When considering rendering finishes for your property, it can sometimes feel a little confusing – there are so many modern rendering systems, and more traditional options too. However, choosing the right rendering finish can make all the difference to your home. Whether you’re wanting to update the appearance of your home or improve its ability to cope with the elements, render is a great solution.
Here at Corinium Plastering we have worked with hundreds of homeowners across Cirencester and beyond, choosing render systems that look beautiful and perform excellently year after year. In this handy guide, we outline the different types of render finishes that are most popular with homeowners today, and how to choose the right finish for your home.
Why Should You Consider Rendering?
There are many benefits to rendering your property, some of which include:
Improved weatherproofing – professional render creates a hard-wearing surface that can better protect your property from rain, wind, cold weather and more
Enhanced kerb appeal and property value
Improved energy efficiency and insulation (depending on the system used)
Modern look with a choice of colours and finishes
Rain, wind, hot sun and cold weather are all things your home has to deal with on a daily basis in the UK climate. Rendering your home can provide additional protection to keep your walls looking good year after year.
4 Types of Rendering Finishes
Below are the four main rendering types homeowners choose when upgrading their property. I
1. Monocouche Render (Through-Coloured Render)
Monocouche render is extremely popular with homeowners who want a beautiful finish that is low maintenance and long-lasting.
Advantages of monocouche render:
- Colour is added to the render so there is no need to paint afterwards
- Durable and weather resistant
- Wide variety of colours and textures to choose from
- Cost-effective when compared with some modern rendering systems
Monocouche render is sometimes referred to as “one coat render” but typically two or more coats are applied to create a strong, even surface.
Ideal for: Monocouche render is great for new build homes and owners of modern properties who don’t want to worry about keeping up with maintenance in the future.
How much does monocouche render cost?
The cost of monocouche render can vary. Generally, the cost is in the range of £55 – £75 per m2 (including labour and materials). If you need a more custom quote, please get in touch with us.
2. Silicone Render
Silicone render systems are one of the latest and greatest ways to render your home. Silicone renders are incredibly effective at protecting properties from harsh UK weather.
Advantages of silicone render:
- Water repellent yet breathable
- Self-cleaning (as rain washes off dirt)
- Flexible so less likely to crack
- Long-lasting with little maintenance required
Ideal for: Silicone renders are great for properties that are exposed to bad weather, or homeowners who don’t want to worry about maintenance in years to come.
3. Mineral Render
The last “modern” render on our list is mineral render. Many homeowners opt for mineral render as it has many of the benefits of modern rendering systems, without sacrificing a more traditional look.
Advantages of mineral render:
- Breathable and ideal for solid wall properties
- Natural, subtle finish
Considerations: You will likely need to paint your mineral render, and it may require slightly more maintenance than other modern options.
Ideal for: Mineral render is great for period properties, or homeowners who would like a more traditional finish.
4. Lime Render
As the name suggests, lime render is typically used on older properties and buildings.
Advantages of lime render:
- Lime render is extremely breathable which helps to prevent damp
- Flexible and unlikely to crack
- Natural, traditional finish
Ideal for: Lime render is great for listed buildings, cottages and older properties that need to “breathe”.
How Do I Choose the Right Render Finish?
As you can see, there are pros and cons to each rendering finish. So how do you know which one is right for your home? Well, like most things it depends! Some things to consider include:
The Property Type
Older properties can generally benefit from using lime render as it is more breathable. New build homes can suit modern render systems such as silicone or monocouche.
Your Budget
Price will be a factor for most homeowners. Some renders have higher installation costs but require less maintenance to keep them looking good.
How Much Maintenance Do You Want?
If you want a “fit it and forget it” solution, silicone or monocouche render may be the best option.
What Does Your Home Look Like Now? And in the Future?
Do you want to transform your home with a sleek, modern finish, or are you wanting to keep your property’s more traditional appearance? This is also something to consider when choosing your render.
How Exposed is your Home to the Elements?
If your home is located in an area that experiences harsher weather, you may want to choose a more durable system. Silicone render is ideal in most cases but we can advise based on your location.
Monocouche vs Silicone Render: Which is Better?
We are often asked which of these is the “better” option. It’s difficult to say as monocouche and silicone render both have their place.
Monocouche render is great value for money and perfect for most homes. Silicone render on the other hand, is a premium product with incredible flexibility and weather resistance. If your budget allows, we would usually recommend silicone as it should last longer with very little maintenance.
However, monocouche render is also an excellent choice and much more popular.
Get the Job Done With Confidence
Rendering your home can seem like a big task, especially when you consider how long the render will be on your home. If you choose the right rendering finish and hire professionals to install it correctly, you can drastically improve the look and performance of your home’s walls.
If you’re currently weighing up your options and not sure where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us for advice. Our house rendering services are perfect for homeowners just like you, looking to give their home the best finish possible.
Contact Corinium Plastering Today
If you would like some advice regarding which type of render is best for your home, don’t hesitate to contact our team using the contact form or call us on 07934 272094. We offer free quotes for all our exterior house rendering jobs and look forward to helping you choose the right finish for your property.