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Fibre cement cladding has become a widely specified solution across residential and commercial developments due to its durability, fire performance and low maintenance requirements. For contractors and specifiers, considerations extend beyond aesthetics. Long-term performance, compliance, installation detailing and lifecycle cost are key factors when selecting an external façade system.

Understanding how fibre cement cladding systems perform compared to timber and alternative façade materials is essential before final specification.

When is Fibre Cement Cladding the Right Choice?

Fibre cement cladding is typically specified where durability, fire performance and long-term stability are priorities. On developments where access for repainting or ongoing treatment is limited, fibre cement boards provide a practical, lower-maintenance alternative to traditional timber.

It is particularly suited to projects where:

• Fire classification is a critical specification factor
• Moisture exposure or variable weather conditions are present
• Dimensional stability is required across large elevations
• Lifecycle cost and reduced maintenance are key client drivers

Fibre cement cladding is commonly specified on modern housing schemes, mixed-use developments and commercial façades. Systems such as those manufactured by James Hardie are frequently selected where certified performance and consistent finish quality are required.

Performance and Durability

Durability is a primary specification factor when assessing fibre cement wall cladding.

High-quality fibre cement cladding panels are engineered to:

• Resist rot, warping and moisture-related movement
• Maintain dimensional stability across seasonal changes
• Provide strong resistance to UV exposure
• Offer long-term structural reliability

Unlike untreated timber, fibre cement boards do not require routine staining or sealing. This makes them particularly suitable for developments where ongoing maintenance budgets and access limitations must be considered.

As with any façade system, fire classification and certification should be reviewed against project requirements, particularly on multi-storey residential or mixed-use schemes.

Installation Considerations for Contractors

Ease of installation and detailing has a direct impact on programme efficiency and long-term system performance.

Fibre cement cladding systems are typically installed onto timber or metal substructures with appropriate ventilation and cavity detailing. Correct fixing methods, joint alignment and allowance for manufacturer guidance are critical to avoid future performance issues.

Key installation considerations include:

• Proper substructure preparation
• Compliance with ventilation requirements
• Correct moisture management detailing
• Adherence to manufacturer fixing specifications

Attention to these details ensures the façade performs as intended over its service life.

Applications Across Residential and Commercial Projects

Fibre cement exterior cladding is widely specified for:

• New-build housing developments
• Residential refurbishments and extensions
• Commercial façade upgrades
• Mixed-material elevations combining render and cladding
• Garden buildings and ancillary structures

Its clean, consistent finish makes it suitable for contemporary architectural designs, while its performance characteristics make it appropriate for more demanding environments.

Fibre Cement Cladding vs Alternative Materials

While timber cladding remains popular for aesthetic reasons, fibre cement cladding provides measurable performance advantages in terms of moisture resistance, dimensional stability and reduced maintenance demands.

Compared to other external cladding systems, fibre cement offers a balance between durability, fire performance and long-term value. Final selection should always be based on project-specific requirements including exposure conditions, building height, compliance standards and budget.

Is Fibre Cement Cladding the Right Choice?

Fibre cement cladding continues to gain traction due to its durability, consistent finish and lower maintenance obligations. For developers, contractors and specifiers, fibre cement cladding panels offer a practical façade solution where compliance, longevity and performance are priorities.

As with any external cladding system, certification, installation guidance and fire performance documentation should be reviewed carefully before final specification.

Why "1st Drop" Deliveries Might Not Be the Best Option for Your Project

As a builders' merchant, we know how important it is for you to receive your materials on time. Many of our customers request the "1st drop"—the earliest possible delivery in the morning—so they can have their materials ready as their labour force starts the day. While this seems like a good idea, there are some key reasons why it might not be the best option for your project.

The Reality of Early Morning Deliveries

Our lorries operate under strict safety and regulatory requirements. Before they can leave our yard each morning, our drivers must carry out a thorough vehicle inspection. If any issues are found—such as a cut tyre, a cracked headlight, or another mechanical fault—the vehicle cannot legally leave until repairs are made.

