Give Your Property the Upgrade It Deserves
Spotted a neighbour’s new render and felt a spark of “home envy”? When a nearby property gets a professional finish, it highlights just how much of an impact rendering external walls can have. Transforming your home’s exterior starts with you recognising how a fresh finish can completely change the way you feel when you pull up to your front door.
For over 2 decades, Logic Plastering has been the go-to specialist for external rendering across Bedfordshire. Your home is your biggest investment, and your external render is its first line of defence. A professional finish does more than just look good, it provides an important, breathable barrier against damp and decay. Our professional rendering services ensure your home stays warm, dry, and protected for years to come.
What Exactly is External Wall Rendering?
It’s a protective coating for your external walls, but it offers far more protection than a layer of paint could. Modern renders are advanced systems, which are made from polymer, silicone, or acrylic, designed to be flexible, breathable, and waterproof. This is important because while it works to stop rain from getting in, it allows moisture from inside the house to escape, preventing problems with damp and condensation.
Over time, this external rendering naturally wears out, which is why renewing it is so important to keep your home healthy.
How Long Should My Rendering Last?
This is a tricky one because the answer depends on the material used and how well it was originally applied. A basic sand and cement render might need renewing after 10-15 years. The modern silicone and polymer renders, though, are incredibly durable and are designed to last for over 25 years even with very little maintenance.
If you’re wondering whether ‘time’s up’ for your current render, have a close look at it. Can you see cracks, even hairline ones? Is the surface stained, or does it have algae growing on it? Gently tap it – if it sounds hollow, the render has likely ‘blown’ and is no longer attached to the wall. These are all the signs that your render is past its best and no longer protecting your home as it should.
Will New Rendering Add Value to My Home?
Yes, in two specific ways. Firstly, there’s improved looks and style. A home with a fresh, clean, and modern rendered finish looks great and is immediately more attractive to potential buyers. Secondly, externally rendered walls offer reassurance.
A surveyor will always note poor or cracked rendering as a potential risk for damp and costly repairs. By replacing it, you remove a major objection and show that the property is well-maintained. While new render adds value, you can be sure that old and damaged render will certainly detract from it.
For more about the value render can add to your home, take a look at our article on the subject.
Choosing the Right Render – Here are the Options
The finish on your home says a lot about your chosen style, and the type of render you decide on plays the big part in that. But your choice of render is also about performance. To be truly cost-effective, you need a finish that protects your home and looks great for years. Here are the options that you can choose from:
Cement Render
This mix of sand and cement is the option most people are often familiar with. The initial outlay is lower than for other renders on the list and it creates a hard, durable shell around your home. Its rigidity, though, is also its weakness. It can be prone to cracking over time as your house naturally settles. It’s also not very breathable and will need regular painting to keep it looking fresh and well maintained.
Polymer & Acrylic Renders
These are a big step up from cement. We often use acrylic renders as a thin, top coat over a base layer. Their main benefit is the huge range of colours they come in, giving you a finish that you won’t need painting for years. They are also much more resistant to cracking than cement. Their only real weakness is that they’re not as breathable as some of the more advanced options.
Silicone Renders
For most modern homes, silicone render is the optimum choice. It’s water-repellent (you can see the rain bead up and run off it) and highly breathable, allowing moisture from inside to escape. Silicone is also flexible, crack-resistant, and it tends to be self-cleaning, as dirt can’t stick to the surface easily. While the initial investment is higher, its durability and low maintenance make it excellent value.
Lime Render
If you live in an older property, we would almost always recommend lime render. Old buildings are designed to breathe, and lime is a soft, breathable render that works with them. It draws moisture out of the wall and allows it to evaporate away.
FAQs About External Rendering in Bedfordshire
When you’re planning an upgrade to your Bedfordshire home’s exterior, you’re bound to have questions. Here are the answers to 4 question we hear regularly from our customers.
1. Does external rendering help with energy bills?
Rendering external walls is like providing a high-quality “overcoat” for your home. By adding an extra layer to your external walls, you’re reducing heat loss. If you choose insulated rendering, the results are even better; it will keep you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer while lowering your monthly bills.
2. Is it Possible to DIY external rendering?
Rendering is best left to the specialists, and here’s why. It needs professional tools, precise mixing, and favourable weather conditions. Achieving a flat, durable, and crack-free finish takes years of practice – so don’t risk it.
3. How long does installing external rendering process take?
For a standard semi-detached home in our area, you’re looking at 7-10 days, depending on the weather. We always aim to be as unobtrusive as possible, keeping the site tidy so you can get on with your daily life while we work on upgrading the exterior of your home.
4. Can you render over any type of wall?
Most brick and blockwork walls are fine for rendering. During our initial visit, we’ll take a look at the “health” of your existing walls to make sure they’re structurally sound.
Take the Next Step to a Better Finish
If you’re thinking about a new render for your Bedfordshire home, the next step is simple. Get in touch with the rendering team at Logic Plastering. We will arrange a convenient time for a site visit where we can take a look at your external walls and talk through the best materials to achieve the finish you want. We’ll provide you with a comprehensive, no-obligation quote completely free of charge.
Contact us today to schedule your free site visit and quote – 07809 228328