Why Use Acrylic Parging on Your House?

Acrylic parging—an aesthetic and durable solution—is the number one choice of exterior coating. It can be layered atop various materials, from concrete to brick, with stone in between, and makes for a robust, waterproofing solution for foundations. On account of its ability to withstand weather variations, it doesn’t crack easily, further safeguarding the integrity of buildings. Discover the benefits of such an exceptional exterior coating, as well as its application method.  

Shielding and Aesthetic

Acrylic parging is perfect in all areas where the ground is subject to shifting, such as is the case with clay soils. Moreover, if your house has parging, yet it didn’t hold up over time, you may have just found the cause behind the problem.  

Why is it that acrylic parging holds yet cement parging crumbles? The former’s 100% acrylic copolymer mixture, with either marble, quartz, or pigments, offers increased resistance to physical shocks and cracking compared to cement parging — a characterisic that significantly enhances its durability.

The pigments used in the parging composition benefit from being particularly stable, which means the colour of the acrylic finish is rather even. Acrylic binders also guarantee the parging’s ability to withstand fading, chalking, and yellowing. 

Low-Maintenance Parging

To preserve the state of acrylic parging, it’s important to inspect it twice a year (spring and fall). And, not only should the general state of the wall be assessed, but also:

• Sealed mortar joints 

• Roof 

• Flashing 

• Junctions

This set of elements, when deteriorated, can detrimentally impact the coating’s overall performance. 

To learn more about fixing and maintaining parging, check out our article: How to Fix and Maintain Foundation Parging.

Interior Applications Are Also Common 

On Kitchen or Bathroom Walls

Indoors, acrylic parging is a particularly interesting idea as it’s easy to clean. A straightforward, soap and water cleaning is all you need to remove stains and dirt. 

Even in terms of its application, acrylic parging tops other solutions since it’s super easy to roll on or brush-apply. It’s perfect for budding DIYers as it doesn’t necessitate a complex preparation and is quick drying.

Furthermore, it’s cost-effective and retailed in a wide array of colours.   

Decorative Feature

Typically categorized with decorative exterior coatings, acrylic parging can also be applied over indoor surfaces like concrete structures, as well as stones or bricks. 

Courtesy of its textured finish, variety of features, colours, and unique designs, it offers endless options for wall decoration. If your walls are aging less than gracefully, note that there are rustic-looking acrylic parging designed to conceal those exact imperfections. 

Surface Preparation and Application Tips

Tip 1: Clean the wall

For the parging to stick to the wall, the latter must be clean and dustless. To ensure the surface is devoid of stains, use a damp rag to wipe away all residue and dust found on the wall.

Once the surface is dry, you can then start dealing with the imperfections. 

Tip 2: Repair imperfections

Over time, it’s more than likely that your wall has amassed a few cracks or holes. Use a filler to restore the surface to its former smooth self. Follow the instructions listed on the container for professional-looking results.

Tip 3: Sand

The secret to long-lasting acrylic parging is its adherence. For the material to hold perfectly onto the intended surface, you first have to sand it. To do so, use fine-grit sandpaper. By sanding down the surface, you’re essentially creating a rougher texture, grooving it, thereby making a texturized surface onto which the parging will stick.

What Brands to use? Quebec-Based Retailers and Cost

In terms of pricing, to install an acrylic coating, plan on spending between $10 and $15 per square foot.

Parge with Adex Acrylic

Montréal-based company Adex is the leading Canadian manufacturer of architectural coatings. It retails, for example, ADEX-CB (cement board), made with a 100% acrylic finish coat covering the following: 

• Rainscreen cladding

• Lightweight cement board sheathing

• Glass-fibre reinforced mesh  

• Moulding 

• Primer 

Why have so many layers? Because Adex develops all-in-one solutions, aligning with the EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System). 

In other words, said company offers a full exterior wall cladding system:

• Insulation

• Reinforced basecoat

• Protective layer and textured finish 

Adex products are primarily sold at the following retail outlets:

• Webster & Fils (Laval)

• Givesco (Québec, Montréal, Sherbrooke, etc.) 

• Inno Peinture (Granby)

• CPS Industries (Rouyn-Noranda)

Dryvit: Leading American Acrylic Coating Company

Dryvit hails from Beachwood, Ohio, and has been, since 1969, the leading North American manufacturer of Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS).

To get your hands on Dryvit products, head to one of the following retailers: 

• Québec Acrylique (Québec) 

• EDAM Inc. (Rouyn-Noranda)

• Produits BCM (Chicoutimi)

TexNov Acrylic Coating

This Sherbrooke-based company manufactures polymeric coatings available in 96 different shades, and are sold in most local hardware stores. You can even buy products directly online from retailers like BMR, Patrick Morin, or Juneau. 

For a 7-litre container of pre-mixed, coloured acrylic coating by TexNov, budget about $110 to coat 97 sq. ft. (9.5 m²).

Acrylic Parging Maintenance Tips

How to Clean an Acrylic Coating

It all depends on the surface you intend to clean. If the area is on the smaller side, you can hand-clean the acrylic coating. Should that be the case, you’ll need the following: 

• Soft-bristled brush 

• Gentle detergent 

• TSP (trisodium phosphate), if manufacturer-recommended

• One part bleach for every 20 parts water (fungi, mould, algae)

Once the mixture is applied using a soft-bristled brush, allow it to sit on the surface for about 10 minutes, then lightly scrub. Rinse with clean water and allow it to dry.

To clean large surfaces, you can proceed as detailed above, but you’ll also need the following: 

• Garden hose

• Light duty pressure washer 

With the latter, make sure not to use over 500 PSI of pressure, ensuring you’re maintaining a safe distance between the acrylic coating and the nozzle, angling it 45° from the exterior walls needing to be cleaned. 

Warning:The detergent used may damage the acrylic surface, so it’s really important to test it on a small section prior to using it all over.

How NOT to Clean an Acrylic Coating 

If you don’t want to damage your acrylic parging, steer clear of the following: 

• Acetone

• Ether

• Mineral spirits

• Gasoline

• Naphtha

• Turpentine 

Similarly, avoid cleaning your walls with warm water too frequently, and never use water that’s hotter than 48°C (120°F). Also, avoid using a heavy-duty pressure washer or a sandblasting kit.

Lastly, if you plan on using a scrub brush, bear in mind that excessive scrubbing may damage the finish.  

Opt for Acrylic Parging

Acrylic parging stands out on account of its numerous benefits, including its resilience and versatility. If you’re looking to shield and revamp the walls of your house with a long-lasting coating, parging makes for a wise investment. Feel free to seek out professional advice from a certified contractor for a flawless application.