Blog posts of '2016' 'March'

There are many factors to take into account when selecting a render. From the type of building to weather conditions, it is important that the the correct type of render is chosen. Between aesthetics and functionality, there is a vast range of different renders to choose from, so how do you go about selecting the correct render?

The material of the building that is to be rendered plays a large part in selecting the most appropriate type of render to use. Older buildings tend to be made from materials that have a lot of movement, so will need a flexible render which is able to move with the building. At the opposite end of the spectrum, newer buildings are constructed with stiffer materials so will need to be coated with a more rigid render. 

Renders both help improve the exterior appearance of a building and can help in both protecting against the elements (weatherproofing) and insulating the building itself

Types of render

Lime render tends to be more expensive than other types of render. Its flexibility makes it more suited to older buildings. One other thing that needs to be taken into account is that lime render should be maintained with frequent coatings of lime-wash.

Cement render is a more rigid render and is available in a variety of bold colours. Being relatively quick to apply and cure, cement-based renders are the go-to choice for most modern buildings.

Acrylic rendering is another popular option, created by adding acrylic resins to a cement-based render. This improves flexibility and water resistance, making it less prone to cracking. Acrylic rendering is often chosen for modern properties where durability and a wide choice of finishes are important.

Method of Application

There are several methods of applying render to a substrate, and their preparation is something that needs to be considered before making a choice. Renders can be applied via hand or spray gun. Hand-applied renders require more work in their application, whereas spray guns allow for a quick and easy method of applying render. 

One final point to consider is local planning regulations. Render can be a stark contrast against non-rendered, brick buildings which can sometimes be an issue with occupants of surrounding properties. There are however, various types of render and their application - such as brick render - which offer a subtler solution.

I regularly hear people proclaim that their monocouche or through coloured scraped renders are "non-maintenance," and they are often a little flabbergasted when they are told that their render needs cleaning. This is a common misconception and usually comes down to a misunderstanding of what "non-maintenance" actually means.

Modern renders are incredibly hard wearing; a correctly applied system will withstand many years of whatever the elements throw at them, even in extreme circumstances. I drive past a rendered property that was rendered nearly 30 years ago which, despite being subject to heavy flooding (over 8ft deep at numerous points), still looks great today with no sign of the render failing anytime soon.

On that basis, modern renders are certainly expected to be low-maintenance. Once installed correctly, you'll have a hell of a time removing them, and re-applying within the next couple of decades should not be necessary.

This doesn't mean that some systems, not all, will need some kind of regular cleaning. This is the case for all properties in the UK, regardless of whether the walls are brick, stone or render. Thankfully, it's not overly difficult to either take preventative measures or clean the surface once it starts to look a little dirty.

If you have signs of algae growth, we'd recommend you be proactive and treating it with a good algae cleaner before it spreads. We have some available on our site here or here. These tend to incredibly easy to apply as they simply are sprayed through a normal garden low pressure spray. Algae is stubborn and can grow on almost anything given the right conditions, so it's better to nip it in the bud before it spreads. 

Light pressure washing can also be carried out, as long as care is taken not to apply too much pressure which may damage the surface. Industrial washers may be too powerful, but your average consumer grade washer that you buy from B&Q should be fine. Good quality non-acidic patio cleaners applied before washing down will also help with dirt removal. 

So what about exterior render paint?

We’re often asked whether applying exterior render paint is necessary to keep a property looking fresh.

With modern monocouche or through-coloured systems, the colour is built into the material itself. Unlike traditional sand and cement render, these systems do not rely on exterior masonry paint to achieve their finish. As a result, repainting should not form part of the normal maintenance cycle.

Exterior render paint is generally more relevant on older rendered properties where the original finish has faded or where a colour change is required. It’s a cosmetic solution rather than a structural one.

If you are looking to prevent dirt and algae build-up further, specialist breathable sealers can be applied. We will shortly be launching a new product we have developed called ProtxSeal which is incredibly easy to apply, again using a low pressure sprayer. Containing Siloxanes, ProtxSeal completely repels water and seals the render with a lotus leaf effect whilst still allowing the walls to breathe. Dirt and algae simply get washed away as it can no longer stick to the surface. This sealer is easy to apply through a normal garden spray, does not change the appearance of the render at all and can be used on ANY porous masonary surface.

We will also shortly be offering application services also for this product, please contact us for more details.

If you need any advice on how to keep your render looking fantastic for years to come do not hesitate to give us a call. 

Its that time of year when we regularly get asked "do we scrape same or next day?"

In all honesty its a tough question as all render have slightly differing setting attributes. I understand the eagerness to move to same day scrapes but its not something that can be rushed. Trying to scrape off a wet, sticky render will throw off the colour and create nasty texturing issues which are difficult to resolve. 

As a general rule if the air is dry and temps are predicted to be in the double figures from the minute you start until the end of the day then your render should be good to scratch the same day, but expect maybe a late finish if the temps are at the lower end of that scale. Get the pumps and trowel working early too!

If you like more specific advice on the K Rend or Parex products we supply then please feel free to contact us.

I don't normally do reviews as applicators tend to like what they like but I felt the need to write a bit about the new K Rend Silicone K1 because I rarely get such good feedback from my customers from a product as I have over the past few months than I have with this one, so I decided to get onto site to see it for myself.

I've seen it running through Ritmo and G4 spray machines as well getting hand applied applied by some of the guys who were staunch users of the Silicone FT and I've got to say I was pretty much blown away! Anyone who's traditionally used silicone mineral renders will tell you that they aren't as easy to apply as the other standard renders on the market, including those from K Rend themselves and I'd have to agree. They are usually harder to mix, dusty and heavy under the trowel or straight edge with a tendancy to split if not mixed correctly.

That is no longer the case with the silicone K1! Through the pumps you honestly can't tell the difference from the standard K1 and those who hand apply will be pleased to know that you too can have a light, fluffy and easy to manipulate render as your machine hugging colleagues tend to hog!

Now, we have a render where customers can have the benefits of K Rends unique silicone enhancements and the applicators don't have to worry that they may be having a late night to get the job done. Everyone who has tried the new Silicone K1 has made the switch from the Silicone FT on the first try of the material! Check out our video below! Thanks to Russ Downing at Lord and Downing Render Systems for allowing me to spend time on site with the guys.

K Rend Silicone K1, 3 floors up flying through PFT G4 Spray machine. Cracking! @KRendRenders pic.twitter.com/05RYdrV2DQ

— Rendit (@RenditLtd) January 27, 2016

Verdict: 5 out of 5!