Blog posts of '2023' 'January'

What is render? 

Render is the first application of cement to an external or internal wall, be that concrete or brick. It’s done to protect the underlying house walls from weather, such as rain or frost, and it can also give your house that attractive appearance you’ve been looking for. There are benefits and drawbacks to render, as there are to everything, but we’ll break it down for you. 

Benefits 

There are plenty of benefits to using render for your home. Render comes in a range of different colours, such as Moonscape by ParexMonorex GM, or Smoky Grey. This means you don’t have to paint it every five years; the colour is mixed in with every part of the render, so it won’t chip away like paint does over time. 

Based on your preference and your renderer’s skills, your render can be given different textures for different aesthetic outcomes. Investing in render can make your house more attractive, and therefore add house value, depending on your area. Not only that, but render can improve the thermal performance of your home, saving you money in the long run with your heating bills!  

The best news? Your render should last from 20-30 years, which means it’s a low maintenance way to save money over time!  

Drawbacks 

There are a few drawbacks to using render on your property. Rendering your home can cost a lot up front, depending on which kind of render you use, and how you choose to apply it, especially if there is a large surface area to cover. Adding to this cost is labour; render is not something we recommend to DIY. It takes an experienced renderer to get that smooth, uniform result that provide the aesthetic preferred by most. At Rendit, we have a list of approved renderers based on your area. Find an approved renderer here. Despite this drawback, keep in mind that the render will save you money in the long run from your heating bills to additional house value.  

Always remember: buy cheap, buy twice.  

Different types of Render 

Lime

Lime render has a creamier texture than other types, which allows it to become more elastic and therefore less prone to cracking after it dries. The benefit of lime render is its breathable quality, protecting a home from the weather without smothering it. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to apply, which is the reason we suggest you find an approved renderer to carry out your project if lime render is your choice.  

Acrylic

Acrylic render is a top coat, applied as a thin finish to seal and enhance the appearance of an underlying coat. Fibres are added to prevent cracking and give a durable finish that lasts.This is the cheapest option of render, and it comes in a variety of vibrant colours, but keep in mind that it is not breathable which can cause issues if your house needs to breathe.  

Silicone

Often called thin coat renders, silicone render needs a basecoat. It can take longer to apply, and must rely on the weather in order to dry efficiently; these types of render are usually installed during summer, as it needs milder temperatures in order to dry. Despite taking longer to apply and being the most expensive option, this render can last longer than most other renders, which makes it a strong competitor. Silicone render, once dried, is crack resistant and flexible, with a range of colour options to choose from. It is self-cleaning, waterproof, and breathable.  

Traditional Sand and Cement 

Cement can be cheap with regard to materials, but it is expensive when it comes to labour, because this type of render requires multiple coats. Unfortunately, it can be prone to developing small cracks over time that allow rain and frost to penetrate, which can loosen the bond between cement and the building. Not only that, but it will require regular painting to keep your property looking in tip top shape. This type of render is not one we recommend if you want a long-lasting, energy efficient aesthetic to your home. 

Conclusion 

Overall, when you look at the benefits and drawbacks of render, you understand that render might seem like an upfront cost, but the savings you make over time, and the improvements made to your home make it more than worth it. Need some more convincing? You can look at images of rendered homes here.  

When looking to render your home, you should always do your research into which would be best for your property; no property is the same, and no approach to render is either. Consult your renderer if you’re not sure, and they will help you come to the best decision for your home.  

Next step: are you ready to render your home?  

What is it? 

Render is a building material typically used to improve the building’s weather resistance and protect against dampness, but can also be useful when looking to give the house a crisp, neat appearance. There are many different types of render that you can use to protect your home.  

Monocouche translates from French to mean ‘monolayer’ or ‘one layer’. This one-layer aspect has made it a very popular external house render. It protects your house from the elements while adding a decorative finish, and allows you to do so with only one layer, or coat.Monocoucherendercan come pre-coloured. Coloured render has multiple perks; painting and repaintingare unnecessary, and the durability of it means that the colour will stay for over 25 years.  

Benefits of Monocouche Render Application: 

There are many benefits of using monocoucherendering, some we have already covered above; the colour mixed in throughout the coat gives a decorative finish to the render, and this means that painting it is unnecessary; the colour should last for as long as the render does.  

This leads to another benefit of using monocouche render; it is durable and much less likely to crackthan other types of render, which makes it a good addition to your home and property. It can last over 25 years, but this all depends on the foundation you apply it to.  

Monocouche render takes from 5 to 36 hours to set; this is a quick setting time for render, and it is mostly dependent on the weather. Monocouche renderhas a time efficient method of application, because only one coat needs to be used, and the setting time is so quick. Not only that, but monocouche allows different finishes to the exterior, from trowel smoothed to spray textured.  

The one coat render application is one of the best ways to protect your home from the elements. It provides a strong insulation layer, which protects from the damp and the weather, allowing your home to stay warm all year around. As a result of that, your home becomes more energy efficient, and in the long run you could even save money on your energy bills. 

Disadvantages of Monocouche Render Application: 

There are a few disadvantages of using monocouche render over other types of render.  

As with all good types of render, it can be more expensive. You must weigh your options and your priorities in the moment to decide if an expensive but long-lasting approach is the best for you.  

You must remember that monocouche render isn’t the same as silicone render; it is waterproof, but not water resistant like other silicone-based products. Though monocouche render is more durable, this is not to say that it will not crack.Typically, with monocouche render, the cracks are hairline, but over time they can become bigger. These cracks can be difficult to repair.  

An issue with monocouche render is that it is prone to retain dirt, unlike render systems such as silicone. Therefore, it will need cleaning regularly, once or twice a year.  

Conclusion 

So, should I use it?  

Ultimately, that depends on you and your needs. Should you want something long lasting, durable and easy to maintain, this is a very good choice for you. If water resistance is necessary for your particular project, then an option like silicone render is a much better choice for you.  

You should also assess your budget – monocouche can be expensive compared to other renders, so it’s important for you to find something durable that is within your budget.