To render or not to render
To render or not to render – one of the biggest decisions renovators of brick homes face.
The most common reason for rendering is to cover up old-fashion bricks to provide a freshened façade. But before rendering, consider the mortar lines and texture that bricks bring to your property, because rendering can require more work than meets the eye for a fresh, executed look to be fully achieved.
The pros of rendering are pretty straightforward. Rendering provides a fresh look to the façade. However, there is always maintenance to be done because render cracks and deteriorates over time.
Assess what is wrong with the façade in the first place before rendering. Even if gutters and the front door are repainted, shabby and out-dated windows can present a flat appearance. To execute your rendering makeover, determine what aspects of the property aren’t working. If the property doesn’t have a clear focal point at the front, a façade design can help uplift the property. A feature wall, portico or roof structure above the front entrance can add some depth, dimension and focus.
However you chose to upgrade your property, being respectful of its heritage and playing with its character will give a great balance.
If appropriate, re-landscaping the property to incorporate plants and trees that complement the new façade might be beneficial in improving the overall visual appeal of the property and compensate for the loss of texture that comes from brick.
Article extrapolated from:
Eyles-Bennet, J. (2019). ‘To render or not to render: The biggest decision facing renovators of brick homes’, Domain, 26 September. Available at: