House Rendering Options Explained – Your Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Render

A basecoat of 8mm-10mm will be needed to level out a poor brick surface, sometimes using a mesh membrane to reinforce. For lighter weight construction – timber frame or steel studs – a proprietary backing board can be applied to act as the substrate, which is then covered in a reinforcement mesh, much like the levelling coat over masonry.

Smooth, white render from Weber was specified for this self build, accentuating its striking architectural features

One of the features making modern house rendering systems so popular is that they can be combined with external wall insulation (EWI) thanks to their light weights and thin coats. Normally there’s only need for one layer on the outside of the insulation, but still on top of a reinforcing mesh.

With houses built using timber frames or steel studs, a cavity might need to be specified to ensure no interstitial condensation beyond the insulation in the panel. Details vary job-to-job, depending on the construction method and any restrictions in place.

house render cost guide

How can render be used to elevate your house’s architectural design?

Render offers exciting design possibilities beyond simply coating a wall in a single colour and texture. Stucco, used extensively in the Georgian period, can be grooved to emulate the mortar joints of dressed stone. More elaborate effects can be achieved by making the joints deeper and creating imitation quoins at corners and arches over openings. Similarly, thicker areas of render can be introduced to form string courses and recessed panels. Here are some of the best ways you can you use render in your design: 

Masonry imitation

A more recent application of these techniques is being used where external wall insulation is added to a brick house, but there is concern that a rendered finish might clash with a row of similar neighbouring houses. Here, the topcoat can be coloured to closely match the existing brickwork, with an underlying base coat matching the mortar. The joints can then be created either by cutting grooves into the surface or using stencils, producing a surprisingly effective imitation of masonry.

Mix-and-match colours

Another key design benefit of render is the ability to vary colours and tones across different parts of a building. This is particularly effective when applied to distinct blocks or volumes. In its simplest form, a contemporary extension can contrast with a traditional brick house as a clean, uniform element. Rather than attempting to imitate the original architecture, each part is then allowed to read clearly in its own right. The same principle can be applied to a new build house, using different render colours to distinguish separate elements or contrasting render with another material, such as stone or timber cladding.

Emphasising the design

Colours can also be used to alter how we perceive the proportions of a building. Lighter tones tend to appear more prominent, while darker ones recede. This can be used to draw attention to particular features, such as an entrance, or reduce the apparent bulk of a building by making upper levels darker. This technique can be seen in new buildings in many cities, where the planning departments have required the upper levels of apartments and offices to be finished in brown or dark grey to reduce the visual impact on the street scene.

Texture

Texture is another design tool that is often overlooked. The way a building feels to the touch is rarely considered alongside its appearance, but combining different textures can create a subtler effect than colour, one that becomes more apparent at close range. A darker plinth, for instance, around 30mm deep, can help anchor a building to the ground while also disguising the stains and minor damage that are common at the base of a wall.

Bright colours

The use of brighter colours can create an exuberant effect, but unless you are deliberately aiming for a work of abstract art – and why not, if that is your thing? – it is usually best to restrict the palette to two or three hues, then introduce variation through tone and surface texture.

Architectural details

Render also offers considerable flexibility when it comes to architectural detailing. Wall depth can be built up to create deeper window reveals and introduce splays, effects that are particularly straightforward to achieve when external wall insulation is being installed. Openings can also be emphasised by creating a band of thicker render around them, adding depth and definition without introducing another material.

Choosing the best render colour for your home

Your house’s colour and exterior aesthetic can make a big impact on its kerb appeal and identity. So, it’s important to know all the options before choosing a system and getting ahead with a project.

“Before choosing the colour, you need to consider what type of render to use,” says Elissa Turnbull from Saint-Gobain Weber. “Mineral finishes like monocouche render use natural pigments to create pastel hues and earth tones. For something brighter, opt for synthetic products, such as silicone-enhanced textured finishes and paints.”

If you’re renovating a listed home, or if your property is located within a conservation area, you may be restricted to the type of finishes and colours you’re able to use. It’s wise to check with your local council before doing too much research into the different options.

“Many modern builds are finished in light shades, but you could opt for a Cornflower Blue, for example, if you’d like to stand out. Properties with low-light or north-facing facades may suit brighter colours that will reflect light rather than absorb it,” says Elissa. “Envisaging how your newly rendered home will look can be difficult, especially alongside other external features such as doors and windows. The colour facade simulator from Saint-Gobain Weber shows exactly how different decorative finishes would look on your home. Simply upload an image of your own property and select the colour you’d like.”

The different types of render

In this section we look at the pros and cons of the most popular house rendering options, their costs, and where each works best. 

Sand & cement render

Cement-based or mineral house rendering systems have been around for centuries. They are made from a mix of sharp sand, cement and sometimes a little lime to add flexibility, built up over several layers.

Cement-based render needs to be painted on top (as opposed to being self-coloured), meaning added maintenance over the years. The cost is this option’s main advantage – you can expect to pay £25-£45 per m² including labour and materials.

Baufritz designed this Bauhaus-inspired self build for downsizers who wanted a home that would see them through into old age. The modern, mineral-based render is factory-applied in Germany during prefabrication of the timber frame house shell

“It can be more susceptible to cracking, as it is not very flexible and its performance is heavily reliant on the correct mixing of the materials, as it is not usually pre-mixed off-site in a modern, quality-controlled factory environment,” says Frank.

