Exterior Render

[welshbrie]

We have a brick/timber frame house that is showing lots of signs of wear. We are considering rendering the whole of the outside and have set about getting quotes but know nothing about which is the best render.
The last plasterer who came works with K-Render, any thoughts on whether this is the best. The house is exposed to high wind and lots of rain! Also we don't want to have to paint every few years.
I would like to hear from people who have had their houses rendered several years ago and it still looks good. Is that possible?
Any help appreciated.

[The Builder]

I'm afraid I don't follow you, Welshy. Is it face brickwork outer with timber frame inner leaf, or brick with rendered panels on the outer leaf?

[welshbrie]

Thanks for thinking about it Builder.
It's brick down the sides with wood facias above and inbetween windows front and back. Typical late sixties build.
Hope that makes it clearer.
Cheers.

[The Builder]

If you want to render the brickwork, it really ought to be wired first (galvanised expanded metal lath fixed to the brickwork). It's because render often doesn't "stick" properly to face brickwork. If you're in a rough weather area, that makes it more important.
I'm only talking about regular sand & cement render, I don't know about K-Rend.
If the brickwork has become really tatty, consider painting the brick direct. A good Weathershield, or Farrow & Ball colour can look really good.

Treat the timber bits (assuming they're not painted, with something like "Sadolin"