Because our vehicles frequently visit active construction sites, they are more prone to minor damages that need addressing. This means that a lorry scheduled for the "1st drop" could face unexpected delays, and in the worst-case scenario, might not be able to deliver at all that day.

The Risk to Your Project

If you’ve arranged for materials to arrive on the morning of your build, any delay can leave your workforce waiting around with nothing to do—costing you time and money. Our competitors may offer "1st drops" without considering these risks, but we want to be upfront and honest about what’s best for you.

Our Recommended Solution

To ensure your materials are ready when you need them, we strongly recommend scheduling deliveries at least a day before your project starts. This eliminates the risk of unexpected delays and gives you peace of mind that everything will be on-site when your team arrives.

We understand that timing is crucial, and we work hard to ensure smooth deliveries. By planning ahead, you can keep your project on track and avoid the pitfalls of last-minute delays.

If you’d like to discuss your delivery options, feel free to contact our team. We’re here to help make your project run as smoothly as possible!

When it comes to cladding your property, selecting the right material is crucial for achieving the perfect balance of aesthetics, durability, and functionality. Among the various options available, James Hardie cladding, including the popular Hardie® Plank range, stands out as a superior choice, offering a blend of modern technology and timeless design. Here’s why it should be at the top of your list for your next cladding project.

1. Unmatched Durability

James Hardie cladding is crafted using advanced fibre cement technology, which combines cement, sand, and cellulose fibres. This results in an exceptionally strong and resilient material. With BBA (British Board of Agrément) certification, you can be assured that the product has undergone rigorous testing and meets the highest standards of performance in the UK.

Engineered to withstand harsh weather conditions, including heavy rain, frost, and extreme heat, James Hardie cladding is well suited to the unpredictable British climate. Unlike traditional timber cladding, it does not warp, crack, or rot, ensuring long-term structural integrity. It is also resistant to pests, such as termites, which can be a concern with wood-based cladding.

2. Low Maintenance

Homeowners and property developers alike value materials that require minimal upkeep, and James Hardie cladding delivers on this front. Its durable surface resists fading, chipping, and peeling, reducing the need for frequent repainting or repairs. A simple occasional wash is usually enough to keep the cladding looking fresh and clean, saving time and money over the years.

3. Aesthetic Versatility

James Hardie cladding is available in a wide range of colours, textures, and finishes, allowing you to achieve virtually any design vision. Whether you prefer a sleek, modern aesthetic or a classic timber look, there’s an option to suit your style. The authentic woodgrain effect closely mimics natural wood, giving your property a high-end finish without the associated maintenance issues.

The planks can be installed horizontally or vertically, providing design flexibility and enhancing the architectural appeal of your property.

4. Environmentally Friendly

In today’s eco-conscious world, the sustainability of building materials is an important consideration. James Hardie cladding is made from natural, non-toxic materials, and its long lifespan reduces the need for frequent replacement, helping to minimise waste over time.

5. Fire and Safety Standards

Safety is paramount when choosing external cladding. James Hardie fibre cement cladding achieves an A2, s1-d0 fire rating, offering improved fire performance compared to many timber or plastic-based alternatives. This makes it a reliable choice for both residential and commercial developments.

6. Backed by Certification

BBA certification is a mark of quality and compliance with UK industry standards. It confirms that James Hardie cladding has been independently assessed for performance and durability, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted external cladding solution.

Conclusion

BBA Certified James Hardie cladding offers a strong combination of durability, aesthetic appeal, low maintenance, and safety. Its ability to withstand the elements while maintaining a clean, modern appearance makes it an excellent long-term investment for any property.

Whether you’re renovating a home or specifying materials for a larger development, James Hardie cladding provides confidence, performance, and style in one high-quality system.

What is Render?

Rendering is the process of applying one coat or several coats of cement on external wall

s, giving a whole new appearance and potential to your building.

Typically made up of cement, sand, and lime, render can be applied to a range of substrates, and protects a building from natural elements such as rain, while allowing the building to breathe and shift, as necessary.

