Rendering your home or building is a significant undertaking that enhances the aesthetic appeal and plays a crucial role in protecting against the elements. With evolving technologies and materials in place, the cost of rendering in 2024 has seen various adjustments. Understanding these costs is vital for homeowners and property developers alike, as it ensures that budgeting and planning are accurate and comprehensive. However, not just the cost of the render itself needs consideration. Several ancillary costs and factors are critical in the overall budgeting for a rendering project.
Considerations for a rendering job
When planning a rendering job, it's important to consider the project's full scope.
- Type of Render: Different renders offer different benefits, from aesthetic appeal to durability and weather resistance. Choosing the right type for your specific needs is crucial.
- Preparation Work: The condition of the existing wall surface can significantly affect the preparation work required before applying the new render. This could involve repairing cracks, removing existing renderings, or treating damp issues.
- Scaffolding: For two-storey buildings or higher, scaffolding may be necessary to access all exterior areas safely. The cost of scaffolding can vary widely based on the complexity and duration of the project.
- Waste Management: Proper disposal of any waste material is essential for keeping the site clean and adhering to environmental regulations. This includes the removal of old renderings, packaging, and unused materials.
- Labour Costs: The expertise and experience of the tradespeople carrying out the work will also influence the cost. High-quality workmanship is essential for a render that looks great and lasts, so it’s important not to skimp on skilled labour.
- Additional Finishes: Depending on the render chosen, additional finishes or treatments might be required to achieve the desired look and performance.
In this blog, we’ll explore the costs per square metre for different renders on our website. This includes silicone, monocouche, acrylic, and lime renders. We aim to provide a comprehensive guide that will help you understand the cost of the materials.
Silicone render cost in 2024
Silicone render is a high-quality, breathable material renowned for its water-resistant and flexible properties. This type of render is composed of a silicone resin base, which gives it a distinct advantage over traditional renders by allowing moisture to escape from the substrate, thereby reducing the risk of dampness and mould within the walls. Silicone render is also notable for its excellent durability and resistance to cracking, thanks to its flexible nature that can accommodate minor movements of the building structure. It offers a sleek, modern finish with various colours, enabling homeowners to achieve a specific aesthetic look while protecting the exterior of their home. The self-cleaning properties of silicone render mean it maintains its appearance for longer periods, reducing the need for frequent maintenance. Its ease of application and low maintenance requirements make silicone an attractive choice for new builds and renovation projects. It offers a long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing exterior solution that enhances the building's thermal performance and overall value.
Acrylic render cost in 2024
Acrylic render is a type of synthetic render made from a mixture of acrylic resins and aggregates. It's prized for its durability and flexibility, which prevents cracking over time, making it ideal for a variety of external wall surfaces. Acrylic renders are known for their vibrant colour options and finish variety, maintaining their colour and finish for years due to the render's UV resistance. One of the key benefits of acrylic render is its excellent adhesion to substrates. It's also quick to dry, reducing the overall time of the rendering process. Additionally, acrylic render acts as a protective layer for the building, offering resistance to dirt, mildew, and various weather conditions.
Lime render cost in 2024
Lime render is a traditional building material, comprised primarily of lime mixed with sand, water, and sometimes other fibres and natural additives. Its use dates back centuries, and it is especially beneficial for older buildings and those constructed of materials that require a breathable coating. The key advantages of lime render include its high permeability to water vapour, which allows moisture to escape from the substrate, thereby reducing the risk of trapped moisture and associated issues such as dampness and rot within the walls. This characteristic makes lime particularly suited to heritage properties and those with solid walls that need to 'breathe'. Lime render is also valued for its environmental credentials, as it is made from natural ingredients. It is more ecologically sound than many modern alternatives, as lime is a renewable resource that reabsorbs carbon dioxide as it cures, partially offsetting the initial carbon output from its production.
Monocouche render cost in 2024
Monocouche render is a type of through-coloured render often applied in one coat, hence the term 'monocouche', French for 'single-layer'. It's a cementitious and polymer-modified render which typically comes pre-mixed, requiring only the addition of water before application. This render is time-efficient due to its single-layer application and provides a durable and low-maintenance finish. One of the primary benefits of monocouche render is its aesthetic appeal. The through-colour means that the finish is consistent and won't require repainting. It offers a crisp, chalky finish with various colour options and the potential for different textures, such as scraped or stippled, to suit various architectural styles. The render is formulated to be breathable, allowing moisture vapour to pass through and helping to prevent the build-up of dampness within the walls. Moreover, its robust nature makes it resistant to cracking, providing a long-lasting, attractive facade to any building.
Mineral render cost in 2024
Mineral render is breathable, quick-drying, and suitable for external walls, particularly in damp climates. Made from cement, lime, and other natural components, it offers a durable finish that can be applied even in colder weather. Its vapour-permeable nature allows moisture to escape from the substrate, preventing damp and mould growth. Mineral render requires a paint finish but provides an excellent base for silicate paints, which bond chemically to the render for a long-lasting, colourfast finish.
How do the renders compare?
Disseminating the costs per square metre is a useful tool for calculating the overall cost. Surveys will measure the size of your external walls in square metres. Therefore, knowing the individual cost of each render in that denomination is particularly useful.
| Render type | Size | Bag or bucket | Coverage | Cost per bucket/bag (ex. VAT) | Cost per m² (ex. VAT) |
| EWI-075 Silicone Render (1.5mm) | 25kg | Bucket | 2.4kg/m² | £70.65 | £6.78 |
| EWI-076 Premium Bio Silicone Render | 25kg | Bucket | 2.4kg/m² | £80.87 | £7.77 |
| EWI-077 Nano Drex Silicone Render | 25kg | Bucket | 2.4kg/m² | £122.49 | £11.77 |
| EWI-040 Silicone Silicate Render | 25kg | Bucket | 2.4kg/m² | £61.42 | £5.90 |
| EWI-010 Acrylic Render | 25kg | Bucket | 2.4kg/m² | £44.80 | £4.30 |
| EWI-747 NHL 3.5 Lime Render | 23kg | Bag | 15 kg/m² per cm thickness | £16.62 | £10.86 |
| EWI-090 Monocouche Render | 25kg | Bag | 25kg/m² | £10.99 | £10.99 |
| EWI-060 Mineral Render | 25kg | Bag | 2.5kg/m² | £30.56 | £3.05 |