SAB Rendering

It is absolutely amazing that list of DIY renovators are so obsessed with rolling up their sleeves and looking to render their homes themselves. Cement rendering, despite the fact that an especially skilled trade, is something every person could have a pass at in the event that they have the desire, patience and time to learn. All you need to know about cement rendering so that you can also render your own home just like to the pros.

But before you start slapping mud on a wall there are a few basic points of information you want to be aware of. Cement rendering is a wet trade and therefore quite messy. Making sure you protect floors, door and window frames, roof, fences, drains, light fittings etc, earlier than you start rendering is just as crucial as important a beautiful, freshly rendered wall.

The next aspect to recall is the primary mixing tools to mix your cement render mix. Generally a cement mixer might be ideal. In this case, you may also want a piece of the good elbow grease.

You will need an amount of washed sand, cement and lime or clay to make up your render mix, and these can all be bought from your local landscape supplies. You may additionally also wish to use corner beads at the angles as a guide. Ensure those are installed straight and plumb, otherwise your wall may resemble something else, and that's now not cool!

Once your dust is blended and ready to move, give the wall a good scrape down and wash down with a hose. This is to get rid of any loose particles or dust films which could inhibit adhesion of render to the wall. Be sure to evenly wet down the wall otherwise the render will dry out in patches and this will not produce an amazing finish.

So now it's time to apply the render onto the wall - Showtime! Pick up the wet render blend from out your wheelbarrow with a hawk and trowel. Standing immediately in the front of the wall, spread the mud onto the wall as lightly as possible. Repeat this step till the entire wall has cement render on it.

You need to screed the wall. To do this you'll need a screed or straightedge, and a spirit level. If you've got installation angles or guides, and assuming you set those up plumb, then use them as a manual to make sure the wall is each flat, directly and plumb.

The wall is now starting to look good. Pick up your float and start rubbing the wall down in a round motion to produce a flat, smooth and consistent finish. If the wall is starting to dry out a bit at this point, do not be afraid to feature a bit water to help keep the wall wet and workable. To finish the wall off all you need to do is pass over the entire wall with a hard sponge followed by a soft sponge.

If it's your first time, you can start with your bathroom rendering as opposed to the front façade just in case it takes you some goes to get it right. The fact of the matter is that cement rendering isn't always easy, even for the professionals. It requires adequate and thorough planning, and a clear vision of all of the process steps.