House Rendering

Rendering a house is an easy way to give your home a facelift. One option is partially rendering it and combining that render with another material like exposed brick or wood. This many of the other options that can make a stunning difference to the outside of your home. Choose from different colours, finishes and type of render because there really is a wide choice to suit any budget or home.

One very popular rendering trend at the moment is an off white off-set by grey windows, a look that suits traditional or period homes very well.  Just pick the right colour and combination and you will have a stunning transformation.

Here is Paintworks London guide to various types of option for rendering a house including the cost and maintenance.

There are several popular types of rendering

The cement render

Originally render was always cement and that was mixed on site. The render would then be applied in several layers.  It was sometimes called ‘scratch coat’ because the base layer would be scratched before the next layer was applied. The final coat would then be applied without scratching to provide a surface for the paint to be applied to.

The disadvantage of a cement render is the fact that cement is mixed on the site, which may lead to differences in texture and to the render being more likely to crack and needing more maintenance and painting as years go by.

The coloured render

Some of the most popular rendering products used will be coloured renders that come in silicone, acrylic, and the one coat mono-couche render. Theserenderingshave anti-crack formulas and also have UV resistant pigment so that it is possible to cover large areas with a consistent colour. They are also long-lasting.

Silicone is probably more popular than acrylic as it is more robust and does not require as much maintenance. Silicone render is self-cleaning because when it rains, any dirt washes off it. 

Mono-couche render is usually applied in a thin coat and is the less labour- intensive way to render. 

The drawback of coloured render will be that the material is more expensive and costs typically around £8-£10/m² in comparison to £1/m² for cement render. But minimal maintenance for coloured render should also be considered.

The renders will be applied usually with a hand trowel or can be sprayed on the surface and this will cut down on application time.

The Lime render

This is the most traditional render and often applied on period properties to preserve authenticity. This is a breathable option and is useful where there is an issue with damp walls that would be a problem with a cement render. Lime render is eco-friendly and is also less prone to crack. It is more difficult to put on than cement mix so professional guidance or operatives.

How much does rendering houses cost?

The cost will vary according to the size of the property and of course the specific job, the location and the type of render used.

Cement render is cheapest because it is a basic sand and cement mix. Labour costs will be more as the application is in several coats and then has to be painted. Around £40-£50/m²would be average for the entire job. There will also be maintenance costs. Lime render is a bit more expensive for the product and required labour time so about £50-£60/m². Coloured render will cost more for the render material and vary according to the type of coloured render used. With materials and with the labour charges,  cost should be £40/m² for a basic render but this will rise to around £80/m², for example, for a render system that is insulated. However, this type of coloured system does not need a lot of maintenance so in the long run should be cost-effective.

How long does rendering a property take?

If a coloured render is used, like a silicone render, around one to two weeks for an entire home to be rendered is typical. This will depend on the weather, however, and you can expect rendering of a house with lime or cement to take a bit longer as it will also need to be painted.

Who should I employ to render my house?

At Paintworks London we would always say – us!  But you should always do your homework and check the past projects that the company you choose has done and ensure that they have the right insurances and guarantees in place.

Are there any other benefits to rendering a home?

Yes. As well as improving the look of your home, a render applied properly will be an improvement to the thermal insulation of your home.  Some people will choose to have insulation applied under the render for maximum impact. Render will also protect the original brickwork and reduce damp. 

Can I have my house rendered at any time of the year?

There are ideal conditions for applying to render and damp wet and freezing conditions are not ideal for any type of render. Applying to render in the winter-time, needs overnight temperatures that do not drop below freezing. Although as professionals we will render year round, ideally spring and summer are best!

Is planning permission required to render a home?

If you plan to render your house you may require planning permission, especially if your area is a conservation area. At Paintworks London we can advise you and you can also check with your local council.