Lime render has been a popular plaster for thousands of years. In the present age, it is reserved mainly for heritage restoration and decorative application. However, is that due to the cost or some other reason? We’ll discuss the lime render cost in the UK in 2024 and how that compares to other types of render.
EWI Pro Lime Render and Basecoat
We recently launched the new EWI Pro Heritage Range, which includes NHL 3.5 Lime Render and NHL 5 Lime Basecoat.
NHL 3.5 Lime Render
One of the primary reasons for using lime render is breathability. The breathability of lime render refers to its ability to allow water vapour to pass through its structure, facilitating the movement of moisture in and out of a building’s walls. This permeability is a crucial characteristic of lime render, providing several advantages over less breathable materials, such as cement-based renders.
- Ideal for plastering and plastering on brick, stone or mud walls indoors
- It is especially ideal for works where traditional, highly breathable, more durable and sustainable materials are required
- 60-minute working time
- 4.5-5L per bag of product
NHL 5 Lime Basecoat
Lime Basecoat is a premixed, powdered bonding mortar based on natural hydraulic lime (NHL5) as a binder, fine natural pozzolans, and selected additives that give it a longer working time in the application and great adherence to the substrate.
It is ideal for reinforcement and regularisation and is especially recommended for the adhesion of insulation boards of EWI systems. The unique properties of natural hydraulic lime, in combination with natural pozzolan, give the mortar optimal durability and high chemical resistance to acid rain and salts. Lime Basecoat has a micro-porous internal structure that facilitates the passage of moisture and transforms it into water vapour. Thanks to the high permeability of the mortar, the water vapour is quickly evaporated. This generates the breathability of the building: it ensures a lower conductivity of the wall (which allows for significant energy savings in heating and cooling compared to conventional cement). The result is the creation of an indoor climate of well-being, which improves the quality of life.
Lime Basecoat is designed for use in new construction, renovation and bioconstruction in interior and exterior masonry works such as:
- Adhesion and reinforcement mortar for insulating boards EWI systems
- Protection and regularisation of walls: as a first base coat on porous, slightly porous supports or insulating boards and as a finishing coat if rustic or fine textures are required
- Raising of masonry walls
- Laying of natural stone or settling of tiles
- 120-minute working time
Our partners at EWI Pro have recently published an install guide for Lime Basecoat, demonstrating how to mix, apply, and affix insulation boards using this new basecoat solution.
Benefits of using lime render
Lime render offers several benefits, particularly for older buildings or constructions requiring breathable coatings to manage moisture effectively.
- Moisture Management: Lime render is highly breathable, allowing moisture to evaporate from the walls, thus preventing damp issues, which are common in older buildings. This is particularly important in the UK, where the damp climate can affect buildings.
- Flexibility: Unlike cement, lime is more flexible. This flexibility allows lime render to accommodate slight movements in a building without cracking. This is crucial for older buildings, which might settle or shift over time.
- Durability: Lime render is durable and can last many years, even centuries, as evidenced by its use in historic buildings. It gradually hardens through carbonation, reacting with carbon dioxide in the air to form a very robust calcium carbonate.
- Environmentally Friendly: Lime is more sustainable than many modern alternatives. It requires less energy than cement and can be sourced locally in many places. Lime also reabsorbs carbon dioxide as it sets, partially offsetting the carbon emitted during production.
- Aesthetic Qualities: Lime render has a distinctive, attractive appearance. It offers a range of textures and can be mixed with natural pigments to achieve various colours. This makes it ideal for restoration work where matching the original aesthetics is important.
- Health Benefits: Lime is naturally antiseptic and can help regulate humidity inside a building, reducing mould and mildew and contributing to a healthier living environment.
Lime render cost
Inevitably, the cost of lime render will vary depending on whether you insulate alongside it. Our Lime Basecoat can be used as an insulation board adhesive, making the whole system breathable. Wood fibre or mineral wool are both suitable for this purpose.
| 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 |
How does this translate to different types of houses?
The costs below display the cost for the materials only. The size of the houses is the average UK house size, as per the National Statistics. It is crucial to note the extra costs involved with installing render. Even if you DIY the job, you’ll require several tools, like a trowel and hawk, to apply the render. You will also require a sponge float to add the desired texture. As the render comes as a dry mix, you must mix it with a paddle mixer to achieve a smooth, homogenous texture. You can hire a paddle mixer, but it adds another expense to the project.
| Type of home | Size (sqm) | Bedrooms | Lime render cost per m² | Total cost |
| Detached | 147 | 4 | £10.86 | £1,596.42 |
| Semi-detached | 96 | 3 | £10.86 | £1,042.56 |
| Mid-terraced | 64-100 | 2-3 | £10.86 | £695.04 – £1,086.00 |
| Bungalow | 77 | 1-2 | £10.86 | £836.22 |
Suppose you decide that you want to insulate your home alongside re-rendering. In that case, it’s crucial to consider the costs for the insulation boards, fixings, basecoat, adhesives, and other ancillary items. Overall, the cost can be anywhere from £7,000 – £25,000 and depends entirely on your selected products. Whilst mineral wool is more expensive than EPS, the plethora of benefits, including fire resistance and acoustic insulation, may be worthwhile.
Which render is the best option for your home?
The material and type of walls your home is constructed from should never deter you from trying to install external wall insulation. Despite the initial outlay, it remains the premier option for energy savings, potentially saving well over £700 a year on your bills. With the energy price cap still at very high levels, EWI provides significant savings. However, some substrates may be more difficult to insulate.
Most homes built before the 1920s will have single-leaf solid walls, which allow a lot of heat to escape. They are also breathable in most cases, therefore, breathable insulation systems, including lime or silicone render are the best option.
