Tried and tested – Sto technologies for the cold and wet season

For many years now, products with QuickSet Technology (QS) have ensured that construction projects can be continued or completed on time, even when it is cold and wet. The technology even works in Scandinavia’s adverse weather, as confirmed by Marcus Kasunic from SEHED Tresson, one of the 30 largest construction companies in Sweden.

An extra month before and after winter
SEHED has relied on the QuickSet products in everyday use for a long time now as they can be applied when the temperature is 1 °C or above, as well as when the humidity is high. “We can extend the season by at least a month both before and after winter,” emphasises Kasunic. “That is extremely valuable, especially in autumn when the relative humidity is high.”

Completion: one day before Christmas
One of the most recent projects could only be done thanks to the QuickSet products: even when the request came in, it was clear that the 2000 m² of facade insulation at the Mossenskolan care home in Motala could only be laid late in the year. As Marcus Kasunic had already had good experiences with QuickSet products, the company felt confident enough to take on the project – and finally finished the work a day before Christmas. Looking back, he says, “The QuickSet products really saved us. They made it possible for us to take on the project and complete it successfully.”

Markus Grossenbacher is a foreman at Malerei Hodler, a Swiss specialist painting and decorating company based in Bern. For him, there are two challenges associated with construction work in spring and autumn: “The reorganisation and the loss of time!”

New technology saves time and money
The StoArmat Classic HD organic base coat helps to combat both of these: the integrated HybridDrying Technology accelerates film formation – and therefore the drying time of the render. It can generally be overcoated after a maximum of four days. “This means we can keep to deadlines agreed with architects and clients better,” explains Grossenbacher.

Easy to use
He has seen the benefits of the product first-hand: “It was in November. Throughout the day, it was five degrees, cloudy, a bit damp from the hoar frost. At night, it was around one degree.” The application is remarkably easy: “For each pail, there was something a bit like a piping bag that you’d use for cakes, which we kneaded, cut open and added the content.”

More reliable planning
Managing director Martin Hodler confirms: “The new product has made us more flexible. If precipitation is forecast for the evening, I know I can work with the product until midday and then use the latest weather forecast to decide whether I can continue in the afternoon or not.” His final conclusion: “It then gives us a competitive advantage. That’s why the product has won me over.”

Thomas Kugele is the deputy head of the Calw painters’ and decorators’ guild. His company has subjected StoAdditiv QS to a practical test.

Be flexible
With StoAdditiv QS, you can even paint facades in bad weather: with one bottle (450 ml), you can prepare a 15 l container of the defined Sto standard facade paints directly on the construction site when the weather conditions require it. “It means you are more flexible and can respond quickly,” explains Thomas Kugele.

Save material costs
Another advantage is that you only need to use the expensive pre-prepared paints when you actually need them due to the conditions, saving you cash, as Kugele summarises: “If you order a pre-prepared product and then do not need it, you have already paid for it.”

Extend the season
His conclusion: “I do proceed with caution during wet and cold weather but if you absolutely have to finish a facade in the autumn, you can definitely rely on StoAdditiv QS.” He also sees opportunities for springtime: “If you no longer have any more indoor work in the winter, you can perhaps start working outdoors again a week or two earlier.”