Brisbane Rendering Contractor
Concrete is a sturdy material for construction, but it does not dry smooth. This is why you need a Brisbane rendering contractor. You need someone or a group of people who will apply concrete to accomplish a smooth finish.
Today, we at Australian Construction will tell you all the basic things you need to know about rendering. By the end of this simple tutorial, you should be able to appreciate the rendering process, and consider working with us to perform this service to your construction project.
What is rendering?
Rendering is a process that is part of the finish. It is the practice of applying cement on top of the concrete as a final coat or layer. Generally speaking, the concrete is applied without sand, but some people do it with sand.
Concrete is mixed with water and other chemicals. On some occasions, a smooth finish is not the goal, but rather something that is artistic, such as a spiked wall, or one that looks and feels like the bark of a tree.
Rendering can be done either on the exterior or interior concrete wall. You can do it on both. Once this is applied, the typical final finish is paint, and there is no need to put another layer of material like insulation or a gypsum board.
Rendering is not just done to make a wall look beautiful. It has some waterproofing elements to it, and also fireproofing functionality. In Australia, the render can serve as a barrier against fire from neighbouring structures.
What is a concrete render made of?
A concrete render is made of cement and water. Some contractors use lime and sand, too. There is no single standard of how it is done., but the most common mix ratio is shown below:
- Six parts sand
- One part cement
- One part lime
The cement used here is general-purpose, and the sand is fine with no impurities. If the rendering will be done in several coats, coarse sand is used on the inner coat and fine sand on the final coat. On the other hand, lime is added to make the concrete more elastic by the time it is dry and thus avoid cracking.
If the Brisbane rendering contractor is doing it for a specific purpose, some chemicals may be mixed. An additive is also used to make the concrete cure faster, or make it bond better with the concrete wall slab. Some contractors use pigments to make the concrete look darker or lighter, all of which depend on the type of finish being achieved.
Are there different types of render?
Yes, there are different kinds of render that you can choose from. The construction industry has grown and advanced so much in the last decade—technology made it possible. As such, it is not possible to write down all possible render types here.
Below are some of the most common types of render.
- Acrylic render – in this type, the render is already pre-mixed. The great thing about acrylic render is that it has a high resistance to water. It has superior strength, and it can be used in many types of walls like concrete, cladding, and other surfaces like polystyrene. Most traditional renders can take up to 28 days to cure. However, the acrylic render can set in less than 48 hours.
- Lime mortar – in this render, lime is the primary ingredient instead of cement. It is used mostly in older buildings. This is the typical choice for old structures because most of these were also completed or finished with lime. Pretty much, the rendering process here is like a restoration project. Lime is great as it is not likely to crack, and it also has the capacity to let the finish breathe and allow the moisture to escape.
- Modern render – this option uses several advanced techniques and methodologies. The mix uses silicone, which is an excellent water repellant. This is a great alternative for acrylic render, as acrylic does not make the render breathe. Silicone render is like lime in terms of allowing the moisture to escape. Also, modern renders allow you to choose from more colours.
Today, the most common render of choice for large construction projects is the modern one. We at Australian Construction, however, provide many other options. At the end of the day, we will recommend the render that works best for your construction project.
Our recommendations are based on your structure. If you will operate a restaurant, then we will recommend silicone or modern render on the inside, and perhaps acrylic on the outside. We can also do normal render on the outside, but we will prepare a special mix to prevent water from seeping through.
In addition to all this, know that rendering is not the same as plastering. The process of plastering uses plaster, and it is typically used for interior purposes only. Plastering is great for aesthetic reasons, but they do not provide the same protection as concrete rendering.
Make sure you choose the right Brisbane rendering contractor. Consider us, Australian Construction, if you need one. We have a team of engineers who understand chemicals, and we offer a warranty on our work. We are a licensed company and all our engineers who will work with you are licensed too.
Summary: Brisbane Rendering Contractor
Rendering is not just for aesthetic purposes. It serves a protection function, both for waterproofing and fireproofing. This is why sometimes, it is called a firewall.
If you ever have a project whose finish is concrete, you have to give us a call so we can discuss how we can go about giving you a rendering contractor service. We at Australian Construction have been around for 20 years, and we have worked with dozens upon dozens of clients who are satisfied with the results of our work.
And speaking of our services, we are not limited to rendering contractor jobs. You can also depend on us for other contractor works such as excavation, electrical services, plumbing, industrial painting, and so much more!