Differences between Render and Plaster

Typically, walls are covered with either plaster or render. However, these wall coating methods differ in certain aspects. For instance, plastering is a technique used to coat interior walls while rendering is used to coat exterior walls. Although both render and plaster are made using similar component materials, the materials differ in strength. Their component materials include cement, sand, lime gypsum, and water.

Rendering

Rendering refers to a technique used for coating exterior walls. Typically, cement is the highest component in a render mixture. Rendering is used to coat exterior walls to make them look more appealing. It also enhances the fireproofing and waterproofing properties of a wall.

Render comprises lime gypsum, cement, and sand. It can also include drying additives, colouring, and bonding agents. The lime gypsum component gives the render a smooth finish and creamy appearance. Finer sand is included in the mixture to allow for a smoother finish upon application.

Render is applied in several layers using a trowel. The render is finished using a wide range of tools. The exact tool to be used depends on the kind of finish you want. Rendering can have finishes such as smooth, textured, or patterned finishes.

Rendering requires special skills to achieve the desired finish. Thus, it’s advisable to hire a qualified rendering service to do your rendering project.

Plastering

Plaster differs from render in that it has a lower amount of cement in the mixture than render. Plastering is done on ceilings and interior walls of a building to flatten and smoothen them for wallpapering or painting.

Plaster should be allowed to dry completely before decorating or painting the walls. A freshly plastered wall should be allowed to dry for about one to four weeks before painting. A completely dry wall won’t have any visible dark patches. Also, it’ll have a light and uniform color across the entire surface when dry.

The seasonal weather, central heating, and the total number of plaster layers applied will largely determine the time it’ll take for the plaster to dry. Ensure your interior space is well ventilated after plastering for quicker drying. You can open the doors and windows for enhanced natural ventilation. However, plastered walls are prone to cracking if they dry more quickly than normal. Thus, allow them to dry naturally.

Also read: How to Transform Interior Walls with Render