What is Render?: The Benefits, Types, and Uses
Render has been commonly used to provide durable finishes to homes and buildings since ancient Rome.
This provides a flexible solution for a variety of purposes, including weather protection, insulation improvement, and aesthetic enhancement.
Today, Beesley and Fildes will discuss the definition of render, its purpose in construction and the different types of render available.
What is Render?
Render is applied to the exterior of buildings and sheds to enhance visual appeal and protect the wall from damage.
This consists of cement, sand, lime, and water, which combine to produce a thick and durable protective layer over a wall.
Most modern renders include polymers, acrylics, and silicone for added durability and better performance.
The Benefits of Render
There are many benefits to using Render, which make it a popular material in the construction industry. These benefits include:
- Weather protection: Render helps to protect buildings against harsh weather conditions such as wind, snow, rain and UV rays. It prevents moisture from seeping into the structure, protecting structural integrity.
- Improved insulation: Render that contains insulating materials or additives can help improve thermal efficiency by reducing heat transfer through walls.
- Enhanced aesthetic appeal: Render offers a variety of textures and patterns, allowing you to personalise a building's appearance.
- Durability: Render acts as a protective coating, reducing the risk of damage by absorbing and distributing any impact. This helps to create a more stable structure.
- Low maintenance: Rendered walls are less prone to mould, dirt, and mildew, meaning they don’t require any excessive cleaning.
- Versatility: Render can be applied over many surfaces, including brick, concrete, stone, and some types of timber.
The Different Types of Render
With so many options on the market, there is a wide variety of renders to choose from. This means that you can find the perfect option for your professional or DIY project.
Cement Render
This is one of the most traditional types of rendering. It’s made from sand, cement, and water and is applied in coats to achieve a strong finish.
Cement render can withstand harsh weather conditions and is cost-effective, ideal for budget projects. This can be applied over brick, cement, and stone.
Lime Render
Made from lime, water, and sand, this is a popular choice due to its flexibility and breathability.
Due to its eco-friendly materials, this is a sustainable option for eco-conscious builders. It allows moisture to escape from the underlying materials, reducing the risk of mould.
Lime render is often used for historical restorations or listed buildings due to its organic composition.
Acrylic Render
Acrylic render is more flexible than other types of render, reducing the risk of cracks and damage.
Its quick-drying nature makes it ideal for time-constraint projects, and it can be applied using a variety of finishes or textures for versatility.
Silicone Render
Silicone render provides excellent breathability and water resistance, ideal for any home or building requiring additional protection.
This helps to maintain a healthy building envelope and prevents grime from adhering to the surface.
Polymer Render
This pre-mixed render is made from various polymers, improving the bond between the render and substrate.
Polymer render is available in a wide range of colours, providing versatility of style. It’s also prone to cracking, providing a durable and long-lasting protective layer for your wall.
How to Use Render
Render is fairly simple to apply. However, several steps are involved to ensure a durable and smooth finish:
- Preparation: Clear away debris and dirt from the surface using a pressure washer or bristled brush. Before doing so, fill any holes or cracks with filler. Then, prime the surface to improve adhesion.
- Base Coat: Mix your render and then use a trowel to apply the first layer, also known as the scratch coat. This should be between 5 and 10mm thick. Then, use a notched trowel or scratch comb to add horizontal grooves to the surface. Allow this to dry for up to 24 hours.
- Apply the second layer of Render: The render is applied in thin layers, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next. This ensures a strong and crack-free finish.
- Finishing: The final layer can be smoothed with a flat trowel for a smooth wall. Once the render is firm, gently rub the surface in circular motions with a damp sponge for a finer finish. For a texture effect, use a brush or trowel to create a swirled, combed, or stippled effect.
- Curing: For the first few days, mist the surface with water several times a day to prevent the render from drying too quickly and cracking.
Choose Beesley and Fildes for your Render
At Beesley and Fildes, we provide a wide range of renders for various surfaces and building requirements.
From VPI to Parex render, we have a wide variety of colours and textures to choose from.
Browse our products today to ensure a professional finish every time.
