External render, specified for the wall it is going on.
Thin-coat silicone, monocouche and traditional sand-and-cement systems. The choice depends on the substrate, the exposure and how much movement the wall has in it — not on what we happen to have in the van.
Three systems, three jobs
Thin-coat silicone goes over a reinforced basecoat and stays flexible, which makes it the usual choice over insulation board or any substrate that moves. It sheds water, resists algae and comes pre-coloured, so there is nothing to paint.
Monocouche is a through-coloured single-coat render applied in two passes and scraped back. It suits solid masonry and gives that flat, even, slightly textured finish on new-build and extension work.
Sand and cement still has its place on older solid walls and garden walls, finished smooth, floated or pebbledashed, and painted with a breathable masonry coating.
The detailing is the job
Render fails at the edges, not in the middle. Bell-cast beads above the damp-proof course so water drips clear. Stop beads at every termination. Movement joints where the wall needs them. Window sills with enough projection and a proper drip. Mesh at every reveal corner, where the cracks always start.
We set all of that out before the first coat goes on, and we will tell you if the wall needs work — repointing, a repair, a damp issue — before render would simply hide it.
What this covers
- Thin-coat silicone render systems over basecoat and mesh
- Monocouche through-coloured render, scraped finish
- Traditional sand-and-cement render — smooth, floated or dashed
- Render over external wall insulation
- Render repairs, crack-stitching and patch matching
- Bead work: bell-cast, stop, corner and movement beads
- Substrate preparation, repointing and keying
- Scaffold coordination with your scaffolder or ours
Common questions about rendering.
Which render system is right for my house?
It depends on the wall, the exposure and how much the substrate moves. Thin-coat silicone over a mesh basecoat is the usual choice over insulation board; monocouche suits solid masonry; sand and cement still suits many older walls. The survey decides.
Can render go on in winter?
Not in frost or heavy rain: both affect the cure and the bond. External work is planned around the weather, so allow for delays outside the summer months.
Do I need planning permission to render my house?
It depends on the property. Houses, flats, conservation areas and listed buildings are treated differently, and changing the look of an elevation can need permission. Check with your local planning authority before work starts.
Often needed alongside this.
Interior finishesPlastering & Skimming
Multi-finish skim over new board or existing walls, bonding coats on blockwork, and patch repairs that disappear into the wall.
View service →
Building fabricExternal Wall Insulation
EPS or mineral wool board fixed to solid walls, then basecoat, mesh and finish render — the biggest single fabric gain on a solid-wall home.
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Building fabricRetrofit Works
Surveys, measure-by-measure costings and the works themselves, sequenced so fabric, ventilation and services do not fight each other.
View service →Get this priced.
Email contact@retrofitclicks.com with the address and a short description, or use the enquiry form. Building work is surveyed before it is quoted.