So you’ve decided to render your property: an excellent decision! Render not only creates an aesthetically appealing finish, it can also insulate your home and help protect it from the elements. But should you do the job yourself? Unless you’re an experienced plasterer, we strongly advise against it.
We’ll explore why below:
It’s Not as Straightforward as Applying Render to the Walls…
The rendering process actually involves a large number of preparatory steps, many of which are best performed by experienced professionals because of the level of knowledge and skill required. These steps include:
- Surveying the walls of your property to identify and repair structural defects
- Removing rainwater pipes and other external structures like alarm boxes and key-safes without damaging the walls
- Extending vents and potentially windowsills too
- Installing angle beading around all window and door openings and corners. The angle beads are designed to reinforce the rendering at the corners so you end up with crisp edges. You may also need to install stop beads and expansion beads. Applying the right beading to the right situation is important, as each type of beading has a very specific purpose
- Applying a mesh reinforcement into the first layer of render, and identifying the stress points of the property where the mesh is most needed
- If your house is two levels, you’ll also need to arrange for scaffolding to be installed
As you can see, extensive work is involved, and that’s mostly before you even select your render! If you get an experienced plasterer to do the job, you can be confident they’ll guide you in choosing the most appropriate type of render to your property, which will suit the conditions and give you the best aesthetic result.
Professionals can also Offer You a Range of Finishes
Speaking of aesthetics, professional plasterers are experienced at producing a range of stylish effects on rendered walls which are difficult for DIYers to replicate, including:
- Mud-brick effect, by making use of a precise trowel technique and coloured render
- Natural concrete look - if you’re after an industrial or minimalist feel
- Burnished effect
- Textured or patterned finish including scalloping
If you have an idea for a finish, we recommend you talk to a professional plasterer to find out what’s achievable. The resulting finish could be a unique statement piece.
What can go Wrong with DIY Rendering?
If your rendering job is not done by a quality professional, you could face any of the following problems, some of which can be expensive to fix:
- Your render could actually crack if incorrectly applied, and sections could even fall off the wall!
- Your walls could look un-even and patchy, with some parts noticeably thicker than others. This is particularly frustrating if your sole reason for applying render was to improve the appearance of your property
- You could end up with cement and coating stains on doorways and windows
- Your windows could rust – a result of failing to apply sufficient slope to the render to allow runoff
At Melbourne Rendering we have over 20 years experience working with all types of render materials, substrates and property designs. Contact us today for a free quote.