Description
Reinforced with dispersed microfibre throughout the full render mass and supplied across the 480-shade Atlas SAH palette, Atlas Acrylic Render White 25 kg is the impact-resistant thin-coat finish for EPS and XPS Atlas ETICS systems — tinted on a dedicated machine at the Renders World Southampton warehouse, certified to EN 15824:2017 under DoP 137/CPR with A2-s1,d0 fire performance on mineral wool.
Where Atlas Acrylic Render Performs Best — Commercial and EPS-Backed UK Facades
Atlas Acrylic Render is a thin-coat decorative finish built on advanced acrylic polymer resin with dispersed microfibre reinforcement, delivering a 1.5 mm or 2.0 mm spotted (baranek) texture across EPS and XPS insulation systems with W3 low water absorption, V2 vapour permeability, and A2-s1,d0 reaction to fire on mineral wool to EN 15824:2017 (DoP 137/CPR). Part of the premium silicone render range, it covers approximately 10 m² per 25 kg tub at 1.5 mm grain and is the practical specification for commercial buildings, schools, multi-unit housing, and any high-traffic facade where impact resistance and a 480-shade palette outweigh the higher breathability of silicone.
The microfibre reinforcement is what separates this acrylic render from a standard polymer thin-coat. Distributed through the render volume rather than embedded only at the reinforcement layer, the fibres absorb surface stress from trolley contact, ladder rests, and ball impacts on schools and ground-floor elevations, so the finish stays intact across decades of busy use. UV-stable pigments are machine-dosed across all 480 SAH shades, and because the aggregate is through-coloured, minor scuffs never expose a different shade beneath.
Why Trade Specifiers Choose Atlas Acrylic Render
The case for this finish rests on durability and value rather than maximum breathability, and the points below show where it earns a place on a commercial specification.
- Microfibre-reinforced impact resistance: dispersed microfibre running through the render mass absorbs surface stress from knocks, keeping the finish intact on commercial facades, schools, and ground-floor elevations exposed to everyday mechanical wear.
- Two grain sizes for texture choice: specify 1.5 mm (N-15) for a finer spotted texture at 2.5 kg/m² or 2.0 mm for a deeper aggregate finish at 3.0 kg/m², matching the visual scale to the elevation height.
- 480 SAH shades mixed on site: the full Atlas SAH palette is tinted on a dedicated machine at the Renders World Southampton warehouse, with bespoke RAL, NCS, and competitor-shade matches mixed to order for next-day UK dispatch.
- Cost-effective EPS and XPS specification: acrylic chemistry delivers reliable W3 water absorption and microfibre impact resistance at a competitive per-tub cost when the project does not require silicone-level vapour permeability.
- A2 fire performance on mineral wool: reaction to fire reaches A2-s1,d0 to EN 13501-1 over mineral wool substrate, a level that typically satisfies higher-risk facade documentation subject to each project's fire strategy.
- Colour that lasts through UK sunlight: UV-stable, through-coloured pigments hold their tone across all 480 shades for the system lifetime, even on south-facing elevations under prolonged direct sun.
- Built-in biological defence: the acrylic formulation discourages algae, mould, and fungi colonisation, keeping facades visually clean between maintenance cycles on north-facing or sheltered walls.
