Hasco was a pasty, texturable wall-finishing material that dried very hard after application. It was applied in layers and then worked with a brush or roller to create a relief pattern. After drying, the high parts were smoothed and polished for gloss, while the lower parts stayed matt — creating a decorative effect through relief and colour contrast.
Background
- Patent — the Dutch patent for hasco dates from 1932
- Manufacturer — it was made by Schreuder of Schoonhoven
- Popularity — around 1935, some 1,200 painting firms applied the technique
- Succession — hasco was later displaced by similar products such as concrete enamel
Application
Hasco was used mainly for interior decorative purposes in heavily used buildings:
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Public buildings
The hard, textured layer was wear-resistant and easy to keep clean, which suited the demands of such spaces.
Points to watch
Hasco is mainly of historical interest. When restoring or investigating interwar interiors, a hard, textured and partly polished wall finish may point to hasco or a related product. The exact composition varies by period and manufacturer.
Related terms
- Plaster layer
- Concrete enamel
- Stucco
- Wall paint
- Scratch plaster
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