A Guide on How to Apply Render

If you’re a DIY handy person, you can find it easier to do a rendering job by yourself. However, it needs a lot of practice and effort to do a perfect rendering job. Also, you should prepare the wall you want to render appropriately. Also, the render should be mixed properly.

contractor applying render product on exterior wall

 

Want to do a render job by yourself?

With some practice, you can render a wall perfectly. By knowing how to get the job done, you’ll improve the look of your property and increase its value. Also, the render acts as a protective layer against fires and water when applied on exterior walls.

By reading through this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know on rendering including:

  • The equipment required for applying render
  • Appropriate render mixing ratio
  • Tips for making render stick
  • How to apply render
  • Spray rendering
  • Cement and sand render finishes

 

The Equipment Required For Applying Render

If you’re looking forward to doing a rendering job by yourself, you’ll need to get the right equipment for the job. The required equipment includes a hammer, plastering trowel, sponge, square edge, wheelbarrow, shovel, buckets, float, brushes, and tape.

Also, get the necessary protective gear before starting the project such as gloves, face mask, goggles, and proper footwear.

 

Appropriate Render Mixing Ratio

It’s important to mix render in the right ratio. Cement render comprises cement, sand, water, and lime. Mixing render in the right ratio will ensure it forms the appropriate consistency. Also, source for top-quality sand. You should also get clean, pure water.

Basically, cement render comprises sand, cement, and lime in the ratio of exactly 6:1:1 respectively. You can also buy premixed render. If you’re using premixed render, add the recommended amount of water. The package will come with instructions on the right amount of water to add.

To get the right mix, ensure the color is consistent. Add water in small amounts while mixing. The mixture should be sticky like putty. Adding excessive water will spoil everything and force you to start mixing all over again. Use a mixing drill to get a consistent mix for large amounts of render. If you’re mixing a small amount of render, then you can mix it in a wheelbarrow or bucket.

 

Tips for Making Render to Stick

Getting the render to stick properly on a wall will depend on:

  • The cleanliness of the surface. It should be free of paint, dust, or any other contaminants.
  • The render should be mixed properly.
  • The render should have proper consistency. It shouldn’t be too light. It should be sticky like putty.

 

How to Apply Render

You can only get perfect rendering results by preparing everything properly before starting the job.

First, make sure the mixture you’re preparing is suitable for the surface you want to render. The render should be applied in the right thickness. Also, allow the render to cure completely. Measure the products properly before mixing. Only use top-quality products for the mixture. Mix them on a wheelbarrow or any hard and flat surface.

It’s advisable to mix and apply render during the late afternoon or early morning since the wall won’t be too hot at that time. Avoid rendering during midday. If it’s too hot when rendering, the bricks may absorb water in the render mixture. If you must apply render when it’s hot, spray the wall with some water before applying the render.

Here’s how to apply render properly:

Step 1– Ensure the surface is free of paint, debris, and dirt. It should be clean and shouldn’t have any contaminants that may prevent the rendering material from sticking.

Step 2– Use a steel float when applying render to ensure you’re applying it to the thickness you want. You can nail timber battens on the wall edges to assist you in applying the render evenly.

Step 3– Use a trowel and square edge to level the render. Smoothen it with a steel float.

Step 4– Allow the applied render to cure and dry for up to 7 days. In case you want to apply a second layer, roughen the existing render to allow the second layer to stick.

Step 5– Decide on the kind of finish to apply on the rendered surface. Use a timber float for a smooth surface. Sponge the surface for a textured finish. Rub hessian on the render for a patterned finish.

 

Cement and Sand Render Finishes

There’re several cement and sand render finishes. The finish you’ll choose will mainly depend on your personal preferences and how you want your home to look like. Sponged and bagged finishes are patterned and textured while trowelled finishes are smooth.

 

What Does Cement Render Refer To?

Cement render refers to a special mixture of cement, clay, and sand. The mixture is applied evenly on a wall and finished in a textured or smooth finish. Today, there’re new versions of render available such as polymer cement render that comes in a premixed form. Although polymer cement render tends to be costlier than standard cement render, it adheres better. Also, it’s available in several colors such that it doesn’t require extra painting. Painting means extra costs. Thus, you won’t incur such extra costs.

 

Spray Rendering

Spray rendering is a modern technique of applying render. It’s faster and suitable for large rendering projects where cost and time are major factors. It makes it possible to cover larger surfaces within a shorter time. The technique utilizes a special spray gun known as a hopper gun. It works using air compression. If you want spray rendering for your rendering project, then consider hiring a professional rendering service to get the job done right.

 

How to Choose a Professional Rendering Service

In case you’re not a DIY handy person, or you don’t have enough time to do the job, then you should hire a professional. When comparing quotes, focus on all important details and not price alone. Take your time to know the experience of the renderer, the finishes and styles they offer, and their reputation.

Before you hire a Sydney rendering company, ask questions such as:

  • Are you qualified and licensed?
  • Are your services insured?
  • How soon will you complete the work?
  • Can you offer a free, written quote?
  • Can you assist me with a list of references?
  • Can you show me your previous projects?

Getting quotes from several local renderers will enlighten you about the current market rates before committing yourself to one contractor.

 

FAQs on DIY Rendering

How should I mix render?

Cement render should be mixed using sand, cement, and lime in the ratio of exactly 6:1:1 respectively. If you prefer using premixed render, add water according to the instructions on the packaging.

How is rendering done?

Upon cleaning the wall surface to ensure it’s free of dirt and debris, apply the render mix with a float to the desired thickness. If you want to apply a second render layer, allow the first layer several days to dry before applying the second layer. Thus, plan for the project appropriately.

How will I make the render material stick?

Mixing render appropriately will allow it to stick. It shouldn’t be too runny. It should be sticky like putty.

Can I apply render to my house by myself?

In case you want to render your entire house, it’s recommended to hire a local rendering expert to do the job. Rendering is a task that requires special skills and experience. Also, rendering an entire house will take a lot of time and only a professional has the expertise needed to get the job done quickly and perfectly.

 

Also Read

A Guide on Painting Rendered Walls

How to Determine the Right Amount of Pressure When Applying the Render?

Comparing the Durability and Longevity of Applied Renders