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Unfortunately, render can be prone to cracking due to exposure to the elements and the pressure of a building’s natural movement over time. Luckily, there are some solutions to counteract the risk of cracks in render. These solutions include more flexible render types (acrylic render and silicone render). Another popular and effective solution is the use of a render or reinforcement mesh or mesh cloth, which reinforces the render and strengthens it.

What is Render (Reinforcement) Mesh or Mesh Cloth?

Render mesh or mesh cloth usually consists of fibreglass, steel wire, or polypropylene mesh (in the past, chicken wire and stainless steel mesh were commonly used), which strengthens and reinforces the render, preventing any damage and cracks.

Most render mesh types are available in different sizes and weights.

What Are the Different Types of Render Mesh?

Some of the most popular types of render mesh include:

  • Fibreglass mesh: The most commonly used render mesh due to its lightweight nature and strength.
  • Polypropylene mesh: A flexible plastic render mesh that does not react to any chemicals.
  • Steel wire mesh: Very strong and resistant to any damage.

What Kind of Render Mesh Should You Choose?

With different types of render mesh available, how do you know which one to choose?

Here is what to look for when selecting render mesh:

  • A pressed weave: Render mesh with a pressed weave is generally stronger and can withstand more pressure. If you buy a render mesh without a pressed weave, it can fall apart easily.
  • Alkaline resistance: If your render mesh is alkaline-resistant, it means that the chemicals found in the render mixture (especially a cement render) can’t break down the mesh.
  • Heavier mesh: A heavier type of mesh is better suited to high-traffic, high-activity areas such as sporting facilities, restaurants, hotels, and shopping centres, as it offers greater impact resistance.
  • Fire-resistance: Choose a fire-resistant render mesh for extra protection and peace of mind.
  • A lighter mesh: For more flexible render types like acrylic render, a more lightweight mesh would work better.

Other factors to take into account:

  • What material are you applying the render to?
  • What kind of render are you using? (cement, acrylic or silicone, etc).
  • The climate you live in.
  • The building you are rendering (a house or commercial building)

Why Does Render Require Reinforcement?

Render can crack and become damaged due to a variety of reasons:

  • Temperature fluctuations: Constant changes in temperature.
  • Building movement: Buildings naturally shift and move over time, which can cause render to crack if it is not flexible enough.
  • Shrinkage: Render can shrink during the curing and drying process due to the water evaporating, which can lead to cracks forming.
  • Improper ratios/mixture: If a render mixture contains too much water, it can weaken the render’s composition, while not having enough water can cause difficulties during application and put extra pressure on the render.Having poor-quality materials in the render mixture can also result in a weaker render.
  • Applying the render in poor weather conditions: Render should be applied in moderate weather for the best results. If it is applied during wet, cold, hot, or windy weather, it can weaken the bond between the surface and the render, causing a weaker render. Rain can also cause water to be absorbed into the structure, leading to increased movement. Applying render in high temperatures (above 30℃) can cause it to cure and dry faster than it should, leading to shrinkage and increased susceptibility to cracking.
  • Insecure base: If the render is applied to a material that is at risk of moving and cracking (timber or concrete blocks).
  • Higher-stress areas: Some areas of the surface may experience greater stress (walls near doors and windows).
  • Larger areas of render: If you’ve got large areas of rendered surfaces, they can be more prone to cracking.

How Does Render Mesh Prevent Cracking?

Here are the ways in which render mesh can prevent cracking in rendered surfaces:

Even Distribution of Stress During Structural Movement

It is completely normal for buildings to shift over time due to the natural movement of the foundation, wind, and thermal expansion, which can cause render to crack.

The render mesh helps absorb and distribute the stress caused by this movement, distributing it evenly across the entire rendered surface, which reduces the risk of cracks forming.

Increased Flexibility

The reinforcement render mesh adds flexibility to the render, allowing it to shift with the building’s movement and preventing cracks.

Durability and Longevity

You want your rendered surfaces to last as long as possible, which is why investing a bit more money into purchasing and installing render mesh is worthwhile. Render mesh prolongs the lifespan of your render by strengthening it against wear and tear, exposure to the elements, and environmental pressures.

Strengthens the Bond Between Render and Surface

If the render isn’t bonded properly to the surface, it can lead to delamination, which occurs when the render detaches or peels from the wall. If mesh is applied to the render, it reinforces the bond between the render and the surface, reducing the risk of delamination.

If you are considering rendering your walls and are unsure whether to add a render mesh beforehand, we recommend speaking with a professional rendering company before making any decisions. Render mesh not only provides many functional benefits, but also ensures that the render stays crack-free and looks aesthetically pleasing for years to come.

If you want to find out more about the application and benefits of render mesh, 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!