Common finishes
- Traditional and modern renders: from lime and sand/cement to through-coloured and thin-coat systems.
- Cladding systems: timber, brick slips, panels and rainscreen systems.
- Fair-faced brickwork: where the masonry itself is the finish.
Common defects
- Cracking and hollow, “live” areas where render has lost its bond and is ready to fall.
- Trapped moisture: especially where an impermeable render or paint is used on a wall that needs to breathe.
- Staining, algae and frost damage.
- Poor detailing at junctions, sills and bell-mouths that lets water track behind the finish.
Getting the finish right
The finish must suit the wall behind it. On older, solid-wall buildings a breathable system is usually essential; using a hard, impermeable render can trap moisture and cause more harm than good. On newer buildings, correct specification and detailing are what keep water out.
Advice
If external render or cladding is cracked, hollow or staining, an inspection will identify the cause and specify a compatible, lasting repair.