Ceresit CT76 Solar Protect Render 25kg

Tinted to dark anthracite, charcoal, and deep earth tones at our Southampton warehouse and dispatched next day across the UK, Ceresit CT 76 Solar Protect render extends the safe dark-colour specification down to HBW 15 with infrared-reflective pigments, a self-healing silico-elastomeric binder, V1 vapour permeability under EN 15824:2017, and A2–s1,d0 fire classification on mineral wool Ceretherm ETICS systems.

Where CT 76 Solar Protect Performs Best — Dark Facades on UK ETICS Systems

For any insulated wall specification calling for a dark facade colour below HBW 25 — anthracite, charcoal, deep earth tones, intense saturated shades — CT 76 Solar Protect is the silico-elastomeric thin-coat render formulated to deliver that brief without thermal stress damage, certified V1/W3 to EN 15824:2017 with 0.6 MPa adhesion, Category II impact resistance per ETAG 004, and integration into five Ceresit Ceretherm ETICS approvals (ETA 08/0309, 09/0014, 09/0026, 13/0535, 14/0127). Part of the premium silicone render range, each 25 kg tub covers approximately 10 m² at the 1.5 mm grain (2.1–2.5 kg/m²) and is supplied in the full Ceresit Colours of Nature palette including the Intense range developed specifically for high-impact facade colour schemes.

The combination of three technologies — Solar Protect infrared-reflective pigments, DoubleDry self-cleaning surface chemistry, and a self-healing silico-elastomeric binder — is what separates this render from standard silicone alternatives. IR-reflective pigments cut surface temperature on dark facades by reflecting the near-infrared band that accounts for roughly half of solar heat gain, while the elastomeric polymer matrix absorbs the residual thermal cycling that dark surfaces undergo every sunny day. UV absorbers and free-radical scavengers neutralise the polymer-bond damage that causes chalking and colour fade on exposed elevations, so vibrant dark tones retain their original depth through decades of UK exposure.

Why Specifiers Choose CT 76 Solar Protect for Dark Facades

• Dark Colours Down to HBW 15 Without Compromise: Solar Protect infrared-reflective pigments reduce surface temperature on dark facades by reflecting the near-infrared energy that accounts for roughly half of total solar heat gain — so a deep anthracite or charcoal finish stays cool enough to avoid the thermal stress that would damage a standard render on an insulated wall.
• Fire Classification for Taller Building Projects: Achieves A2–s1,d0 to EN 13501-1 on mineral wool Ceretherm systems and B–s1,d0 on EPS systems, a specification level that typically satisfies the requirements for high-rise residential and commercial facades subject to each project's specific fire strategy assessment.
• Self-Cleaning Surface That Stays Visibly Sharp: The DoubleDry nano-textured hydrophobic finish causes rainwater to bead tightly and sheet off the wall, lifting atmospheric dust and biological spores as it goes — keeping a dark facade looking clean between natural rain washes, rated W3 (low water absorption) per EN 15824:2017.
• Colour That Lasts for Decades: Built-in UV absorbers and free-radical scavengers neutralise the polymer-bond damage that causes chalking and colour fade on exposed elevations, so vibrant dark tones retain their original depth through years of UK sun and rain cycles.
• Crack-Free Flexibility Through Thermal Movement: The elastomeric polymer matrix flexes with the daily temperature swings that dark surfaces undergo every sunny day, achieving Category II impact resistance per ETAG 004 while keeping the surface smooth and intact year after year.
• Walls That Breathe Freely: Classified V1 (high) per EN 15824:2017 with Sd ≤ 1.0 m per ETAG 004, so moisture vapour escapes outward continuously through the render — keeping insulation dry and performing at its full designed thermal efficiency.
• Self-Healing Surface for Long-Term Durability: Special binder additives enable the cured render film to repair micro-cracks at the surface before they become visible, reducing callbacks for professional applicators and keeping the facade pristine for developers and homeowners alike.

Technical Specifications — CT 76 Solar Protect Data Sheet

Property	Value
Pack Size	25 kg plastic container
Binder Type	Silico-elastomeric (water dispersion of silicone and acrylic resins with mineral fillers and pigments)
Grain Size	1.5 mm — stone texture
Density	Approx. 1.7 kg/dm³
Coverage Rate	2.1–2.5 kg/m² — approx. 10 m² per 25 kg tub
Vapour Permeability	V1 (high) — EN 15824:2017; Sd ≤ 1.0 m — ETAG 004
Water Absorption	W3 (low) — EN 15824:2017; < 0.5 kg/m² after 24 h — ETAG 004
Adhesion to Substrate	0.6 MPa — EN 15824:2017
Inter-Layer Adhesion After Ageing	≥ 0.08 MPa — ETAG 004
Impact Resistance	Category II — ETAG 004
Thermal Conductivity	λ = 0.61 W/(m·K) — EN 15824:2017
Fire Classification (EN 13501-1)	A2–s1,d0 on mineral wool systems · B–s1,d0 on EPS systems
Minimum HBW Supported	HBW ≥ 15 (below 15 requires manufacturer consultation)
Application Temperature	+5 °C to +25 °C (air and substrate); humidity below 80% RH
Surface Drying Time	Approx. 15 minutes
Rain Resistance	24–48 hours (temperature-dependent)
Bio-Protection	Total resistance to mould overgrowth
Colour Range	Full Ceresit Colours of Nature palette including the Intense range
Mandatory Primer	Ceresit CT 16 quartz primer (tinted close to topcoat colour)
System Certification	Ceretherm ETICS — ETA 08/0309 · 09/0014 · 09/0026 · 13/0535 · 14/0127
Standard Compliance	EN 15824:2017 (TDS verified November 2025)
Shelf Life	Up to 18 months in original sealed packaging, stored in dry, cool conditions away from frost and direct sunlight

