What is the difference between plastering and rendering?

Plastering and rendering are two terms often used interchangeably. They are similar in that both are used to create a surface that will be applied to a wall or ceiling. But there is a big difference between the two.

Rendering is usually done on top of internal and external walls. Whilst internal ceilings are made out of plasterboard for the walls the customer usally has two options.

The internal bricks of the wall can be rendered using sand & cement which can then be plastered or a wallpaper of choice can be applied.
The wall can be plaster boarded and then plastered, drywall or a wallpaper of customer choice can be applied.

Therefore, plastering (skimming) can be assumed as a finish which is be applied in two layers of coating prior to painting.

Choice: Render or plasterboard internal wall?

Rendering is a good option and often preferred by homeowners as it provides a extra layer of protection against any potential damps caused weather conditions. Usually rendering costs slightly more than plaster boarding as it involved move labour, material costs, time and effort. Whilst rendering is superior it is recommended to factor in the budget and correct usage. moreover, you could choose to use combination of both such as render for outer internal walls of rooms and plastering for internal partitioning walls.

If you unsure of which material to use, why not consult our team at Plater House LTD and we can provide you with the correct guidance and a fitting solution for your project specification.

Rendering of external walls

There are many different external wall coating systems currently available on the market. The typical render normally includes water, sand & cement and water proofing liquid mixed together into the mortar. The most popular two choices are pebble dash and regular sand and cement. However, other amazing aesthetically pleasing products such as Silicone and K-rend should also be considered as their costs can be offset by their properties.

Preparation for rendering

If you are replastering the wall then the existing render will need to be stripped off using Breaker power tool ,be careful not to cause too much damage to the bricks or blocks being revealed.Next, before you begin to apply any mortar it is important to prepare the area. This may involve removal of guttering, nails and checking the existing walls condition to ensure it has enough strength to support the structure and weight of the rendering. If the wall seems to be in a bad condition then a simple solution could be the installation of metal mesh.

Applying Plaster

The plasterer can then apply a small mixture of water and PVA to the bricks or blocks in order to make sure the render will bonds well and that the wall has enough moisture for bricks to soak up so that the plaster doesn’t crack when drying. The plaster then is applied to the wall in two coats. The first coat is known as scratch coat and the second coat is known as the render finish coat.

Double coat plastering

Plastering can provide your rooms with the much need beautiful finish for you to paint over in the colour of your choice. Once the surfaces of the internal walls have been prepared using render or plasterboards we can begin Plastering. Single coat plastering should be avoiding and preference should be given to double coat skimming. See our DIY Multi finish Plastering for beginners for a detailed step by step guide for your plastering project.

Paint & Coatings

The number of coatings required to paint a property can entirely depend on the product of choice. For outside you could pick a all weather protection paint and a single or double coat should be more then enough. Likewise, for indoors two coats of any regular paint should do the job.

Get a plastering and rendering quote

Our professional plastering team is experienced and training to deal with projects of all sizes. Contact us today for free advice, samples and quotes.