Whether you’ve just had your house rendered and want to know how long it will last, or you’re maintaining an older property and you want to keep the render looking as tidy as possible, understanding the lifespan of render can help you protect your home and avoid costly repairs in the future.
In this article we’ll explain how long render lasts, factors that impact longevity, and how you can keep your rendered walls looking great for longer.
What is Render?
Render is a protective coating that is applied to the outside wall of a properties. Render can be used to improve the appearance of buildings as well as protect brickwork against weather damage.
Recent advances in rendering also mean that render can help improve the insulation and energy efficiency of homes.
Different types of render include:
- Cement render
- Silicone render
- Acrylic render
- Lime render
- Monocouche render
How long does render last?
On average, render should last between 20-40 years, but in some cases, with proper maintenance and care it can last for over 50 years.
Duration will depend on the quality of installation and several external factors, but as a general rule you can expect the following:
- Cement Render – 10–25 years
- Silicone Render – 25–40 years
- Acrylic Render – 20–30 years
- Lime Render – 20–40 years
- Monocouche Render – 20–30 years
These are only guidelines and real-life examples will vary based on a number of factors.
Factors That Affect How Long Render Lasts
Quality of Installation
The biggest factor that affects how long render will last is the installation process. If the render is poorly applied it’s more likely to suffer from cracks, blisters or detachment from the wall.
Professional installers will prepare the wall correctly before application, and they’ll also make sure that the correct base coats are applied to ensure the render lasts. Try and find experienced professionals if you’re looking for quality workmanship that will last.
Type of Render
Generally speaking modern render options are more durable than traditional sand and cement render.
Silicone render for example is very flexible and won’t crack as easily as some other renders, making silicone one of the longest lasting render options on the market.
Weather Exposure
Rendered surfaces are exposed to all of the outside elements. Rain, wind, frost and UV can all take a toll on your walls.
Extremes in weather can cause any external surface to deteriorate quicker, with coastal areas are being more at risk due to salty sea spray.
Building Movement
All properties experience some level of movement over time. Modern flexible render systems are designed to accommodate this movement without cracking.
Older cement renders are less forgiving and can develop visible cracks when the structure shifts slightly.
Maintenance
You can also extend the life of your render by keeping it maintained. Good maintenance allows you to keep an eye out for problem areas that might be easy to fix, before they become worse.
If left unattended, damaged areas will get worse and may require more costly repairs.
Signs Your Render Needs Repair or Placement
All render will eventually show some signs of age, but there are certain signs that could mean your render could be coming to the end of its life.
Cracking
Small hairline cracks are normal, however large cracks should be repaired asap. Large cracks will allow water to get through and reach the brickwork, and depending on where the damage is, it could lead to damp issues inside your property.
Blistering
Similar to cracking, if your render starts to blister or bubble up, you may have an issue with trapped moisture.
Discolouration
Depending on the location of your property, algae or staining can occur. Whilst stains may not impact the longevity of your render, they still don’t look great.
Hollow Sound
Tap your walls and see if you’re wall sounds hollow. This could indicate that your render has detached from the wall.
How to Make Your Render Last Longer
If you want your render to last for a long time, there are steps you can take to help, and things to avoid:
Look For Professional Renderers
As mentioned before the quality of application plays a big factor in how long your render lasts.
By choosing experienced and qualified renderers you can ensure the job is done to a high standard and will last.
Keep Your Render Clean
Keeping your render clean is a great way to make it look new for longer. It also helps you keep an eye out for any areas that may be damaged, avoiding problems in the future.
We recommend soft washing your walls to avoid damaging the render.
Repair Damage Promptly
Small cracks and damaged areas should be repaired as soon as possible before moisture penetrates the surface.
Maintain Your Gutters and Drainage
Overflowing guttering can cause large amounts of water to run down the walls of your property, so keeping your gutters maintained will help avoid excess water running down walls.
Is Rendering Worth the Investment?
Rendering is a great way to improve the aesthetic and protection of your property, and when done correctly can last you a very long time. Providing your render is installed correctly and maintained it should last you decades.
Professional Rendering Services from Corinium Plastering
If you’re interested in rendering your property, or have any questions regarding rendering, get in touch with our team at Corinium Plastering. We’re happy to provide professional advice regarding your render and help you choose the right solution for your property.
Contact our team today for a free quotation or to discuss your upcoming project.