House rendering is one of the most common forms of external cladding. There are a number of different types of render available, each suited to unique properties and climates. When used correctly, these different render materials can be used to create incredibly interesting homes.
When you are looking at getting your home rendered, though, it can be a little intimidating! Trying to decide whether house rendering is a good idea can seem like a mammoth task. So here's all you need to know about the pros and cons of house rendering, all the types of render on offer, and what they can do for your property.
Before you try to determine whether house rendering is the right decision for you and your property, it is important that you know exactly what it is that you're thinking and talking about.
Render is a cladding material that is applied to the exterior walls of a home. It is applied in a similar method to plastering on the internal walls, and it is designed to improve the aesthetic appeal of the property. It also protects the home from weathering, dirt, and water penetration. When installed correctly, some render materials can prevent penetrating damp, organic growth, and structural damp concerns.
That being said, rendering is largely for aesthetic purposes. It provides a uniform attractive appearance to a property. Since it covers all of the external walls, it can be rather costly, especially on larger properties, but the protection it offers in addition to the value it can add to a property is often worth the investment.
Often when you want to make changes to the outside of your property, you have to file for planning permission. Many people assume that you would have to do the same if you are rendering a house, however, most of the time this is not the case.
If you live in a semi-detached home or a terraced house then you do not have to file for planning permission, but you should be aware of how your rendering project will impact neighbouring houses. If you live in a historical building or somewhere of national beauty/near or in a national park, then you may need permission. If you're not sure whether you live in a period property or a special building (or if you just want to be sure) then it's always worth checking with the local planning department before you start the project. Building regulations are important to abide by, so it is always better to be safe than sorry!
Check out: Does External Wall Insulation Require Planning Permission
As mentioned above, there are many types of render. When it comes to choosing one suitable for your property, there is a lot to consider. It is advisable to contact professionals like the team at MisterRender to help you make an informed decision, as some renders are better suited to properties with solid walls, some to cavity walls, and some to be more versatile.
One of the most traditional forms of render, cement render is mixed on site and applied in two or more coats onto the wall. It is a relatively cheap render although due to the number of coats, the labour costs can bring the price up to a number similar to other rendering materials.
Due to the nature of cement render as a material, it is rigid and prone to cracking. This can lead to penetrating damp issues. The material is also porous and incredibly inflexible, so it is not suitable for non-solid surfaces such as external wall insulation.
Done correctly, cement render should last for between 7 and 15 years.
Polymer render is sold in pre-mixed bags with either white cement or lime as a base. This render is less prone to cracking than cement-based render as it contains plastic and other flexible polymers that make it a superior render.
Available in a variety of colours, polymer render is weatherproof and a popular choice for those looking for stylish and protective render options.
Polymer renders last around 15-25 years.
Acrylic renders are often applied as a simple thin finish coat. The acrylic render is coloured and textured and offers a synthetic render option with a water-repellent finish. It is cheaper than other polymer renders, largely because it is simply not as breathable which can create issues when it comes to cracking and organic growth.
Acrylic render is not a sustainable option as it contains plastics, and should not be used in properties that rely on mineral wool as an insulation material due to its lack of breathability.
Acrylic render should last for at least 20 years.
Just like acrylic render, silicone render is not environmentally friendly as it contains plastics. It is, however, one of the longest-lasting renders on the market. The properties of silicone lend themselves to a truly durable and crack-resistant render that has become increasingly popular over the last few years.
Silicone render is self-cleaning and waterproof, allowing both waters vapours out and preventing the absorption of water droplets, keeping the substrate completely safe and dry. It comes in a wide variety of colours and finishes, as it is another through-coloured render. Generally, silicone is considered to be a low-maintenance render as it is self-cleaning.
Silicone render will last about 15-30 years.
Take a look: How Much Does Silicone Rendering Cost
Monocouche (French for 'single layer')is a flexible and crack-resistant render material that is hard wearing and incredibly durable. It is weather-resistant, and one of the most popular options out there today.
Monocouche render is breathable and thick, meaning it will let water vapour out, but also acts as a solid insulator for homes. It should last 25 years.
Lime render is one of the more traditional render materials. It is harder to apply than some of the newer mixes but is perfect for period properties that need to be able to really breathe. Lime render is super breathable and flexible, so it can cope with the movement and moisture of older properties better than other materials can.
