Description
Tinted to anthracite, charcoal, and deep earth tones at our Renders World Southampton warehouse and dispatched next day across the UK, Ceresit CT 76 Solar Protect extends safe dark-colour rendering down to HBW 15 using infrared-reflective pigments, a self-healing silico-elastomeric binder, and V1 vapour permeability certified to EN 15824:2017.
Where CT 76 Solar Protect Performs Best — Dark Facades on UK ETICS
CT 76 Solar Protect is the silico-elastomeric thin-coat render engineered for dark and intense facade colours below HBW 25 on insulated walls, certified V1/W3 to EN 15824:2017 with 0.6 MPa adhesion and Category II impact resistance per ETAG 004. It belongs to the premium silicone render range, where it occupies a clear niche: the dark-colour specification that standard silicone renders cannot safely deliver on an ETICS build-up.
Each 25 kg tub covers approximately 10 m² at the 1.5 mm grain (2.1–2.5 kg/m²), supplied across the full Ceresit Colours of Nature and Intense palettes. What separates this render from a standard silicone is the combination of three working technologies, so a deep charcoal elevation behaves on the wall the way a pale render would.
Solar Protect infrared-reflective pigments reflect the near-infrared band that accounts for roughly half of solar heat gain, cutting surface temperature on dark elevations. The self-healing silico-elastomeric binder then absorbs the residual thermal cycling that dark surfaces undergo on every sunny day, while UV absorbers and free-radical scavengers neutralise the polymer-bond damage that causes chalking and fade. The practical payoff is a vibrant dark facade that holds its depth and stays crack-free across decades of UK exposure.
Why Trade Specifiers Choose CT 76 Solar Protect
- Dark colours down to HBW 15: Infrared-reflective pigments reflect roughly half of incoming solar heat, so anthracite and charcoal finishes stay cool enough to avoid the thermal stress that damages standard render on insulated walls.
- Fire classification for taller buildings: Achieves A2–s1,d0 to EN 13501-1 on mineral wool Ceretherm systems and B–s1,d0 on EPS systems, a level that typically satisfies high-rise residential and commercial facade requirements subject to each project's fire strategy assessment.
- Self-cleaning surface that stays sharp: The DoubleDry hydrophobic finish beads rainwater so it sheets off lifting dust and spores, keeping a dark facade visibly clean between natural rain washes, rated W3 (low absorption) per EN 15824:2017.
- Colour that lasts decades: Built-in UV absorbers and free-radical scavengers neutralise the bond damage behind chalking and fade, so saturated dark tones retain their original depth through years of UK sun and rain.
- Crack-free flexibility: The elastomeric polymer matrix flexes with daily temperature swings while achieving Category II impact resistance per ETAG 004, keeping the surface smooth and intact year after year.
- Walls that breathe freely: Classified V1 (high) with Sd ≤ 1.0 m, so vapour escapes outward continuously and insulation stays dry at its full designed thermal efficiency.
- Self-healing durability: Special binder additives repair surface micro-cracks before they become visible, reducing callbacks for 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 (silicone and acrylic resin dispersion, mineral fillers, 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, dry and frost-free |
How to Apply CT 76 Solar Protect — Substrates, Priming, Dark-Colour Pairing
CT 76 works as the decorative topcoat within a complete Ceresit Ceretherm ETICS, bonding 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, tinted close to the topcoat colour — and embed 150 g/m² fibreglass mesh in the basecoat to distribute thermal and mechanical stress before it reaches the finish. These two companions are typically ordered alongside CT 76 to complete the certified build-up.
- Compatible insulation substrates: Graphite EPS boards and mineral wool slabs within Ceretherm assemblies — on mineral wool the fire classification upgrades to A2–s1,d0, a level that typically satisfies Building Safety Act project requirements subject to project-specific fire strategy.
- Mandatory priming step: Apply CT 16 to the fully cured basecoat (minimum 3 days at +20 °C) and let it dry completely before rendering, creating the aggregate-loaded grip surface that equalises suction for 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 interior gypsum substrates, all primed first with CT 16.
- Dark-colour HBW guidance: For any colour with HBW below 25, CT 76 is the correct specification — the dark colours on render and solar heat risk guide covers HBW thresholds, facade orientation, and system pairing in full.
For the complete 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 one production batch is the surest way to a seamless dark finish, because shade variations and join lines show far more on dark colours than on whites or pastels. Stir the full tub thoroughly with a low-speed mixer before application, adding no more than 1% clean water if consistency needs adjusting.