Technical Specifications — Atlas Acrylic Render Data Sheet Highlights
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Pack size | 25 kg plastic container |
| Binder type | Acrylic polymer resin with mineral fillers and dispersed microfibre |
| Grain size | 1.5 mm (N-15) · 2.0 mm — spotted (baranek) texture |
| Density | ≈ 1.7 kg/dm³ |
| Coverage — 1.5 mm | ≈ 2.5 kg/m² (≈ 10 m² per tub) |
| Coverage — 2.0 mm | ≈ 3.0 kg/m² (≈ 8.3 m² per tub) |
| Adhesion to substrate | ≥ 0.35 MPa |
| Water absorption | W3 — low (EN 15824) |
| Vapour permeability | V2 — medium (EN 15824) |
| Reaction to fire | A2-s1, d0 on mineral wool (EN 13501-1) |
| Application temperature | +5 °C to +25 °C; humidity below 80 % RH |
| Colour range | 480 Atlas SAH shades + bespoke RAL / NCS |
| Application method | Hand trowel; machine spray (1.5 mm grain) |
| Mandatory primer | Atlas quartz primer (24 h cure before render) |
| Standard | EN 15824:2017 · DoP 137/CPR |
How to Apply Atlas Acrylic Render — Substrates, Priming, EWI Build-Up
Atlas Acrylic Render bonds directly to cured cementitious basecoats reinforced with Atlas 150 g/m² fibreglass mesh, forming a continuous protective envelope over EPS and XPS insulation boards. It performs best on polystyrene-based EWI systems where its impact resistance and dense acrylic matrix deliver maximum durability, which makes it the practical specification for ground-floor elevations, commercial facades, schools, and public-access buildings. Prime the cured basecoat with a quartz primer from the exterior render primer range at least 24 hours before rendering to regulate suction and ensure consistent colour depth.
- Substrate preparation: a fully cured quartz primer coat regulates suction across the basecoat; for white and pale shades, tint the primer close to the topcoat colour to eliminate flash-through on thin spots.
- Application window: apply between +5 °C and +25 °C with no rain expected within 24 hours, and protect from strong sun and driving rain through the initial cure.
- Machine compatibility: the 1.5 mm grain is optimised for spray application with standard rendering machines, lifting site efficiency on large commercial elevations.
- Plinth pairing: for splash zones below the damp-proof course, pair the main-wall acrylic finish with a mosaic render at plinth height for the heavy-duty impact resistance those conditions require.
For the full method covering tools, hand and machine technique, and finishing sequence, the thin-coat render application step-by-step guide walks through every stage from basecoat embedding to topcoat texturing in the order a professional installer follows.
Installation Notes — Mixing, Floating, Drying
A clean finish starts with thorough mechanical stirring at low speed before application, which reactivates the acrylic binders and evens the aggregate distribution for consistent texture across the elevation. For the best result, work wet-on-wet across whole elevations rather than stopping mid-panel, so the spotted texture stays seamless from corner to corner.
- Trowel technique: apply at a thickness matching your chosen grain with a stainless-steel trowel, then texture immediately with a plastic float in circular motions to form the baranek pattern.
- Wet-edge management: on panels wider than 3 m, a helper maintaining the wet edge is a step worth getting right, since it is the most reliable way to keep a full gable uniform without lap lines.
- Drying schedule: surface dry in 24 hours at +20 °C and 50 % RH, with full polymer film formation over 48–72 hours; protect from rain, frost, and strong sun during the initial cure.
- Weather window: the seasonal application timing guide covers weather-management protocols for UK conditions across the calendar year.
Pro Tips From UK Installers Using Atlas Acrylic Render
Acrylic chemistry films faster than silicone, so the discipline that separates a clean finish from a visibly joined one comes down to timing and crew coordination. These site-tested habits keep elevations uniform across real UK commercial projects.
- Prime 24 hours ahead, not the minimum: experienced renderers find that priming a full day before topcoat application gives the most forgiving working window, especially on south-facing elevations where suction climbs quickly above 20 °C.
- Plan scaffold lifts for one vertical pass: the binder films rapidly once applied, so completing a full vertical pass in one session avoids the lap marks raking light reveals on joined sections.
- Verify batch numbers on delivery: confirm every tub carries the same batch code before the crew starts, because pigment shifts invisible on a small wall become obvious across a multi-elevation facade.
- Calculate quantities up front: the render coverage calculator builds the full materials list before ordering, protecting the budget from mid-project shortfalls when choosing between 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm grain.
- Match grain to elevation scale: 1.5 mm reads as a refined texture on residential detail, while 2.0 mm shows more aggregate definition on tall commercial facades viewed from distance.
How Atlas Acrylic Render Compares to Silicone Finishes
Buyers usually weigh this acrylic against a pure silicone finish for the same main-wall job, so the difference comes down to breathability, self-cleaning, and budget. The table positions it against the two finishes most often considered alongside it.
| Variant | Key Spec | When to Choose |
|---|---|---|
| Atlas Acrylic Render White 25 kg | V2 · W3 · microfibre · cost-effective | EPS/XPS high-traffic facades on budget |
| Atlas Silicone Render White | V2 · self-cleaning · hydrophobic | Long-life low-maintenance facades |
| Ceresit CT74 Silicone Render | V1 · 0.6 MPa · self-cleaning | Premium exposed residential elevations |
Is Atlas Acrylic Render Right for Your Project?
