FAQs
What is better: rendering or cladding?
Both cladding and rendering do a great job protecting the facade of your East London home or business. Both are weather resistant and durable, and both produce an insulative effect. That said, cladding is typically more expensive. And depending on the cladding you choose, it could be a lot more expensive. A render doesn’t have the old-world gravitas of timber cladding, but you have a wide variety of surface textures and colours to choose from, and it is considerably more affordable. So it’s really up to you.
Do I need planning permission to apply a render?
If the render materials you plan to use are similar in appearance (including colour) to what has been on the house then a render would likely be considered “permitted development”. However, if the render is going to fundamentally change the appearance of the house then you probably need planning permission. In addition, if your home is a Listed Building you will almost certainly need to obtain planning permission before rendering it. The same is true if your home is located in a designated Conservation Area.
What is the best kind of render for an old house?
Old homes and commercial buildings sometimes present challenges when it comes to rendering. That said, the most popular choice for old houses in the UK is the lime render. Lime is permeable and facilitates moisture control, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of old homes. Lime renders are also ideal for old homes with solid walls complementing their architectural integrity and minimising the chance of moisture-related issues rearing their mouldy heads.
Is rendering a DIY project?
It is strongly recommended that you do not attempt to apply a render yourself, unless you have extensive experience with the materials and practices. It is no exaggeration to state that most post-application issues are the result of DIY applications. You may actually wind up losing money doing it yourself, because if the render fails you will need to have it removed and do it all over again, or pay a contractor to do it for you.