When render fails, water can seep in, which leads to damp problems. Pre-mixed products are available, however, which are designed to ensure the right ratio of ingredients every time; Frank recommends EcoRend’s OCR (Ordinary Cement Render) base coat.

Silicone & acrylic render

Modern silicone and acrylic renders tend to be pre-made, arriving on site in tubs – they can even be pre-coloured with near enough any pigment to produce a vibrant finish. It’s durable, but the waterproofing qualities aren’t great and it can attract algae.

This house rendering option will fit the bill if you’re after a system that delivers on flexibility, helping to prevent cracking over time. They are applied in stages (a base coat, primer and top coat), and need less drying time than standard cement.

Vincent Denecker’s old brick house proved difficult and expensive to heat, so after years of contemplating a project, he replaced it with a contemporary, energy-efficient timber home. The house is finished with off-white acrylic render, British cedar cladding and a slate roof. Photo: David Stewart

“Thin-coat silicone and acrylic systems are considered premium products and are generally more expensive as a render solution when compared to other options,” says Frank, who adds that these systems cost in the range of £70-£90 per m² including labour and materials.

Closer look Why did we choose silicone render for the Build It Education House?

We selected K Rend’s silicone thin coat render for the Build It Education House. A cement-based render system incorporating silicone, it offers a number of advantages over traditional solutions.

Here are the main advantages that made it the top choice for us:

• Silicone render is self-coloured. The colour (there are 20 standard options) is embedded into the topcoat. So it doesn’t need painting, and there’s no redecoration to do over its lifetime.
• It’s flexible. Properly applied and cared for, K Rend has a long life expectancy of 30+ years. One reason for this is silicone render is more flexible than traditional products,
  so it accommodates movement and resists cracking.
• It’s water repellent. The silicone imparts a hydrophobic quality, which means it’s highly water (and dirt) resistant. So much so, that this type of render offers an element of self cleaning. The only regular maintenance is a light pressure wash every few years.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE education house

Monocouche render

This house rendering option is cement-based but is more breathable, and it’s through-coloured so no extra painting is required. Its overall thickness is designed to be 15mm and it arrives on site as a dry mix, ready to be blended with water. One layer can be sufficient for well-built, neatly finished blockwork, which means that it is ideal for those looking for a quick application process with great results.

Through-colour is one of monocouche’s advantages, so there’s no need to paint on top. This house in Wales uses EcoRend’s monocouche render in Sea Mist

Expect to pay £50-£65 per m² for monocouche rendering (materials and labour). Homeowners looking for a high-quality product often weigh up the comparative benefits of silicone and monocouche. The choice can come down to durability: monocouche house rendering is a touch cheaper but won’t last as long (up to 10 years) and is not as good at repelling water and dirt.

Cork render

Spray-cork coatings are relatively new to the market. They consist of fine cork pieces (a waste product from the wine cork-making industry) in a water-based resin, sprayed on in two coats of about 3mm each. Cork render can be applied to a variety of substrates and is breathable, so it’s suitable for older properties.

Cork render by CorkSol has been sprayed over the existing finished on this property in Norfolk. Cork’s advantages include extra thermal and acoustic protection, in addition to fulfilling render’s traditional role of weatherproofing

It also brings significant benefits beyond aesthetics and weatherproofing. “Cork has the advantages of other systems, but its real strength is what else it can deliver: it gives thermal, acoustic and fire protection, all in one system,” says Chris Heaton, marketing manager for CorkSol UK. “In warm, dry weather it’s possible to apply two coats in the same day. You could do a standard three-bed semi in less than a week.” The granulated cork leaves a finely textured finish, so if you are looking for an absolutely smooth render, this might be a factor to consider.

You should budget around £40-£50 per m² for cork render (material only) with installation adding a further £30-£40 per m² depending on project scope.

Case study Contemporary self build with a rendered exterior

Lowri Horstead was keen to have a home that her family and mother could live in together comfortably for years to come. Their existing home was, however, not suitable – with only one bathroom and insufficient space. They decided to join forces and find a larger place that could provide three generations of the family with a sociable home as well as private spaces.

Frustrated by their lack of success when viewing properties, they stumbled on the idea of a self build when Lowri found a newly listed bungalow. After going to see it, they realised that if they knocked it down and started again, they could achieve exactly what they wanted.

Katy Donaldson

Designed by C7 Architects, the new home has been constructed using timber frame, with SIPs panels and composite slate tiles forming the roof. The exterior walls were rendered to achieve a crisp, clean finish – with areas of Siberian larch timber cladding for added interest. A spacious vaulted area houses the kitchen, dining and sitting area, alongside a practical walk-in larder and a separate utility room.

see the home

Lime render

Although it hasn’t been widely used for over half a century, lime has experienced a recent resurgence thanks to its flexible and breathable advantages. Its permeability means it is great at preventing damp, mould and condensation in older properties, which were constructed differently to modern self builds.

In this project, lime render from Lime Green was applied to house’s facade, delivering superior external wall insulation to a retrofitted period property

If applied to blockwork, it’ll need three coats – two base and one top – each between 8mm-10mm thickness. The mix will be calculated individually to suit the specific property (based on its exposure, the substrate material etc) as will its application speed. You should budget between £55 to £75 per m² for lime render.