Render

[Old_Geezer]

unto Ceasar... no seriously though.

The earlier render question made me think of a question I have.

Is there such a thing as flexible rendering ? I ask because the side extension on my house has always had cracks and they are getting worse.

Years ago I had a surveyor look at the crack issue and she said it wasn't serious, but down to thermally dissimilar materials used to build the walls. To get a builder to sort the outside and just fill in tbe cracks inside next time I redecorated.

I did try to find someone interested in the job but gave up when few bothered to come look at it, and those that did wanted to not just fix the cracking but do the whole wall, which I couldn't afford at the time, and so they didn't come back with any quote.

I imagine that even if the lot was removed from the side and redone, the thermal issues with the wall means any new stuff is likely to crack again. Thus the flexible question.

TIA

[THECORBYLOON]

You can probably Google it...

[Old_Geezer]

True, but there are building experts here, and when all I have is a description not a specific name, a web search isn't always that fruitful.

[THECORBYLOON]

I'm no builder but yes, there is flexible render.

https://www.self-build.co.uk/design-guide-modern-render-systems/

[The Builder]

Corby's right about the move towards new rendering systems. They cost a lot more, but save on specialist skills by being sprayed on.
(They've come on a long long way from the old "Tyrolean" spray-on systems of the 60s-80s.

If you want to stay traditional, good old sand & cement can be made non-crackable by fixing galvanised steel expanded metal sheets to the wall, and rendering over.
Years ago we would use 'chicken wire' over cob walls to render them.
Expanded metal is a far better product.

I know you like a bit of 'tradition' OG, so there's one remaining system I could mention.
Lime rendering.
Cracks 'self-heal'. These days it's usually supplied as 'lime putty' in tubs.
Tip it into the mixer, whip it up, and trowel it on.
It's a lengthy job - but it still works.

[Old_Geezer]

Thanks both.

I'll look into it all, but it looks a big job and I'm not getting younger so I may just use the knowledge to be able to talk to a professional about options. Cheers.

[theshedman]

That takes me back a bit The Builder, Tyrolean machines. Arms used to really ache after using one of them for any length of time. Also putting chicken wire on cob walls then rendering them.

[Old_Geezer]

Where I grew up quite a few houses in the area had the tyrolian splatter coating. My parents felt our house needed some maintenance on the outside wall too, so opted to have the same. They chose a mid grey colour. I still recall asking my friend what he thought of it, he looked across at it and said, "Yeah, it'll be nice when it's finished" ! (I don't think he was impressed by the colour.)

[The Builder]

OG - there were many disastrous Tyrolean jobs years ago. It was thought to be the next big thing back then.

Shedman............... commonly known as 'hurdy-gurdy' machines :o)

Oh my aching arms. Especially if you overloaded it. I gave up using them for roughcast/scat finishes. An old-fashioned small coal shovel works well as a scoop.