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Considering an upgrade for your Wideopen home's exterior? House rendering offers a fantastic way to boost your property's kerb appeal, improve energy efficiency, and protect your walls from the elements. But with various render options available, selecting the right one can be tricky. Here at Render Hero, we specialise in silicone rendering, a modern and versatile solution that offers a wealth of benefits.
Below, we'll explore the unique properties of silicone render, why it might be the perfect choice for your home, and how our expert team can deliver a stunning and long-lasting finish.
Traditional renders were made using a simple mix of sand, lime and water. Lime was later replaced, in many cases, with Portland cement. These mixes are still used today, although modern innovations have introduced some excellent products, such as silicone and acrylic renders.
Here's a breakdown of the 'ingredients' in most silicone renders:
Beyond the familiar uses like glue and spatulas, silicone offers a revolutionary approach to house rendering. This innovative material boasts a unique molecular structure, resulting in a rubber-like composition that's both durable and flexible. Additionally, its low thermal conductivity makes it effective against wear and tear from the elements.
Silicone rendering isn't just about resilience; it's a wonderfully low-maintenance option. Unlike traditional cement renders, it boasts exceptional resistance to both ultraviolet rays and water. This translates to less time spent battling the effects of weather and more time enjoying your beautiful home.
For a truly flawless finish, silicone renders deliver a smooth, easy-to-clean surface. Forget the hassle of painting – the colour is expertly incorporated during manufacturing, offering a wide range of colours to suit any style.
Often referred to as a thin coat render, this ingenious product uses a fibreglass mesh-reinforced base coat. This not only creates a crack-resistant barrier but also enhances the already impressive waterproofing capabilities compared to traditional acrylic options.
The secret to silicone render's low maintenance lies in its hydrophobic nature. This fancy term basically means it repels dirt and algae, keeping your walls looking pristine for longer. So, there’s no need for frequent repainting, and all it needs is a wash now and again to keep it looking great!
But the benefits don't stop there. Silicone renders are also breathable, allowing moisture to escape from the underlying structure and preventing damp issues that can plague traditional rendering methods.
Whether you're embarking on a new build or breathing new life into an existing property, residential or commercial, silicone rendering provides the perfect solution, particularly for blockwork substrates.
We've explored some of the benefits of silicone render, but it's worth examining all of the advantages of having render applied to your home:
Did you know up to 30% of your home heating (or cooling!) could be dissipating through your walls? Silicone render acts like a blanket for your house, drastically improving its thermal performance. This translates to warmer winters and refreshing summers, all while slashing your energy bills. And, unlike bulky internal insulation that eats into valuable living space, silicone render works seamlessly with any external wall insulation system, maximising the floor space.
Sun, wind, rain, snow - all these elements constantly hammer your home's exterior. Render provides a protective shield, preventing cracks that could act as gateways for moisture. Excess moisture is the enemy of a healthy home, and render keeps it firmly at bay.
Unlike traditional paint that peels and fades like a bad sunburn, silicone render boasts vibrant, through-colour technology. That means no more endless painting sessions, even if your walls get a little scuffed. The colour runs all the way through, so minor scratches won't spoil the overall look. Think of it as a built-in touch-up kit for your exterior brick walls! Plus, with silicone render guarding your home, you can say goodbye to the tedious chore of repointing brickwork – it shields your walls from weather damage for years to come.
Adding value to your home shouldn't be a major construction headache. Silicone render is one of the simplest and most effective ways to achieve just that. The process is swift – taking just a few days – and the results are phenomenal. Your property will not only look fantastic, but its value will likely see a healthy boost, too! So, forget the extensive renovations and embrace the benefits of silicone render.
When applied correctly and looked after, silicone renders should easily last between twenty and thirty years.
One key feature of this product is that it's a through-coloured render, so the pigments stay vibrant for a very long time. The best way to ensure that your render looks its best and remains in excellent condition is to wash the surface down once or twice a year.
Silicone render excels at repelling water. Its hydrophobic properties prevent rainwater from penetrating the render itself. This is a significant benefit compared to traditional renders, which can absorb moisture.
Despite its water resistance, silicone render isn't completely air-tight. It allows some level of breathability, which helps to release moisture vapour trapped within the walls. This breathability is crucial for preventing damp issues from occurring within your home.
These two qualities will definitely help to reduce the risk of rising or penetrating damp within the property.
However, if your home already has damp problems, silicone render alone might not be the complete solution. First, you'll need to address the source of the dampness, such as fixing leaks, improving ventilation, or tackling rising damp issues.
It's true that silicone render requires a larger initial investment than some other examples, but that doesn't mean it's not cost-effective!
On average, it costs between £65 and £80 per square metre, which is a sizeable investment.
However, when you consider all the advantages it offers, this balances out in the long term when you consider the following:
While plastering and rendering may look simple, it takes a skilled hand to produce perfect results.
Also, there's the preparation to consider; the walls must be cleaned of all algae, moss, dirt and debris. Then you need to make sure that any damage is repaired, before applying the base coat*, fabric mesh, and primer.
*Possibly a general-purpose drymix rendering and masonry mortar requiring only the addition of water. It's also important to get this right!
Finally, you need to apply silicone render at a steady pace, while it's still workable and before it starts to cure. And if you want a specific pattern or textured finish, you need to be able to produce consistent results using the correct tools.
This render can be applied using a trowel, roller, brush or spray gun, each of which requires training, skill and patience to achieve the right thickness and a smooth finish. While silicone render is described as easy to apply, this is in comparison with other types of plaster and render options, It still requires experience and competence to get it right.
Basically, it depends on the results you want. If it's perfection you're after, leave it to the Render Hero team!
Achieve a stunning, long-lasting finish for your Wideopen property with Render Hero's expert silicone rendering service. Our skilled render technicians ensure a flawless application for a smooth, weatherproof exterior.
We handle everything from thorough wall preparation to perfect render application, guaranteeing a professional finish that enhances your home's aesthetics and value.
Let Render Hero's expertise transform your house – contact our Wideopen team today for a free quote and breathe new life into your property