Why Does My Render Look Dull? Make Your Render Look Brand New Again

Have you looked at your house recently and noticed the render is looking more grey and tired than usual, especially compared to other rendered homes in your neighbourhood?

That may be due to ‘dull render’, a common issue that eventually occurs on most rendered surfaces. The good news is that it can almost always be fixed with a simple render restoration project.

Continue reading to learn more about dull render and the best ways to restore it so it looks brand new, stylish, and fresh once again.

What is Dull Render?

‘Dull render’ refers to old rendered surfaces that look their age or are worse for wear. It has lost its vibrancy and bright colour, and just generally looks weathered and tired.

What Causes Render to Go Dull?

Think about it: the render on your home is exposed to the elements all day, every day. It faces the effects of rain, strong UV rays, pollution and salt air for those homes in coastal areas. Each of these weather conditions contributes to the wear and tear on the render over time.

Some of the main causes of a dull render include:

Sun Exposure

​Constant exposure to the sun’s UV rays causes painted render to fade over time. The northern and western exterior walls of your home are most susceptible to sun damage.

• North-facing walls receive the most UV ray exposure throughout the day, even during the winter months, when the sun is lower in the sky.
• West-facing walls are often the most problematic, especially during the warmer months when the sun is strongest and the days are long.

Dirt, Mould and Grime Build Up

Sydney’s climate is ideal for mould and mildew growth, resulting in an unsightly layer of grime and stains on your render’s surface. Although in most cases, the render itself and the substrate are in good condition, meaning that a render refresh is all that’s needed.

Chalking

Chalking occurs when the top layer of paint or render breaks down into a white powdery substance. It may not always be too visible to the eye, but if you run your hand over the rendered wall and it comes away with a chalky white substance on it, that’s what chalking is.

Chalking is a result of UV ray exposure.

Age

Even the highest-quality render job completed by a professional rendering company like Sydney Cement Rendering can fade and look tired over the years.

Most high-quality render projects have a lifespan of 10-15 years and will often need a refresh at some point in time.

Poor Quality Render Job

There are many factors that determine whether a rendering job is considered low-quality. These factors include:

• Poorly prepared substrate (not cleaned and holes and cracks not repaired)
• Poorly mixed render (the wrong ratios used for each ingredient)
• The wrong tools used
• The wrong render type chosen
• No maintenance or repairs over the years

Efflorescence

Efflorescence occurs after heavy rainfall or in wet climates, when moisture evaporates from porous substrates (especially cement). It often leaves behind crusty, white salt crystals that can cause the render to fade, peel, or flake.

Other Signs That Your Render Needs a Refresh

Some of the other visual signs that your render needs a refresh include:

• The painted colour generally looks washed out, faded, or patchy, especially compared to how it looked years ago.

• You notice small hairline cracks on the surface (emphasis on ‘hairline’, as bigger cracks will need more repair work).

• Green stains or mould that reappear even after the render has been cleaned thoroughly.
• Visible signs of water damage on the render (if the structure is not damaged underneath, a fresh render job should be enough to fix this)

Dull Render vs Damaged Render

How can you tell if your render just needs a refresh or a full repair?

How to Refresh Or Restore Dull Render

Here are the necessary steps to restore the look of your render:

Inspection

Inspect the render carefully for any signs of cracking, damp patches and adhesion issues.

This thorough inspection will determine whether you need a restoration or a full replacement.

Clean the Surface

Use a high-pressure cleaner and a gentle soap to remove all loose debris, dirt and chalking from the wall.

Repair

If you have any hairline cracks or small holes, they can be patched over and blended into the existing render.

Priming

Apply a sealer or bonding primer to improve adhesion between the substrate and the new render, preventing chalking.

Coating

You can apply a new coat of exterior paint in the same colour as your previous render or a new colour of your choice.

Final Check and Clean Up

Inspect the finish to ensure it looks good and clean up any remaining mess.

Although patching up old, dull-looking render is fairly straightforward, we recommend that a professional rendering company complete the job for the best-looking, long-lasting result. Give us a call at 0402 704 984 to book your appointment with us today!

Common Mistakes Made when Restoring Dull Render

When restoring your render, avoid the following mistakes:

Ignoring Cracks

If you cover over a crack without first filling it and repairing it, the crack will get bigger over time. Covering over it doesn’t erase the problem entirely, and the cracks will eventually reemerge, worse than before.

Using the Wrong Coating

Not all regular exterior paint is suitable to use on rendered surfaces. Select a proper acrylic render coating that is more durable and better able to withstand exposure to the elements.

If you don’t use a render-suited acrylic paint, the paint will eventually start peeling and cracking.

Neglecting to Prepare and Clean the Wall Properly

If you neglect to thoroughly clean the wall of dirt and debris, the render will not bond well to the wall and will fail sooner rather than later.

Hiring An Unlicensed Operator

If you hire a professional to complete your render restoration, make sure they are licensed and have experience in applying render. Otherwise, you may end up with a badly done job.

Remember, cheaper services aren’t always better.

At Sydney Cement Rendering, we take pride in being Sydney’s trusted rendering experts. From residential jobs to large-scale commercial projects, we provide our customers with the highest-quality rendering services and adapt to every situation and rendering style. To learn more about restoring your render and giving it a fresh new look, give us a call at 0402 704 984 or visit our website at https://sydneycementrendering.com/ to find out more about the services we offer!

FAQs

Can Dull Render Be Fixed Without Re-Rendering the Whole Wall?

Yes, if the damage isn’t too severe, it can be re-rendered rather than the whole thing replaced.

A render clean, prime, and recoat is usually more than enough.  

How Long Does Render Restoration Last?

A high-quality render restoration, completed with quality materials, can last up to 15 years before needing to be replaced or restored again.

Is Dull Render a Sign of a Bigger Problem?

Not necessarily. Dull render is more often a sign of normal weathering and natural wear and tear after being exposed to the elements.

If you notice large cracks, large patches of discolouration, or a hollow sound when tapped, it may indicate a more serious problem with your render.

To double-check the condition of your render, give a professional rendering company, like Sydney Cement Rendering, a call. This will save you time and money in the long run.

How Much Does a Render Restoration Cost in Sydney?

The exact cost depends on various factors such as the size of the restoration project, the type of render used and the finish you select. However, a simple restoration job will be significantly less than a full repair and re-render job.

Can I Restore the Render Myself?

Yes, but you have to ensure you prepare the wall properly (cleaning, priming, crack repairs, and patch jobs); otherwise, the new render coat will be damaged in no time and will need redoing within the next few years.

Does Render Restoration Boost Kerb Appeal?

Yes, giving your render a refresh will definitely help to boost kerbside appeal. Nobody wants to buy a house with a tired, unsightly facade, and the front of the house is the first thing potential buyers notice.