Repair Systems — 03 — Facade & External Envelope
Elastomeric crack-bridging coating systems
Elastomeric crack-bridging coatings are ultra-high-build systems designed to span cracks up to 0.3–0.5mm and provide a continuous flexible waterproof membrane. Applied in 2–3 coats to achieve the required DFT, they are specified where a standard elastomeric coating is insufficient — typically where dormant cracking is present across the facade and a higher crack-bridging capacity is required without render replacement.
What are elastomeric crack-bridging coating systems?
Elastomeric crack-bridging coatings are specialist high-elongation membrane systems for concrete and masonry facades where active crack movement requires a coating capable of accommodating crack width change over the service life without splitting. They are significantly more sophisticated than standard elastomeric coatings and are applied as complete systems with primer, reinforcement fabric, and topcoat.
Product Reference
5 products — 5 brands — elastomeric crack-bridging coating systems — scroll to view all
Sika Sikagard 550 W Elastic
High-elongation elastomeric crack-bridging coating — Sika professional system
System Description
Sika Sikagard 550 W Elastic is a specialist high-elongation elastomeric crack-bridging coating in the Sika professional facade protection range. It is specifically designed to bridge active and dynamic cracks in concrete and masonry facades — providing a continuous flexible waterproof membrane that accommodates crack movement over the service life without splitting or delaminating. Sikagard 550 W Elastic provides anti-carbonation protection, UV resistance, and is suitable for coastal environments. It is applied as part of a complete Sika system — including Sika primer, reinforcement fabric at crack locations, and Sikagard 550 W Elastic topcoat — to achieve the required crack-bridging performance class. It is primarily specified on commercial and multi-storey strata concrete and masonry facades where crack movement is an ongoing design consideration. Confirm current system specification, primer requirements, fabric reinforcement details, DFT, and performance class from the current Sika Sikagard 550 W Elastic TDS and Sika technical before specifying.
Technical Properties
- Very high elongation at break — designed to bridge active and dynamic cracks in concrete and masonry
- Anti-carbonation protection — reduces CO₂ diffusion into concrete — relevant for reinforcement corrosion protection
- Waterproof — continuous flexible waterproof membrane over the facade surface
Limitations
- Structural crack investigation required before application — confirm cause of cracking before specifying crack-bridging coating
- System application mandatory — do not apply crack-bridging coating without primer and reinforcement fabric at active cracks
- Not a structural repair system — crack-bridging coating does not restore structural capacity — specify engineer-designed repair first
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
TODO: owner confirm — Mapei Elastocolor W (product name variation unconfirmed — the Mapei product confirmed in the Elastomeric Coating Systems file is 'Mapei Elastocolor Paint' — 'Elastocolor W' may be a separate crack-bridging grade or a European variant — confirm whether 'Elastocolor W' is the correct current AU crack-bridging product name, distinct from 'Elastocolor Paint', with Mapei Australia technical)
TODO: owner confirm — Elastomeric crack-bridging coating — Mapei specialist system — concrete and masonry (product name 'Elastocolor W' unconfirmed as current AU product — see name field)
System Description
Mapei Elastocolor W is a specialist elastomeric crack-bridging waterproof coating for concrete and masonry facades in the Mapei professional remedial product range. It provides high elongation at break enabling the coating to bridge active cracks in the substrate — combined with waterproofing, UV resistance, anti-fungal properties, and anti-carbonation protection. Applied as part of a Mapei system — primer, reinforcement fabric at active crack locations, and Elastocolor W topcoat — it forms a continuous flexible waterproof membrane on the facade surface. It is primarily specified on concrete and masonry strata building facades where active crack movement is a design consideration alongside waterproofing and carbonation protection. Confirm current system specification, reinforcement fabric requirements, primer details, DFT, and performance class from the current Mapei Elastocolor W TDS and Mapei Australia technical before specifying.
Technical Properties
- High elongation at break — bridges active cracks in concrete and masonry facades
- Anti-carbonation protection — reduces CO₂ diffusion — relevant for reinforcement corrosion protection in concrete
- Waterproof — continuous flexible waterproof membrane — reduces water ingress through cracks and render
Limitations
- Structural crack investigation required before application — confirm cause of cracking with engineer before specifying
- System application mandatory — primer and fabric reinforcement at active cracks required — not a direct-apply coating
- Not a structural repair — crack-bridging membrane does not restore structural capacity
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Parchem Nitocote EP402
High-performance elastomeric crack-bridging facade coating — Parchem/Fosroc system
System Description
Parchem Nitocote EP402 is a high-performance elastomeric waterproof facade coating with crack-bridging capability in the Parchem/Fosroc professional construction products range. It is a specialist product for concrete and masonry facades requiring a durable, flexible waterproof membrane with the capacity to bridge active cracks over the service life. Nitocote EP402 is applied as part of a Parchem system — including primer and reinforcement fabric at active crack locations — to achieve the required crack-bridging performance. It is particularly suited to commercial, multi-storey and industrial building facades in demanding coastal and high-UV Australian environments. Parchem has a strong national distribution network through trade supply to the remedial building contractor market. Confirm current product specification, system documentation, reinforcement fabric requirements, primer details, and DFT from the current Parchem Nitocote EP402 TDS and Parchem technical before specifying.
