To finish a façade, you can opt to finish it with a cement-free clay mortar. While clay is a technique that has been used for hundreds of years to finish and protect exterior and interior walls, chipping is a more recent, more decorative technique.
Cement-free clay, an ancient technique
While paving a façade with RC Kalei, a thin mortar layer of 2 to 3 mm is applied. This can traditionally be done manually with a block brush or mechanically with a worm pump. Chalking usually takes place in 2 layers, with the last, thinner layer ensuring that any small cracks are closed. A chalky façade provides a calm and modest appearance.
Chipping with a lime mortar
Chipping is actually an umbrella term for various techniques popularly known as burying, grouting, cementing and veiled grouting and are all a derivative technique of clay. In contrast to clay, where an opaque layer of mortar is applied, this is not the case with chipping. When chipping, parts of the stones and the masonry structure remain visible through the mortar.
 | The most subtle version is veiled grouting and is often described in construction documents as joint veil. In this process, the facade is fully grouted and the grout is applied as a veil over the facade surface when flattened. After curing, a colored veil of mortar remains on the facade. This technique works best with smooth, straight facing bricks and creates a sleek, modern look. |
| In burling or pap grouting, alternating sections of the facing brick are covered with the mortar completely or not at all during grouting. Depending on how much mortar is used and the condition of the masonry, an artisanal, authentic and playful effect is created. |  |
We can use a more comprehensive, rougher technique opaque chipper work name and is similar to cementing. Here, the facing bricks and joints are completely covered. This technique is often used in façade renovations, where various types of facing bricks still form a harmonious whole. In a façade where the masonry is more regular and smoother, less clay mortar is needed to obtain a chipped façade.
Howdo we proceed?
Just like with clay, we start by preparing the façade or the subsoil and ridding it of any questionable or loose materials. Windows, doors, sills or other untreatable surfaces should be carefully taped. The façade can also be protected with scaffolding fabrics against adverse weather conditions, such as direct sunlight or strong wind.
Once all the preparations have been made, we can start with the mortar, RC Kalei. Depending on the chosen technique, the mortar is applied in different places with different thicknesses. As a result, certain parts of the façade can remain untreated and the masonry is visible. Then, with a block brush or sponge, the façade is further shaped.
Special about a chipped façade with RC Kalei is that it has the typical famous "cloud effect" of cement-free clay. This creates a wall characterized by shades of color and slight cloud formation in rainy weather.
Finally, the façade can be additionally treated with a vapour-proof hydrofuge, such as RC Hydro Cream 4. This ensures that the "cloud effect" no longer occurs in rainy weather and protects the façade against dirt and moisture.
