FAQs
How do I know which type of render is right for my home or business?
If cost is your primary concern a concrete render is very cost-effective. If you need a high degree of water resistance acrylic or silicone renders are a good choice. If damp proofing your house or business is top of your list of concerns consider a silicone, cement or lime render as they are all quite breathable. If your home or business is prone to settling, you may want an acrylic or silicone render as they exhibit a high degree of flexibility. Ultimately, the type of render that is best for you will depend on your most pressing considerations.
What’s the difference between an acrylic render and a silicone render?
The primary differences between acrylic and silicone renders are breathability and price. Both acrylic and silicone renders are water repellent and flexible. Both are also breathable, but there is no doubt that silicone exhibits a quantifiably higher degree of breathability than acrylic. Silicone will cost more than acrylic but is considered the gold standard of external render systems by most professionals.
Why are plaster renders still used?
You would think with all the new and highly effective render products on the market that plaster renders would go the way of the dinosaurs. As we mentioned above they haven’t largely because they are quite versatile and, when done right, will produce a very attractive, effective and durable render. Add to that its breathability, plus the fact that it can be applied to a multitude of substrates and you can perhaps understand why plaster renders retain much of their former popularity.
Is it necessary to use rendering services?
If a DIYer wants to try their hand at applying a render, who is to stop them? That said, a DIY render is not something we would recommend. It typically takes a lot of experience to make a render look good while also fulfilling all its practical responsibilities. A DIYer may get lucky and end up with an acceptable-looking render that performs as advertised. But even a small mistake in applying the render could lead to serious ramifications down the line.