Ceresit CT 74 Silicone Render White 1.5 mm — Self-Cleaning Facade Finish | 25 kg

Product Overview

A self-cleaning silicone render that keeps your facade looking fresh for decades, Ceresit CT 74 is a ready-mixed, stone-textured decorative finish available in a 25 kg tub covering approximately 10–12 m² at its 1.5 mm grain size. Part of the premium silicone render range at Renders World, this product combines Henkel's Double Dry Technology with a BioProtect formula to deliver a hydrophobic, vapour-permeable coating that actively resists dirt, algae, mould, and fungal colonisation. Classified V1 for vapour permeability and W3 for water absorption under EN 15824:2017, CT 74 allows moisture to escape from the building fabric while repelling wind-driven rain — a combination that protects both the render surface and the substrate beneath it.

Whether your project involves a full insulation system or a straightforward render on existing masonry, Ceresit CT 74 is formulated from a water dispersion of silicone and acrylic resins with mineral fillers — compatible with both ETICS (External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems) and traditional brick or block substrates. The silicone resin matrix gives the finish high elasticity (so it flexes with seasonal thermal movement instead of cracking) and outstanding colour stability, keeping the brilliant white pigment vibrant without yellowing over time. With BBA Certificate No. 14/5142 and fire classifications up to A2-s1,d0 within mineral wool systems per EN 13501-1:2018, this render meets the technical and regulatory demands of UK new-build and retrofit projects.

Key Benefits

• Self-Cleaning Facade: Double Dry Technology creates a hydrophobic surface that sheds dirt with natural rainfall, keeping your elevation clean year after year with virtually no manual washing required.
• Breathable Protection: Classified V1 with an Sd value of just 0.14 m, this render lets moisture escape from the wall at a very high rate (meaning damp walls dry out rather than trapping condensation behind the finish).
• Long-Term Weatherproofing: W3 water absorption rating means wind-driven rain runs off instead of soaking in, with a 24-hour absorption value below 0.5 kg/m² — so even exposed elevations stay dry and protected.
• Biological Growth Shield: The integrated BioProtect formula actively resists algae, mould, and fungal colonisation, which means facades in damp, shaded, or north-facing locations maintain a clean appearance for far longer than standard renders.
• Crack-Resistant Finish: High elasticity from the silicone resin binder absorbs thermal movement and minor substrate shifts, delivering an impact resistance of Category I–II under ETAG 004 (so the finish stays intact through UK freeze–thaw cycles).
• Colour That Lasts: Advanced UV-stable pigments and mineral fillers maintain the brilliant white tone without yellowing, even on south-facing elevations exposed to sustained sunlight.
• Professional Efficiency: Suitable for both hand and machine application (compatible with Wagner PC 15, PC 830, and SPG PG 20), so large-scale projects benefit from faster installation without compromising finish quality.

Technical Specifications

Property	Value	Standard / Method
Base Material	Water dispersion of silicone and acrylic resins with mineral fillers and pigments	—
Grain Size	1.5 mm (stone texture)	—
Density	1.7 kg/dm³	—
Coverage (1.5 mm grain)	2.1–2.5 kg/m² (approx. 10–12 m² per 25 kg tub)	—
Vapour Permeability	V1 (High) — Sd ≤ 0.14 m	EN 15824:2017 / ETAG 004
Water Absorption	W3 (Low) — w ≤ 0.1 kg/m²·h⁰·⁵; ≤ 0.5 kg/m² after 24 h	EN 15824:2017 / ETAG 004
Adhesion to Substrate	0.6 MPa (≥ 0.08 MPa after ageing)	EN 15824:2017 / ETAG 004
Thermal Conductivity	≤ 0.61 W/(m·K)	EN 15824:2017
Impact Resistance	Category I or II (system-dependent)	ETAG 004
Fire Classification	A2-s1,d0 (MW system) / B-s1,d0 (EPS systems)	EN 13501-1:2018
Application Temperature	+5 °C to +25 °C	—
Open Time	Approx. 15 min	—
Rain Resistance	24–48 hours (temperature-dependent)	—
Maximum Humidity at Application	< 80 %	—
Packaging	25 kg plastic tub (100 % recyclable polypropylene, up to 62 % PCR)	—
Shelf Life	12 months from production date (stored dry, cool, frost-free)	—
Certification	BBA Certificate No. 14/5142; EN 15824:2017 DoP No. 00264	—

Application and Compatibility

Ceresit CT 74 bonds reliably to a wide range of substrates when paired with the right primer system. For walls with cured cement or lime-cement render (at least 28 days old and dried to below 4 % moisture) and for concrete substrates (at least 3 months old), applying Ceresit CT 16 quartz primer and allowing it to dry fully gives the render a stable, even base to bond to. On absorbent substrates, a preliminary coat of Ceresit CT 17 deep-penetration primer followed by CT 16 after a minimum 2-hour interval ensures even suction and a uniform finish.

