Rendering Bristol

External render is, in its most basic form, a coating applied to the walls of a building to provide a protective coating that prevents rain penetration. It also acts as a decorative finish to enhance the appearance of a building, and can both reduce energy costs by insulating your home and create a fireproof membrane around your house.

The number one reason historically for rendering property is to improve the look. Adding a render coat can really brighten up a shabby looking wall, and it gives the opportunity to give the whole house a facelift. If your home is already rendered, but it is cracking or becoming worn, then re-rendering could be a good way of enhancing its visual appeal.

Rendering is the process of applying cement mixture to external, or sometimes internal, walls to achieve a smooth or textured surface. It is similar in technique to plastering. Render has waterproofing and fire rating qualities, but is also used for aesthetic purposes.

• Cement render – Gives a smooth finish but is not appropriate for older buildings with non-cavity walls. 
• Lime render – Generally used on traditional timber-framed homes due to its ability to increase airflow and reduce damp.
• Silicone render – Silicone renders are excellent for low maintenance, longevity and crack resistance.
• Monocouche render – A cement-based render that doesn’t need to be painted as it comes with colour embedded. 
• Acrylic render – A type of render has an acrylic resin added to the mix to make it more water-resistant and flexible.
• Cork-based render – This is a relatively new material in the UK and is more eco-friendly than other types of render. Resistant to sea salt which makes it a perfect choice for coastal homes

Before you start you need to ensure that the surface you are rendering is free from dirt, dust, oil, grease, paint, silicone or crumbling material. Smooth, dense surfaces with low absorption rates like concrete or metal window frames should be prepared with a “dash coat” prior to the application of the render.

• Red brick.
• Clay brick.
• Blueboard
• Painted besser block.
• New block
• Split face block
• Polystyrene
• Timber

After your first coat of paint is dry, it’s safe to recoat typically after four to six hours. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least three hours to recoat your paint or primer if it’s water-based. Waiting 24 hours is best for oil-based paint and primer.

One Coat Render can be used For interior and exterior use and has been formulated for single coat application, reducing the total drying time and can be over coated once fully cured. It is suitable for tradesmen with experience in applying render.

If you are applying more than one coat, you will need to let each coat dry for at least 3 – 7 days. You will then need to scour each coat with a sharp object to provide a good surface for the second coat of render to bond to.

The simple answer is yes, you absolutely can render onto brick.

Exposing render to rain, whether you’re working in it or having rainfall directly on newly applied render, is going to create problems with the colour and texture consistency of the finish. Excessive amounts of water can affect the bond adhesion between the coats which can lead to more serious issues. When it is wet it’s very important not to render onto saturated backgrounds as this can reduce bond strength and cause the unsightly lime bloom to occur.

You do not need to apply for planning permission for repairs, maintenance or minor improvements to your house such as painting. Rendering or weatherboarding your house does not require planning permission as long as the materials used are of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the house.

Rendering is considered one of the most cost-effective ways to add value to the exterior of a home.

Between 20 and 30 years.