extreme variations in weather and environment conditions. Dulux AcraTex is no exception to this rule, if the substrate is not prepared correctly and if the application of AcraTex is not applied correctly, then there is a very good chance that the system may also fail.
This is one of the reasons why Dulux have gone to great lengths in promoting that their product (Dulux AcraTex Systems) be applied by qualified Dulux Trained Applicators. Dulux AcraTex when applied correctly is in my opinion the best exterior finish there is, so it is important that the product gets the recognition it deserves.
The truth of the matter is most untrained and inexperienced applicators don’t even know themselves if the system that they are applying is going to fail or not. They generally only find out sometime later when they receive a phone call from the concerned customer informing them of the problem. One of the unfortunate parts of this is the home owner or builder who has to deal with the failed textured system instantly gets a disliking to the product swearing that they will never use it again when in fact there is no better product on the market today.
What is the difference between Dulux and other Texture Supply Companies?The difference is Dulux has been manufacturing AcraTex for over 20 years. They have overcome all the teething problems that developing a new product creates. That’s not to say that other companies products aren’t just as good but I have seen first hand the problems homeowners face when the product isn’t Dulux.
There is a reason why Dulux can give you a 10 and 15 year warranty on their 3 and 4-coat systems respectively. Can you say the same about any other texture supply company?
TEXTURE COATINGS VS CEMENT RENDER
- A wide range of decorative profiles are created by roller, spray or trowel.
- Over 3,500 colours on demand (see "AcraTex Colours").
- 100% acrylic textures remain flexible which caters for structural movements that traditional sand and cement renders can't.
- 100% acrylic textures do not wet up and change colour like cement render.
- Dulux AcraTex texture coatings will not crack and craze.
- A texture system bridge stable hairline cracks found in some cement renders.
- Dulux AcraTex texture top coated with 955 AcraShield are highly water resistant which will protect the substrate.
- 955 AcraShield has excellent resistant to UV radiation.
- Correctly identified exterior colours are light fast and have minimal colour fade.
- 100% Acrylic textures do not leach salts that will cause traditional cement renders to show white patches.
- Acrylic renders such as Dulux Renderwall can be top coated with texture or paint after approximately 7 days, whereas cement renders should only be painted after 28 days.
- Dulux AcraTex textures top coated with 955 AcraShield are self-cleaning and require little or no maintenance.
- Colour change of texture is simple as a coat of 955 AcraShield at any time.
- Different grades of textures provide a variety of texture finishes.
- Dulux AcraTex 3 coat systems, consisting of a primer, texture and a topcoat offer a 10 year written Dulux warranty.
- Dulux AcraTex 4 coat systems, consisting of a primer, texture and a 2 top coats offer a 15 year written Dulux warranty.
DISCLAIMER: Any advice recommendation information assistance or service provided by Professional Plastering Services in relation to goods manufactured by it or their use and application is given in good faith and is believed by Professional Plastering Services to be appropriate and reliable. However any advice recommendation information assistance or service provided by Professional Plastering Services is provided without liability or responsibility.