AU2004254285B2

AU2004254285B2 - Multi-layer covering

Info

Publication number: AU2004254285B2
Application number: AU2004254285A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Owen Derek Barr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-03
Filing date: 2004-07-05
Publication date: 2007-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-05
Also published as: AU2004254285A1

Description

PCT/AU2004/000887 Received 22 July 2005 Multi-layer covering Field of the Invehtion This invention relates to a multi-layer covering and in particular to a covering for a wall, ceiling floor, roof or the like of a building or other structure. The invention also relates to a method for covering a wall, ceiling, floor, roof or the like by applying a covering to the wall, ceiling, floor, roof or the like.

Background of the Invention It is known to those who are familiar in the art that cracks and undulations of suifaces appear in buildings and structures at the outset of the building process due to poor workmanship, and later, once the building starts to move and settle, cracks appear due to movement of base materials and framework. It is known to improve the: integrity of existing buildings by filling cracks in the walls, or ceilings of the building and applying render. However, for the most part, existing methods for treating buildings by rendering them or the like, are time consuming, require extensive preparation and are generally only suitable for application by skilled tradespersons.

Consequently, existing wall and ceiling treatment and rendering systems are expensive and unsuitable for unskilled and semi-skilled home renovators.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention, It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Summary of the Invention In a first aspect of the present invention, there is; provided a multi-layer covering for application to a building or other solid object and which supports an outer coating, the multi-layer covering including a first layer comprising:a fabric layer defining an outer surface of the multi-layer covering, the fabric layer being porous, resilient and flexible and allowing penetration by the outer coating, in use, and being selected from the group consisting of: a strong woven fabric blanket; (ii) a non-woven fabric or batt; (iii) a mesh layer; and wherein the multi-layer covering further comprises: Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

0) PCT/AU2004/000 8 8 7 Received 22 July 2005 la a second layer being a backing layer fixed to the fabric layer, the backing layer being a web which strengthens and combines with layer to provide strength to the same to allow the fabric layer to bridge cracks and gaps in the base object and wherein a series of through holes are present in the second layer and wherein, in use, when the multi-layer covering is applied to a building or other solid object, aid an outer coating applied, the holes allow the outer coating to penetrate through the second layer to the building or other solid object.

a bonding layer or a means bonding the second layer to the fabric layer; an adhesive layer disposed on the opposite side of the backing layer to the fabric layer; and a sacrificial or removable peel-off layer protecting the adhesive layer.

Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

2 The invention provides a flexible strong webbing that will support an outer coating and assist in the covering of cracks and undulations to achieve an acceptable surface. Both the coating and the covering should have the same degree of flexibility as each other and a similar amount of movement as the movement of the building structure, within a certain range of movement. Provided that these cracks and undulations are no more than 10mm and preferably t less than 3mm, the covering may stretch across those cracks and gaps. The bridging of the 0, cracks and gaps saves time and costs during construction, and later when movement of the structure creates gaps and cracks, the covering assists in the covering of these unsightly cracks and undulations. This covering also prevents weather entering the building through the cracks and prevents the build up of dust and mildew in these cracks which if left unattended could become a health hazard. The fabric will cover most cracks undulations and imperfections in the wall, floor, or ceiling. It will also act as a matrix for absorbing the coating which may be paint, acrylic paint render or the like In a particular related aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating a wall, floor, roof, or ceiling, using a multi-layer covering embodying the first aspect of the invention comprising the steps of: removing the removable or sacrificial peel off layer from the multi-layer covering; applying the multi-layer covering to the wall, ceiling, roof, or floor using the adhesive layer to retain the multi-layer covering in position; and applying one or more coatings to the outer layer of the multi-layer covering.

In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the blanket is in the range of 2mm to The term non-woven blanket encompasses any non-woven blanket made from fibres including batts and spun bonded blankets.

On one embodiment the blanket is woven and the gaps between adjacent fibres of the blanket range from 0.3mm to 3mm, most preferably 0.6mm to 3mm.

In an alternative embodiment the blanket is a batt or is spun bonded and through holes having a diameter of 0.3mm to 3mm, most preferably 0.6mm to 3mm, are formed in the batt or spun bonded blanket.

