Although once frowned upon as it was believed to make houses more vulnerable to cracking, fading and water stains, rendering has become a popular outdoor option for new and old homes alike.
Homeowners these days are swaying toward easy-to-maintain surfaces that are cost effective and environmentally friendly. In response to this, changes have been made to cement render, making it a widely used method of saving money when building a new home, and a quick, easy and affordable way to renovate an old one.
Unlike in the past where cement render was just a layer of cement on a brick surface to then be painted, most renders are now thicker and flexible enough to withstand extreme outdoor conditions over time.
Cement render is made up of three components - lime, sand and cement. A newer form has acrylic in the mix, and is purportedly much more resistant to cracking than other types of render. It is also fast drying, taking only a few days to cure while traditional renders can take up to 28 days.
A wide range of pre-mixed colours offers even more flexibility, whether you are covering exterior walls on the house, an ugly old brick fence or creating a feature wall in the garden or courtyard.
Unless the render is being applied on a new house, surfaces need to be prepared carefully before you start. Dust and dirt should be hosed off and any mould removed using a fungicidal wash. Existing paint or render on the wall also needs to be removed, as render will not stick to paint.
