Exterior refurbishment featuring grey rendering around a bungalow’s bay window and adjoining front wall. The photograph shows the rendering stage, with protective coverings over the windows while work continues.
About this type of work
The notes below explain this kind of work in general terms. Every home is different, so the details of a particular job depend on the property, the ground and what the owner wants.
How exterior rendering is done
- The wall is checked and prepared: loose material is removed, cracks are repaired, and the surface is cleaned. A bonding coat may be used on smooth or weak surfaces.
- Windows, doors and other parts that should not be rendered are masked and covered, as the photograph shows.
- Beads are fixed at corners and edges, and mesh is used where different materials meet, so cracks do not form.
- A base coat is applied and levelled, then left to cure.
- The finish coat, in the chosen colour and texture, is applied. Some systems have the colour mixed in.
What affects the result
- Weather. Render should not be applied in frost, heavy rain or strong sun, and it needs time to cure between coats.
- The wall. Damp, old paint and salts in the brickwork can make render fail, so the cause of any damp should be dealt with first.
- Details. Render should stop short of the ground and sit properly around windows, so water can drain and the wall can dry.
- Planning. In a conservation area, adding render or cladding to a house is usually restricted, so check with your council first. Elsewhere, a change that materially alters how the house looks can still need permission.
If the render is part of a larger scheme, see our refurbishment service and our guide to conservation areas and Article 4 directions.