In the case where a wall, particularly an external wall, is being covered, the protective coating will typically be a render paint such as an acrylic render paint and will be applied with a brush or roller or spray. Other paints could be used including oil based paints, lime-wash renders and the like. The type of render paint utilised will depend on the characteristics of the blanket layer. Acrylic render typically includes a relatively thick mixture of cement, sand and acrylic polymer, although renders other than cement and sand may be used. The render provides "body" in the render paint and t allows persons applying the render paint to vary the appearance of the external surface Sas well as providing protection for the weather and a vehicle to provide colour to the IDoverall coating. The acrylic polymer acts as a sort of "glue" and assists in holding the render together. Typically, the sand/cement particles in the acrylic render have a diameter from 0.06mm to 0.2mm. The sand and cement particles penetrate into the 00oO gaps between the fibres of the fabric layer or the holes in the batt as far as the face of the wall and saturate the covering with acrylic render paint. The covering also provides a protective and supporting surface when coated with render paint.

The holes in the covering must be sufficiently large to allow water to readily 0 drain out of the covering as well as allowing relatively free flow of the coarser materials of the acrylic render paint through the covering at the time of application, but form a support matrix for the acrylic render paint once it dries and sets.

The weave or batt is preferably resilient and stretchable. A supporting backing layer of building paper or strong metallic reflective foil may be provided for strengthening the covering.

The metallic reflective foil or paper supporting layer is preferably coated with an adhesive protected by a peel-offprotective layer to make the covering easy to apply.

The fibres of the fabric layer are preferably corrosion resistant and hydrophobic and resistant to ultraviolet radiation, and resistant to most chemical solvents, mineral turps, kerosene, petrol, detergents and paint thinners.

Acrylic paint renders are sold with varying percentages of acrylic polymer with the cheaper renders containing less acrylic polymer. Advantageously, by providing a fabric layer which acts as a matrix for the render, relatively cheaper acrylic render paints with less acrylic polymer can be used. The fabric layer's function in this case is to provide additional flexible support structure and bonding between the outer coating of render and the supporting metallic reflective foil or paper layer.

Where the method is used for covering ceilings, relatively thinner fabric layers are used typically having a thickness of 2mm to 10mm, most preferably around 2mm to 5mm, and the covering may simply be coated in a standard paint, such as an acrylic paint.

The method may also be used on floors in which case the peel off layer is removed and the metallic reflective foil layer stuck to the existing floor surface. The covering can then be coated in grout, tiling cement, adhesive or the like depending on the type of floor finish required and will absorb some of the coating and provide a bond ri between the floor finish and the metallic reflective foil. The metallic reflective foil t layer provides heat insulation. The blanket provides both heat and sound insulation.

SThe invention also provides a covering for application to a wall ceiling, floor or IDroof of a building or like structure comprising a fabric layer selected from the group of fabrics layers consisting of:-: a stretchable strong blanket which may be woven or non woven or in the form of 00oO a batt having holes punched therethrough, and which is preferably non corrosive for application to exterior or interior building walls; and a flexible mesh layer having a spacing between strands of 5mm to In a particular related aspect, the invention also provides a covering for Sapplication to a wall ceiling, floor or roof of a building or other structure or the like comprising a stretchable strong blanket which may be woven or non woven or in the form of a batt having holes punched therethrough, and which is preferably non corrosive for application to exterior or interior building walls roofs ceilings floors or the like.

Where the fabric is a blanket, it is preferred that the blanket layer is from 2mm to 20mm in thickness, most preferably 2mm to 5mm thick. The blanket is preferably made from a plastics material most typically fibre glass or recycled PET fibres and the gaps between the fibres are 0.3mm to 3mm, most preferably 0.6mm to 3mm and are large enough so that the sand and cement particles of the acrylic cement render paint will pass through the gaps.

Typically, a support layer may be fixed to the blanket which could be a layer of building paper or most preferably a strong metallic reflective foil.

Preferably, one side of the laminate for attachment to a wall or the like is coated with a strong adhesive layer which is protected by a peel off layer to cover a protected adhesive prior to the application of the blanket to a wall, ceiling, floor or roof or the like.

