Save your home from the challenges of weather
“By the time homeowners reach the painting stage of construction, they are often constrained by budgetary limitations. This financial pressure can lead to the selection of lower-quality paints that require more frequent repainting, ultimately costing more in the long run.”
In a conversation with the Sunday Observer, Architect Roshan Senaratne shares his expertise to enlighten homeowners on the significance of weather protection in exterior painting. When constructing a home, it is wise to plan for every eventuality, right up to the final brushstroke, ensuring that the walls around one’s home can weather any storm.
Roshan Senaratne (Architect)
One of the foremost factors a homeowner should consider when building or renovating a house is the climatic conditions of the country. As a tropical nation, Sri Lanka experiences nearly 250 days of rainfall each year, leading to structural and waterproofing concerns for homes. Additionally, the temperature variations across seasons in different regions add to the challenges for homeowners. For example, in the Western Province, temperatures can soar, while in the hill country, they can vary between 15 to 18 degrees Celsius — this variability calls for a tailored approach to exterior painting. Exterior paints which can safe-guard homes from such inclement weather conditions are critical to the structural health of the homes.
“Another pervasive and critical issue, in addition to weather, is dust and environmental pollutants that further impact both the structural integrity and the beauty of your homes. Many homeowners are concerned about how often they need to repaint their walls due to the high levels of dust accumulation,” Senaratne notes.
Withstanding weather
He points out that using high-quality paint designed to protect against all weather conditions can significantly prolong the life and beauty of a home. However, improper plastering and substandard materials can drastically shorten the lifespan, leading to aesthetic and structural issues such as dampness, corrosion, and bubbling. This degradation requires expensive repairs and maintenance, which could have been avoided with the correct initial choices.
“In my 35 years of experience in the field, I have observed a sharpdecline inquality of craftsmanship over the past 20 years and thishas further worsened the problem and as a result,paints which offer excellent waterproofing quality has become increasingly important.”
As an architect, Roshan frequently finds himself addressing waterproofing and seepage issues, which can compromise a building’s durability and lead to long-term damage.
Homeowner education
A recurrent theme in Architect Roshan Senaratne’s practice is educating homeowners on the long-term benefits of investing in good quality, warranty-backed products and workmanship.
“By the time homeowners reach the painting stage of construction, they are often constrained by budgetary limitations. This financial pressure can lead to the selection of lower-quality paints that require more frequent repainting, ultimately costing more in the long run.”
Mr. Senaratne emphasises the importance of proper budgeting and planning from the outset to ensure that the final stages of building – particularly painting are not compromised.
Making a home is a huge emotional & financial investment and doing it right is critically important to avoid the hassle of frequent repairs and repainting. Therefore, waterproofing warranty offered by the company becomes a critical consideration. A longer warranty period reflects the manufacturer’s confidence in their product to keep the consumers’ home safe from all weather conditions.
“Clients frequently seek my advice on handling these situations, and my recommendation is always to choose a well-tested product which offers company-backed warranty. This gives peace of mind to the consumer. Opting for waterproofing exterior paints with a high level of water resistance and high elongationis the best solution for the homeowners. It will help prevent moisture from penetrating the plaster and damaging your home.”
Roshan Senaratne was introduced to architecture by his father, who set the stage for his established career. He was educated at the City School of Architecture in Colombo. Architect Senaratne earned a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture in London and returned to Sri Lanka, where his journey in the architectural field began to take root. His tenure at the Murad Ismail Channa Daswatta Associates provided a solid foundation, leading to his practice. His commitment to his craft earned him the Architectural Licentiate membership awarded by the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects in 2009. Over the past 15 years, Senaratne has refined a unique architectural style, completing over 1,200 residential and commercial projects.
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