Tested & Certified

Wall Coatings - Independently Tested

Lucideon, renowned for its world-leading testing and characterization laboratories, conducted comprehensive and impartial tests on Ecoshield Coating wall coatings to ensure their efficacy and compliance with regulations.

The specific tests conducted by Lucideon aimed to:

  1. Assess the performance of Ecoshield Coating wall coatings after 25 years of accelerated weathering.
  2. Analyze the thermal insulating properties of the coatings.
  3. Evaluate the breathability of the coatings.
  4. Test and analyze the superhydrophobic (highly water-repellent) properties of the coatings.

These rigorous tests confirm Ecoshield Coating’s reliability and effectiveness, providing peace of mind for customers seeking top-notch wall coatings for their properties. 

Method

In a controlled experiment, Lucideon constructed a single skin brick wall, dividing it vertically into three equal parts using a 10 mm x 100 mm insulated expansion joint to prevent heat transfer between each section.

The experiment involved the following treatments for each section:

  1. First third: Coated with Ecoshield Coating Masonry Crème.
  2. Middle third: Left untreated, acting as the control.
  3. Final third: Coated with Ecoshield Coating Primer, followed by Ecoshield Coating Facade Coating.

To monitor temperature changes, 9 thermocouples were strategically placed on each section of the wall:

  • 3 on the front surface
  • 3 on the rear surface
  • 3 at a depth of 50 mm within the body of the wall.

Additionally, thermal imaging was used to further analyze the thermal behavior of the different wall coatings. This comprehensive study aimed to evaluate the thermal insulating properties and efficiency of Ecoshield Coating in real-world conditions. 

25 Year Performance

After undergoing accelerated weathering equivalent to 25 years of exposure, the Ecoshield Coating -coated bricks on the test wall frame exhibited excellent performance and retained their aesthetic appearance. There was no deterioration, cracking, delamination, or irreversible deformation observed. The Ecoshield Coating coating effectively prevented water penetration, indicating its water-repellent properties.

On the other hand, the uncoated bricks (middle third) showed signs of water penetration and the presence of significant soluble salt deposits (salt efflorescence), which can cause deterioration and structural issues over time (see image).

The test results demonstrate that Ecoshield Coating wall coatings offer reliable and long-lasting protection against weather-related damages, ensuring the integrity and appearance of the coated surface for an extended period. 

Hygrothermal Performance

The scientific assessment of Ecoshield Coating wall coatings’ thermal performance revealed significant energy efficiency benefits compared to uncoated bricks.

During the hygrothermal rain cycle, the thermocouples on the rear face of the walls showed that the uncoated wall experienced an average increase of 6⁰C in heat loss compared to the walls coated with Ecoshield Coating .

Thermal images taken during the rain cycles clearly displayed the temperature difference between the coated and uncoated bricks, further emphasizing the improved insulation provided by Ecoshield Coating wall coatings (see image).

Importantly, the thermal insulating properties of the coated bricks remained unchanged even after completion of the accelerated weathering test, indicating the long-term effectiveness of Ecoshield Coating wall coatings in maintaining energy efficiency and reducing heat loss. 

Highly Breathable

The testing conducted to determine the effect of Ecoshield Coating wall coatings on the breathability of bricks revealed that both Ecoshield Coating Masonry Crème and Ecoshield Coating Facade Coating had little impact on the water vapor resistance of the brick substrate.

The uncoated wall had a mean SD value of 0.57, while the same brick substrate, when coated with Ecoshield Coating Ecoshield Coating Crème and Ecoshield Coating Facade Coating, showed SD values of 0.56 and 0.60, respectively. These results indicate that the coatings did not adversely affect the ability of the bricks to allow moisture to escape, highlighting their breathability and compatibility with the brick substrate 

Highly Water Repellent

The super hydrophobic (highly water repellent) properties of the coatings were put to the test.

The test specimens used to analyse and measure breathability were also used for moisture content testing using Lucideon’s In House Testing Method PR 27:1998.  

Each specimen was sealed on 4 sides, leaving the front face exposed. Specimens were weighed before being placed in water, front face submerged. Specimens were then remeasured.

All samples were then placed in a dryer and weighed once more.

The moisture content was then calculated.

Results

The bricks coated with Ecoshield Coating were able to repel water and reduce absorption.

Moisture content tests revealed that the uncoated bricks showed an increase in moisture by 11.12%, whereas the bricks coated in Ecoshield Coating Masonry Crème only showed an increase of 0.41% and 0.74% for Ecoshield Coating Facade Coating.

This equates to reduced water absorption of 96.3%. for Ecoshield Coating Masonry Crème and 93.4% for Ecoshield Coating Facade Coating.