Rendering is a protective cover that is applied to the exterior walls of a building to protect the bricks or other building materials from the weather. The layer of rendering is then usually covered by paint or another attractive type of wall cladding, that will not only look good but add another layer of protection to the walls that will help prevent cracks and signs of erosion. Rendering the exterior walls of your home will certainly protect the walls from bad weather, says DVH Construct Ltd, expert renderers in Kings Langley.
This is important because if moisture does get into and through the wall, this can cause damage and trigger damp problems – which are both costly to put right.
What is Rendering?
The protective covering of rendering is usually applied to the exterior walls by an experienced plasterer- either by hand or using a machine. There are various types of renders available on the market, made from materials such as sand, cement, lime, and acrylic-based compounds.
Rendering is the best way to protect the exterior walls of your house and can extend their lifespan by up to 20 years.
So what are the benefits of rendering?
The main reason to render the outside walls of your home is to ensure that they are protected from the weather. After years of erosion by rainwater, the mortar between the bricks can be loosened and start to crumble -letting moisture into the bricks or other construction materials used.
Cracks soon start to appear and the damp begins to cause problems that are expensive to repair and can have an impact on your family’s health.
As well as adding extra protection to your outside walls, rendering will also act as an extra layer of insulation, ensuring that your home remains warm and dry inside – even if it is cold and wet outdoors. Expert reports state that up to 30% of the heating in a home is lost through its walls.
The exterior walls of all modern buildings are now rendered, but if yours has not been rendered, it is well worth considering.
An extra benefit
Having your house rendered, will not only ensure that the exterior walls are well protected against the weather, but your home will also be given a great new look too! If your house exterior is looking tired and dated and the walls have noticeable imperfections, a new sleek look will instantly transform your home’s ‘pavement appeal’ and make it the envy of your neighbors! Rendering also adds value to your property.
The render will be covered with paint or a final protective layer and you will be able to choose from a range of colors including the classic choices of white and cream and the trending shades of terracotta and grey. Rendering is the perfect way to enhance the look of your house and can be combined with other decorative finishes such as wood paneling.
If you live in a listed property or in a conservation area, it is best to seek advice about changing the facade of your home – before you begin work. If you still need convincing, The Greenage answers the question ‘why render your house’ effectively.
What are the costs involved?
The costs of rendering the outside walls of your home will vary according to the size of the walls and the quantity and type of materials used. To this cost, you will need to add labor charges as rendering is not always a straightforward job – even for a professional.
In May 2018, Amy Cutmore advised on the Ideal Home website-
‘Expect to pay around anywhere between £45 and £65 per sq m for insulated render. To insulate a semi-detached house externally will cost around £4,500’.
What are the different types of rendering available?
The most common type of rendering is a cement mixture as it is tough and reasonably priced. The render is applied in several thin coats and once it is thoroughly dry, the walls are then painted. The main drawback is that to keep the walls looking good, they will need to be repainted every few years.
Lime based renders are currently enjoying a renaissance in popularity, as many professionals feel that they look better than concrete and importantly, that there is even less chance of moisture finding a way through. This type of render is harder to work with and usually comes with a higher price tag.
Some renders include polymer as well as lime. Polymer is a type of plastic that helps prevent any penetration of the render by moisture.
Acrylic-based renders are more expensive to buy, but many professionals like them as they withstand more changes in temperature and humidity which makes them ideal to use on properties in such locations as by the coast or in areas that have high levels of precipitation.
‘Thorough colored renders’ and ‘one coat’ colored renders are definitely more expensive but are gaining in popularity, as they save time. The color pigments are added during manufacture to ensure a nice even color and this means that once the render has been applied, there is no need for it to be painted.
Some of the newest products on the market include thorough colored renders that are also textured and these really can make a wall look very stylish.
DIY rendering- can it be successful?
Yes, there is no reason why you cannot render the exterior walls of your home yourself, but it must be stated that it is a time-consuming job if you are going to do it really well and it might not save you much money if you have to start buying/hiring equipment for the job.
Using a professional is certainly to be recommended as they will complete the work to a high standard in good time and save you any costly mistakes.
To help you to make the right decision for you, read through the advice on tackling the work here.
With Springtime and good weather on the horizon, now is definitely the time to be considering rendering your home!
