Byron Bay Rendering

What is cement rendering?

Traditional cement rendering is the application of a thin premixed surface of sand, cement and lime to brick, cement, stone or mud brick. It is often textured, coloured or painted after application. It is generally used on exterior walls and garden fences, but can be used to feature an interior wall.

The Tradition

The cement rendering of brick, concrete and mud houses has been used for centuries to improve the appearance (and sometimes weather resistance) of exterior walls. It can be seen in different forms all over southern Europe. Different countries have their own style and traditional colours.
In France, new houses continue to be rendered, and is in fact obligatory in many areas, in particular in the South. The range of colours that can be used is also often controlled by the local council. This control over the appearance of domestic building is why so much of modern architecture in regional France is so agreeable. The French have in fact produced a modern aesthetic of rendering that is sadly missing in Australia.

Rendered walls first appeared in Australian on early settler's stone and mud brick houses, and then later in the 50's on federation style homes. However rendering domestic houses here has unfortunately always been the exception. For a long time, and for some inexplicable reason, brick in its basic form has generally been considered a finished material. It remains so, unpainted, and often ugly (though more interesting 'designer' bricks are now just starting to become available.)

The simple rendering of walls can transform any style of house built of common brick or concrete. While many new apartment blocks are now rendered and are aesthetically superior to traditional exposed brick, too few new homes in Australia receive this treatment. Most are post modern 'Seidler' style homes or innovate multi-clad homes that combine rendered brick, fibre-cement, timber and even galvanized iron. Thankfully, a few of the triple fronted, two story homes that dominate new housing developments are now being built with this enhancing treatment.

Traditional cement render is made from clean sand, cement and lime. Depending on the 'look' required, rendering can be fine or coarse, textured or smooth, natural or coloured, pigmented or painted.
Different rendered finishes can be created by using different tools such as trowels , sponges, or brushes. The art in traditional rendering is, (apart from getting the mix right), the appearance of the top coat. We have different finishing styles and are able to produce different textures and decorative effects. Some of these special finishing effects may need to be created from a thin finishing 'top coat' or from a finishing wash.

Byron Bay Rendering.

Cement rendered surfaces are best done by experienced, licensed professionals. If you want to use a pigmented render, ask Tony for a sample to be produced. Make sure that it has time to dry. Often pigmented render will dry a different colour from that when it's wet.

Acrylic rendering

There are also a wide variety of premixed renders for different situations. (See www.unitex.com.au and www.rockcote.com.au)

Some have a polymer additive to the traditional cement, lime and sand mix for enhanced water resistance, flexibility and adhesion.

Acrylic premixed renders have even higher enhanced water resistance and strength. They can be used on a wider variety of surfaces, including concrete, cement blocks, and AAC concrete panelling. With the right preparation, they can used on smoother surfaces like cement sheeting (HardiTex/ Fibro), new high tech polymer exterior cladding such Uni-Base, and expanded Polystyrene. A few of these require activation with cement just prior to application.

Some of these premixed acrylic renders have a smoother complexion than traditional renders. Others can even be spayed on.

There are also a wide variety of acrylic bound pigmented 'designer' finishing coats that can be applied over acrylic render. Depending upon the product, they can be rolled, trowelled or sponged on. A limited number can also be spayed on. Various finishes, patterns and textures are possible such as sand, sandstone, marble, stone, stone chip, lime wash or clay like finishes. There are stipple, glistening finishes, and those with enhanced water resistance and anti fungal properties. Acrylic renders take only 2 days to dry and cure- much faster than the 28 days for traditional render.

The variety of effects available from acrylic renders requires a renderer who is familiar with the product and style required.