It comes in multiple forms, but all of them are considered to be quite tricky to work with. They are, however, available in a huge array of textured finishes and colour options to allow full personalisation of the property.
Lime render can last 20 to 30 years when well maintained.
Pebble Dash is an older render style that is now on its way out of style. It involves rendering a house and then throwing aggregates at the freshly rendered walls to create a truly unique and impressive-looking facade.
Many people who have pebble dash render are now choosing to remove or render over it. When treated right, pebble dash render can last 20 years or so.
Cork render is a newer addition to the market. It is a sustainable option that provides homeowners with a textured finish and flexibility, as well as water resistance. This makes it a wonderful choice for homes in moist areas as it is also a breathable render, so is strong enough to handle the British weather without cracking or causing organic growth.
Cork also provides a great amount of thermal and acoustic insulation which many people choose it for. It can last up to 50 years.
Houses are all made differently, and different building materials require different rendering materials. Brick or block houses can generally be rendered with most things - cement render, acrylic render, whatever you fancy. However, homes made from timber or with timber cladding must be rendered using a breathable render material in order to prevent organic growth.
There are plenty of reasons people choose to render, and many of the benefits are specific to specific types of render (i.e. silicone render is self-cleaning, cork render is eco-friendly) but there are advantages to rendering your home, regardless of which kind of render you use.
Rendering a house will replace the brick or block appearance of the walls. It will provide a smooth and consistent surface that can be dyed any colour, or painted over using the right masonry paint. It can be used alongside timber cladding to help further improve external appearances. It can also improve the value of the property.
Exposed brickwork or timber is much more prone to penetrating damp than render is. This is especially true for properties that are subject to high wind and moisture. Applying a good waterproof render can be a great defence against damp and moisture-related issues.
Render - some more than others - can provide a couple of extra layers to insulate your home. This can help to improve energy efficiency and decrease energy bills, which can be very beneficial, especially for poorly insulated homes.
Explore further: What Is External Wall Insulation
Despite all the benefits of rendering a house, there are still some downsides to the process.
Rendering services can be a large investment, especially for larger properties. There is the option of doing it yourself, but this can often create more issues than it fixes. It is always safer to hire a team like MisterRender to ensure a smooth finish.
Older types of render will need regular repair and maintenance, and newer types of render need to be cleaned and checked regularly for damage in order to keep the protection they offer.
The exact cost of house rendering depends on the material, the house, and even the location. However, estimates say that the average UK cost of house rendering is £3800-£5500.
To break it down further, traditional cement render on average costs £10 per square meter. Traditional lime render costs around £20 per square meter, and acrylic renders or silicone renders will cost around an average of £30 per square meter.
The first step in the rendering process is to remove any paint or damaged render. Once this is removed, the surface will be properly cleaned and the render mix will be prepared. The mixture will then be applied to the substrate with a trowel. Multiple coats will be applied to ensure full, even coverage.
This application process may sound simple, but it must be done with great care. Otherwise, your render will not protect your property and may discolour and stain prematurely. Poorly applied render will simply cost you more money in the long run.
If you're interested in cladding your home, but there are too many negatives to render or you're just not sure you can afford it, there are a few other options. Such as:
When it comes to choosing a cladding option that is not rendered, it's important to always check with building regulations and local planning offices before you start.
There is also the option of mixing your render with cladding. Many people choose to do this as it is great for visual appeal and can increase the value of the property even further.
It can, however, create potential waterproofing and airtightness issues and double the number of labour costs and resources needed. There is also a difference between cladding which is self-supporting and that which needs to be attached to something. If you're thinking of combining cladding and rendering, contact an expert to discuss your ideas.
You can choose to render your own home, but it is a more difficult job than it seems. Being able to get a completely smooth appearance from top to bottom takes skill and training. That's why professional renderers like MisterRender exist. It is best to pay a little more for the labour costs if it means you do not have to redo the job in six months time.
Sometimes older buildings or buildings you move into might have a render finish already. In this case, you may need to look into removing the render before you get a fresh coat applied unless the render is in good condition. If your existing render is not damaged (or minimally damaged and can be fixed with patch repair) then you may be able to render on top of the older render. Speak to experts to discuss this, and bear in mind that if your render does need to be removed before your new render is installed it may be time-consuming.
