#cladding sprayers near me

[claddingsprayers]

Cladding Sprayers: Transforming Surfaces with Precision

If you've ever marveled at the gleaming exterior of a modern building, there's a good chance you were admiring the work of cladding sprayers. Cladding sprayers are the unsung heroes of the construction and renovation industry, responsible for giving buildings a fresh, polished look. But what exactly are they, and how do they work their magic? In this article, we're going to dive deep into the world of cladding sprayers, uncovering their secrets and exploring the artistry behind their precision.

Unveiling Cladding Sprayers: The Artist's Tools of the Trade

Imagine you're an artist about to create a masterpiece. You need the right tools to bring your vision to life. Cladding Sprayers are the brushes and canvases of the architectural world, allowing builders to transform the appearance of structures. These high-tech gadgets take on the challenge of beautifying buildings, just as an artist would create a stunning painting.

Cladding sprayers are specialized machines designed to apply a protective or decorative layer to a building's exterior. This layer, known as cladding, can be made of various materials, including stucco, plaster, or textured finishes. The choice of cladding material can dramatically impact a building's aesthetics and durability.

The Precision of the Art

Cladding sprayers are prized for their precision. Just as an artist delicately applies each brushstroke to a canvas, these machines evenly and meticulously distribute the cladding material over a building's surface. This precision ensures that the final result is not only visually appealing but also long-lasting.

Unlike traditional hand-application methods, cladding sprayers can cover large surfaces quickly, reducing both time and labor costs. It's like a rapid-fire artist, painting with efficiency and consistency.

How Do Cladding Sprayers Work Their Magic?

Understanding the inner workings of cladding sprayers is like peeking behind the curtain at a magic show. Let's demystify their mechanisms and reveal the secrets of their sorcery.

The Core Components

At the heart of every cladding sprayer is a powerful pump. This pump pressurizes the cladding material and pushes it through a hose to the nozzle. The nozzle is where the real magic happens. Just as an artist's hand guides the brush, the nozzle directs the cladding material to the building's surface.

A Symphony of Precision

The process is akin to a finely-tuned orchestra. The pump is the conductor, setting the rhythm and pressure, while the nozzle is the soloist, delivering the material with pinpoint accuracy. This symphony of components results in a flawless application of cladding, covering every nook and cranny of the building's exterior.

Versatility in Action

Cladding sprayers are incredibly versatile. They can handle various materials, from lightweight coatings to heavy mortars. This flexibility allows builders to choose the perfect cladding material for their project, just as an artist selects the right colors for a painting. The end result is a building that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also well-protected from the elements.

Why Cladding Sprayers Matter

Now that we understand the mechanics of cladding sprayers, let's explore why they matter in the world of construction and architecture. To do that, we'll pose a few questions:

Why is the exterior appearance of a building so important? Just as we judge a book by its cover, we often judge a building by its exterior. A well-clad building can enhance its curb appeal, making it more attractive to potential tenants or buyers.

How do cladding sprayers contribute to sustainability? These machines reduce material waste and energy consumption, making them eco-friendly choices. Like artists who repurpose old canvases, cladding sprayers make efficient use of resources.

Why are cladding sprayers crucial for renovation projects? When breathing new life into an older structure, cladding sprayers offer a cost-effective way to refresh its appearance without the need for extensive demolition. It's akin to giving a classic painting a touch-up instead of starting from scratch.

What role do cladding sprayers play in weatherproofing buildings? Just as an artist applies varnish to protect their work, cladding sprayers create a weather-resistant shield that guards against the elements, increasing the longevity of a building.

The Evolution of Cladding Sprayers

Like any art form, cladding sprayers have evolved over the years. Today's machines are a far cry from their predecessors. They are more efficient, precise, and user-friendly, making them a must-have for any construction project.

Technological Advancements

Advancements in technology have allowed cladding sprayers to become smarter and more intuitive. They can now be programmed to adjust the flow rate and pressure, ensuring a consistent application. Think of it as an artist who can customize their brush strokes to match their vision perfectly.

Eco-Friendly Innovations

The world is increasingly focused on sustainability, and cladding sprayers are no exception. Many modern machines are designed to reduce material waste and are compatible with environmentally friendly cladding materials. It's like an artist who uses eco-friendly paints to create a masterpiece.

User-Friendly Designs

Today's cladding sprayers are designed with ease of use in mind. They are lightweight, ergonomic, and offer adjustable handles for comfortable operation. This user-friendliness ensures that even novice users can achieve professional results, much like how an artist-friendly canvas and high-quality brushes enhance the creative process.

The Art of Cladding: Applications and Aesthetics

Cladding sprayers are not limited to a single type of building or project. They find their place in various applications, each requiring a distinct touch of artistry.

