Traditional finishes

A selection of traditional finishes are currently utilised within the external wall insulation industry.

Dash Finish

Dry-dash render is a traditional render application used throughout the whole country - dry dashing aggregate is thrown onto the wet render to create a natural aggregate finish. Available in a wide variety of colours, sizes and textures, the practice is relatively cheap. Manufactured aggregates such as ceramics and glass are also used for more specialised projects but the supply costs are considerably greater than for natural aggregates.

Scratch Render

Scratch plaster render is a coloured cementitious render scratched while the surface is still workable, but after the initial setting has taken place. The surface of the render is removed by the action of the scratching tool, and approximately 2 to 3 millimetres (0.079 to 0.12 in) of render are removed exposing the open matrix of the aggregate mix. The true colour of the render is exposed with a light even texture.

Silicone Render

A new innovation is the inclusion of silicone water-proofers in pre-blended and pre-packed proprietary renders. This development increases the specification and capabilities of polymer renders, particularly for exposed or coastal areas. It is applied in the conventional manner and now readily available in all the usual colours.

Painted Render

Smooth/painted finishes consist of masonry paint, and are applied to a good rendered surface to give a smooth coloured effect, free of the imperfections that the more natural aggregate finishes can sometimes deliver. A very wide selection of light colours is available.

Acrylic Render

Acrylic variants are easily applied, and are considered “high performance” finishes. Some cheaper variants can include a tendency to lose opacity and brightness over a relatively short life span. High quality acrylics can provide better longer term durability, colour stability, and crack resistance compared to polymer cement finishes. Acrylic variants are available in a very wide range of colours.

Brick Slips

Brick slips are a thin facing applied over an insulant to provide a traditional “brick” wall finish. Slips can either be manufactured by extrusion or cut from real bricks. Specialist waterproof coloured pointing mortars are used to complete the effect. Commercially available brick slip systems have been developed to include support for the brick slip finish, certified by BBA/BRE.

Brick Render

Simulated brick renders can also be replicated in coloured polymer to a high standard. Two coloured layers of polymer-modified external cementitious render are applied in 3 to 4 millimetres (0.12 to 0.16 inch) layers on to a coloured backing. The “brick” pattern is cut into the top layer, exposing an under-layer of differing colour representing the cement joints.

Tiles

Terracotta tiles are usually from clay burnt material imported from Europe. These proprietary systems are secured by extruded aluminium rails fixed securely to the substrate, with insulation material inserted within the void. Special pressed metal profiles and cills are added to make them waterproof.