Exterior House Render.

[devon dave]

I am looking into having my 1952 ex plymouth council house rendered on the outside. Just looking for some general views and any advice and poss quotes.

[The Builder]

What is it now Dave? Brick; concrete?

[devon dave]

Hi,The house is one off the steel structure jobs with concrete on lower part and metal panels on upper. I think they fill in the upper part, as it looks slightley like corrogated metal, with polystyrene panels and wiremesh over.

[The Builder]

Ok, so, metalcladding. No problem at all with rendering over the cladding. That's the time to take the opportunity of introducing insulation that is seriously lacking on that kind of construction.

Board insulation such as "celotex" is much preferable to polystyrene. Approx. two and a half times more insulation value. The way I would tackle is is to fix a timber stud frame to the whole of each elevation........... from under the eaves all the way down to the ground. Fill between the uprights with board insulation, then breathable felt, with wire render-mesh and sand & cement plaster to finish.

The final appearance is indistinguishable from "normal" houses. Fuel savings with that level of insulation would be substantial.

If the "troughs" in the panels are filled and the wire fixed to the "high bits" only, then insulation benefit is sadly minimal.

All down to cost of course. My method would definitely be more, but often, half a job is not good value.

[devon dave]

Hi, The Builder, Thanks for the reply. Have been watching council houses being done in area and seem to cover top to bottom as you say. Whole of elevation at the same depth off the original wall. Looks better than top half filled then bottom half just skimmed. Would you know of any prices for a three bed semi or any local companies in Plymouth that do the work. Possible looking for quotes now.

[The Builder]

Not much help I'm afraid, Dave. The only plasterers I've had anything to do with in Plymouth were Lidstone's in Mutley. They're very good, but I don't know if they carry out this kind of work.

For a start, check the names of the firms doing the work you mentioned in your area. For prices, you really do need someone to look at it and weigh it all up. A local builder could do that sort of job easily. You'd have to find one who is willing to "think outside the box", as they say.