There are a range of different types of render, and the performance of each varies based on the substrate it is applied to, and the condition of the building beneath it. Ultimately, render can be used on most buildings, and can give it a very modern aesthetic, while protecting from weather and improving the fire safety rating of the building!

The main purpose of rendering is to improve the appearance of the building, but it has a variety of benefits that encourage people to render their homes and properties.

Benefits of render:

Render is durable, allowing a water –repellent finish, protecting the building from attack by the weather, be that sun, wind, rain, snow, and even damp patches inside the building.

Despite being durable, render is flexible, allowing the building to breathe beneath it while it protects from outside elements. This is important, as a building often shifts, and the render allows that without cracks or fissures occurring.

While it is possible that cracks may occur, a particularly good thing about render is that it can be repaired. Rendit offer Mendrend, which allows your renderer to fill these cracks, reverting your render back to its original glory.

Render offers a long lasting, permanent aesthetic to your home, and with a range of through-coloured renders to choose from, you never need to pick up the paintbrush to give your home that perfect colour you desire. Render keeps your home looking better for longer!

Common Render Questions:

There are so many renders, which do I choose?

It can be hard to choose which render will be best for your home. Rendit explains the different types of renders here. Alternatively, you can take a look at our Approved Renderers site, where you can find a renderer near you, and they will be able to consult and give you a quote.

What is the difference between Rendering and Plastering?

Rendering and plastering are often performed using similar products and techniques, however the term rendering applies to the use of these materials on exterior walls, whereas plastering refers to the use of these materials on interior walls.

What colour does render come in?

It comes in a range of colours, depending on your chosen brand. Often colours can range from anywhere between 10 variations and 48 variations, giving you the freedom to choose.

How long will render last?

Render, when applied correctly, should last for twenty to thirty years, if not for the lifetime of the building. Regular cleaning and fixing cracks can help extend this time.

Can I DIY this?

For a professional finish, the best thing to do is to hire a professional renderer. This way you can have a worry-free experience, and over the years, the render will pay for itself in preservation of your home, and savings on heating, given the insulation it offers. Find an Approved Renderer here.

There are many different types of render available in the market today, and as a consumer, choosing the right render system is an important decision. Whether you are replacing existing render or installing a new finish, understanding how the different render systems perform will help you make the right choice.

In this blog, we will cover the five different types of render available and each of their properties so you can decide which is the best for your needs.

1. Acrylic Render Systems

Acrylic render systems are typically made by adding acrylic resin to the render system. This makes the render gain various qualities from the acrylic, which include water resistance and flexibility, thus making it less likely to crack.

However, this makes acrylic render less environmentally friendly and reduces breathability for your walls, this can create issues with damp.

2. Cement Render

Cement render is made by mixing sand and cement to make a mortar, this is then applied to a wall to create a flat covering. Cement is one of the most basic and traditional types of render which when dry, creates a grey cement colour which can then be painted. However, a pigment could be added to the mortar to give the render its own colour when applied.

Cement render is very simple and cheap however, it doesn’t look nice, last long and isn’t weather resistant.

3. Lime Render

Lime render is made using lime and sand to create a mortar. The lime makes the render less likely to crack, It also adds a natural quality to the finished look.

Opposing Acrylic render, Lime render is relatively environmentally friendly and also much more durable than cement render. The main negative to this type of render is that it costs quite a lot alongside it taking a long while to apply.

4. Pebble Dash Render

Pebble Dash render is made by adding gravel, pebbles, shells or flint to a cement or lime mortar. These can be added to the mixture or to the wall after mortar application.

For both methods, pebble dash render adds a rough texture to a wall and adds a lot of weather protection to a wall. The best thing about this unique render is that it’s relatively cheap. However, it can make a wall look dated when worn.

5. Silicone Render Systems

A lot like acrylic render systems, silicone render is made with cement and silicone. This creates a water-resistant render which stays breathable and needs minimal maintenance.

Although, Silicone render is really not eco-friendly and costs a considerable amount more than other alternatives.

