Silicate putty – application and features

Because of its strength and adaptability, silicate putty is a popular option for finishing walls on the inside as well as the outside. This material provides a dependable way to achieve even, smooth surfaces, whether you’re building a new project or remodeling an existing one. It is especially well-suited for spaces that must tolerate moisture and temperature changes, such as exterior walls, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Potassium silicate serves as a binder in silicate putty’s special composition, which is what makes it unique. Because of this, it has exceptional adhesion qualities and can firmly adhere to a variety of surfaces, including brick, plaster, and concrete. It also has a high breathability, which is beneficial in humid environments to avoid mold and mildew.

Although using silicate putty is simple, there are a few important things to remember to get the best results. Gaining an understanding of these aspects, from surface preparation to application techniques, will enable you to achieve a long-lasting professional finish. This post will discuss the key characteristics of silicate putty and offer helpful hints for using it efficiently.

General information

This putty’s foundation is a "liquid glass" solution made of potassium and sodium silicates. This substance is produced by autoclaving glass to steam. The putty also includes different additives that give the substance specific qualities, along with mineral fillers as the base.

Silicate putty is available for purchase as powders in bags or as ready-to-use formulations that need to be diluted in water before use.

Using silicate putty to level the ceiling

Silicate putty is a strong and adaptable substance that works well for finishing walls on the inside as well as the outside. It is exceptional at sticking, breathing, and resisting mold and moisture, which makes it ideal for humid environments. Simple to use and appropriate for many surfaces, silicate putty guarantees a glossy, long-lasting finish that improves the appearance and durability of your walls.

Features and applications

This content covers a wide range of topics. It is specifically used to level plastered, brick, and concrete surfaces both inside and outside of buildings.

Usually, using this putty is a preliminary step before using paint or silicate decorative plaster. These compositions are effective in sealing potholes, joints made of building materials, cracks, and other imperfections on the surface that needs to be finished.

Because of its resistance to environmental influences and vapor permeability, this material is particularly frequently used in facade finishing. It works particularly well for filling surfaces that are cracked.

While silicone putty is an option for this kind of composition, silicate-silicone mixtures—which combine the best qualities of both putties—have gained popularity recently.

Sealing a concrete fissure

Advantages

There are many admirable aspects of this composition, some of which we can list here:

  • Moisture resistance, due to which the composition can be used in rooms with high humidity, and, as already mentioned above, for external work.
  • High level of adhesion, which ensures durability of the finish.
  • Easy to apply, due to which you can do the work yourself.
  • Good vapor permeability, which allows the finished walls to "breathe".
  • Resistance to mechanical impacts.
  • Low price.

Disadvantages

The putty has a few drawbacks.

  • The need to use a primer before application, which slightly increases the cost of finishing.
  • The total thickness of the silicate putty layer for leveling the walls should be no more than 4 mm.
  • A thick layer of putty in wet weather can dry for several days.

Putty tool

Applying putty

Applying silicate putty involves multiple steps that are identical to those involved in working with other comparable finishing materials:

  • Preparing the base;
  • Applying the composition to the surface;
  • Sanding the coating.

Kindly take note! Putty cannot be worked with in extremely humid or below 8 degree Celsius temperatures. It is also forbidden to apply putty when exposed to direct sunlight.

Let’s now examine the characteristics of each work stage in more detail.

In the picture, getting the base ready.

Preparing the base

Cleaning the surface of bitumen, dust, grime, oil stains, and other impurities that hinder adhesion is the first step in preparing the base. It is also necessary to remove any previous coatings, such as old putty.

To ensure that the composition can be well filled into the cracks later on, they must be widened. Peeling or crumbling surfaces also need to be taken care of. If there is any mold, fungus, or moss growth on the base, it needs to be cleaned using a metal brush.

So, before you begin puttying, the base needs to be sturdy and clean.

Applying the primer

The additional guidelines for using the putty are very straightforward:

  • Before applying the putty, the surface must be treated with a primer composition and wait for the surface to dry.
  • As a rule, the composition is sold in the form of a ready-made mass, which must simply be mixed before use. If the mixture is dry, then it must be diluted in accordance with the instructions on the packaging.
  • The composition is applied to the surface using a spatula or other tools. For example, a granular substance should be applied using a trowel.
  • All defects and cracks are filled with putty. If the material is used to level walls, for example, a facade, then it must be carefully applied in a thin layer using a wide spatula, trying to leave as few streaks as possible.
  • If one layer is not enough, then it is necessary to wait until the composition sets and dries, and then apply a second layer of putty.
  • After the finished surface has dried, it is necessary to eliminate any existing defects in the putty. As a rule, the work is carried out manually using fine-grained sandpaper.

Counseling! The surface has to be shielded from precipitation if the puttying was done outside. To ensure that there are no frosts in the upcoming days, it is also important to pay attention to the weather forecast.

It is important to note that we have thought through the fundamentals of using the composition. The same technology is used to apply silicone putty; however, certain specific types of mixtures may have subtle differences that are typically disclosed by the manufacturer on the packaging.

Application Features
Used for both interior and exterior surfaces Highly durable and resistant to weather conditions
Ideal for finishing walls and ceilings Breathable, allowing moisture to escape
Can be applied to concrete, brick, and plastered surfaces Excellent adhesion to various substrates
Recommended for areas exposed to high humidity Mold and mildew resistant

For finishing walls on the inside as well as the outside, silicate putty is a dependable and adaptable option. Because of its special composition, which offers superior adhesion, durability, and weather resistance, it is a recommended choice for a variety of surfaces.

Silicate putty application is simple, but it does require proper surface preparation and application techniques. When applied properly, it guarantees a glossy, long-lasting finish that improves the look of your walls overall.

Achieving professional results requires durability and aesthetic appeal, which silicate putty offers, whether you’re renovating your home or starting a new construction project. It’s a workable solution that satisfies aesthetic and practical requirements, guaranteeing the beauty and longevity of your walls for many years to come.

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Veronica Gerasimova

Interior designer, author of books on the design of residential premises. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

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