Universalputz - any experience with this render?

[paulbandler]

Hi,

I have a most 1920's cottage that was rather unfortunately cement rendered at some stage in what I think is referred to as a 'Tyrolean' effect. It's not in bad condition, but looks dull. We're adding an extension, which needs to be rendered to match existing. Now my neighbour has just been putting this Universalputz render on his wall and it looks pretty good and I'm wondering whether it could be a good solution to put on both my existing render to smooth over the Tyrolean bumps and on the new. It come ready made in bags, goes on pretty quick, claims to contain lime (so can 'breath) (check out http://www.keimpaintscanada.com/pdtuniversal.html for an English description).

Does anyone have any experience to report of using this material - or views?

 

[Penners]

I've got no experience at all of the stuff. But if your existing "Tyrolean" render is cement-based, I shouldn't fuss too much about whether you put a breathable render on top of it. The cement is already preventing the building from breathing.

 

[BMcD]

I've no experience of this product nor have I ever heard of it before but a phrase they use rings alarm bells

When felt-floated, Universalputz- Fine closely resembles lime render.

Why dose it only resemble lime render? Also I'm not sure what they mean by lime cement, is it hydraulic lime or a lime/cement mix?

Having said that, if you're not taking off the existing cement based render and the extension has a cavity then the question of breath ability is merely academic.

So provided your tyrolean hasn't been painted then it should cover fine although you may require 2-3 times more than stated for flat walls to compensate for the texture of the tyrolean. Just give it a good hosing down to get out most of the dirt and kill the suction before plastering. The tyrolean will provide an excellent key.

 

[chuckey]

Tyrolean finish is a lot of little gobs of the cement "mortar" stuck to the wall, it definitely breathes unless floated on. To make the finish waterproof it needs to be applied with the machine in a least two different directions so the water runs off and not in between the gobs.
Frank

 

[NT]

Why would you use 'putz instead of lime & fibre?


NT

 

[BMcD]

Chuckey wrote:

Tyrolean finish is a lot of little gobs of the cement "mortar" stuck to the wall, it definitely breathes unless floated on.

If Tyrolean has been applied correctly, then it will have cement based render and float coats beneath the textured surface, negating any breathable qualities the Tyrolean alone may have.
(I couldn't say that Tyrolean on its own is breathable. I don't know but would have thought not.)

 

[paulbandler]

Why would you use 'putz instead of lime & fibre?

I'm no expert, but I assume ease of application. Looks like you can get any plasterer to work with this stuff, but finding someone who's confident and experienced with lime etc in this part of the world is like pulling hens teeth. From what I can find on the net, it's used quite a lot on the continent and in North America, particularly in renovation scenarios.

 

[NT]

Why would you use 'putz instead of lime & fibre?

I'm no expert, but I assume ease of application. Looks like you can get any plasterer to work with this stuff, but finding someone who's confident and experienced with lime etc in this part of the world is like pulling hens teeth. From what I can find on the net, it's used quite a lot on the continent and in North America, particularly in renovation scenarios.

We're talking about rendering, whch is at the bottom end of the plastering skills scale. Anyone willing to do basic building work, you dont need a plasterer. Or even any experience, it only took me a few minutes to work out how to do it.


NT