Commercial Buildings

In the realm of commercial buildings, cladding sprayers are indispensable. They can transform the façade of shopping malls, office complexes, and retail outlets. Just as a skilled artist tailors their style to suit the subject, cladding sprayers can adapt to create the desired aesthetic for the business.

Residential Homes

Homes often benefit from cladding sprayers, especially in areas prone to harsh weather conditions. The application of weather-resistant cladding not only enhances a home's appearance but also provides a protective shield against the elements. Think of it as putting a protective frame around a cherished painting.

Industrial and Manufacturing Facilities

Even the most rugged industrial structures can benefit from cladding. These machines can provide a durable, corrosion-resistant coating that extends the life of the facility. Just as an artist might apply a sealant to protect their work, cladding sprayers shield industrial structures from the ravages of time.

Renovation Projects

When reviving older buildings, cladding sprayers offer an efficient way to rejuvenate their appearance. They can give a fresh, modern look to structures that have stood the test of time, much like how an art restorer carefully brings a classic painting back to life.

Choosing the Right Cladding Sprayer

Just as an artist selects the perfect brush for a particular painting, choosing the right cladding sprayer is crucial for achieving the desired results. Here are some factors to consider:

Project Size: Consider the size of your project. Larger projects may require more powerful sprayers with higher flow rates, while smaller projects can be completed with compact units.

Cladding Material: The type of cladding material you intend to use is a significant factor. Ensure the sprayer you choose is compatible with the material you plan to apply.

Ease of Use: User-friendliness is vital, especially if you have novice operators. Look for machines with adjustable handles and easy-to-understand controls.

Maintenance: Just as artists need to clean and maintain their brushes, cladding sprayers require maintenance. Choose a machine that is easy to clean and service to prolong its lifespan.

Conclusion: The Artistry of Cladding Sprayers

In the world of construction and renovation, cladding sprayers are the artists behind the transformation of buildings. They bring precision, efficiency, and aesthetic beauty to structures, much like a painter brings life to a canvas. These versatile machines offer a myriad of benefits, from sustainability to weatherproofing, making them an indispensable tool in the construction industry.

Just as artists adapt and evolve their techniques, cladding sprayers have seen significant advancements, becoming more efficient and eco-friendly. They have become user-friendly, allowing even novice operators to achieve professional results.

Whether it's a commercial building, a residential home, an industrial facility, or a renovation project, cladding sprayers play a pivotal role in enhancing aesthetics and ensuring structural longevity. Choosing the right cladding sprayer is essential for a successful project, much like an artist selecting the perfect brush for their masterpiece.

In the end, the artistry of cladding sprayers is not merely about machinery but about the transformation of spaces, the protection of structures, and the creation of beauty in the world of architecture. Like an artist's brush on canvas, these machines leave their mark on buildings, making them not just functional but truly works of art.

[bigyack-com]

