What is house rendering and how much does it cost?

Rendering a popular way to rejuvenate a home that has become popular in recent years, and there is plenty to know about it.

From the cost of carrying out the work, options on colour and look, along with the realities of ongoing expenses and upkeep.

 

What is house rendering?

So what exactly is house rendering? Typically a render is a concrete mix that is smoothed on a wall giving it a streamlined look.

It can help transform a daggy and dated red brick home, into a modern Palm Springs style residence, with a cool white render or even a pastel shade.

While in fashion today, the process of rendering goes back to Roman times, with a lime or cement wash used on both outside and inside walls, with interior rendered walls an ideal canvas for frescoes.

 

Different types of rendering mixture

Today, exterior rendering is most popular and can be completed with a variety of rendering mixtures.

Overall however there are two main types of rendering mixtures used in homes today. A cement render is the cheaper and more flexible option. However cement renders are more prone to crack, especially in the settling stage. This type of render is also only able to be used on a more limited type of building materials, brick and block.

An acrylic rendering mixture is the other option. It comes with a higher price tag, but there are a number of advantages. Firstly it takes less time to dry and settle. You can expect an acrylic render to dry in around three days, compared to 28 days for cement. Acrylic renders, which come pre-mixed, also offer greater water resistance. As it is more flexible, it is importantly less prone to crack.

 

Pros and cons of rendering a house

While rendering a house can give your property a fresh makeover – it is important to consider both the pluses and minuses of this upgrade.

There is no doubt that it is a one-step method for transforming the exterior appearance of a home, giving it a refreshed and modern feel. And while it doesn’t come cheap it is one of the top bang for your buck renovation projects.

If you are looking at upgrading your home to sell, rendering a house is a top contender in boosting your property’s street appeal.

However it is important to consider some of the costs of rendering.

Part of the appeal of a brick home is its low maintenance. Rendering such a home, will lead to regular upkeep of the surface along with painting.

Also, while rendering can improve the appearance of a dated or tired looking home, it can also take away character and value from a home where the original brick is an integral part of a property’s design.

For example, a key feature of a Federation-style home is its detailed dark brick work. Change this with a render, and you could be devaluing your property when it comes to sell.

 

How much does it cost to render a house?

With varying house sizes, rendering costs can be diverse. Trade site HiPages quotes a price of $30 to $50 a square metre for rendering, with the biggest expense being the labour in the process.

Cement rendering is the cheaper option, with acrylic rendering coming in at a higher cost.

Hiretrades.com.au meanwhile gives the estimate of rendering a typical home at around $12,000 for a single-storey home and around $50,000 for a two-storey property.

Prices will vary with different tradies, and as with all renovation projects it is advisable to get three quotes before making a final decision.

Asking for recommendations from friends, or owners of a home that has been beautifully rendered will also lead to a more successful outcome.

 

Is rendering the same as plastering?

While both rendering and plastering create the overall same effect – creating a smooth surface over typically a brick wall the difference between the two is where the work is carried out.

Plastering is the term for what is carried out on interior walls, while rendering refers to the resurfacing of exterior walls of a home.

 

What colours can you use to render a house?

Today, the sky is the limit when it comes to which colours you can render your home.

White is a traditional colour for rendering homes, however tintable renders today offer variety and give you the ability to customise the tone for your home. When choosing a colour there are some points to consider.

White and light render colours reflect the sunlight, keeping the home cooler in summer and are an ideal tone for warmer climate areas of Australia.

In reflecting light, white can also give a glaring effect, however softer off-whites and light greys can be a good alternative.

Meanwhile dark coloured renders, including on-trend deep navy and black, attract warmth.

Leading paint companies also offer render specific paint for those looking to make a change to the exterior colour in later years.

While a full rendering of a house can be attractive for some homes, a combination of render and timber or stone feature walls is also a winning combination.

 

Does renovating increase a home’s value?

There is no doubt that rendering a home can make a dramatic difference in the street appeal of a property. It can turn a dusty or dated home into something altogether more modern looking. And that counts when you are selling.

Like all renovations however, the lift in value comes when a quality job has been done, it is sympathetic to the house design, works well with neighbouring properties and the character of the suburb or town.

It is important however when buying a home to also check that rendering is not hiding problems – such as faulty brickwork – underneath the smooth surface.

 

– BY REALESTATE.COM.AU