The covering may be used in roofing applications as a wrap covering the roof structure and associated members and particularly over outer planar surfaces before the application of an external roof cladding material, in which case the preferred thickness is 5 to 10mm. The roof covering may be quickly and safely applied to the roof structure using the self-adhesive layer. The blanket layer will absorb the glue which in turn gives a strong flexible adhesive to permit bonding onto the outer roof cladding material. In addition, the external roof cladding material may be fixed to the base layer using screws or the like. The blanket and foil provide sound and heat insulation.

(In a further related aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating a wall, ceiling floor or roof comprising the steps of applying a flexible mesh Slayer to the wall ceiling floor or roof having a spacing between strands of 5mm to and applying one or more protective coatings to the mesh.

Preferably the mesh includes a backing layer which may typically be metallic oO reflective foil or paper.

The backing layer may be coated with an adhesive cover in a peel-off protective tt layer for ease of application of the mesh layer to the wall, ceiling floor or roof.

The mesh may have a thickness of 1 to 4mm, most typically 1 to 2mm.

In a related aspect, the present invention also provides a covering material for walls, ceilings roofs or floors comprising: a flexible mesh layer having a spacing between strands of the mesh of 5mm to a reflective metallic foil backing layer; a layer of adhesive applied to the foil backing layer; and a removable protective layer covering the adhesive.

Preferably the spacing between the strands of mesh is 5mm to Typically the mesh has a thickness of 1 to 4mm, most typically 1 to 2mm Brief Description of the Drawings A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a covering/wrap Figure l a is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 2 shoes a second embodiment of a covering/wrap, being a variant of the first embodiment, applied to a wall; Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a covering/wrap Figure 3a is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 3; Figure 4 shows the third embodiment applied to a wall of a building; Figure 5 shows the second embodiment applied to a floor; Figure 6 shows the second embodiment applied to a ceiling; and Figure 7 shows the second embodiment applied to a roof.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings Figure 1 shows a multi-layer covering 10 comprising Sa first layer of a fabric which in the particular embodiment is a fluffy fabric 12 having a INO thickness of 2 to 4mm, but which could, as described below, also be a mesh. The fabric is typically made of woven fibre glass but may be woven from other plastic materials, including recycled plastics such as recycled PET. The fabric may also be a batt or OC other unwoven matted plastic matrix, including a spun-bonded layer, or other suitable non-corrosive, non-toxic, flexible material resistant to radiation, ultra-violet, rays, most t commercial solvents, (including mineral turpentine, kerosene, petrol, detergents, and paint thinners and the like).

Where a woven fabric, or non-woven fabric such as a spun bonded layer, is used the gaps between the fibres in the weave are generally between 0.3mm to 3.0mm and preferably between 0.6mm and 3.0mm. Where a batt or the like is used a matrix of closely spaced "particle holes" 27 having a diameter of from 0.3mm to 3mm, most preferably 0.6mm to 3mm may be punched through the batt.

Fixed to one side of the fabric by adhesive or any other suitable means is a building paper backing layer 14. Fixed to that layer is a foil multilayer comprising two layers of metallic reflective foil 16 and 20 sandwiching a layer of paper 18. In other embodiments a single layer of metallic reflective foil may substitute for the foil multilayer and, as shown in Figure 2, the building layer backing paper and the foil multilayer may be substituted by a single strong metallic reflective foil layer 26.

A layer of adhesive 22 coats the opposite face of the foil layer 20 and this is protected by a peel-off protective backing layer 24.

With reference to Figure 1 and I a in particular, a rectangular or square pattern or grid of blister holes 29 is punched through the layers 12, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24. The holes need not extend through the peel-off layer 24, but typically will. The diameter D of the holes is generally from 0.5mm to I 0mm but preferably 1 mm to 5mm. Generally the spacing between the holes may be 10mm to 300mm but the preferred spacing between the blister holes is 10mm to 50mm. The holes allow air to escape during application of the covering and provide an economical and innovative guide line between the holes for on site cutting to match an adjacent covering layer, and to allow penetration by coatings through this backing layer to a substrate or object to which the covering is applied, as described in more detail below.

