Some of the best innovations come about by chance; when you’re presented with a requirement, and experiment to find a solution. That’s exactly what happened at KEIM Mineral Paints when the Halnaker Technique was ‘born’.
KEIM Mineral Paints are problem solvers, committed to helping customers achieve creative finishes using their varied product range, making them the ‘go to’ manufacturer of choice for renovation, conservation, and preservation projects alike. As well as mainstream products such as interior and exterior paints, they supply products for more problematic projects such as repair works to damaged brick facias that have been exposed to damp, frost or harsh weather conditions.
Time and again KEIM are contacted by decorators, architects, and conservationists when facing an unusual task, whether that’s a building with its brickwork in decline, or a new build where the client appreciates the many benefits of KEIM and will only use eco-friendly paint products.
HOW DID THE HALNAKER TECHNIQUE START?
Vanessa Fox, Commercial Manager at KEIM gives us the background, ‘The first project where the technique was conceived was a domestic property in Chichester. When we visited site, the exterior brickwork was severely damaged due to years of exposure to wet weather, and an ingress of driven rain, which had resulted in trapped moisture within the walls, weakening the integrity of the structure.’
Vanessa continued, ‘Our products are all manufactured using only inorganic, natural ingredients, with the key characteristic that they allow the painted surface to breathe. The high level of water vapour permeability (breathability) helps release trapped moisture preventing long term damage such as flaking paint or damp. We knew our render would be able to help, it was just a matter of experimenting with the product’s consistency and application technique to create the finish required.’
To fill the mortar joints, even out the cracks between the brickwork and provide a smooth breathable long-lasting coverage, KEIM Universal Render Fine (KEIM Uniputz 0.6) was chosen as the ideal solution.
Having experimented with the mix ratio, the perfect consistency was found, applied to the pre-wetted surfaces by trowel and laid off with a grout float to reinstate the brick faces and repoint the mortar joints, retaining the brick finish.
WHAT WAS THE RESULT?
Having applied KEIM Universal Render Fine (KEIM Uniputz 0.6) to the brickwork and left to dry for a period of 15 days, KEIM Soldalit, a silicate paint, was then used as decoration. This is an exterior paint that has a real depth and richness of colour due to its ingredients and consistency, which is also fire resistant to category A2-s1, d0.
The result is a flawless, beautiful covering retaining a brick finish, which will provide decades of protection to the project.
WHERE ELSE HAS HALNAKER BEEN USED?
Once Halnaker was conceived, it didn’t take long before the technique of using the specific mix and application of KEIM Universal Render Fine (KEIM Uniputz 0.6) and final KEIM Soldalit paint decoration was deemed ideal for other projects. These include The George Hotel in Rye, using striking shades of Soldalit for its fascia face lift, and Poole Museum where Halnaker will provide protection from the salty sea air.
For more information about KEIM’s innovative paint solutions, and to discover tips for your next project, visit KEIM https://www.keim.com/en-gb/ or contact them sales@keimpaints.co.uk
Before Halnaker technique applied
After Halnaker technique applied