• ETICS Integration: Designed as the decorative finish layer within Ceresit Ceretherm systems — apply over a reinforced basecoat made with Ceresit CT 80, CT 85, CT 190, or ZU mortars, primed with CT 16 after a minimum 3-day cure. Pair with fibreglass mesh (150 g/m², 50 m²) in the reinforcement layer to create a continuous, crack-resistant base.
• Traditional Masonry: Works on properly prepared concrete, brick, and blockwork substrates where CT 16 quartz primer has been applied. Matching the CT 16 primer colour to the render shade gives a consistent tonal base.
• Machine Application: Compatible with pump-and-spray equipment such as Wagner PC 15, PC 830, and SPG PG 20 — nozzle size 6–10 mm, delivery rate approximately 8–10 l/min, working pressure up to 40 bar. This makes large elevations faster and more efficient to complete.
• Colour Flexibility: Available in the full Ceresit Colours of Nature® palette. For intense dark colours on large south-facing facades, consider Ceresit CT 76 Solar Protect, which is purpose-built to handle the additional thermal load from solar heat absorption.

Installation Notes

For the smoothest, most consistent finish, stir the entire tub contents thoroughly with a low-speed drill mixer before application — add no more than 1 % clean water if the consistency needs slight adjustment. Apply CT 74 at the thickness of the grain using a steel long float held at an angle, then form the stone-like texture with circular movements using a plastic float held flat against the surface. For the cleanest result, work each elevation in a single wet-on-wet pass with enough crew members at each scaffolding level rather than breaking the surface into separate sessions, which can leave visible lap marks. If a break is unavoidable, press self-adhesive tape along the joint line before pausing and restart from the taped edge. Applying above +5 °C and below 80 % humidity gives the render ideal curing conditions — and checking a 48-hour weather forecast before you start ensures rain stays clear during the critical first 24–48 hours of cure.

Trade Insight — Installer's Note

I always match the CT 16 primer tint to the final render colour — it takes five minutes of planning and saves callbacks on shading inconsistencies, especially on white finishes where even slight substrate variation shows through. With CT 74's 15-minute open time, the key is to keep two people moving on the same elevation: one applying, one texturing. The coverage sits reliably around 2.3 kg/m² on a well-primed surface, so a single 25 kg tub gives you roughly 10–11 m² — I always order 5 % extra for window reveals and detailing. For winter rendering between 0 °C and +5 °C, pairing CT 74 with Atlas Eskimo setting accelerator keeps the curing window manageable and lets you maintain your site schedule through the colder months. This product renovates well too — if a client needs a refresh after 15+ years, Ceresit CT 48 or CT 49 silicone paint over the top restores the original appearance without stripping back.

Is This Product Right for Your Project?

• Choose this product if: You need a premium, low-maintenance decorative finish for exposed, coastal, or high-pollution urban facades where self-cleaning performance, breathability, and long-term colour stability are priorities — CT 74's V1 vapour permeability and W3 water absorption deliver exactly that combination.
• Need a different Ceresit render? For large-scale machine-only projects, the Machine CT 174 silicate-silicone render in 1.0 mm offers pump-optimised rheology with silicate-silicone vapour performance for faster site throughput on commercial developments.
• Working on a plinth or splash zone? The base of your walls takes the hardest physical punishment from foot traffic, lawnmowers, and splashing water — a textured aggregate plinth finish handles that mechanical stress far more effectively than a thin-coat decorative render, and your installer can colour-match it to CT 74 for a seamless look.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tubs of Ceresit CT 74 do I need per square metre?

Each 25 kg tub covers approximately 10–12 m² at the 1.5 mm grain size, based on a consumption rate of 2.1–2.5 kg/m². For a typical 60 m² front elevation, you would need 5–6 tubs. Adding 5 % for site waste and detailing around windows, doors, and reveals ensures you have enough material to complete the job without interruption, and ordering from the same production batch keeps the colour perfectly consistent across the entire facade.

Does Ceresit CT 74 need painting after application?

CT 74 is a through-coloured render, which means the pigment is integrated throughout the entire mass rather than sitting on the surface. The finish maintains its brilliant white appearance without any painting, and the UV-stable pigments resist yellowing over time. If a refresh is needed after many years, Ceresit CT 48 or CT 49 silicone paint can be applied directly over the cured render surface to restore the original tone — there is no need to strip back or re-render.

Is this render breathable enough for older solid-wall properties?

CT 74 achieves a V1 vapour permeability classification with an Sd value of just 0.14 m, which means moisture vapour passes through it very freely. For older solid-wall properties, this high breathability helps trapped moisture escape rather than building up behind the finish, which protects both the render and the underlying masonry. Pairing CT 74 with the correct CT 16 quartz primer and — on absorbent historic substrates — a preliminary coat of CT 17 deep-penetration primer creates the ideal foundation for long-term performance on traditional construction. Our step-by-step thin-coat render application guide walks you through the full process from priming to finishing.

Can I use Ceresit CT 74 in dark colours on south-facing walls?

CT 74 is available in the full Ceresit Colours of Nature® palette, including darker shades. For intense dark colours on large south-facing elevations, however, solar heat absorption can stress any thin-coat render surface. Limiting dark tones to small accent areas (architectural details, feature panels) keeps the finish within its ideal performance range. For larger dark-coloured facades exposed to direct sunlight, Ceresit CT 76 Solar Protect — with nano-technology heat-reflective pigments — is the purpose-built solution that handles the additional thermal load safely.

Is Ceresit CT 74 packaging environmentally responsible?

The 25 kg tub is made from 100 % recyclable polypropylene containing up to 62 % post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR), so each bucket you order actively reduces virgin plastic demand. For developers working to ESG targets, this packaging aligns with site waste management plans — the tub enters standard polypropylene recycling streams without special handling. Henkel's Eco Bucket initiative extends across the Ceresit facade range, making it straightforward to maintain consistent sustainability credentials across an entire project specification.