How Big Businesses Get a 'Deep Clean' in Coronavirus Pandemic

On a recent day on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, traders were cheek-to-cheek as stock prices flashed above them. They stood in clusters shouting, sharing screens, sharing pizza, sharing pens. They shook hands, leaned over shoulders, patted each others’ backs, hugged. There were no windows open.The New York Stock Exchange was not built for social distancing. But it is not ready to close and send the traders home because of the coronavirus.And so, starting late Friday night, the stock exchange got fully sanitized for the first time since the iconic neoclassical building opened in 1903. More precisely, it got a “deep clean.”The process took eight hours and a crew of 10 specialists. These deep cleanings are planned to be repeated weekly, at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars per month. But those in charge of the building and many of the traders themselves believe the New York Stock Exchange — a symbol of American economic might and stability — is too important to shut down.“The stock exchange is a sign of strength,” said Stacey Cunningham, president of the New York Stock Exchange. “That’s why we’re open.”John Tuttle, vice chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, added, “The bell always rings, rain or shine. It’s the most sacred 40 square feet in finance.”The stock market closed Friday up more than 9 percent after a stressful week that included what was then the worst single-day drop since the 1987 Black Monday crash.Around 5 p.m., the CNBC crew that broadcasts from the floor of the exchange turned their lights off.The traders were exhausted. They filed out. The regular cleaning crew came through with trash bags and brooms.At 6 p.m., the new crew came in through the colonnade, under the pediment with massive carved stone figures representing science, industry, agriculture and mining. They were from an outside firm, Tech Clean Industries. They were familiar with the stock exchange — they usually cleaned the building’s ducts, fans, air pumps and heaters. Now they had been fitted with new gear and the task of deep cleaning.There had been arguments to close the building. Much of the work that once happened on the trading floor now happens online, executed by algorithms, quietly, with no handshaking.But the work that traders do in person reduces volatility and adds a layer of human-guided assurance to the market, many of them said.“It’s like a plane. It can fly itself,” Ms. Cunningham said. “But when you’re managing critical situations you want people involved, with human eyes on each stock.”Tim Anderson, the managing director of TJM investments who works in a pod on the trading floor, said he had been trying to shake hands less and hug less. He was using hand sanitizer more. He said he had no intention of staying home from work.“It would be a very bad optic for the building to close,” he said, adding that he was excited about the sanitation effort. “I mean look, I think it’d be a great idea to do it once a month even if there wasn’t a virus.”The disinfection crew wore matching hazardous material suits, reflective yellow vests, doubled-up blue gloves, goggles and purple respirators. They filled spray bottles and fanned out across the floor. They would be working until the morning. They would clean every surface that people had touched.The place was pretty messy, truth be told.There is a long tradition of writing notes and arithmetic on scraps of paper and dropping them, ripped up, on the floor. And so last Friday, there were the scraps, along with piles of candy wrappers, water bottles, pizza oil-covered paper plates, tin foil, and many balled up napkins, which doubled as stress balls for the traders during the day.The hazmat suit-clad cleaning team wandered and sprayed every surface — computers, chair legs, tables, floor, everything — with Z BioScience Multi-Task Probiotic Cleaner. They threw out every paper they encountered, making piles of notes and printer paper. They wiped the surfaces down.Next, they rolled out a big yellow tank and a couple of crew members put on tank backpacks. Using a specialized sprayer that looked like a paint gun, they coated everything with Anasphere, a biohazard disinfectant. This was the most toxic step.They left the disinfectant there for about ten minutes to allow it to cure. They worked quietly at the beginning. As the night wore on, they talked and joked a little more.The last step was preventive. They applied a probiotic layer — Z BioScience Enviro-Mist Microflora spray — that would stay on all the surfaces and buy them a couple more days until the process needed to start again.Jim Katsarelis, the stock exchange's head of building operations who oversees efforts to keep the building clean every day, said he knows keeping the surfaces sanitized was not enough to prevent the spread of a virus that comes from bodies, traveling from a sneeze or a wiped nose and a handshake.So “we also have new rules — no shaking hands, no hugging, no kissing,” he said, adding that it was hard because, “We’re affectionate people.”He talked about keeping the building open as a civic obligation.“I drive over the Long Island bridge, and it always amazes me the beauty of the city skyline, and I see this place equal to that,” Mr. Katsarelis said. “I want to keep it open, and I want to keep it clean, and I want to keep us healthy so I can do it for a little bit longer.”The disinfection crew sprayed just about everything but the opening bell.They finished early Saturday morning, funneling out in civilian clothes before the sun rose over Wall Street, quiet on a weekend.On Monday morning, as New York schools, restaurants and shops stayed dark and with subways eerily quiet, the stock exchange lit up like normal. On Sunday, the Federal Reserve had cut interest rates to near zero to help stimulate the economy.The CNBC lights came back on. The stock prices flashed. Traders returned, not quite elbow to elbow anymore.“This is one of four buildings that defines America: the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court and the New York Stock Exchange. All three branches of government and then the economy,” Mr. Tuttle said. “We can’t close.” Read the full article

[catknitmom-blog]

