What is Grafotherm?
Grafotherm is a one-component, water-based coating, effective on most non-porous surfaces to eliminate condensation and the associated issues and damage caused by it.
The treatment is designed to be sprayed on the underside of any single-skin steel or aluminium roof system. It is also very effective in vehicles! With its stippled finish and incorporated fungicide, it is extremely efficient at preventing condensation and also any potential of mould.
Due to its inherent properties, Grafotherm is also effective at improving acoustics, by reducing sound reverberation, decreasing the effect of solar gain, and also increasing levels of light reflection within a space.
Grafotherm is light grey or white in colour and, before application, has an appearance and texture similar to porridge. Once applied and cured, it gives the surface a stippled effect, and hardens to resemble a very rough sandpaper texture.
Now on special offer!
We can also quote for vehicles and bespoke spaces, so please get in touch for more information.
*We will require a deposit of 50% to secure your booking.
How does Grafotherm work?
Grafotherm is composed of millions of ‘micropores’, each between 0.1–100 microns in diameter. These micropores form a multi-layer, porous texture which has excellent moisture absorption capacity. It also makes it an efficient thermal insulant, and so increases the time before dew point is reached (when moisture starts to condense). This considerably reduces the periods during which condensation forms, and any condensation that does form is immediately absorbed by the coating.
At the recommended 1.5mm thickness, Grafotherm will effectively control one litre of moisture per square metre.
Evaporation occurs faster than with conventional coatings due to the microporous structure, which breaks the water surface tension and spreads the moisture over the coating, allowing Grafotherm to dry itself out extremely quickly after a period below dew point, and renewing its capacity to absorb more moisture for the next cycle. Good ventilation is important to aid this process.
What is the curing period?
Once applied, it is important that the conditions are right to allow the material to cure properly. During the curing period, the ambient air temperature should be above 10°C, the humidity should be low, and good ventilation is paramount throughout the process.
In ideal conditions, it should take around 2 days to completely cure (although it may appear hard to the touch within a few hours). Non-ideal conditions will simply extend the curing process and leave it more prone to damage. It is essential that curing is completed before Grafotherm is subjected to either frost or condensation.
During the summer months in the UK, the weather tends to be fine for the Grafotherm to cure naturally, with no artificial help. In the colder months, however, you may need some forced heating to keep temperatures and humidity in check, and always remember to maintain good ventilation.
We have found that diesel space heaters tend to be the most effective and economical way to keep things warm and dry. LPG (propane & butane) heaters do work, but they tend to be more expensive and, due to the combustion process of the gas, can introduce moisture into the space they are heating, making good ventilation even more important!
What is the application process?
On our visit, we’ll bring everything we need with us, including our own power and water supply (Unless we tell you otherwise when booking).
We’ll start with a quick inspection of the area to be treated, which should be clear of all obstructions and with good clear access for our equipment.
We’ll then mix the material to the required consistency and set up the spray equipment.
To prevent any overspray getting where it shouldn’t, we’ll lay some protection to the floor and any windows, etc, then we’ll don our PPE and start spraying the areas agreed, using our gun and hopper system.
We’ll spray the full soffit and the top 200-300mm of the walls with an even and consistent 1.5mm layer of Grafotherm, or around 1kg per m2.
We’ll ask you to inspect to make sure you’re happy, then we’ll tidy up and remove all the protection.
This is when maintaining the correct conditions is important, to minimise curing time.
If the weather conditions don’t allow for natural curing, please ensure that you have adequate forced heating available to maintain a minimum ambient temperature of 10°C, with good ventilation throughout the curing period. Please expect around 2-3 days for the complete curing period under these conditions.