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Cement rendering (also sometimes called solid plastering) is when a surface is coated with a mixture made up of lime, sand and cement. It can be used on interior and exterior walls and can be painted or pre-coloured.

Rendering has been used for years to waterproof walls and to freshen up the appearance of a home or outside of a building.

Continue reading to find out more about the different steps of applying rendering to a wall:

Step 1: Ensure your skin and eyes are protected as the rendering mixture can cause burns to exposed skin and eyes.

Step 2: Use a hose or stiff brush to get rid of any debris, plaster or loose materials on the surface. Any paint or rendering will need to be scraped away, while an anti-fungal solution will need to be applied to remove any mould. If this is not done, then the mould will continue to grow. It’s also a good idea to remove old, brittle mortar between the bricks.

Step 3: Apply angle beads around any windows or doors, so that the render can have smooth edges.

Step 4: Protect the surrounding area from split render by covering the driveway, paths, and the ground with sheets – as well as covering any other surfaces you want to keep clean. 

Step 5: As a guide, place wooden battens on the wall so that the rendering is applied smoothly and evenly to the wall. The battens should be placed 50mm wide. The battens can be fixed to the wall using some silicon filler.

Step 6: Before applying the rendering, read the instructions carefully as every rendering product has different instructions and drying times. Mix the render materials well so that there are no lumps. Let the mixture stand for a few minutes and then mix it again. Apply the render to one section of the wall at a time by starting at the bottom of the wall and working your way up with an upward pushing motion with a trowel, making sure to smooth the render out as much as possible.

Remove the battens as you work your way across the wall.

Step 7: If you’re applying more than one coat of the render, it’s important to let it dry for about a week before another layer of render goes on.

Step 8: After the last layer has been applied, you can finish the look by using different decorative techniques which can include a sponge finish (sponging the surface with a damp sponge), a patterned finish (rubbing a ball of wet hessian into the surface) or a roughcast finish (throwing the final coat onto the wall which creates a rough finish).

Once the rendering has completely dried, spray it with a mist spray for around a week, so the rendering does not crack.

The rendered wall can be painted with water-based paints two weeks after the rendering has been completed.

Cement rendering is an inexpensive and fairly quick way of giving your home a makeover. It is best carried out by licensed professionals, but if you’re intent on doing it yourself, it’s a good idea to get some professional advice from people who are experienced in rendering walls.

At Sydney Cement Rendering, we take pride in being Sydney’s trusted rendering experts. We provide our customers with the highest quality rendering services. Contact us at 0402 704 984 or visit our website:  https://sydneycementrendering.com/ to find out more about what we offer!