Facade rendering is a plaster or stucco finish applied to the outside of a facade, available as decorative, mineral or synthetic render, and frequently applied over a layer of facade insulation.
Render is spread onto the facade in one or more coats to form a continuous, seamless surface. It protects the wall or insulation behind it from the weather and gives the facade a smooth or textured finish in a chosen colour, without the joints of a panel or brick system.
Types of render
- Mineral render: cement- or lime-based, breathable and durable.
- Synthetic render: resin-based, flexible and available in many colours.
- Decorative render: textured finishes such as scraped or roughcast.
Application
Facade rendering is used on new build and renovation, especially with external insulation.
| Build-up | Role |
|---|---|
| Insulation board | Improves thermal performance |
| Base coat with mesh | Provides a crack-resistant layer |
| Finish render | Weatherproof, coloured surface |
A very common application is over an external wall insulation system, where insulation boards are fixed to the wall and then covered with a reinforced base coat and a finishing render. This combines insulation with a protective, decorative surface. Rendering is one of the two main ways to finish a facade, the other being facade cladding.
Related terms
- render
- plaster layer
- facade
- facade insulation
- facade cladding
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