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Lime Render vs Silicone Render: Which Is Best for Your Property?

Last modified: 17.04.2025
Lime Render vs Silicone Render: Which Is Best for Your Property?

When choosing a render system for external walls, lime render and silicone render are two widely used options. Both serve different purposes and suit different types of buildings. This comparison will guide you through their features, ideal uses, maintenance needs, finishes and associated costs, helping you make an informed decision.

Lime render is a traditional mix of lime, sand and water, commonly used to finish and protect solid wall buildings, especially those built before the 1930s. It is highly breathable, allowing moisture to escape from the building fabric, which helps prevent damp and mould.

EWI Pro Lime Render NHL 3.5 (EWI-747) - 23kg
Lime Render NHL 3.5 (EWI-747) - 23kg
Brand: EWI Pro
£19.19 Incl. VAT

  • Breathable finish – Ideal for solid-walled properties as it allows trapped moisture to evaporate

  • Flexible – Accommodates minor movement in older buildings, helping to prevent cracking

  • Eco-friendly – Lime absorbs CO₂ as it cures, making it a low-carbon building material

  • Traditional appearance – Offers a textured, heritage look suitable for listed and period properties

 

  • Lime Wash – A natural, breathable finish applied over lime render. It enhances weather resistance while preserving breathability

    EWI Pro Lime Wash (EWI-707) - 10L
    Lime Wash (EWI-707) - 10L
    Brand: EWI Pro
    £107.88 Incl. VAT

  • Lime Paint – Offers more colour options than lime wash and is similarly breathable. Suitable for internal and external use

    EWI Pro Lime Paint - Exterior (EWI-705) - 15L
    Lime Paint - Exterior (EWI-705) - 15L
    Brand: EWI Pro
    FROM £95.99 Incl. VAT
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  • Lime Plaster – Used to achieve a smoother, more refined finish than lime render, both internally and externally. It offers a natural white appearance and can be sealed with lime wash to maintain breathability and protect the surface

  • Insulating Cork Render – A breathable, insulating render that can be used over or instead of lime render in eco-conscious builds

    EWI Pro Insulating Cork Render (EWI-745)
    Insulating Cork Render (EWI-745)
    Brand: EWI Pro
    £39.98 Incl. VAT

Silicone render is a modern, pre-coloured render system made from a blend of silicone resins, cement and mineral fillers. It’s known for its hydrophobic, self-cleaning properties and excellent performance in the UK’s varied climate. At EWI Store, we offer several types of silicone render to suit different projects, substrates and aesthetic requirements.

  • Water-repellent – Its hydrophobic properties ensure water runs off the surface, reducing the risk of water ingress

  • Low maintenance – Its self-cleaning qualities mean dirt and grime are washed away naturally by rain

  • Durable and UV-resistant – Withstands harsh weather and UV exposure without fading or cracking

  • Wide colour range – Available pre-coloured with excellent colour retention and finish consistency

At EWI Store, we stock a complete range of silicone renders, each designed to meet specific requirements - from standard applications to projects demanding superior durability, breathability, or protection from organic growth.

  • Our most popular topcoat render

  • Offers a smooth, coloured finish with excellent water-repellent and self-cleaning properties

  • Designed for use on a variety of substrates, particularly as part of external wall insulation systems

  • Available in grain sizes: 0.5mm, 1.0mm, 1.5mm, 2.0mm and 3.0mm

  • Wide colour range with exceptional UV resistance

EWI Pro Silicone Render (EWI-075) – 25KG
Silicone Render (EWI-075) – 25KG
Brand: EWI Pro
FROM £83.99 Incl. VAT
SELECT OPTIONS

  • A hybrid render combining silicone and silicate for a breathable yet hydrophobic finish

  • Allows moisture vapour to pass through the substrate, ideal for buildings requiring higher vapour permeability

  • Offers a slightly more mineral-like texture than pure silicone renders

  • Great for traditional properties and retrofit projects

EWI Pro Silicone Silicate Render (EWI-040) - 25kg
Silicone Silicate Render (EWI-040) - 25kg
Brand: EWI Pro
FROM £71.99 Incl. VAT
SELECT OPTIONS

  • Enhanced with biocides to protect against algae and mould growth

  • Best suited for properties in shaded or damp environments

  • Highly durable, low maintenance and extremely weather-resistant

  • Superior performance in high-rainfall or coastal areas

EWI Pro Premium Bio Silicone Render (EWI-076) - 25kg
Premium Bio Silicone Render (EWI-076) - 25kg
Brand: EWI Pro
FROM £113.39 Incl. VAT
SELECT OPTIONS

  • A next-generation render featuring nanotechnology for even better water repellency and dirt resistance

  • Offers a highly advanced self-cleaning façade that repels pollutants, dust and organic growth

  • Excellent UV stability and extremely resistant to weathering

  • Ideal for high-traffic or polluted environments where façade longevity and cleanliness are key

SHOP EWI-077 Nano Drex Silicone Render HERE

Feature Lime Render Silicone Render
Breathability Excellent Moderate
Water Resistance Low High
Flexibility High Moderate
Appearance Textured, traditional Smooth, modern
Eco Credentials Natural, CO₂-absorbing Higher embodied carbon
Maintenance More frequent Minimal
Ideal Use Historic or breathable walls Modern builds, EWI systems

  • Lime Render is better suited for older properties, heritage buildings and solid wall constructions such as stone, cobble or brick. Its breathability and flexibility help maintain the fabric of the building

  • Silicone Render is ideal for modern homes or refurbished properties with external wall insulation. It offers a clean, long-lasting and easy-to-maintain finish

  • Choose silicone render in wet or coastal areas where water repellency and low maintenance are key

  • Choose lime render in moderate climates or where maintaining the traditional breathability of the building is more important

  • If sustainability is your priority, lime render, combined with natural finishes like lime wash, lime paint, lime plaster or insulating cork render, provides a highly eco-conscious solution.

  • Silicone render, though not as sustainable initially, offers longevity and durability which can offset environmental costs over time.

  • Lime render tends to be more cost-effective per m² but requires more frequent reapplication or patching, particularly in exposed areas.

  • Silicone render has a higher upfront cost but lower maintenance needs, offering savings over the building’s lifespan.

At EWI Store, we stock both lime render systems and silicone render topcoats, along with compatible finishes like lime wash, lime paint, lime plaster and insulating cork render. Whether you're renovating a listed cottage or updating a new-build, we can help you find the best solution.

Still unsure whether lime or silicone render is right for your project? Our team is on hand to offer personalised advice based on your building type, climate and aesthetic goals. Give us a call on 0203 397 4067 or text our WhatsApp number on 0741 837 2281