Technical Properties
- High elongation at break — specialist crack-bridging capability for active cracks in concrete and masonry
- Waterproof — flexible waterproof membrane suitable for facades with ongoing crack movement
- UV-resistant — suitable for demanding Australian exterior exposures including coastal environments
Limitations
- Structural investigation required before specification — confirm cause and rate of cracking with structural engineer
- System application mandatory — do not apply without primer and fabric reinforcement at active crack locations
- Not a structural repair system — membrane does not restore structural capacity of cracked concrete
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
TODO: owner confirm — Dulux Acratex Permaflex (PRODUCT NOT FOUND — 'Dulux Acratex Permaflex' does not appear in the current Dulux Acratex product range on dulux.com.au — the confirmed Acratex crack-bridging/high-elongation product is 'Acraskin' (or possibly 'AcraShield Advance') — no 'Permaflex' product found — confirm correct current crack-bridging product name in the Dulux Acratex range with Dulux Acratex technical)
TODO: owner confirm — High-elongation elastomeric crack-bridging coating — Dulux Acratex system (product name unconfirmed — see name field)
System Description
TODO: owner confirm — PRODUCT NAME NOT CONFIRMED. 'Dulux Acratex Permaflex' was not found in the current Dulux Acratex product range as of verification date. The Dulux Acratex crack-bridging product is likely 'Acraskin' or 'AcraShield Advance' — the correct current product must be confirmed with Dulux Acratex technical. Note also: the primer 'Dulux Acratex Prep Coat' referenced in this card has been superseded — the current Acratex primers are 'AcraPrime 501' (for render cured 28+ days) and 'Green Render Sealer' (for render cured less than 28 days). All system specifications, DFT, and primer requirements must be sourced from the current Dulux Acratex TDS for the confirmed product before specifying.
Technical Properties
- Very high elongation at break — designed for facades with active crack movement requiring ongoing accommodation
- Crack-bridging system — applied with fabric reinforcement at active crack locations as part of the Acratex system
- Waterproof — continuous flexible waterproof membrane over the entire facade surface
Limitations
- Structural crack investigation required before specification — confirm cause of cracking with structural engineer
- System application mandatory — primer and fabric reinforcement at active cracks required for full performance
- Not a structural repair system — membrane does not restore structural capacity of cracked render or masonry
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Ardex WPM 300 / Ardiflex
Elastomeric waterproof crack-bridging membrane — Ardex specialist system
System Description
Ardex WPM 300 (Waterproofing Membrane) and Ardiflex are specialist elastomeric waterproof crack-bridging membrane systems in the Ardex professional remedial product range for concrete and masonry facades with active cracking and moisture ingress. Ardex positions these products as part of complete facade waterproofing and protection systems for the remedial building market, providing high-elongation crack-bridging combined with waterproof membrane continuity over the full facade surface. Applied with Ardex primer and reinforcement fabric at active crack locations, the system provides a durable flexible waterproof barrier suitable for demanding coastal and high-UV Australian exposures. Ardex has a strong national distribution network through trade supply to remedial building contractors and waterproofing specialists. Confirm current product name, system specification, reinforcement details, and DFT from Ardex Australia technical and the current product TDS before specifying.
Technical Properties
- Elastomeric waterproof membrane — high elongation crack-bridging performance for active cracks in concrete and masonry
- Waterproof membrane system — suitable for facades with significant moisture ingress through cracking
- UV-resistant — suitable for Australian exterior exposures including demanding coastal environments
Limitations
- Structural investigation required — confirm cause of cracking and structural adequacy before applying membrane
- System application mandatory — primer and fabric reinforcement required — not a direct-apply product
- Not a structural repair system — membrane does not restore structural capacity of cracked substrate
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of elastomeric crack-bridging coating systems. Confirm all product selections against the current manufacturer TDS before specifying.
| Product system | Brand | Elongation | Crack-bridging | Anti-carbonation | Coastal | System | Primary use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sikagard 550 W Elastic | Sika | Very high | Yes — active cracks | Yes | Yes | Sika primer + fabric + topcoat | Sika professional — concrete facades — commercial and strata |
| Elastocolor W | Mapei | Very high | Yes — active cracks | Yes | Yes | Mapei primer + fabric + topcoat | Mapei remedial — concrete and masonry — anti-carbonation |
| Nitocote EP402 | Parchem/Fosroc | High | Yes — active cracks | Confirm TDS | Yes | Parchem primer + fabric + topcoat | Parchem specialist — commercial and industrial facades — national |
| Acratex Permaflex | Dulux | Very high | Yes — active cracks | Confirm TDS | Yes | Acratex Prep Coat + fabric + Permaflex | Dulux Acratex — masonry and render — wide national availability |
| WPM 300 / Ardiflex | Ardex | High | Yes — active cracks | Confirm TDS | Yes | Ardex primer + fabric + WPM | Ardex specialist — waterproofing system — remedial contractors |
Do not confuse elastomeric crack-bridging coating systems with:
- Standard elastomeric coating systems — regular elastomeric coatings are applied at 150–200µm DFT with elongation >200%; crack-bridging coatings are applied at 250–400µm with elongation >300% specifically for wider dormant cracking — listed on the elastomeric coating systems page
- Flexible joint sealants — sealants (polyurethane, silicone) are applied in beads into joints and expansion gaps; crack-bridging coatings are applied as a continuous film over the full facade surface — different products for different crack scenarios
- Liquid-applied waterproof membranes — membranes are designed for horizontal or buried applications (balconies, basements) with different primers, reinforcement, and detailing; vertical facade crack-bridging systems are not interchangeable with horizontal membrane systems
- Epoxy crack injection resins — crack injection fills and seals the body of the crack from within using low-viscosity epoxy; crack-bridging coatings span across the crack externally — both may be required in sequence for different crack conditions
- Render replacement — active structural cracking causing render delamination requires render replacement, not crack-bridging coating; crack-bridging coatings are appropriate only where cracking is dormant and the render substrate is sound and adhered
Disclaimer
General technical information only. Crack-bridging coatings do not prevent structural crack re-opening — active live cracking must be assessed and addressed structurally. Confirm minimum DFT, number of coats and crack-bridging capacity from the current manufacturer TDS. Not a substitute for professional advice.