Hunter One Shot

The rag in my right hand slapped against the hood of my Ford Escape as I washed the dried bugs from the hood and front bumper. It was a hot day in the August heat of Texas reaching close to 100 degrees and above 90% humidity. Sweat was dripping down my skin and saturating my thin green cotton tank top and cut off shorts as I ran the soapy rag over the small SUV. I stood up to stretch arching my back when I heard the thumping rock bass of a classic rock song from the 80's caught my attention, and I glanced over to the vacuum cleaners in front of the washing bay where I was parked. A '67 black Impala with Kansas license plates was parked less than 20 feet away from me with the front doors open and the stereo blasting over the roar of the vacuum. The chrome was polished and the black paint job was well waxed and freshly washed. It was the epitome of American made classic car and I admired the detail as it was obviously well cared for. Next to the passenger door, I noticed long legs and a very fine masculine ass swinging to the beat of the song. As he kneeled on the front seat to reach across, I saw he was wearing rugged brown leather hiking boots. I didn't want to be caught gawking, so I quickly turned back to washing my car. Since I happen to like the classic Def Leppard song playing, I started swinging my hips and dancing to the beat and singing "Pour Some Sugar on Me". I was really getting into the music as I washed my car when I suddenly noticed the man with the Impala had finished and was staring at me as he leaned against the trunk. His long legs were crossed at the ankles and his well muscled arms were crossed over his t-shirt clad broad chest. I couldn't help but slide my eyes up his body taking in the narrow waist, tight abs, well defined shoulders and thick neck. His chin was a little scruffy like it had been at least two days since a razor had touched it. His full lips were stretched into a huge smile of white teeth as he watched me and his jaw was square with a little dimple in the center of his chin. I couldn't see the color of his eyes behind the dark sunglasses perched on his nose and his hair was a darker blonde color pushed off his forehead with gel. I shot him a flirty smile back since he was very attractive, and I didn't mind the audience since I was enjoying to music. I went back to washing my Escape. When I heard the car wash sprayer turn on I looked up over the top of my car, and I saw the tall man rinsing the side I had already washed. "Thanks." I said. "No, problem. Since I enjoyed your dancing to my music, I thought I'd help you finish so I could introduce myself." His voice was a deep baritone that sent a shiver down my spine. We finished washing my Escape together. I poured the soapy bucket into the drain and rinsed the rag in the sprayer. Shutting off the water, the man turned around and held out his hand. "Hi, I'm Dean." "Nice to meet you. I'm Rachel." I smiled up at Dean since he was about six inches taller than me and took his large hand into my smaller one. He was very sexy and appeared to be in his mid-thirties. Goosebumps traveled up my arm when I felt his fingers softly stroke my sensitive palm. His bright white smile widened and crinkles formed in the corners of his eyes at my physical response to his touch. His eyes followed my tongue as I nervously licked the sweat on my upper lip. "I've got some beer on ice in the trunk if you would like a cold drink." Dean offered. "You know exactly what a woman needs, don't you, Dean?" I teased back enjoying flirting with this gorgeous man. "Absolutely." He replied with a laugh and turned to pop the trunk of the Impala reaching inside and grabbing two longneck bottles of Shiner Bock from a beat up old metal green cooler. I caught a glimpse of a complex design in white paint on the inside trunk before Dean closed it. Opening both bottles, Dean walked over and handed me a bottle. Taking a long draw of the ice cold beer I swallowed the crisp dark flavor with a hum of pleasure. "Awesome." As I lowered the bottle I noticed Dean watching a drop of sweat slide down my neck into the low cleavage of my tank top. "Enjoying the view?" "Yeah. Hot girl in more ways than one is my favorite view." Dean said as he raised his eyes to mine and they began to burn with green fire. I felt my face flush in response to his appraisal. I watched his throat and the muscles in his neck as he tipped up his own bottle taking a long drink. I resisted the urge to run my palm down his well defined chest but my eyes must have betrayed me because Dean leaned towards me to whisper, "Want to get out of here and get to know each other some place a little more private?" "I have a better idea." I whispered back coyly. I tipped the bottle up and downed the cold brew. As I flipped the bottle into the trash, I asked, "If you want to follow me, I'll take you to my favorite place to cool off." Without waiting to see if he was going to follow me, I turned and hopped into my Escape and turned the key. I pulled out of the car wash bay and took a right onto the black top road. I smiled as heard the deep growl of the Impala following me. Heading towards my brother's ranch for 15 minutes, I turned off the highway onto one of the back ranch dirt roads and bumped over the cattle guard between the barbed wire fencing. We drove down to the edge of the 40 acre lake in the back pasture. As I turned off the engine, the Impala pulled next to my Escape and the engine turned off with a rev. I dropped the keys into the console and stepped out into the Texas heat. Whistling appreciatively under his breath, Dean stepped out of the car and said, "Awesome." He walked around the front of the car to stand next to me looking out across the lake. The water was clear enough to see the rocky bottom and the small minnows swimming just under the surface. There was a small island of rocks near the center with a few mesquite trees along the shores. An earthen dam surrounded the lake on one side where the lake had been dug out providing a very private setting. "Welcome to the Rocking R ranch, Dean. This is my favorite spot and the best place to spend a hot afternoon." I waved my hand towards the lake. "Feel like a swim?" "Absolutely. I've got some cut-offs in the trunk." Dean answered. "Oh, you don't need those." I smiled wickedly