Acrylic Render

The art of applying render to buildings is something that has been around for more than 2,000 years. The Romans were experts at this, using it to great effect in many of their structures, some of which still survive to this day.

These days we are fortunate to be able to combine those tried and tested methods and materials with modern innovation, resulting in products such as acrylic renders, which is what we will be focusing on here.

House rendering is an excellent and cost-effective way of transforming the exterior of your home, as we shall explain later, but you need to discover which one is best suited to your property as there are several options available.

We'll take a look at why you might want to render your home, then explain what acrylic render is and why it might be the best choice for your project.

Aside from covering ugly blockwork or bricks, it can provide a protective barrier against the elements. Direct sunlight, strong wind, ice and rain are waging a constant battle against your external walls, causing damage and discolouration. The surface begins to look tired and stained over time, with visible cracks and chips. Ice and moisture can make their way in, forcing open the cracks and contributing to damage within the property, such as damp and mould.

Older properties can really benefit from having a render applied, but new builds can also take advantage of the beautiful range of finishes it provides. In both cases, rendering can dramatically increase the kerb appeal and the value of your property.

But the good news doesn't end there! Modern renders possess effective thermal insulation properties, working together with any existing insulation to provide better efficiency, saving you money on your energy bills.

Finally, the simple fact that it just looks fantastic is reason enough to choose a render for your home. There are many different types of finish to choose from, including a textured finish or a decorative finish. Renders can be applied over a variety of substrate surfaces, such as bricks, blockwork and masonry, and can be combined with other materials to bring a modern feel.

Traditional cement renders have been used for many decades, with good results and a pleasant looking finish. However, in more recent years, acrylic (a type of plastic) has been added to increase the strength and flexibility of the mixture. This makes it much less prone to cracking due to any structural shifting or extremes of weather.

It is easy to apply, and because this can be done using a variety of methods it allows for a wide range of textures and finishes. It is supplied wet and premixed and can be applied by trowel, sprayed, or even rolled on, generally in two coats.

Note: although easy to apply, it is always wise to use a professional to achieve the best possible finish.

The last thing you need is trowel marks and other imperfections spoiling the look of your beautiful, newly-rendered walls!

We've mentioned a few of the advantages of using acrylic render, but now let's look at these in more detail:

• It can be applied to many different types of surface – whether it's brick, masonry, painted masonry, timber, concrete, block cement, plasterboard, or fibre cement, you can apply it confidently, knowing that it will form a strong bond, unlike other renders which would fall off.
• It is quick-drying – some traditional renders take between one and four weeks to dry out (cure) completely, whereas acrylic renders will be dry within two or three days, depending on the weather conditions. A quicker drying render means less inconvenience to you and potentially allows other work to take place.
• Strong, durable and flexible – the extra elasticity means that it can expand and contract with the building as temperatures and seasons vary, making it ideal for places that experience extremes of weather. This limits the chances of unsightly hairline cracks in the surface and ensures that the property remains protected from the elements.
• It is available in a wide variety of colours – although some renders have to be painted, acrylic renders can be 'through coloured', which means that the pigment is added during the manufacturing process so that they remain bright and vibrant throughout the whole mixture, and there is no need for a top layer of paint. Unlike traditional renders, the acrylic version has an impressive choice of colours to suit all tastes!
• It offers an extensive range of finishes – the different methods of application make it possible to create some excellent results in the final look. If you prefer a textured finish you can even select the grain size. Smooth finishes can be achieved with a fine spray, or stippled effects can be achieved using a brush or a notched trowel. Whatever decorative finish you want for your home, this type of render has the answer.
• It is waterproof, frost-resistant and vapour permeable – this protects your home from water ingress and frost damage while allowing the materials in the exterior walls to breathe, which lets moisture evaporate naturally rather than build up within the structure and cause damp problems.
• It improves the external wall insulation – due to its unique formulation, acrylic renders make an effective barrier that increases the insulating properties of your home, which is great news for keeping down energy bills in future.
• It is algae resistant and 'self-cleaning' – because of its weather-resistant formulation, it discourages fungi and bacteria that can spoil the surface. It also makes it difficult for dirt to stick to the surface, and this is usually washed away by rainfall.
• It has a long life – those beautiful, vibrant colours will last for between 20 and 40 years!

The benefits of these amazing products are clear, so why not transform your family home or enhance that house-building project with a long-lasting and durable coloured render?