Have you ever looked at the exterior of your house and wished you could transform it into something stunning? Maybe the walls are damaged, or the style is outdated.
If so, rendering is the solution you’ve been looking for. Rendering your home can take a dull, tired facade and turn it into a smooth, stylish masterpiece.
My husband and I recently embarked on the rendering journey to give our 1970s brick house a modern makeover. Like many projects, it was a lot of work—but the results were well worth it. Our house went from an eyesore to an envy-inducing stunner.
If you’re considering rendering for your own home, let me walk you through the process.
From selecting materials to seeing the dramatic before and after, you’ll get an inside look at how we transformed our house and gave it a whole new life. Get ready to be inspired! Rendering is the renovation that can change everything.
What is Rendering and Why is it Important for Homes?
Rendering is the process of applying a protective coat of cement to the outside of your home. It helps improve both the appearance and longevity of the structure. Here are a few reasons why rendering is so important:
Rendering protects the brickwork and masonry of your home from weather damage. Exposure to wind, rain, and temperature extremes can cause cracks, crumbling, and water damage over time. A layer of render acts as a shield, protecting the structure underneath.
It provides an attractive finish. Rendering allows you to achieve a smooth, textured, or patterned finish in a variety of colours. You can choose a render that complements your home’s architecture and enhances its curb appeal.
Rendering your house before and after helps with insulation. Applying a layer of render, especially if it contains insulating properties, can help improve the energy efficiency of your home. The render acts as an extra barrier against heat loss, keeping the inside temperature regulated.
Rendering increases property value.
A home with a freshly rendered exterior simply looks well-maintained and appealing to potential buyers. Rendering is an affordable renovation that can significantly boost your property value and make a great first impression.
Choosing the Right Render for Our Home Exterior
Choosing the right render was crucial to achieving the look we wanted for our home exterior. We considered several factors to find the perfect match:
Appearance
Do you want a smooth, textured or patterned finish? Smooth renders provide a flat, uniform surface, while textured renders have a bumpy, irregular finish for added depth.
Patterned renders can mimic the look of brick or stone. We chose a lightly textured render for subtle texture without looking too bumpy.
Colour
Renders come in a variety of colours to complement your home’s style. We wanted an earthy, natural tone and selected a warm beige render with terracotta undertones to accentuate our home’s Tuscan-inspired architecture.
Consider getting colour samples to view in natural light for the most accurate representation of how it will look on your home.
Also Read; Choosing the Right Interior Paint Colours for Your House
Durability
Renders vary in strength and weather resistance.
Acrylic renders provide good protection and durability.
We chose an acrylic render to withstand our region’s variable weather conditions with minimal fading or damage over time. For the strongest, most weather-proof option, look for renders specifically formulated for exterior use.
Eco-Friendliness
Many acrylic and silicone renders now use water as a solvent instead of harsh chemicals.
Water-based or “eco” renders are better for the environment and have little odour during application. We opted for an eco-friendly acrylic render to avoid unpleasant chemical smells around our home during rendering.
Cost
Renders range in price depending on the quality and brand. We found acrylic renders provided the best balance of affordability and performance for our needs.
Basic acrylic renders start around $30 to $50 per bag, with most homes requiring 10 to 15 bags for a full render. Compare render options and costs to determine what fits your budget.
The Rendering Process Step-by-Step
The rendering process involves several key steps to transform the exterior of your house. Let’s walk through what’s involved in rendering your property.
Preparation
Before the rendering crew arrives, you’ll need to prepare the area around your house. Remove any plants, trellises or other items attached to the walls.
Cover or move anything left near the walls that could get splattered.
Clean the walls thoroughly by scrubbing off any dirt or debris. Any imperfections in the wall surface will show through the render, so patching or repairs should be done in advance.
Applying the Base Coat
The first coat applied is the base coat, usually made of cement, lime, and sand.
This scratch coat is troweled onto the wall to provide a rough, porous surface for the topcoats to adhere to. Once dry, the base coat is scratched with a wire brush to further rough up the surface. This coat typically takes 3 to 7 days to dry completely.
Applying the Top coats
Two or more topcoats are then applied over the base coat. The topcoats contain a finer grade of sand and lime or cement for a smoother finish.
Trowel the topcoat on with a plastic float in thin layers, waiting for each coat to dry for several days in between. The final coat can be textured by brushing, spraying or rolling for your desired effect.
Sealing and Protecting
After the final topcoat has dried completely, apply a sealant to protect the render.
An acrylic or silicone-based sealant will guard against weathering and prevent water damage. Re-seal the render every few years to maintain protection. Your render should now have a smooth, durable finish and provide improved insulation and weather resistance for your home.
Rendering the House Before and After – The Conclusion
So there you have it, rendering your house before and after. It took time, patience and resources but seeing the transformation unfold before your eyes made it worth it.
Your house went from drab to fab, ordinary to extraordinary. The rendering process breathed new life into your property and increased its value and curb appeal. Though it was messy and chaotic at times, you’re glad you stuck with it.
Now when you pull into your driveway, you feel a surge of pride at your newly rendered abode.
The blood, sweat and tears were all part of the adventure of improving and beautifying your home. If you’re considering rendering your place, go for it – the rewards of a rendered home are well worth the effort.