as I pulled my tank top off and dropped my shorts down my legs. Dean's eyes went wide as he realized that I was stripping right there and then smiled and unbuckled his belt before pulling off his t-shirt revealing a perfectly formed chest and tight abs. Without any embarrassment I took off my matching lace bra and panties and stood proudly letting Dean look his fill. As his jeans and briefs hit the ground, I glanced down to see the impressive erection he was sporting. Before he could untie his hiking boots, I kicked out of my tennis shoes. "Race you to the island!" I said as I took off for the water and dove long and low into the lake. I heard a guffaw of laughter at my playfulness and before long there was a splash behind me. Setting out with long strokes, Dean quickly caught up to me and passed me to reach the rocks first. I reached the island just a second behind him. On the side we reached, there was a sheer drop below the water so we held the rocks while we caught our breath treading water. "I win." Dean said laughing. "What do I get as a prize?" I wrapped both arms around his neck so he had to keep one hand on the rock to keep us from going under the water. Pressing my body to his, I kissed him. He slid his free arm around my waist and arched my back into him so I could feel his naked skin from my shoulders to my feet. Tilting his head slightly he ran his tongue along my lips asking for permission to enter which I granted so our mouths could blend together completely. Using my tongue to trace every texture from the serrated edges of his teeth and the soft inside of his lips, I lost all sense of the world around me but my intense focus on the man in my arms. I felt Dean's hand move up my spine, and he buried his hand in my long hair holding my head as he plundered my mouth as thoroughly as I was exploring his. The intense explosion of passion between us was quickly unquenchable, and we were fighting to get closer without drowning. Breaking apart and breathing harshly, Dean quickly pushed up onto the small rock island and lifted me up effortlessly into his arms. He maneuvered me so that I was lying on my back with him leaning over me. He leaned down and rested his thigh between mine and continued to kiss me till nothing existed except him to me. Breaking contact, Dean pushed up onto his elbows to look down into my eyes. The sun was directly behind his head giving him a halo like look and almost all of the green was swallowed up with his blown pupils. "Damn! Rachel, you are so hot." Dean's voice was deeper and rougher as he tried to catch his breath. "Want to continue this back on shore so I can get a condom?" "Absolutely, cowboy." I smiled up at him stroking my hand down his slick damp shoulders and arms. Dean stood quickly and held out his hand to pull me up off the rocks. As I stood, I flowed into his arms again and moved my hand onto the back of his head pulling him down to merge my mouth to his for more deep wet kisses. I could feel the sun's warmth all over my body intensifying the sensations I was experiencing with Dean. All my focus began to pool into my lower abdomen and between my legs. Dean's hand slid up my rib cage to caress my breast causing a shiver to run down my spine making my knees weak. Placing my palms on his pectorals I gently pushed back gaining some distance between our bodies to draw a deep breath. Without a word I spun on my heel and dove into the lake setting out as fast as possible for the shore where my Escape and the Impala were parked. Again, I heard a splash behind me as Dean entered the lake swimming as quickly as I was. He made it to the shore first and I left the water a few seconds behind him. I stood admiring his body in the bright sunshine as he walked to the trunk of the Impala. There wasn't a single imperfection on that gorgeous body from his muscular calves, lean waist, rounded butt, and broad shoulders. Dean pulled a red and black plaid blanket from the trunk and spread it out between our cars. His eyes were burning with desire and he slowly held out his hand beckoning me to him. As if I was being pulled by an invisible rope, I walked toward him slowly giving an extra sway to my hips. I moved into his arms and he lowered us to the blanket covered ground. I was burning for him already, "I feel empty Dean. Fill me, please." I begged. Leaning up and rolling onto his side, he picked up a small foil packet and rolled the condom onto his engorged cock. It was as beautiful as the rest of his body, thick, rounded, and long enough to guarantee absolute pleasure to a woman. Trailing his hand up from my ankle to the center of my core, Dean moaned when he felt how wet and ready I was for him. "Jeez, Rachel, you are so beautiful and perfect." He lightly circle my clit drawing out gasps of pleasure from my lips. Increasing the pressure, he eased his long finger into me causing my hips to jerk towards his hand. "Easy baby, we're almost there." Adding another long finger, I gasped as he stretched me causing another wave of moisture to pool from my core as he watched my face for every reactions he was drawing out of me. My hands instinctively clinched on his shoulder digging my nails into him causing him to groan. "That's it, I can't wait another second." Dean rolled between my thighs and fitted his latex covered cock into my sensitive core. I melted around him as the stretching sensation made waves of ecstasy travel all over my body. I moaned as Dean fitted his mouth to my lips and mimicked the motion of his rocking hips with his tongue. Wrapping my arms tightly around his back and raising my knees to take him as deep as I could, I tried to hold onto the only thing in my reality at that moment, Dean. As I moaned into his mouth, he started moving faster hitting my sweet spot deep inside with every thrust. Unconsciously my nails dug into his butt cheeks and we began to be climb the pinnacle of ecstasy. Raising my hips, I met Dean's thrusts pushing us both towards climax faster and faster. I broke away from his amazing mouth gasping for oxygen and buried my face into the junction of his neck and shoulder. Dean was pushing up on his arms and every muscle was tensed with the strength of our mutual physical need. Just when I thought I couldn't contain his powerful strokes, I climaxed with a yell and bit down on the tendons