Rendering refers to the process of applying a coat of cement on the external walls of a property to make them smooth or textured as desired.
The difference between rendering and plastering is that rendering involves the exterior walls while plastering involves the interior ones. However, both processes utilise the same materials: cement, sand, lime gypsum, and water.
So, what role does rendering play?
Rendering makes your wall more durable by making it water repellent. Lime in the mixture makes the wall ‘breathable’, thereby allowing moisture to escape. Moreover, its waterproof properties also protect your walls and floors from condensation and dampness, which could result in mould and rotting.
Durability is further improved by render since it strengthens your walls to withstand effects from the elements.
Incorporating a lime and fibreglass mesh base coat makes your wall flexible, meaning it is less likely to crack. Other special additives can be put in the mixture to strengthen the bond between particles further.
Additionally, rendering your wall improves its fire-resistance rating. This means that you can quickly extinguish it in the unfortunate event of a fire as it does not spread fast. If the fire is more extensive, then there may be chances that you could salvage the house’s occupants or some valuable items before the fire does more damage.
If you wish to blend old and new buildings, rendering is the answer. Applying the same coat on the different buildings gives one the impression that they were constructed simultaneously.
Rendering is also used for aesthetic purposes. For instance, desired pigments can be added to the mixture to colour the walls. Decorative effects and finishing styles can also be achieved by applying a finishing topcoat or wash. Render can also be used to give your building a face-lift by restoring its outward look. Depending on your preferred wall texture and render type, the topcoat can be applied using a brush, trowel, sponge or special spray equipment. For rendering to achieve this, the render mixture has to be made appropriately, and a skilful person should apply it, especially where unique decorative effects are desired.
To stock up on the tools for your rendering job, browse our products at Amaroc today.
What is used for rendering?
Materials for rendering
These are the materials that you need to render a wall. The brands and types of render may change because of the project. Here are basic materials that are commonly for rendering:
Render mortar
There are different types of render mortar, depending on the kind of wall you are working on. It is the primary material for rendering the walls. It protects the wall from the weather, wear and tear. Mix the solution depending on the instructions of the Render mortar.
Water
Without water, the render won’t be able to stick on the walls. You would need to mix the correct amount of water with the render mortar to ensure it works & you get the desired effect. The amount of water required will be shown in the instructions of the render.
Tools for rendering
Rendering is a task done with multiple tools and equipment. These tools make your plastering job simpler by helping you make the plaster easier to apply, more even in finish, as well as storing items and more! Here are some tools that can help you with rendering:
Trowel
The trowel is an equipment that all renderer’s have. Renderers would apply plaster to the walls using the trowels. It is straightforward to use and can be used to apply a smooth layer to coat your walls. A great thing about the trowels is that it isn’t a one-use tool. You can use it again if you clean the leftover render from your trowel. The trowel can be used for other things as well. It can be used for plastering or mixing cement.
Straight edge
The straightedge are metal sticks with multiple purposes. It is used for smoothening the layers of render after a coating has been applied to the wall. Not having this tool makes the foundation for the render uneven making the wall craggy and curved. So it is an essential tool, unless that is the look you are trying to achieve.
Scratching Comb
After applying the first layer of render, you have to put these depressions on the wall to use the next layer. It makes the render stay on the wall, allowing your wall’s render to stay longer. When you are done with the first layer you apply the next layer. The scratching comb is the tool used to make these depressions. It’s metal pins can make these depressions on the walls. This is the perfect tool for putting multiple layers on the walls.
Bucket Trowel
The materials that you will be using can be difficult to carry around without help with tools. Bucket trowels are used to carry render to a bucket or a wheelbarrow closer to your working area. Scraping, carrying, and mixing wall coating, bucket trowels can do all of these.
Rendering tape
The rendering tape is a variance of video that is made for rendering walls. When you look for a clean finish or create straight lines in the walls, rendering tape will help you out here. It allows you to fully maximise plastering walls without worrying that the plaster will touch the paint or windows.
Sponge float
After applying the render using the trusty trowel you have, there may be trowel lines that will ruin the wall. Some people like this rustic look, but you can use the sponge float if you don’t like the design. The sponge float can help smoothen the wall to give it a smooth look. These are one of the tools used to add the finishing touches to the wall.
Bucket
The buckets are your storage to put the render. It can mix the render, water and mortar to create the final rendering for your walls. The bucket can be also used to carry the finished renders around the construction area.
Buy the materials and tools you need to render a wall at Amaroc correctly.