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July 21, 2008
total wall system for brownstone facade
Elite renovation contractors hve given me a quote to r edo the facade of my brownstone using the "total wall fiberglass system." building will be cleaned with a machine usiing steam and air, then a clear gel insulation is sprayed on- t his also acts as a bonding agent - then two 3/8"thick coats of total wall fiberglass mix. Has anybody heard of this- or have any experience with it or with Elite renovation?
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How will the underlying brick breathe and give up moisture when all this is done? Brick needs to breathe and dry out. And what does the finished facade look like? Stucco? Or brownstone?
Posted by: ohiise at July 22, 2008 8:44 AM
If this is one of those "systems" involving spraying textured glop over the brownstone facade be very careful. A few of my neighbors had this done to their houses years ago.It doesn't look very good when new and looks really terrible when it eventually starts to peel [which it WILL do, if only because the underlying brownstone will continue to spall off].
Posted by: Bob Marvin at July 22, 2008 9:09 AM
Finished facade is actually made up of the fiberglass mixture which has been tinted and is put on with a trowel. It's a kind of stucco.
Posted by: meh7 at July 22, 2008 11:22 AM
Ohiise's question is still valid though. One of the worst things you can do to masonry is cover it with something rigid and impermeable like, for instance, Thoroseal. Seasonal heating/cooling will eventually cause cracks to develop, which lets moisture in and traps it. If that's followed by sub-freezing temps the water freezes, expands and the masonry will begin to disintegrate.
Make sure this stuff is flexible enough to take expansion/contraction and will also let the brownstone breathe.
Posted by: Steve at July 22, 2008 10:57 PM
I recommend you do not do this, but them again its your building and preference. Think of your Facade walls just like us, they need oxygen. Being that the facade materials are porous, they need to be exposed to air, if you block that....unseen deterioration shall occur, not maybe, but shall as in will and lets not forget the surprise of your friend the mold that shall pop up inside later on.
Posted by: Bklyn1 at August 6, 2008 9:38 AM
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