Rendering refers to the process of applying a coat of cement on the external walls of a property to make them smooth or textured as desired. The difference between rendering and plastering is that rendering involves the exterior walls while plastering involves the interior ones. However, both processes utilise the same materials which are cement, sand, lime gypsum and water. So, what role does rendering play?
Rendering makes your wall more durable by making it water repellent. Lime in the mixture makes the wall ‘breathable’ thereby allowing moisture to escape. Moreover, its waterproof properties also protect your walls and floors from condensation and dampness which could result in mould and rotting.
Durability is further improved by render since it strengthens your walls so that they can withstand constant attacks from the elements. The incorporation of a lime and fibreglass mesh base coat makes your wall flexible, meaning it is less likely to crack. Other special additives can be put in the mixture to further strengthen the bond between particles.
Additionally, rendering your wall improves its fire-resistance rating. This means that in the unfortunate event of a fire, you can easily extinguish it as it does not spread fast. If the fire is more extensive, then there may be chances that you could salvage the house’s occupants or some valuable items before the fire does more damage.
If you wish to blend old and new buildings, rendering is the answer. Applying the same coat on the different buildings gives one the impression that they were constructed at the same time.
Rendering is also used for aesthetic purposes. For instance, desired pigments can be added to the mixture to colour the walls. Decorative effects and finishing styles can also be achieved by applying a finishing topcoat or wash. Render can also be applied to give your building a face-lift by restoring its outward look. Depending on your preferred wall texture and the type of render, the topcoat can be applied using a brush, trowel, sponge or special spray equipment.