of his neck where my mouth was. Right then, Dean threw back his head and gave a loud shout as he strained in finding his own release and poured into the condom. After jerking three powerful times, he collapse onto me, and I savored his weight cradled on my pelvis as we both gasped for air. After several long minutes, our breathing returned to almost normal. Dean stirred, "I'm crushing you." He moved to roll onto his side, but I held on him which made him smile. When his cock softened and eased from from my body, I let go of my tight grip on his shoulders letting him roll to lay beside me. He peeled off the condom and rolled to his side facing me resting his head on his hand. "Wow, that was incredible, Rachel." With my eyes closed I smiled, "Yeah, cowboy, that was a hell of a ride." Dean laid back and laughed loud and long. "I sure am glad I needed to wash the Impala today." Dean said as his laughing slowed down. The sun felt wonderful on my naked skin, so I lifted my arms above my head with a deep sigh. I was more relaxed than I had been my entire life thanks to the gorgeous man beside me. "I needed this so much, thank you." I said as I stretched fully on the blanket. "Really? Glad to be of service. Give me a call anytime you need to expend some tension." Dean said as he turned to face me again. "You weren't the only one feeling stressed. Baby, I should be thanking you." "Your welcome, cowboy." Goosebumps starting on my arms and legs and I shivered from the water and sweat drying on my skin. Seeing my shiver, Dean wrapped his long arms around me and turned me into his chest. It was like having my own heating blanket. "You are so warm. Does you internal heater always stay on." I teased and he chuckled. "Baby, you are the hot one, not me." He said against the top of my hair and pulled the blanket to cover me. We laid wrapped in each other's arms for about ten minutes savoring the euphoric aftermath before Dean's stomach made a loud growl causing me to giggle. "Someone's hungry." "What can I say, man can't live by sex alone." Dean gave me a squeeze and kissed my forehead. "The least I can do is buy you dinner for sharing your private lake with me." "Is that your way of asking me out, cowboy?" I said against his chest giggling a little at the absurdity of the situation since I just had sex with a man I met only a few hours ago. "Well...yeah." He said a little sheepishly. Until his stomach made another loud growl, causing us to laugh again. "Dinner is definitely needed." We got up and while Dean put the blanket back in the trunk, I opened the hatch on my Escape and opened my gym bag which had a complete change of clean clothes. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dean open a beat up duffle bag and pull out clean clothes of his own. After I dressed, I walked down to the shore and gathered up our abandoned clothes. Separating them, I handed Dean his and laid mine in the hatch. "What are you hungry for?" I asked. Dean gave me a pointed look as his gaze slowly traveled from my shoes up my body to my eyes, "Besides what you already gave me? Can I get seconds later?" I playfully punched his arm which he grabbed and pulled me into a gentle hug. "You probably know a good local place since I'm not from around here, so how about you surprise me?" "You like barbecue?" I asked. "Awesome. I haven't had good Texas barbecue in years." He answered. "Then, I know the perfect place. It's only about two miles up the highway." With a small feeling of disappointment, I stepped out of Dean's arms and climbed into my Escape. He followed me again off the ranch and onto the highway to C&J's which had the best brisket in town. We had a wonderful dinner and talked for hours about all kinds of things that we had in common: classic rock music, driving on long road trips, even our love of the classic Three Stooges. Leaving the restaurant after it had gotten dark, Dean walked with me over to my Escape. Neither of us wanted this day to end, so the silence stretched between us for several minutes before Dean said, "I better get back to my brother at the hotel. He's probably wondering where I've been all day." "Me too. Kyle, my older brother, is a little over-protective and I'm surprised he hasn't tried to text or call me yet." Just as I finished saying that my phone vibrated so I pulled it out of my pocket and checked the message. Sure enough, Kyle was asking where the hell I was. "I better get going." "Yeah, me too." Dean leaned down towards me looking deep into my eyes. Just as I was drowning in Dean's apple green eyes, a large shiny black SUV with black tinted windows came squealing into the parking lot. It screeched to a stopped just in front of us, and four very large men jumped out. Dean immediately stepped in front of me and pushed me behind his wide back. Every muscle I could see outlined in his tight shirt was tensed and he widened his stance as the men approach. "Winchester. I've waited a long time to take you on." The first man spoke in growl that didn't sound quite human, and I noticed that his eyes were black as crude oil. Since my brother Kyle and I were hunters, I recognized the eyes of a demon and the name Dean Winchester was familiar too. "Let's get it on, you demon son of a bitch." Dean snarled in return as he slipped a wicked looking silver bone handle knife from the back waistband of his belted jeans. "Rachel, get in your car and get the hell out of here." Dean said without taking his eyes off the four men advancing on us. Oh, I don't think the lady should leave. Severn and Legion get the woman, Falkirk and I will take care of Winchester." The demonic leader barked orders to his companions. Two of the demons began to flank Dean and I before I could take one step towards my car. I spun till I was back to back with Dean and prepared to defend myself. Even with all the self defense and martial arts courses I had taken, there was no defense against their unnatural speed, and I was quickly rendered unconscious from a right hook to my jaw from one of the huge demons. As I fell into blackness, my last sight was Dean lying prone on the asphalt with blood dripping from a gash on his forehead next to my smashed phone. My last thought was how stupid Kyle was going to think I was because I left my weapons in the Escape and spent the day with Dean unarmed.

