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Rendering a house has become a popular choice in recent years, but how does it weigh up against other options? Before you make any decisions, let’s go over the pros and cons of rendering a house.

Rendering a house is beneficial in protecting the exterior from erosion and cracking. It also enhances the exterior aesthetic. However, it can be costly. Rendering involves covering the outside wall of a house with cement, acrylic, lime, or other mixture instead of opting for simply brick exterior.

Below we are going to take you through the biggest pros and cons of rendering a house.

The pros of rendering a house

Rendering a house enhances the exterior appearance

Does rendering a house protect the exterior walls?Rendering greatly enhances the exterior of the house, making it look neat, clean and tidy. Most modern houses are now rendered – when you think about it, you probably haven’t come across a modern-looking brickwork house in quite some time. Brick walls will get damaged faster as it’s constantly being attacked by the weather. Rendering is much more durable, has a modern, clean look, and easily fits in with the modern neighbourhood. Plus, it is placed over the brick structure to increase the lifespan of your house.

Some homeowners choose to combine traditional rendering with timber or brick finishes to create an interesting aesthetic. Even old, outdated or imperfect brickwork can be covered with rendering and transformed into something that looks both brand-new and is much stronger structurally. This is one of the most popular reasons people turn to rendering. It can make even the roughest-looking wall look smooth and clean.

House render also comes in any colour you’d like, making the colour much more durable than simply painting the walls. Regular house paint peels and cracks over time, but using rendering paint gives you a more durable coverup. You simply have to mix your desired pigment with the render, and you will find a longer-lasting and better-looking finish.

The most popular colour options are black, grey, and white. These are recommended for real estate purposes to manage the balance between modern and classic. You might want to factor in how your house will contrast with neighbouring houses because the home aesthetic can contribute to house value. But other than that, the sky’s the limit.

Exterior house walls are protected more with rendering

Protection is one of the main reasons people choose to render their homes. While natural wear and tear is expected and all buildings degrade over time, you can take steps to slow this process down, protecting your property.

If you render on top of an existing brick wall, you can extend the lifespan of your rendered walls by another decade or two. You can live with peace of mind that your property is better protected against the unpredictable and sometimes harsh elements year-round, rain, hail or shine.

Rendering also greatly assists in driving out dampness — something brick walls are more susceptible to. Dampness can cause a number of issues in the home and even damage the building’s structure. It can penetrate to the inner sections of the house and damage paintwork, carpets and furniture. Where dampness is present, mould will usually follow. Don’t render your home if you already have problems with dampness; address those issues first before proceeding.

House insulation is better with rendering

If you live in a place where the winters can get quite frigid, you’ll be in luck. Certain types of rendering can enhance insulation in your home if done in combination with cavity walls. It will help keep your house dry and warm even on the coldest and rainiest of days. With added insulation, you can enjoy lower power and/or gas bills from running your heating in the colder months. You will benefit more from rendered brick houses insulation than simply brick by itself.

Rendering your house increases property value

Taking the above pros into account, rendering your home will almost certainly add value to your property. Added protection, insulation and an attractive exterior will make it more of an eye-catcher to interested sellers from various walks of life. It’s nice knowing that by taking care of your house you can increase its value and appeal in case you ever plan on moving. You might just get enough extra money for a dream holiday!

With all of this being said though, every good has its downfalls.

The cons of rendering your house

House rendering can cost you a bit of money

When you factor in all it takes to render a home, it can prove to be quite costly. The biggest deciding factor is the size of the wall(s) you are planning to render. The larger the surface, the more materials you’ll need and therefore, the higher the cost. If you are applying render over a brick wall, you will need to make sure you clean the brick well beforehand. Tools such as a medium poly brush are great for this step.

You’ll also need to decide the type of render. Cement is a standard in the industry and is tough, affordable and versatile. Acrylic is relatively cheap and will hold vibrant colours for longer, but it does not breathe. Mineral render is breathable, durable, dries quickly and is very impact-resistant, falling somewhere in the middle in terms of cost. Silicone render is the easiest to apply, repels water (hydrophobic) and is highly durable. So, while these are all great for protecting your home, the cost will vary and may put you out of pocket a bit.

Next, you’ll need to factor in the cost of labour. Although it is possible to DIY a render job, it can be challenging, time-consuming and expensive if you make mistakes along the way. You’ll also need to factor in scaffolding if you’re rendering a two-storey or higher wall. Hiring an experienced tradesperson ensures the job gets done without fail right off the bat. This can save you money in the long run compared to an inexperienced DIY job. Labour costs in Ireland average between £25 and £31 per m2. It’s recommended to get at least three quotes from contractors who are fully insured before making a final decision.

All costs aside, it’s important to remember that most renders will last a long time – usually around 30 years. Weigh these costs against the pros and many will find rendering to be a very worthwhile investment.

The rendering aesthetic is overused

That’s right, appearance can be considered a con as well. Lots of people agree that rendered walls add a refreshing look to the exterior. But some believe that the rendered look is becoming overly common, a little boring, and outdated. Since rendering is such a popular method nowadays, it’s unlikely to provide anything unique. But it all depends on how you visualise the final result. You can definitely get creative with rendering and build a very distinct look. Some people simply prefer the weathered aesthetic of a textured brick exterior, but the bulk of this simply comes down to personal taste. So, rendering does add some value to your property, but reusing the same styles won’t give you a boost in appearance value. Maybe it’s time to step out of the box and think creatively!

To make sure you properly clean up your exterior walls before rendering, check out our quality bricklaying and masonry tools. We have lots more handy home information for you in our resources, including advice on whether covering brick with siding is possible. Wanting to add a door to a brick wall? Here at Paragon Tools Ireland, we have all of the information for you to consider!

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