Does your facade stay wet for a long time, or does it get dirty quickly? Your facade protects your home every day from rain, wind and temperature swings. Over the years, those forces start to show: a facade that stays damp, green algae growth, a build-up of dirt, or paintwork that has lost its appearance.
Many people then think: the facade needs repainting. But a lasting solution does not start with simply applying a new coat of paint. First, it is important to know what your facade actually needs.
Why facades in The Hague take more of a beating
The Hague sits on the coast. The prevailing wind comes from the south-west and drives rain straight onto the facade. On south-west facing walls, that means structurally more exposure to moisture than elsewhere in the country, and closer to the coast, salt-laden air is added to that.
On top of that, a large part of The Hague's housing stock is pre-war. Homes built before roughly 1930 often have solid brickwork without a cavity, usually finished with stucco. With a wall like that, there is no cavity to catch moisture: the wall has to release the moisture itself. If there is a coat of paint on it that prevents this, the moisture stays trapped in the facade. That is exactly where problems begin.
Not every facade needs the same paint
A good facade paint does more than give your home a fresh appearance. The right paint protects the facade and helps keep it looking good and structurally healthy for longer.
For many stuccoed facades, siliconised paint (in Dutch: gesiliconiseerde verf or siliconenharsverf) is an excellent solution. This paint repels rainwater, while moisture from within the wall can still escape as water vapour. As a result, the facade stays drier and dirt, moss and algae get less of a chance.
But this paint is not always the answer. It is not used on woodwork. If the facade already carries a dense, old acrylic coating, the breathable property no longer works, because the layer underneath still blocks the moisture. And a facade with cracking needs repair first, or a paint that can bridge cracks. If you would like to know exactly how this paint works, read our explanation of siliconised paint.
What we assess first
At Parkstaete Schilderwerken, we look beyond the coat of paint. Before we propose a treatment, we assess:
- the condition and type of the substrate (stucco, brickwork, concrete or wood)
- which paint systems have been applied previously, and whether they allow adhesion
- cracks, damage and loose sections
- the position and orientation of the facade
- visible exposure to moisture and its likely cause
- junctions at window frames, sills and mortar joints.
Sometimes siliconised paint is the right choice. In other situations, a different type of paint or additional preparation suits the property better. By looking carefully beforehand, you avoid investing in a solution that does not match the condition of your facade.
The right approach for a lasting result
Painting a facade is not just about colour and appearance. It is about protection, maintenance and preserving the value of your home. We look at the situation, discuss the options and provide a treatment that suits your property.
Areas we cover
Parkstaete Schilderwerken works in The Hague and the surrounding area. For the neighbourhoods where we are active, we have separate pages covering the specific points to watch in each one:
Having your facade assessed
Are you unsure about the condition of your facade, or would you like to know which facade paint or treatment suits it best? Please get in touch. We would be glad to look at your facade and advise you on the most durable solution.
A proper assessment beforehand prevents unnecessary costs later.
Frequently asked questions
My facade stays wet for a long time after rain. What can I do about it?
A facade that stays wet absorbs water and releases it poorly. This is caused by a porous substrate, a coat of paint that traps moisture, or both. A water-repellent but breathable paint solves this in many cases, but only if the cause is not somewhere else, for example in leaking sills or poor pointing. That is why we assess the facade before advising on a paint.
Which paint is suitable for a stuccoed facade in The Hague?
For stucco, a mineral or siliconised paint is generally more suitable than a standard acrylic paint, because stucco needs to be able to release moisture. In pre-war homes in The Hague without a cavity wall, that counts for even more. Which variant it becomes depends on what is already on there.
How often does a facade need repainting?
Depending on the type of paint, the substrate and the exposure, facade paintwork generally lasts ten to fifteen years. South-west facing walls and facades close to the sea take more of a beating and need maintenance sooner than a sheltered north-facing facade.
When is the best time to paint a facade?
Facade painting is best done between spring and early autumn, in dry weather and at temperatures above five degrees Celsius. The facade also needs to be sufficiently dry, so after a wet spell it is wise to wait a few dry days.