Rendering & painting specialists — Adelaide & regional South Australia
What it is
Cement rendering is the traditional method: sand, cement and lime mixed on site and applied to masonry in coats. It has been used on Australian houses for a century for good reason — it is hard, durable, breathable and considerably cheaper per square metre than the polymer-modified alternatives.
It is also less forgiving. Cement render is rigid, so it wants a stable, absorbent masonry substrate and correctly placed control joints. Given those things, it produces a solid, honest finish that takes paint beautifully and lasts a very long time.
Why it's worth it
The most economical way to render a large area of solid brick or block.
Cures to a genuinely tough surface that stands up to knocks and weather.
Lets moisture vapour move out through the wall, which suits older solid masonry construction.
The mix can be tuned to the substrate and conditions rather than coming fixed in a bag.
Provides a stable, uniform substrate that exterior paint systems bond to very well.
A well-understood system with a long, documented service record on Australian housing stock.
Our process
Masonry is checked for soundness, efflorescence and contamination. Loose material comes off and the wall is dampened down as needed so it doesn't rob water from the mix.
Control joints, angle beads and screeds are set out and fixed so the wall finishes plumb, square and to consistent thickness.
The scratch coat is applied and keyed, allowed to cure, then the float coat brings the wall to line and level.
The final coat is worked to the chosen finish, then cured properly — kept damp where conditions demand it — so it gains strength instead of drying out too fast and crazing.
Who it's for
Good to know
Cement render needs to cure and for its alkalinity to drop before paint goes on — commonly around 28 days, though it depends on thickness and weather. Painting too early is one of the most common causes of premature paint failure, so we won't sign off on it before it's ready.
Related
Tell us about your project and we'll come out, take a proper look, and give you a clear written quote — no pressure, no obligation.