[mrstevenbushus]

Finishing the Walls and Rendering

We’ve opted for a mix of timber cladding (we covered this in the September issue) and silicone render for the Education House’s external walls. They need to fulfil two key roles: prevent moisture ingress and provide an attractive finish.

Rendering involves fundamentally the same skillset as internal plastering – hence most plasterers do both types of work (and often floor screed, too). So, many self builders will engage the same team for these wet trade tasks.

In our case, however, we wanted to use a specialist to install the modern render we’ve selected. So alongside Drewett and Hunt’s plasterers, who are completing the internal tack and skim, we brought in silicone render specialist Prestige Energy, which has worked on a number of other projects at Graven Hill.

Benefits of silicone render

We’ve appointed K Rend as a partner to supply its silicone thin coat render, which has a fine textured finish, for the Build It Education House.

A cement-based system incorporating silicone, it offers a number of advantages over traditional solutions. Here are the key reasons we chose it:

1. It’s self-coloured Probably the biggest attraction of our silicone render is that the colour (there are 20 standard options) is embedded into the topcoat. So it doesn’t need painting, and there’s no redecoration to do over its lifetime.

2. It’s very flexible Properly applied and cared for, it has a long life expectancy of 30+ years. One reason for this is silicone render is more flexible than traditional products, so it accommodates movement and resists cracking.

3. It’s water repellent The silicone imparts a hydrophobic quality, which means it’s highly water (and dirt) resistant. So much so, that this type of render offers an element of self cleaning – the only regular maintenance that might be required is a light pressure wash every few years.

There’s no doubt that silicone render is a premium product. Depending on your project, it might come in at double the cost of a traditional finish.

But the speed of application should reduce the amount of skilled labour required for installation, while its dirt-resisting qualities will keep a lid on long-term maintenance. So it can represent very good value for money for a self builder looking to stay in their home for many years.

K Rend sent out a sample pack for us to evaluate, which helped narrow down the options. We were confident a shade of white would be the right fit, as per Lapd Architects’ original design. But we couldn’t decide between two tones.

K Rend again stepped in to help, providing a couple of tubs for us to trial. That helped us settle on Limestone White, which will give a crisp, characterful finish to complement the larch cladding, yellow-grey window frames and red/brown roof tile blend.

Silicone render isn’t the only modern option on the market. A wide range of alternatives is available, each with its own benefits and considerations.

Learn more

Applying the render

It’s best to have all the key elements of your home’s elevations done and dusted by the time the renderers get on site.

Ideally, the windows will be in, other external finishes (such as timber cladding) fitted, and the soffits and fascias installed. With those in place, getting a neat finish should be a doddle.

1. The ground floor part-way through tacking. The pink section in the ceiling is fire-rated plasterboard, which is required by Building Regs to protect structural steel

Prestige’s team, led by site foreman Darren, started by taping up the windows, doors and other joints with exterior finishes to protect them. Incidentally, because our timber windows have a microporous finish that needs to be allowed to breathe, they can only be covered for a short amount of time. All the more reason to use a quick-apply render solution!

With the prep done, the first step was to bed in the PVCu stop and angle beads where the render finishes or reaches internal/external corners (eg at the windows). This is the fiddliest bit of the job, and the team needed to build up a few corner beads to overcome thicker bits of silicone seal.

To keep up momentum, they set to work applying a base coat to the most straightforward elevations first. This was trowel-applied directly to the face of the insulating concrete formwork (ICF) walls, with an alkali-resistant fabric mesh embedded while the render was still wet. The mesh helps to smooth out any imperfections in the polystyrene, which reduces the risk of cracking even further and improves impact resistance.