- Float technique: Apply at grain thickness with a stainless-steel long float held at a slight angle, then texture immediately with circular movements using a clean plastic float to produce the stone aggregate pattern.
- Crew coordination: Staff each scaffold level so no exposed edge skins for more than a few minutes — a section starting to set before the adjacent pass catches up leaves lap marks that dark colours amplify.
- Cure protection window: Protect fresh render from rain for 24–48 hours and from intense direct sun during initial cure — scaffold sheeting on south and west elevations controls drying speed and prevents flash drying that compromises Solar Protect film formation.
- Seasonal scheduling: The seasonal timing guide for silicone render covers temperature, humidity, and forecast-checking for 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 artefacts that only appear once the scaffold comes down.
- Tint the CT 16 primer close to the topcoat: A grey-tinted primer beneath an anthracite finish eliminates the white flash that shows through any thin spot, giving the elevation a consistent backing tone that reads deeper and more saturated.
- One surface, one batch number: Mineral-pigment shifts between runs that would be invisible on white become obvious at HBW 20 — confirm every tub 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 spare tub per 100 m²: Use the render coverage calculator to build the list, because CT 76 shows every slight thickness inconsistency and reserve material means the crew never thins the last bucket across a reveal.
- Shade south-facing elevations during cure: Scaffold sheeting during the first 24–48 hours prevents flash drying — the same sun the render is engineered to reflect can damage the binder before it cross-links fully.
- Plan ETICS cure times into the programme: Adhesive (3 days), basecoat and mesh (3 days), primer (24 hours), then render — adding the full week up front avoids compressing curing windows under weather pressure on dark-colour jobs where film quality determines colour stability.
Is CT 76 Solar Protect Right for Your Project?
- Yes — for any insulated facade below HBW 25: CT 76 is the correct specification when the brief calls for a dark or intense colour on an ETICS system, combining IR-reflective technology, the self-healing binder, and DoubleDry self-cleaning to deliver a durable, vibrant finish certified to EN 15824:2017 with V1 permeability and 0.6 MPa adhesion.
- Lighter colour at HBW 30 or above? A standard silicone or silicate-silicone render from the premium silicone render collection delivers comparable permeability and self-cleaning at a lower per-tub cost when the facade is not heavily sun-exposed — the more economical route for lighter schemes.
- Need a tough plinth finish below the render field? The mosaic render range pairs with CT 76 on upper elevations for a two-tone detail that protects the vulnerable ground-level zone with high-impact, water-resistant 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 1.5 mm grain, based on a TDS-verified rate of 2.1–2.5 kg/m². For 100 m², order 11 tubs to allow for detailing around reveals, soffits, and normal waste. Source every tub from the same production batch to guarantee consistent depth across the elevation, since dark shades amplify 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?
Solar Protect infrared-reflective pigments actively reduce surface temperature by reflecting the near-infrared band that accounts for roughly half of solar heat gain, so even anthracite stays significantly cooler than it would under a standard silicone render. The self-healing silico-elastomeric binder absorbs the residual thermal movement that dark surfaces still undergo, repairing micro-cracks before they show and keeping the 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 typically required for taller buildings when paired with the right substrate. On mineral wool Ceretherm Universal MW systems it achieves A2–s1,d0 per EN 13501-1, which typically satisfies high-rise residential and commercial requirements subject to each project's specific fire strategy assessment. On EPS systems the classification is B–s1,d0. Pairing CT 76 with A1-rated mineral wool slabs delivers the highest-rated compliant specification while preserving dark-colour capability.
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 for high-impact schemes. Every tub is tinted at the Renders World Southampton warehouse and ready for next-day dispatch. For shades outside the standard range — a specific RAL code, an NCS reference, or a colour matched from another swatch — our team mixes bespoke colours to order. 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 VOC content, producing minimal fumes during application and curing — a practical benefit inside scaffold enclosures. Thin-coat application at 2.1–2.5 kg/m² uses a fraction of the material that sand-and-cement renders need at 15–20 mm, significantly reducing waste per square metre. Through-body colour removes the recurring resource cost of repainting, and Ceresit's Eco Bucket packaging uses up to 62% post-consumer recycled polypropylene.
Can CT 76 be overcoated in the future for a colour refresh?
CT 76 can be overcoated with Ceresit CT 48 or CT 49 silicone paint for colour refreshes, the manufacturer-approved renovation pathway that extends facade 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