How to Apply CT 76 Solar Protect — Substrates, Priming, Dark-Colour Pairing

CT 76 Solar Protect performs as the decorative topcoat within a complete Ceresit Ceretherm ETICS, bonding securely to a cured reinforced basecoat made with Ceresit CT 80, CT 85, CT 190, ZU, or Thermo Universal adhesive mortars. Prime the cured basecoat with a quartz primer from the exterior render primers range — specifically Ceresit CT 16, ideally tinted close to the topcoat colour — and embed 150 g/m² fibreglass mesh in the basecoat layer to distribute thermal and mechanical stress before it reaches the decorative finish. These two companion products are typically ordered alongside CT 76 to complete the certified system build-up from insulation board through to topcoat.

• Compatible Insulation Substrates: Graphite EPS boards and mineral wool slabs within Ceretherm assemblies — on mineral wool systems the fire classification upgrades to A2–s1,d0, a specification that typically satisfies high-rise and Building Safety Act project requirements subject to project-specific fire strategy assessment.
• Mandatory Priming Step: Apply CT 16 quartz primer to the fully cured basecoat (minimum 3 days at +20 °C) and allow to dry completely before rendering — this creates the aggregate-loaded grip surface that locks the render permanently to the system and equalises suction across the elevation for an even colour and texture.
• Approved Substrates: Bonds to concrete (minimum age 3 months, moisture ≤ 4%), traditional cement and lime-cement renders (minimum age 28 days), and gypsum substrates (interior only) — all primed first with CT 16 to achieve consistent adhesion across mixed masonry surfaces.
• Dark-Colour HBW Guidance: For any colour with an HBW below 25, CT 76 is the correct specification within the Ceresit system — the dark colours on render and solar heat risk guide covers HBW thresholds, facade orientation assessment, and system pairing for dark shades in full detail.

For the complete step-by-step method covering tools, floating technique, and finishing sequence, the thin-coat render application step-by-step guide covers the full process for UK walls.

Installation Notes — Mixing, Floating, Drying

Completing each elevation in a single continuous wet-on-wet pass using material from the same production batch is the most effective way to achieve a seamless, uniform dark finish — shade variations and join lines are far more visible on dark colours than on whites or pastels. Stir the full tub contents thoroughly with a low-speed mixer before application, adding no more than 1% clean water if consistency adjustment is needed.

• Float Technique: Apply at grain thickness using a stainless-steel long float held at a slight angle, then texture immediately with circular movements using a clean plastic float to produce the characteristic stone aggregate pattern.
• Crew Coordination: Plan adequate site labour so that no scaffolding level is left with an exposed edge for more than a few minutes — one section beginning to skin before the adjacent pass catches up creates visible lap marks that dark colours amplify dramatically.
• Cure Protection Window: Protect the fresh render from rain for 24–48 hours and from direct intense sunlight during the initial cure period — scaffold sheeting on south- and west-facing elevations controls drying speed and prevents flash drying that would compromise Solar Protect film formation.
• Seasonal Scheduling: The seasonal timing guide for silicone render application covers temperature, humidity, and forecast-checking protocols for scheduling around the UK calendar year.

Pro Tips From UK Installers Using CT 76 Solar Protect

Dark-colour rendering punishes the small mistakes that lighter shades quietly forgive. These site-tested habits keep CT 76 elevations uniform, deep-coloured, and free of the artefacts that show up only after the scaffold comes down:

• Tint the CT 16 Primer Close to the Topcoat: A grey-tinted primer beneath an anthracite topcoat eliminates the white flash that shows through any thin spot, giving the entire elevation a consistent backing tone that makes the finished render look deeper and more saturated.
• One Surface, One Batch Number — Twice Over: Mineral pigment shifts between production runs that would be invisible on a white finish become obvious at HBW 20. Confirm every tub on site carries the same batch code before the crew starts, and never split an elevation across two batches.
• Budget Coverage at 2.3–2.5 kg/m², Plus One Extra Tub Per 100 m²: Use the coverage calculator to build the materials list — CT 76 at HBW 15–25 shows every slight inconsistency in application thickness, and reserve material means the crew never thins the last bucket across a reveal.
• Shade South-Facing Elevations During Cure: Scaffold sheeting on south and west elevations during the first 24–48 hours prevents the flash drying that compromises Solar Protect film formation — the same sun the render is engineered to reflect can damage the binder before it has cross-linked fully.
• Plan ETICS Cure Times Into the Programme: Adhesive cure (3 days), basecoat plus mesh cure (3 days), primer cure (24 hours), then render — adding the full week up front avoids the temptation to compress curing windows under weather pressure on dark-colour jobs where film-formation quality directly determines colour stability.

