Rendering is a form of plaster that is used for external walls. The main types of render in the UK is a sand and cement mix that is applied in two coats.
The first coat is the scratch coat and the second coat is a smooth finish coat. Rendering is smoothed out with a float in a circular motion until it is smooth enough to paint!
The other forms of render are a lime mix or Polymer mix, these two renders are becoming more and more popular but cost more than a sand and cement mix!
Rendering a wall or house protects it from the elements, makes your house warmer, repairs/strengthens old bricks and looks good if done correctly!
Should You Render Your House?
Rendering your house is a permanent decision, once you have rendered all over your house it will be impossible to remove. If the bricks on your house are crumbling or looking shabby then rendering is a viable option.
But, if the bricks on your house are in a good condition then cleaning and repointing them will rejuvenate your brickwork and make your house look fresh and new!
What Are The Benefits Of Rendering A House?
Rendering should be a last resort because once you render your house it is extremely hard and time-consuming to remove. But, rendering is beneficial and makes it look great if looked after and painted:
- Render insulates your house
- Helps strengthen brickwork
- Looks great and makes your house stand-out
Render is a good solution to many issues when it comes to old bricks because once it sets it strengthens old failing bricks.
Keeping your render in good condition will also make it last longer, paint it once and year with masonry paint and repair any cracks if they occur!
Different Types Of Render
There are three main renders we use in the UK. The most common render is a sand and cement mix that’s applied to bricks in two coats.
Another is lime, lime is an old render which you will mostly notice on old Tudor houses because it sets white! Lime is also a natural waterproofer!
The third render is Polymer which consists of cement and polymer. It comes in many colours and is very flexible which is good for older houses because they move more.
The problem with sand and cement render is it’s prone to cracks through the movement of a house. Polymer render is popular because you get fewer cracks and it tends to last longer.
Rendering – DIY
Rendering takes time to learn and get the feel for the trowel and float! If you are going to be rendering a large space then I would suggest you hire a professional!
I would like a quote for some outdoor rendering, preferably sooner rather than later as I need to have it done before the bad weather starts.