Transforming an ugly duckling with render

These days it is a magic wand for renovators, with the power to transform an ugly duckling into a contemporary beauty and add significant value in the process. And the best thing is that it is relatively cheap and easy to do.

Preparation:
You may need council approval to change the appearance of your home so it is a good idea to check.

The walls must be dry before rendering; new brickwork needs to cure for several weeks before hand. On an older property it is a good idea to square up the sloping window sills to complete the modern look.

Rendering Budget:
An existing brick home can be transformed with an application of the tradition system of sand and cement render which is by far the most economical way to go. The cost of rendering should be contained to less than 1 per cent of the total value of the property meaning if the property is worth 500,000, the rendering should be less than 5,000.  If this is not achievable for a low value property consider rendering the façade walls and bagging off the rear walls to preserve the budget. Another tip for keep the costs in check is to hire the scaffolding yourself to avoid paying for it twice with the renderer and painter each charging you for scaffold hire.

Adding Colour:
It is true that traditional render can be coloured with oxides however this is not advisable. The finish can be patchy and this gets worse with time as the render weathers causing the finish to look stained and dirty. It is far better to paint the render, which will also add a layer of protection to the surface. Remember to wait a minimum of 4 weeks before you paint new render.

Rendering Materials Other Than Brick:
The new acrylic renders are incredibly versatile and can go over a variety of surfaces including blue board, polystyrene, masonry, brick and painted surfaces. 

While acrylic renders are significantly more expensive than traditional render, they come in a range of textures, are coloured so do not require painting.

Acrylic renders are also extremely durable and crack resistant.

Don't Stop At The Internal Walls:
While you have the contractor onsite make sure look is complete, include things such as the front fence and letterbox and retaining walls. I have even had an ugly brick surround on an internal fireplace rendered to take a few decades off it’s life.

Rendering is such an effective value adds that many renovators go out of their way to source properties that lend themselves to the application of this popular finish.