Is CT 76 Solar Protect Right for Your Project?

• Yes — for any insulated facade with a colour below HBW 25: CT 76 Solar Protect is the correct specification when your project calls for any dark or intense facade colour on an ETICS system — Solar Protect IR-reflective technology, the self-healing silico-elastomeric binder, and DoubleDry self-cleaning combine to deliver a durable, vibrant dark finish that stays crack-free and visually sharp across decades of UK exposure, with V1 vapour permeability and 0.6 MPa adhesion certified to EN 15824:2017.
• Lighter colour with HBW 30 or above? A standard silicone or silicate-silicone render from the premium silicone render collection delivers comparable vapour permeability and self-cleaning behaviour at a lower per-tub cost when the facade is not heavily exposed to prolonged direct sunlight — the more economical choice for lighter colour schemes.
• Need a tough plinth finish below the main render field? The mosaic render range pairs with CT 76 on upper elevations to create a professional two-tone facade detail that protects the most vulnerable ground-level zone of the wall with high-impact, water-resistant decorative aggregate.

FAQ — CT 76 Solar Protect Coverage, Compatibility, Dark Colours

How much CT 76 Solar Protect do I need for a 100 m² facade?

Each 25 kg tub covers approximately 10 m² at the standard 1.5 mm grain size, based on a TDS-verified consumption rate of 2.1–2.5 kg/m². For a 100 m² facade, order 11 tubs to allow for detailing around window reveals, soffits, and normal site waste. Always source every tub from the same production batch to guarantee consistent colour depth across the entire elevation — dark shades amplify even slight batch-to-batch variation that would be invisible on a lighter finish.

What happens if surface temperatures get very high on a dark south-facing wall?

The Solar Protect infrared-reflective pigments actively reduce surface temperature by reflecting the near-infrared band, which accounts for roughly half of total solar heat gain — so even an anthracite or charcoal finish stays significantly cooler than it would with a standard silicone render. The self-healing silico-elastomeric binder absorbs the residual thermal movement that dark surfaces still undergo during daily temperature cycling, repairing micro-cracks before they become visible and keeping the render film intact through decades of UK summer exposure.

Does CT 76 meet fire safety requirements for taller building projects?

CT 76 reaches the fire performance levels typically required for taller buildings when paired with the right insulation substrate. On mineral wool Ceretherm Universal MW systems, CT 76 achieves a fire classification of A2–s1,d0 per EN 13501-1, which typically satisfies the requirements for high-rise residential and commercial facades subject to each project's specific fire strategy assessment. On EPS insulation systems, the classification is B–s1,d0. Pairing CT 76 with A1-rated mineral wool insulation slabs delivers the highest-rated compliant specification while preserving the dark-colour capability that Solar Protect technology provides.

What colours are available and can you match a bespoke shade?

CT 76 is supplied across the full Ceresit Colours of Nature palette, including the Intense range developed specifically for high-impact facade colour schemes. Every tub is tinted on a dedicated Ceresit mixing machine at our Southampton warehouse and ready for next-day dispatch. For projects requiring a shade outside the standard Ceresit range — a specific RAL code, an NCS reference, or a colour matched from another manufacturer's swatch — our team mixes bespoke colours to order on the same equipment. Browse the colour sample catalogues to view both palettes on physical rendered swatches before specifying.

Is CT 76 an environmentally responsible specification for dark facades?

CT 76 is a water-based formulation with very low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, producing minimal fumes during application and curing — a practical benefit for installers working inside scaffold enclosures. The thin-coat application at 2.1–2.5 kg/m² uses a fraction of the material that traditional sand-and-cement renders require at 15–20 mm thickness, significantly reducing material consumption and site waste per square metre. Through-body colour eliminates the recurring resource cost of periodic repainting, and Ceresit's Eco Bucket packaging uses up to 62% post-consumer recycled polypropylene.

Can CT 76 be overcoated in the future for colour refresh?

CT 76 can be overcoated in future with Ceresit CT 48 or CT 49 silicone paint for colour refreshes, the manufacturer-approved renovation pathway that extends the facade's life without stripping the original render. Surface preparation before overcoating is critical: a thorough clean, structural inspection, and primer assessment ensure the new paint film bonds correctly to the cured silico-elastomeric base.

Technical Documentation — CT 76 Solar Protect TDS

• Technical Data Sheet — Ceresit CT 76 Solar Protect Silico-Elastomeric Render (PDF)