‘Stripped back’ – The basics and benefits of our rendering explained

What is rendering?

Getting your home rendered is a brilliant way to save money on your bills or add value to your property, but what is ‘rendering’ and what does it actually do? You may have heard of ‘pebble dashing’ or ‘brick-end’ renders, but there’s much more value to rendering a property than simply the finish. We offer all kinds of rendering finishes on our projects to make sure your property looks and feels the way it should, but what’s going on underneath?

Rendering a property is the adding of thermal boards and aesthetic finishes to the outside of the building. To see how rendering can improve the look of a property, check out our before and after gallery.

Below, we break down the basics of the two major styles of rendering, and let you know the pro’s and con’s of each. If you’re still not sure which option is best for you, it’s always best to get in touch for your free consultation, where we’re happy to answer any questions you might have!

Full EWI Rendering System aka ‘thermal render’

This system is the most practical and beneficial option when looking to render a property. Thermal insulation boards are added to the outside walls of the property, then a re-enforced render mesh-cloth – sometimes referred to as a ‘skrim’ coat or ‘anti-crack system’ – is placed on top. The thermal boards are what differentiates this system from other rendering techniques, as it leaves your home with increased insulation as opposed to simply being an aesthetic difference. The mesh-cloth gives your render sustainability, meaning you shouldn’t have to re-paint or provide regular upkeep to the appearance of your home for up to 15-20 years.* After this layer, a top coat is added and the finishing touches are placed on the render. It is at this stage that your finish would be applied, and your property will take on a new design chosen by you (or a finish to match its original beauty if you’d prefer!).

Benefits include:

Upgrades thermal performance (which means better EPC rating / U Value)
Protects the fabric of the building
Retains heat
Reduces energy bills
Improves the aesthetics of your home
Higher U-value + improved aesthetic = increased property value!

Render-Only System

This system is similar to a full EWI (or ‘thermal’) render, with one significant difference. This render does not include the thermal insulation boards. This means that a render-only system is often chosen by homeowners who would like to update the look of their home without adding insulation.

Benefits include:

Initially cheaper to install than a full EWI system
Improves the aesthetic of your home

Why this might not be right for you:

No increased U-Value
No energy bill reduction or added insulation
Property value may not increase as dramatically as with a full EWI (‘thermal’) system

Maintenance-free Rendering Systems

All our rendering systems are maintenance-free – thanks to our re-enforced render mesh cloth – meaning you should expect approximately 15-20 years without having to work on the aesthetic of your home.*

We are a Johnstone’s approved applier, and so our rendering products are of an outstanding quality. We also pride ourselves on offering top-level services to make sure your home is rendered the way it should be.

*this period is an estimate based on previous clients and product information, and will vary with each property.

New and improved EPC Rating (‘U-value’)

In short, rendering pays for itself by saving you money in the long term. It does so by increasing the level of insulation in your home, which can lead to an improved EPC rating (or ‘U-value’). According to Today’s Conveyancer, the RdSAP energy ratings range from 0-100 which translate to the A-G EPC score we hear most commonly. They tell us that ‘the UK average is an EPC rating of E (a score of 46).’

London EPC writes that ‘solid wall insulation can be a great way to improve an EPC rating. In some detached properties, [and properties with more exposed wall] the rating increase could be stark, up to 3 level increase.‘ So making the decision to insulate the outer of your property – as well as other more modest changes that we will explain below – could lead to a dramatic and immediate benefit on your EPC rating.

With your new and improved EPC rating, you should expect to see the following results:

Added property value

According to This Is Money, ‘certain energy efficiency measures could add up to 16% onto the value of your home’ due to the improved EPC rating. Simple energy efficiency measures include thicker loft insulation (at least 270mm thick), double glazed windows, and draught excluders, but a significant step to take towards a better EPC could be getting your property rendered.

Research published by the Energy Savings Trust and discussed by Prime Location ‘surveyed 2,090 homeowners, and revealed that 53 per cent of householders said they would be willing to pay extra – up to £3,350 extra* – for a home with greener features. Furthermore, over three quarters – 78 per cent – of those surveyed agreed that having a ‘poor’ rating on their Energy Performance Certificate, now required on any home being sold, could lead to buyers haggling down on the asking price.’

Reduced monthly bills

Making your home more energy efficient means you’ll notice a difference to your monthly gas and electricity bills. The Money Advice Service tells us that ‘spending a little to save a lot is a good investment.’ On top of this, there are occasionally grants available to help with things like:

Improving your insulation;

Upgrading your boiler and appliances;

Installing solar panels or other renewable technologies.

The Money Advice Service continues – ‘even without a grant, some of these investments will pay back what you’ve spent quite quickly and then start saving you money.’

You can get a FREE home energy check via The Energy Saving Trust to see what home improvements you could make in order to save on your monthly bills. On bills alone, you could save up to £250 a year thanks to making improvements to your home, so why not give it a go and contact us for a free quote?

*Figures correct at time of posting via Prime Location. Results may vary between homeowners.

Author: sdmrendering

‘Stripped back’ – The basics and benefits of our rendering explained