- Choose this render if you need a tough, microfibre-reinforced finish for commercial buildings, schools, multi-unit housing, or any high-traffic elevation that must withstand everyday knocks — with 480 SAH shades plus bespoke matching, W3 water resistance, and A2-s1,d0 fire performance on mineral wool.
- For higher breathability on mineral wool or solid-wall projects, the silicone vs acrylic comparison sets out the full decision matrix, since silicone finishes deliver V1 permeability for heritage and mineral-wool-backed systems.
- For a self-cleaning finish on exposed residential facades, the Ceresit CT74 silicone render adds hydrophobic self-cleaning technology and V1 breathability for premium homeowner-facing work where pristine appearance is the priority.
- Confirm the colour first: review physical chips from the colour charts and sample catalogues before ordering, since daylight and texture shift how a tinted render reads on the finished elevation.
FAQ — Atlas Acrylic Render Coverage, Compatibility, Climate
How much Atlas Acrylic Render do I need per square metre?
Each 25 kg tub covers up to 10 m² at the standard 1.5 mm grain, requiring about 2.5 kg/m², so a typical 80 m² semi-detached facade needs around eight tubs with a small margin for waste and corners. Choosing 2.0 mm grain increases consumption to about 3.0 kg/m² (around 8.3 m² per tub), so factor the grain-size decision into your quantity calculation before ordering.
Can I use acrylic render on mineral wool insulation?
Acrylic render carries a V2 medium vapour permeability rating, which suits EPS and XPS boards but does not provide the moisture transfer rate mineral wool systems are designed to operate with. For stone wool insulation, a silicone or silicate-silicone render with V1 high classification lets moisture escape freely through the wall build-up, protecting long-term thermal performance. The silicone vs acrylic comparison guide linked above covers the full substrate-by-render decision matrix.
Does Atlas Acrylic Render meet fire safety requirements for taller buildings?
Atlas Acrylic Render achieves A2-s1,d0 reaction to fire per EN 13501-1 when applied over mineral wool substrate, a level that typically satisfies higher-risk facade documentation subject to each project's specific fire strategy assessment. On EPS systems the classification differs, so for high-rise residential and commercial projects where A2 performance is required, the system pairing must specifically include mineral wool insulation, with the project fire strategy confirming the final acceptable specification.
Is acrylic render suitable for harsh UK winters?
Applying above +5 °C and allowing a full 24-hour cure before any temperature drop gives the acrylic binder the conditions it needs for complete film formation. Once cured, the finish withstands repeated freeze-thaw cycles, driving rain, and UV exposure through British winters without cracking or delamination. For projects continuing into colder months, scheduling around the warmest part of the day and using site protection keeps quality consistent through the season.
What colours are available and can you match a shade from another manufacturer?
Atlas Acrylic Render is supplied across the full 480-shade SAH palette, tinted on a dedicated Atlas machine at the Renders World Southampton warehouse and ready for next-day dispatch. For a shade outside the standard range — a specific RAL code, an NCS reference, or a colour matched from another swatch — the team mixes bespoke colours to order on the same equipment. The warehouse also mixes the Ceresit Colours of Nature range on a separate machine, bringing the combined choice across both systems to over 1,000 standard shades. Browse the colour sample catalogues to view both palettes on physical rendered swatches.
Is Atlas Acrylic Render an environmentally responsible specification?
The formulation uses natural mineral fillers and keeps volatile organic compound levels as low as technically achievable, producing less odour and fewer emissions during application than older solvent-based coatings. The thin 2.5 kg/m² application rate generates substantially less waste than cement render applied at 15–20 mm thickness, and the through-coloured finish removes the recurring resource use of repeated masonry-paint cycles over the building's life.
Technical Documentation — Atlas Acrylic Render TDS, DoP, SDS