YOUR GUIDE TO RENDERING A WALL

Rendering in the context of home enhancements is the process of covering an exterior wall with cement, lime, acrylic, or some other kind of mixture. This is done to protect outside exposed walls of a house from rain and cold weather. Then it's completed by adding a layer of paint to prevent erosion and cracking; reducing expensive maintenance or repairs down the line.

What are the different types of Rendering?

Cement renders

Cement rendering is a common choice in the industry. They're mixed on-site, and they're usually cheap. The material's cheapness is a significant determinant; however, it does require two to three coats and frequent repainting.

Polymer renders

Polymer renders are pre-mixed and sometimes pre-coloured. Polymers are types of plastic which, when added to cement or lime as a base mix can reduce the risk of it cracking in the future. Furthermore, because they're already coloured, it removes the need for painting.

Monocouche render

Monocouche is also known as 'single bed' consists of a single coat, instead of multiple layers. Monocouche is based on cement render and comes ready to be mixed with water. This material is on the more expensive side; however, this expense becomes neutralised when considering other maintenance and labour factors.

Acrylic render

Acrylic rendering is most often applied as a topcoat over existing finishes. There's usually a silicon-based material included in the substance for longevity and lessens the need for cleaning. Lastly, fibres are added to prevent cracking and making it more durable.

How Much does Rendering cost?

When it comes to the cost of rendering the most significant factor is the size of the area that needs to be covered. You should allow £30 – £60/m2 for a rendered wall which includes painting. A typical three-bedroom detached home with around 130m2 of walling might cost in the region of £4,000 – £5,500.

Pros of Rendering 

• It upgrades the energy efficiency of your home/building
• Enables you to choose from a countless number of painting colours to give your home a makeover.
• Easy and quick to apply and one of the cheaper finishing options.
• There is a variety of renders available to suit even those on a fixed budget.
• It makes raises the value of your property.
• Rendering coats cracks, stains and other unattractive marks on your property.

Cons of Rendering 

• Requires high maintenance levels to avoid cracking issues and the topcoat of the paint stripping off.
• Rendering's cost may be daunting to some homeowners as the return on the investment can be notably slow to see.
• If your home has any external features such as a flue, ac vents or alarm boxes, they may need extending which could add to the cost.

Planning and permissions

It's not required of you to apply for planning permission for repairs, maintenance or minor improvements, such as painting your house in the UK. It may be necessary for some areas, so if you're planning to upgrade or renovate your home, you should ask and know where you stand. Home rendering improves thermal efficiency, which makes it hard for anybody to refuse it.