2. We’ve packed Earthwool acoustic insulation into the first floor ceilings and all the stud walls

Silicone renders can be spray-applied, but Prestige tell me this is more common on commercial projects rather than one-off houses. When the work’s on different elevations, it’s actually quicker and easier to trowel on: by the time you’ve set up the sprayer, you’d be half-way done anyway.

After 48 hours, the wall was ready for its next coat. Once that was cured, a primer was applied. To help streamline our build programme and enable us to get the scaffold down quicker, the team worked over a weekend to get this phase done.

Soon after, the walls were ready for the topcoat, which Prestige advised should be 1.5mm thick. This is enough to give a little bit of texture, while ensuring any imperfections in the substrate are completely hidden.

3. The main basement room, fully skimmed and complete with recessed ceiling

K Rend’s topcoats come in ready-to-go tubs with the colour already pre-mixed. The total build-up of silicone render is just 6mm-10mm, depending on how straight and plumb your walls are. That compares to around 25mm for a traditional cement render.

Add this up around the perimeter of a whole house, and this thinner finish can help maximise on precious internal space.

Internal walls & ceilings

Most self builders opt for plasterboard (sometimes known as drywall or tacking) and a skim plaster finish on the internal face of ICF walls. It’s quicker than traditional wet plastering, requires less skilled labour and avoids the usual 14-day drying time (a skim coat will dry in just two or three days).

As our Nudura system has fastening strips at 600mm centres, the boards can be screwed directly to the ICF wall (rather than battening out) to give a solid feel. The majority of our service runs are located in the ceiling voids, with hot-knifed channels in the polystyrene walls down to sockets and switches. We can also plasterboard directly onto the SIPs panels in zones with vaulted ceilings.

In the basement, we’ve glued stud walls to the floor to avoid screwing into the waterproofing membrane. So we need to batten out the load bearing block internal wall in the vaulted hallway, to ensure the boards are flush all the way up. We’re also creating a recessed ceiling with LED lighting in the media zone, achieved using two different batten sizes.

Tacking

Plasterers are busy people, and ideally want to tackle projects in one big push so they can get the job done and move onto the next. On a gantt chart, you’d plan for them to come in once all first fix works are done so they’re basically the only trade working internally.

In practice, however, there are bound to be delays and overlaps somewhere (the eagle eyed among you will have noticed some images of tacked walls in last month’s update). It’s up to you, if you’re self-project managing, or your main contractor to try to minimise the impact of any setbacks.

One trick is to focus your resource on getting works done in sections to stay ahead of the game. Our tackers started in the basement and worked their way up – giving the rest of Drewett and Hunt’s team time to finalise prep on the storeys above.

Plasterboarding is quick work. For example, with the exception of a few areas of boxing out, the walls and ceilings in the main basement zone were tacked in a couple of days.

In most areas, we’ve used conventional 12.5mm-thick plasterboard, which comes in 1,200mm x 2,400mm sheets. Different thicknesses are available, which can be handy if you need to correct any discrepancies.

We’ve used SoundBloc acoustic board at the main bathroom to reduce noise transfer, but reverted to standard gypsum sheets with Earthwool insulation in the stud walls and ceiling voids. In some places, such as where there are structural steels, there’s pink-hued fire-rated plasterboard to meet Building Regulations.

The main area we couldn’t tack until later on in the build was the vaulted hallway. The crew needed an internal scaffold tower for access here, but erecting this too early would have blocked other trades, such as the floor tilers. So we made the decision to hold back on this section and concentrate on the rest of the house.

As we send the mag off to print, this area is mostly tacked and due to be finished imminently.

Skimming

With the boards in place, your other trades can crack on with any remaining first fix works – for example, the electricians will cut out for light fittings and install back boxes for switches and sockets.

Getting this work done before the plasterers return to do the skim will ensure best results – but some small post-plaster tweaks are inevitable. Skimming is done in two coats: the first gets the wall near-perfect, and the second thinner layer gives that ultra-smooth finish.

Skimming underway in the ground floor living room. It’s best to do the ceilings first to avoid disturbing the wall finishes with any muck that drops off the trowel. The final stages involve ���troweling out’ the skim multiple times to achieve a really smooth surface.

The main prep is fitting beading at window reveals etc, and covering any joints with scrim (a special mesh tape helps to prevent cracking). After that, it’s all guns blazing. Drewett & Hunt’s plasterers brought in a big crew for this phase – and most of the ground floor was done in a single day.

That’s partly necessity: once you’ve started applying plaster to a wall, you have to complete it. Seeing the process in action is pretty impressive.

There’s an art to achieving perfectly smooth walls and ceilings ready for decoration – and it’s not something I’d fancy tackling DIY (get it wrong and you’d have to start all over again). But it’s bread and butter to skilled trades who know all the tricks and do it day-in, day-out.

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