PCT/AU2004/0008 8 7 Received 22 July 2005 6a Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of covering O1a in which the fabric 12 is attached by adhesive, or other suitable means, to a single strong metallic reflective foil layer 26, the reverse face of the wall covering being coated in a layer of adhesive 22, covered by a peel-off protective layer, not shown in Figure 2 which illustrates the covering attached to a wall, after the peel-offprotective layer has been removed.

I

Amended Sheet

IPEA/AU

In a first use, the covering of Figures 1 and 2 can be applied to relatively uneven 4 and poorly prepared wall surfaces 28 of buildings and other structures by "handy- Spersons", DIY enthusiasts and persons without trades skills. The peel-off protective INO layer is removed and the covering is simply stuck to the wall. The covering will cover O 5 cracks and undulations.

However, although the covering may be applied to poorly prepared wall OC) surfaces, it is preferred that at least a clean surface without grease or salts is provided.

00 For best results surface pre-treatments create a clean surface that will make a clean t strong bond with the adhesive 22 of the covering. Preferably also existing gaps and cracks such as cracks and joints between bricks are filled. The covering may be applied to walls in a similar manner to wallpaper. The edges of abutting sheets of wall covering, once applied to a wall, may be interwoven or other wise joined together. One way of achieving this is to have the fabric layer 12 4mm wider than the metallic reflective foil layer/ building paper, overlapping by 2mm each side. The overlap will provide an intertwining of fibres that can be combed together after the covering is applied to the surface. This overlapping will protect the covering during transportation and handling. Any off-cuts may be used for patching up work or the like.

Next a protective coating in the form of a render paint such as an acrylic render paint is applied with a brush or roller or spray nozzle. Acrylic render paint includes a relatively thick mixture of cement, sand and acrylic polymer. The cement and sand provide "body" in the render and allow persons applying the render to vary the appearance of the external surface as well as providing protection for the weather and a vehicle to provide colour to the overall coating. The acrylic polymer acts as a sort of "glue" and assists in cementing the render together. Typically, the sand/cement particles in the acrylic render have a diameter from 0.06mm to 0.2mm. The coarse sand and cement particles penetrate into the gaps between the fibres of the covering or the holes in the batt as far as the face of the wall and together with the acrylic render paint saturate the covering with acrylic render paint. The covering also provides an even surface when coated with render paint covering up imperfections in the underlying wall.

The holes in the covering 10 must be sufficiently large to allow water to readily drain out of the covering as well as allowing relatively free flow of the coarser materials of the acrylic render paint through the covering during the process of applying the render.

The coating may be applied intermittently and does not need to be applied as soon as the covering has been applied to the wall since the covering will allow water to drain out, and the covering is weatherproof for a short duration, typically about seven days.

When used for a wall the covering 10a has a preferred thickness of 2 to IDmost preferably 2 to 5mm, and the gaps in the blanket are 0.3mm to 3mm, most preferably 0.6mm to 3mm.

The covering 10 covers undulations and cracks in the wall and provides a OC) smooth outer wall surface with minimum effort.

oO Figure 3 shows a further embodiment in which the fabric layer comprises a t mesh 30 of fibre strands in a grid formation of square openings (but which could be other shapes) having a width of 5mm to 20mm, most preferably 5mm to 10mm. Figure 3a is a plan view of the mesh 30. A support layer of metallic reflective foil 32 is fixed to the mesh. The foil is coated with an adhesive layer 33, which is protected by a peeloff protective layer 34. In one less-preferred embodiment the foil may be replaced with a strong paper, such as building paper. Again, blister holes 29 extend through the layers 32, 33, 34.

The covering may be applied to a wall and coated with a render paint such as an acrylic render paint. The meshes having openings of a size of 5mm to 10mm require less expensive acrylic render paint. Meshes having openings of 10mm to require more expensive acrylic render.

Figures 5 to 7 illustrate other uses of the coverings of Figures 2 and 3.

