Monocouche Colour Guide for Brighton Extensions

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1. Monocouche in a Nutshell

• Monocouche in a Nutshell — Text-Only Version (for easier pasting)

  Single-coat, through-coloured render: A premixed blend of cement, lime, polymers and mineral pigments that is applied in one pass and scraped back for a uniform texture.

  Scraped finish: After the initial set, the surface is lightly scraped to expose an even grain and eliminate trowel marks, so no additional painting is required.

  Low maintenance: Because colour runs throughout the full 15 mm thickness, minor chips are much less noticeable than on painted sand-cement renders.

  Ideal substrates: New blockwork, modern cavity-wall extensions and well-anchored backing coats. Avoid applying directly to weak bungaroosh or crumbly historic brick without proper reinforcement.

  Key advantages for Brighton & Hove:

  • Good resistance to wind-driven rain once fully carbonated.

  • Wide palette of mineral colours that complement local stucco and brick.

  • Faster programme than traditional multi-coat lime or cement systems.

2. How Pigments React to Brighton’s Coastal Climate

How Pigments Behave in Brighton’s Coastal Climate — Text-Only Version

• Iron-oxide reds and browns

  • Fade resistance: Excellent

  • Salt staining: Minimal

  • Typical shades: Terracotta, clay, muted pink

• Synthetic yellows

  • Fade resistance: Moderate (prone to slight bleaching over time)

  • Salt staining: Medium visibility

  • Typical shades: Creams, buffs, honey tones

• Chromium greens

  • Fade resistance: High

  • Salt staining: Low

  • Typical shades: Sage, olive, soft moss

• Cobalt blues

  • Fade resistance: Very high

  • Salt staining: Moderate to high (may show white salt bloom if not rinsed annually)

  • Typical shades: Slate blue, storm grey

• Carbon blacks and deep charcoals

  • Fade resistance: Good, but dark surfaces absorb heat

  • Salt staining: Salt blooms are very noticeable on dark backgrounds—annual fresh-water rinse recommended

  • Typical shades: Charcoal, basalt, graphite

Key takeaway: Strong UV and salty air along the Sussex coast can bleach cheaper yellow pigments and highlight efflorescence on darker colours. For seafront plots, choose BBA-certified monocouche blends rated “very high” UV stability and rinse façades annually to minimise salt deposits.

3. Heritage & Planning Considerations

Brighton & Hove City Council typically accepts monochouche on extensions to non-listed dwellings outside conservation areas. In designated zones (e.g., Clifton Hill, Brunswick) the planning team may request:

1. Muted, mineral-toned shades aligning with existing stucco—think Chalk, Off-White, Pebble Grey.

2. Texture samples submitted on 400 mm boards showing scraped finish and ashlar lines if mimicking stucco.

3. Colour swatch references (Weber PRAL M, K-Rend K1, Parex Monorex) included in Design & Access Statement.

Tip: Photograph neighbouring façades and annotate RAL equivalents—planners appreciate evidence-based choices.

4. Colour Families That Work in Brighton

4.1 Coastal Neutrals

• Weber “Chalk” (off-white)

• K-Rend “Ivory” (pale cream)

• Parex “G00” (limestone)
  Pairs with: Regency stucco, grey slate roofs, black iron railings.

4.2 Soft Pastels

• Weber “Rose-Beige”

• K-Rend “Buttermilk”

• Parex “P2” (peach-hued)
  Ideal for: Side-return extensions behind colourful Kemp Town terraces.

4.3 Earth & Flint

• Weber “Oatmeal”

• K-Rend “York” (warm buff)

• Parex “G10” (light sand)
  Complements: Bungaroosh or Sussex flint garden walls.

4.4 Contemporary Greys

• Weber “Silver Pearl”

• K-Rend “Smoke”

• Parex “S65” (mid grey)
  Use on: Modern loft-dormer cheeks, zinc roofs and aluminium bifolds.

4.5 Bold Accents* (use sparingly)

• K-Rend “Terracotta” feature panels on garden rooms.

• Weber “Basalt” plinth band below pale upper coat.

Planning note: Bright hues on principal street elevations often refused—reserve them for garden-facing walls.

5. Sample & Testing Protocol

1. Order 5 kg sample bags in two candidate shades.

2. Build a 600 mm-square block panel on site—same substrate & orientation as final wall.

3. Scrape after 24 h and mist-spray daily for 5 days.

4. Observe colour in morning sun, noon glare and overcast conditions.

5. Photograph for planning submission.

Allow at least two weeks before final colour sign-off—pigments mature slightly as render carbonates.

6. Cost Implications of Colour Choice

Shade CategoryPrice ImpactNotesWhites / CreamsBaselineStandard pigment loadMid Buff / Grey+£1–2 /m²Higher oxide contentDeep Reds / Blacks+£3–4 /m²Premium UV-stable pigments; extra bags for colour depth

Labour cost remains unchanged; pigment surcharges are material-only.

7. Maintenance & Cleaning by Colour

• Light tones: Show algae sooner; plan a low-pressure biocide wash every 3–4 years.

• Mid greys: Best at hiding air-pollution staining.

• Dark blacks/chocolates: Salt efflorescence can appear—rinse annually with clean water.

• All shades: Avoid aggressive jet-washing; use fan nozzle <60 bar.

Silicone anti-algal wash can extend re-clean cycle by 2–3 years.

8. Case Study: Wrap-Around Extension, Hove Park

• Substrate: 7 N blockwork with EPS insulation.

• Render: K-Rend K-Pro “Ivory”.

• Why chosen: Matched existing stucco yet modern; planning approved first time.

• Performance: After four winters, colour delta-E shift <1.5, no cracking. Annual hose-down keeps algae away.

9. Quick-Pick Colour Matrix

Existing House FinishSafe Monocouche MatchAdventurous Contrast (garden side)White stuccoWeber ChalkK-Rend Terracotta base bandRed brickParex G10 (sand)K-Rend Smoke (grey)Flint & brick mixWeber OatmealWeber Rose-BeigeModern zinc claddingWeber Silver PearlWeber Basalt

10. Decision Checklist

1. Confirm conservation status.

2. Choose pigment family that flatters main house materials.

3. Order sample bags, create on-site panels.

4. Document colour in varying light for planners.

5. Select approved installer for warranty compliance.