You might have often seen the terms ‘plastering’ and ‘rendering’ thrown about, but what exactly do they mean? The answer is not always easy to tease out, as these two procedures are very similar — in that they both involve applying mortar to a building’s walls.
However, the word ‘plastering’ is often used when those walls are inside the building, while rendering is undertaken on external walls. For this reason, you can ask for ‘renderers’ when calling out exterior plasterers to an Auckland property you own — but what other differences should you pay attention to?
These two types of mortar coatings both consist of cement, sand, water, and lime gypsum. So, are ‘plaster’ and ‘render’ just different words for the same material? Not quite, as plaster and render crucially differ in the composition of these ingredients.
Render contains a much higher concentration of cement. This is because the cement is meant to help the finished surface hold its own against the elements. There is less need for indoor walls to be weather resistant, but plaster can still give them water repellence.
Meanwhile, the sand in render is coarser than that in plaster — as it is more important for the latter to provide a surface smooth enough to be painted or wallpapered.
Another plus point of render is its fireproofing ability, which can particularly come into its own if the building is old enough to be made of mud or clay.
In rendering, it’s crucial to protect the underlying wall from moisture damage. Otherwise, water from heavy rain or snow could seep into the structure and potentially even lead it to collapse as a result.
Yes, because render forms the outermost layer on external walls. Hence, you can opt for the finish to be patterned or textured, if you wish — though you might be happier with a smooth, flat surface instead.
In contrast, while rendering can turn your wall into a work of art, a plastered wall serves as a ‘canvas’ onto which you can later apply paint or wallpaper as the ‘artwork’
If you require services of either interior or exterior plasterers in Auckland, get in touch with us for a free quote without obligation. Call Quality Plasterers on 0800 PLASTA or 021 237 1313 or drop us a line via [email protected].