If you would like your house rendered, Find an approved renderer near you today

Why is batch to batch consistency an issue? What are the pitfalls of ordering little and often? Is ordering small quantities just an added cost? Is ordering more than enough better than just enough? Surely a “British Standard” colour is the same wherever I buy it from or whoever produces it? How do I avoid creating a moving target? These are all related to the same topic and the net results being the same, a potential problem; A colour difference.

All thin coat renders are a blend of constituent parts, each part made independently and joined together at least once, to create a coating. Some ingredients are joined together to make a part that goes in to making another part and so-on. Every time one component is produced, it is manufactured to a tolerance. By definition, where there is a tolerance there is the opportunity for a variance, this in turn can lead to inconsistencies and in render terms it can lead to appearance differences.

The moment you order or require additional render for an existing job, by definition it is a new product/batch of render. Yes, the same formulation may be used but if the constituent parts are slightly different tolerance the end result will be slightly different. You may have noticed that wall-paper has a batch number on every roll and that you need wall-paper from the same batch to ensure the patterns align correctly. The same wall-paper producer, producing the same pattern will recommend the use of the same batch. If the wall paper rolls are not from the same batch the patterns will not usually match up, even if in only one small segment of an edge. This is because the one of the constituent parts in the same factory (paper, inks, printing or cutting machinery) is different from the alternative batch. The same can be said for renders, particularly thin coat renders.

How can these situations be avoided? It is not as straightforward as ordering a specific RAL/BS level and be assured it is going to be the same colour. Every render manufacturer has their “own version” of a shade which falls within “their tolerance” of the colour. If you request the same colour from the same manufacturer, the colour may be slightly different due to the forementioned tolerances in the constituent parts. The only way to be sure of getting a consistent thin coat render colour throughout is to make one batch of the right size. Assuming this is thoroughly mixed it will ensure that the first tub is the same as the last tub in this batch. Any thin coat render produced in any other way could have variations, however small. As tint and binder stocks rotate, a variance one way or another may lead to changes, most are so small that they are un-noticeable. These changes can magnify over time as more and more batches are produced. What are the answers? For most manufacturers it is not commercially viable to produce single render batch in quantities of less than 1000kg and so the chances of every tub being exactly the same colour is limited. So, the next best thing is to order enough thin coat render to complete the job in hand as this will at least remove one link from in terms of batch-to-batch risk. When ordering a tub or two at a time, the risk is increased due to the “turn-over” of constituent parts over a prolonged period of time. Better to have 10 x 25kg tubs made at the same time in comparison to 1 x 25kg tub made every week. If you for whatever reason you need additional thin coat render to match an existing job, how do you best avoid batch to batch variances? If you haven’t ordered enough render initially, do not use every last drop of material before starting the next tub, use the original tubs and keep topping-it-up to blend any variances as it is used. Some render manufacturers will supply a batch number and this may relate to the formulation used or possibly a retained swatch of render from that batch. If further thin coat render is required, the batch number can be given and the supplier can produce to the same formulation and check the colour and sheen against the retained panel. If the same formulation is used, the thin coat render supplied may fall within “their tolerance”, which may be visibly noticeable to the eye.  Will a supplier charge you for matching? Arguably yes, arguably no. Should a render company be able to produce the same colour every time? In theory yes, in reality not every time! The need to order enough render at the beginning of the job will invariably come back to haunt you if you under budget on quantity. Hopefully this will give an insight into batch-to-batch variances and demonstrates the benefits of ordering the right amount of thin coat render for every job. This scenario is typical for all thin coat render producers, anyone who mixes thin coat render has the same issue.