In particular, Figure 5 shows the covering 10a applied to a floor 50 which may be a concrete slab, or timber, plywood or particleboard floor. The peel-off layer 24 is removed and the foil 26 stuck to the surface of the floor. A floor surface is then applied over the top of the covering. The floor surface could be tiles 52 in which case they are stuck to a layer of tiling cement or grout 54 applied to the covering which is absorbed by the covering and penetrates to the foil layer. Alternatively, if a timber floor surface (not shown) is to be provided, the timber surface is applied over an adhesive which has been pressed into the covering leaving some glue remaining on the surface of the covering. The surface glue provides adhesion to the timber flooring which absorbs the glue and becomes impregnated with it to form a flexible gel that supports and adheres to the proposed flooring. The covering, as well as covering imperfections in the floor and providing a smooth surface for the application of tiles/timber also provides substantially improved heat and sound insulation. When used for a floor the covering has a preferred thickness of 2 to 10mm, most preferably 2 to 5mm, and the gaps in the fabric layer are 0.3mm to 3mm, most preferably 0.6mm to 3mm.

The mesh of Figure 3 may be applied to a floor in the same way as the covering as described above. Where the mesh of Figure 3 is applied to a floor, the spacing between the strands is 5mm to 20mm, preferably 5mm to 10mm. The thickness of the INO mesh is 1 mm to 4mm, most preferably I mm to 2mm.

Figure 6 illustrates the covering 10a applied to a ceiling 60 which may typically be plasterboard or the like. Again the peel-off layer is removed and the covering is oO simply stuck to the ceiling. The covering covers any cracks or holes. The covering is then painted typically with an acrylic or other paint 62, rather than an acrylic render paint. The metallic reflective foil layer and blanket provide heat insulation, and the blanket sound insulation. When used for a ceiling the covering 10a has a preferred thickness of 2 to 10mm, most preferably 2 to 5mm, and the gaps in the fabric layer are 0.3mm to 3mm, most preferably 0.6mm to 3mm.

The mesh of Figure 3 may be applied to a ceiling in the same way as the covering 10a, as described above. Where the mesh of Figure 3 is applied to a ceiling, the spacing between the strands is 5mm to 20mm, preferably 5mm to 10mm. The thickness of the mesh is 1 mm to 4mm, most preferably 1 mm to 2mm.

Figure 7 illustrates a yet further use for the covering 10a as a wrap for a roof structure, which in the described embodiment is the outer structural element 70 of a roof, typically a fibro sheet or sheet of plywood, but may be rafters or other roof members or structures before the application of tiles, corrugated steel or other external roof cladding material 72. The covering 10a may be quickly and safely applied to the planar base using the self-adhesive layer 26. The fabric layer will adsorb the adhesive which is used to glue the external roof cladding material 72 to the covering. The external roof cladding material may also be fixed to the base layer using screws or the like. The covering provides sound and heat insulation. When used for a ceiling the covering 10a has a preferred thickness of 2 to 20mm, most preferably 5 to 10mm, and the gaps in the blanket are 0.3mm to 3mm, most preferably 0.6mm to 3mm.

The mesh of Figure 3 may be applied to a roof in the same way as the covering as described above. Where the mesh of Figure 3 is applied to a roof, the spacing between the strands is 5mm to 20mm, preferably 5mm to I 0mm. The thickness of the mesh is 1 mm to 4mm, most preferably 1mm to 2mm.

WO 2005/003486 PCT/AU2004/000887 It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A multi-layer covering for application to a building:or other solid object and which supports an outer coating, the multi-layer covering including a first layer comprising:- a fabric layer defining an outer surface of the multi-layer covering, the fabric layer being porous, resilient and flexible and allowing penetration by the outer coating, in use, and being selected from the group consisting of: a strong woven fabric blanket; (ii) a non-woven fabric or batt; (iii) a mesh layer; and wherein the multi-layer covering further comprises: a second layer being a backing layer fixed to the fabric layer, the backing layer being a web which strengthens and combines with layer to provide strength to the same to allow the fabric layer to bridge cracks and gaps in the base object and wherein a series of through holes are present in the second layer and wherein, in use, when the multi-layer covering is applied to a building or other solid object, and an outer coating applied, the holes allow the outer coating to penetrate through the second layer to the building or other solid object. a bonding layer or a means bonding the second layer to the fabric layer; an adhesive layer disposed on the opposite side of the backing layer to the fabric layer; and a sacrificial or removable peel-off layer protecting the adhesive layer.

2. A multi-layer covering as claimed in claim 1 wherein the holes in layer (b) comprise a grid of blister holes punched through that layer. 3 A multi-layer covering as claimed in claim 2 wherein the holes have a diameter of 0.5mm to 10mm and a spacing between the holes of 10mm to 300mm.

