Question 1

1. What’s the difference between rendering and plastering?

Accepted Answer

Rendering and plastering both involve applying a layer of wet material (plaster or render) to a substrate like brick or plasterboard, which hardens to form a protective coating. The big difference is that plastering is done on interior walls and ceilings, and rendering is done to exterior walls.

Plastering and rendering also use different materials. Plastering is usually done with gypsum plaster, while rendering is traditionally done with a concrete render mix (although types of render made of synthetic materials like silicone are becoming more popular).

Question 2

2. What is render / what is rendering?

Accepted Answer

Render is a protective layer that’s applied to exterior walls. It’s usually made up of cement, plastering sand, and water, although additional materials like lime or admixtures are sometimes added too. Rendering is the process of applying it to the wall, usually to protect it from the weather (although it can also be used to make it look better).

Types of rendering materials include:

Silicone render – Highly water-repellent, breathable, and self-cleaning.
Monocouche render – Pre-coloured, single-coat render for a fast, decorative finish.
Acrylic render – Flexible and decorative, applied as a topcoat.
Lime render – Breathable and ideal for older or heritage buildings.

Question 3

3. What is plaster?

Accepted Answer

When we talk about plaster, we’re usually talking about gypsum plaster (also known as plaster of Paris). It’s usually used for plastering internal walls to create a smooth, even surface for decorating. Plaster is generally applied in a thinner coat than render, especially when it’s being used for ‘skimming’ (applying a thin, smooth layer of finishing plaster). Other types of plastering materials include cement plaster, lime plaster and clay plaster mixes, although these are less common.

Question 4

4. What sorts of additives and admixtures are available for plaster and render?

Accepted Answer

Additives and admixtures can improve workability, setting time, strength, and water resistance. Common options include:

Plasticisers - to improve workability
Retarders - to slow down setting time for longer working periods
Accelerators – to speed up setting for faster application
Waterproofers – to help the finished surface resist moisture
Bonding agents – to improve adhesion to surfaces
Fibres – to reduce cracking and improve the tensile strength of the surface
Lime – adds flexibility and helps prevent shrinkage

Plaster and render supplies

Thistle Bonding Coat Plaster 25kg

Thistle MultiFinish Plaster 25kg

Thistle Hardwall Plaster 25kg

Gyproc EasiFill 60 10kg

Sika Febond Blue Grit Plaster Bonding Agent 10l

Thistle BoardFinish Plaster 25kg

K-Rend HP12 Base Coat Render 25kg

Gyproc Joint Filler 12.5kg

Siniat Joint Filler 12.5kg

Gyproc EasiFill 20 5kg

Gyproc EasiFill 60 5kg

Toupret Joint, Skim & Fill 5kg

Gyproc EasiFill 20 10kg

Eazymix Extratime Plaster Retarder

K-Rend HPX Base Coat Render 25kg

Bostik Cementone Plasterers Stabilising Primer 10l

Siniat Multipurpose Joint Compound 10kg

Jetcem Quick Setting Patching Plaster 6kg

Toupret Anti-damp Render Filler Humi Block 6kg

Eazymix Halftime Plaster Accelerator

Thistle One Coat Plaster 7.5kg

Weber One Coat Base Render 25kg

K-Rend HP14 Base Coat 25kg

Breathaplasta Smooth Finishing Plaster 20kg

Gyproc EasiFill 45 10kg

OX Tools Render Scraper 250 x 130mm

OX Speedskim Semi Flexible Plastering Rule ST 900mm

Breathaplasta Thermal Insulating Plaster 9kg

Breathaplasta Universal Breathable Plaster 18kg

Siniat Joint Cement 25kg

Toupret Joint, Skim & Fill 10kg

K-Rend R7 Acrylic 5l

British Gypsum Thistlepro Fastset Finish Plaster 25kg

British Gypsum Gyproc Promix Lite Joint Cement 17l

Eazymix Halftime 4Bonding Accelerator

SIiteworx Plaster And Render Fibres 200g

K-Rend Silicone K1 Scraped Render Coat White 25Kg

Thistle Finishing Plaster 7.5kg

K-Rend Primer TC White 15kg

Thistle Undercoat Plaster 7.5kg