A very common misconception is “colour standards”, by definition a “standard” is “something used as a, norm, or model in comparative evaluations”. When this is used in paint or render production it is quickly followed by “tolerance” defined as “an allowable amount of variation of a specified quantity”. A quick explanation of colour before getting in too deep, colours can be decoded and given a numerical position on a colour graph. If you imagine a cross on a clock face, with Yellow at 6 o’clock, opposite yellow is blue at 12 o’clock, Red at 3 o’clock and Green at 9 o’clock, every colour falls somewhere on the clock . That same colour when produced can be measured and as long as it falls within its manufacturers tolerance it is deemed a good commercial match. The problems begin when different manufacturers have different tolerances or the same company produces one batch within tolerance slightly on the “yellow” side of their “standard” and the next batch on the “blue” side of the tolerance, visible change may be negligible or noticeable. The next batch may be “bluer” again and so the colour drifts batch on batch and the potential for change increases.

This blog is not designed to give a clear-all solution, it has been produced to give a wart and all insight into paint production. Batch-to-batch consistency is resultant on the pigments, binders, dispensing equipment and critically quality control. If the pigments and

binders are not very tightly controlled; the dispensing of the formulation counts for very little in terms of consistency. Many car paints cost significantly more than industrial or domestic paints, this is largely born from the quality control of the pigments and binders. Hence why there may be more than two dozen variants of “Arctic” white, this is where the shade has moved over time in a car production plant.

Long story short, if you are unsure please contact us!

Our Rendit Approved Renderer scheme is causing a stir in the marketplace and understandably so. The presence of clearly exasperated competitors questioning its very existence on our social media only goes to show the strength of offer! It is an unusual offering that offers tangible benefits to all involved including us as a supplier, applicators, manufacturers and customers!

So, why and how does it exist?

Rendit was formed as a company in 1994 and for a lot of years only specialised in the formulation and application of the Mendrend Render Repair system to help applicators and end users repair common issues that occur day to day. These issues are generally very tricky to correct and the next 20 years or so were spent perfecting the art of render repair through constant advancements in product design which eventually became perfected and patented. Our company operations for a lot of years were extremely limited and small in scale but with regards the Rendit Approved Renderers scheme were especially important as we developed a level of expertise few have been able to replicate. As we all know experience can only be earned, never taken!

Around 6-7 years ago Rendit moved heavily into the supply of render systems as well as still specialising in technical repairs of the same systems. In hindsight this was a natural progression as being able to offer a high level of technical support and expertise in all aspects of the rendering process is something we feel that is missing from the marketplace. The relationship between supplier, manufacturer and applicator can be fractured with regards customer support and the service available so it is handy to be able to bring it all together in one coherent and seamless package with multiple manufacturers, which hopefully a lot of our customers appreciate.

The Rendit Approved Applicators scheme is designed to further unify the relationship between customer, supplier, applicator and manufacturer as we look to tie the expertise of all involved together. Expert applicators can now utilise the expertise of manufacturers along with our own experience in solving the day-to-day problems that can occur. Our own 5 Year Crack Free Guarantee closes the door on the last but common problem faced day to day by applicators where generally there has traditionally been little protection afforded by manufacturer warranties due to the nature of the issue.

As a Rendit Approved Renderer you can obtain benefits not available at your average supplier, these include:

1. Free Google marketing on one of the industries busiest websites, customers can search by postcode and automatically be put in touch with their nearest Rendit Approved Renderer. Our marketing teams are currently tasked with maximising enquiries for applicators through the scheme. These will not just be any enquiries as we are looking for customers who want quality workmanship with the backup of warranties. 

2. Free site surveys where our team will liaise with manufacturers to obtain the most suitable warrantied specifications from multiple BBA tested manufacturers for you and your customers.

3. A free 5 Year Crack Guarantee which will be provided by Rendit in addition to your Manufacturer warranty. We would strongly advise everyone reads the information on this here as it is truely an exceptional offering: Crack Free Guarantee | RENDIT 

4. Priority access to on-site support teams with a level of expertise simply not available anywhere else to help to take the hassle out of day-to-day problems that may occur.

The beauty of the scheme is that we do not even want you to change your existing supplier, (Although it would be nice!) become Rendit Approved and just work with us with any enquiries you receive through the scheme and we think that you could be surprised!

If you want to become Rendit Approved visit our website and apply here: The Home of Approved Render Companies | Rendit