4. A multi-layer covering as claimed in claim 3 wherein the holes have a diameter of 0.6mm to 5mm, and a spacing between the holes of 10mm to A multi-layer covering as claimed in claim 1 wherein a grid of through holes is defined in at least layers and of the multi-layer covering.

6. A multi-layer covering as claimed in claim 5 wherein the holes have a diameter of 0.5mm to 10mm and a spacing between the holes of 10mm to 300mm.

7. A multi-layer covering as claimed in claim 6 wherein the holes have a diameter of 0.6mm to 5mm, and a spacing between the holes of 10mm to

8. A multi-layer covering as claimed in any preceding claim wherein layer is wider than layer so that layer overlaps layer at opposite sides of layer Amended Sheet IPEA/AU PCT/AU2004/000887 Received 22 July 2005 12

9. A multi-layer covering as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the flexible, porous, resilient strong woven fabric has a thickness from 2mm to 20mm, the fabric being made from fibres or strands and wherein either gaps between fibres in the fabricare defined in the range of 0.3mm to 3.0mm or holes having a diameter of 0.3mm to 3.0mm are defined in the fabric. A multi-layer covering as claimed in claim 9 wherein layer is a fabric which is from 2mm to 5mm thick.

11. A multi-layer covering as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein layer (a) is a flexible mesh layer that defines a spacing between strands of the mesh of 3mm to

12. A multi-layer covering as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein layer (a) is a non-woven fabric or batt having a thickness from 2mm to 20mm, the fabric being made from fibres or strands and wherein either gaps between fibres in the fabric are defined in the range of 0.3mm to 3.0mm or holes having a diameter of 0.3mm to 3.0mm are defined in the fabric.

13. A multi-layer covering as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the fabric layer is made from a plastics material such as fibre glass or PET fibres.

14. A multi-layer covering as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the backing layer is a metallic reflective foil.

15. A multi-layer covering as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the backing layer includes a metallic reflective foil and building paper.

16. A multi-layer covering as claimed in any one of claims I to 13 wherein the backing layer is a building paper.

17. A multi-layer covering as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the backing layer includes a mesh layer, and the fabric layer is a strong woven fabric or a non-woven fabric or batt.

18. A multi-layer covering as claimed in claim 17 wherein the backing layer further includes a metallic reflective foil.

19. A multi-layer covering as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the backing layer includes two metallic reflective foils sandwiching a sheet of building paper. A method of treating a wall, ceiling, roof, or floor by applying a multi-layer covering as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19 to the wall, ceiling or floor comprising the steps of: removing the removable or sacrificial peel off layer from the multi-layer covering; Amended Sheet IPEA/AU tt 13J O applying the multi-layer covering to the wall, ceiling, roof, or floor using the Sadhesive layer to retain the multi-layer covering in position; and Sapplying one or more coatings to the outer layer of the multi-layer covering. N 21. A method of treating a wall ceiling, roof, or floor as claimed in claim wherein the step of applying one or more coatings comprises applying one or more Vt layers of acrylic render or paint. O 0, 22. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 21 wherein the multi-layer (N covering is applied to a wall and the coating is a render or paint applied with a brush, roller, or spray gun or the like.

23. A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the paint or render includes cement N, and/or sand particles and an acrylic polymer binder and wherein the sand and cement particles penetrate into the gaps between the fibres of the fabric or the holes in the backing layer as far as the face of the wall so that the covering is saturated with acrylic render or paint.

24. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 21 wherein the covering is applied to a roof and the coating is an adhesive or sealant. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 21 wherein the covering is applied to a floor and the coating is tiling cement, grout, or adhesive.

26. A multi-layer covering for an application to a building or other solid object substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 1 a, or Figure 2, or Figures 3 and 3a, or Figure 4, or Figure 5, or Figure 6, or Figure 7.

27. A method of treating a wall, ceiling, roof, or floor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and l a, or Figure 2, or Figures 3 and 3a, or Figure 4, or Figure 5, or Figure 6, or Figure 7. Dated this nineteenth day of December 2005 Owen Derek Barr Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F B RICE CO