Skip to main content

People are becoming more aware of the environment and the ways it can be harmed, which is why we’re living in an increasingly sustainable, eco-friendly world.

While renders are generally considered to be a sustainable design option, not all render types are created equally, and there are still important considerations to think about when choosing a render type and the rendering process.

​Continue reading to learn more about the sustainable properties of render and its environmental impact.

Environmentally-Friendly Benefits of Rendering

Some of the environmentally-friendly benefits of rendering include:

Insulation

One of the main environmental benefits of render is its ability to improve a building’s insulation and thermal efficiency. Render creates an extra layer of insulation, helping a building maintain a stable temperature and stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

This improved thermal efficiency reduces carbon emissions.

Durability

Most renders are designed to be durable and to protect a structure from becoming damaged, requiring fewer repairs or rebuilds.

The durability of the render reduces the need to use additional building materials and resources, meaning fewer materials end up in landfills or as litter, which can harm the surrounding environment and local wildlife.

Improved Air Quality

Some renders contain low Levels of Volatile Organic Compounds, reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere and improving air quality for homeowners.

What Are the Most Eco-Friendly Render Options?

The most eco-friendly render options include the following:

  • Lime render: Lime render is made from natural materials including lime, sand and water. It is durable, breathable, and requires less energy to produce.
  • Clay or hemp render: Clay render is made by mixing clay, straw and sand together, while hemp render is made from lime and hemp hurds. Both these earthen renders have excellent levels of thermal performance and are sustainable.
  • Tadelakt: Tadelakt is a type of lime render that originated in Morocco. It is comprised of lime, water and mineral pigments. Its sustainably sourced natural materials make it eco-friendly, and it contains no toxic or synthetic materials, resulting in less carbon emissions and improved indoor air quality.

It’s not surprising that these particular rendering types have been used for hundreds, if not thousands, of years and have been adapted around the world. They are natural renders that have stood the test of time and have the least harmful environmental impact.

The Environmental Concerns About Different Renders

Cement Render

Despite being one of the most popular render types, cement renders can pose significant environmental issues that need to be addressed. These concerns include:

  • High levels of energy: Cement has high levels of embodied energy.
  • Collection of materials: The collection of cement and other materials found in cement rendering is not environmentally friendly and can destroy landscapes and the natural habitats of wildlife.
  • Sources of nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide: The cement industry is a major contributor to both nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide emissions, which can have a negative impact on the environment, the ozone layer, and human health (causing breathing issues and lung irritation).

Polymer-Based Renders

Polymer-based renders, such as silicone render and acrylic render, have become more popular in recent years due to their many functional properties. However, there are some environmental issues that have to be addressed, including:

  • Material collection: The collection of materials for polymer-based renders can negatively impact local landscapes and wildlife habitats.
  • Production of silicone additives: While silicone additives are low in toxicity, their production can also generate hydrogen chloride, which is harmful to the environment, leading to contaminated water, forest damage, and acid rain.

Lime and Clay Renders

Even the most eco-friendly render types can face environmental concerns, including:

  • More difficult to recycle synthetic components: It is harder to recycle the synthetic components of clay render.
  • Higher energy levels: Lime render has a substantial level of embodied energy, which is generated during the manufacturing process (although it is still less energy than cement render).

How Manufacturers Make the Rendering Process More Eco-Friendly

Here are the ways rendering manufacturers are adapting to the times and being more environmentally conscious about the manufacturing process for render:

  • Cleaner production methods that reduce emissions and increase energy efficiency.
  • Using rendering materials that increase thermal efficiency in households and reduce energy bills and consumption.
  • Recycling more materials than ever before.
  • Considering more sustainable and raw materials as alternatives.

How Can You Be More Eco-Friendly?

Always Choose Local

If you choose render mixes from Australian manufacturers and suppliers instead of international ones, it significantly reduces transport costs and emissions.

Choose Sustainable and Durable Render Types

Choosing render types that you know are going to last longer and need less maintenance means less use of materials, machinery and less waste.

Always Choose Renders with Insulation Properties

Although all render types add an extra layer of insulation to homes, there are some types of render (silicone and acrylic renders) that have high-quality insulation and thermal efficiency properties, which lower your energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.

Know What You’re Getting

If you’re not sure about the environmental friendliness and sustainability of certain renders, don’t be scared to ask questions and push for more eco-friendly options. Every person plays an important role in protecting the environment, and it starts with you. You want to be sure you’re making informed decisions about the render you select.

If you want to learn more about how different render types can impact the environment and need assistance making an informed decision, give Sydney Cement Rendering a call! 

We take pride in being Sydney’s trusted rendering experts and providing 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!