Monocouche Rendering

When it comes to looking after our homes and properties the Great British weather is our worst enemy. Rain, ice, snow, and even strong winds cause untold damage throughout the winter months, and when we do have a proper summer the high temperatures also take their toll.

We spend thousands of pounds a year on maintenance and repairs, not only to make our homes look good but also to fix the problems caused by the weather thrown at us by the changing seasons.

However, there is a way to provide long-lasting protection and transform the exterior of our homes, by applying a render. As well as giving a stunning finish, this will also add to the value and kerb appeal of your home and increase its thermal efficiency, which will save you money on future energy bills.

There are several varieties of render available, but we're focusing on one which is fairly new to the UK, called monocouche render.

Starting with the basics, 'render,' in terms of the construction industry, usually refers to a liquid coating of plaster or cement that is applied to an exterior wall surface. Traditional renders use sand, cement, clay, lime, or pebbledash. These will often be applied in two coats: the scratch coat first, followed by a second, finishing coat.

Each of these methods has its pros and cons, but on the whole, they are cheaper options in the short term. However, they have their limits when it comes to flexibility and protection, and will need painting, repainting, and maintenance over the years. Some are prone to cracking as buildings shift, others are not as weatherproof as more modern types. All in all, although most give an attractive finish, the traditional methods of rendering aren't as efficient, convenient, or as long-lasting as some of the modern renders, including monocouche.

In recent years, other materials such as polymer, acrylic render, and silicone render have been added to renders to provide more flexibility and to increase the weatherproof and waterproof qualities.

The word 'monocouche' comes from the French 'single coat', which sounds straightforward but is actually a little misleading. It is generally applied in two passes but forms a strong, solid bond that effectively makes it a single monolithic layer.

This type of render came across from Europe to the UK in the 1990s and has proved a popular alternative to the traditional methods because of the benefits it brings.

Basically, this is a standard cement render that has been improved with additives to make a weather-resistant, flexible, breathable coating for your external walls that gives a much finer finish. It can be applied to a range of substrate types, although some might need special preparation with a primer or base coat beforehand. The ideal substrate for monocouche is a 7kn concrete block, as it has a stable and standard 'suction rate'.

Monocouche renders can be applied by hand or using a pump and are usually supplied pre-bagged and in dry form, to be mixed with clean water on site, ready for application. Depending on the weather conditions, the curing time is usually between 5 and 36 hours. After this, any loose material can be simply brushed off, leaving a perfect finish.

Monocouche Rendering Systems have many benefits that other types of renders lack! We've mentioned a few of the key advantages, but let's go through them one by one just to illustrate why this is such a great option:

• It's weatherproof and waterproof - weather protection is vital in keeping your property safe from the elements. Monocouche renders protect your bricks or masonry walls against the worst extremes of weather without cracking or falling off. This also reduces the chances of water damage and damp problems within the property.
• It comes in a wide variety of colours - you may come across the term through colour relating to some renders, including monocouche. This means that the pigment has been added during the manufacturing process (using white ordinary Portland cement) so that the colour is present throughout the whole mix, so there will be no need for endless coats of external masonry paint! The colour is slow to fade and allows for a range of finishes that won't spoil the end result. Even if it becomes scratched or scuffed over time, the colour will remain strong and vibrant as it is present right through the mixture.
• It's flexible - flexibility is key to minimising cracks as the building shifts. Monocouche renders are more flexible than other types, reducing the likelihood of cracks appearing, along with the need for continuous maintenance.
• It's long-lasting - good quality monocouche renders applied by experts can last for 25 years, making life easier for you and reducing the cost of maintenance.
• It boosts insulation - high thermal efficiency is built-in, adding to the effectiveness of any cavity wall insulation, which is good news for your heating bills.
• It's much more convenient - the entire job can usually be completed in one go (depending on the size of the project and the weather conditions at the time), which means less inconvenience and disruption for you. It can be applied directly to most brick, blockwork, and masonry substrates. Any scaffolding can be removed sooner, which helps to keep the cost down.
• It is Algae resistant - some porous renders can allow algae to grow deep within the material, which stains the surface and spoils the look. Monocouche renders have built-in protection against algae which stops this from happening and keeps the surface looking clean and bright.
• It provides different finished texture options - these include scraped, dry-dashed, roughcast, and even an 'ashlar and quoin' decorative finish.

As you can see from this list, the numerous benefits of monocouche rendering are plain to see. If you are considering a render for your property, then a monocouche render may be the best and most cost-effective option to transform and protect your home.