Rendering in Edinburgh Render Repairs and New Render
Cracked or blown render lets water into your walls and makes a house look tired. Robert applies clean, durable render finishes that keep the weather out and lift the look of the property, for a fixed price agreed before work starts.
22 years' experience · Fully insured · Workmanship guaranteed
- 22 Years' Experience
- Fully Insured
- Fixed-Price Quotes
- Workmanship Guaranteed
- Owner-Operated
Rendering
What rendering involves
What it is
Rendering is the application of a protective coating to exterior walls. It shields masonry from rain and wind, covers mismatched or damaged brick and block, and gives a clean, uniform finish. Rendering work includes removing failed render, preparing the wall, applying new render in appropriate coats, and finishing edges, beads and details around windows and doors.
Who it's for
Rendering suits homeowners with cracked, hollow or stained render, those with exposed blockwork on extensions or gable walls, and owners who want to refresh the appearance of a property. It is common on Edinburgh bungalows, semis, extensions and chimney stacks.
When you need it
Consider rendering when existing render is cracked, bulging or sounding hollow when tapped, when damp is appearing on inside walls, when patches have fallen away, or when an extension has been built in blockwork that needs a finish.
Why experience matters
Render that is applied without proper preparation, or in the wrong mix for the wall, can crack, trap moisture and come away. Good rendering depends on preparation, correct coats and clean detailing around openings and edges.
The cost of waiting
What happens when damaged render is left
Render is a wall's raincoat. Once it cracks or blows, water gets behind it, and the render itself starts to hold moisture against the wall rather than keeping it out.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Painting over cracked render instead of repairing the cause.
- Patching with a mix that does not match the existing render.
- Rendering over a poorly prepared or wet wall.
- Ignoring hollow areas that sound drummy when tapped.
- Leaving blockwork on extensions exposed to Edinburgh weather.
Damp inside the home
Water getting through cracks and hollow areas can reach the inner face of walls and show as damp patches and mould.
Frost damage
Water trapped behind render freezes in winter, expanding and pushing more render off the wall.
Spreading failure
Blown areas grow over time. A small patch left alone can become a whole elevation.
Tired appearance
Cracked, stained render makes a property look neglected and can affect how it presents to buyers.
How Robert works
A clear process, from first look to finished job
- 1
Inspection
Robert checks the existing render, the wall beneath and any signs of damp or movement.
- 2
Advice
He explains whether patch repairs or full re-rendering is the sensible option.
- 3
Fixed-price quote
You get a clear price for the agreed work before anything starts.
- 4
Preparation and rendering
Failed render is removed, the wall prepared, and new render applied in coats with clean edges and details.
- 5
Finish and guarantee
The finish is checked, the site cleared, and the work is covered by Robert's workmanship guarantee.
What you get
The result of doing it properly
Weatherproof walls
Sound render keeps rain and wind off the masonry, helping to keep walls dry.
A cleaner-looking home
A fresh, even finish transforms tired or patchy elevations.
Covers mismatched surfaces
Blockwork, patched brick and old repairs disappear under a uniform finish.
Durable finish
Proper preparation and application give render that stays on the wall.
Fixed price
You know the cost before work begins, with no surprises when old render comes off.
Roof and walls from one trade
Robert can handle roof work and rendering together, including chimney stacks.
In detail
Rendering for Edinburgh homes: types and applications
Rendering varies by wall type, exposure and the finish you want. The right choice depends on your property.
Preparation
Good render starts with the wall. Loose and hollow render is removed, surfaces are cleaned, and the wall is prepared so the new render bonds properly. Skipping preparation is the most common cause of render failure.
Render coats and finishes
Render is applied in coats: a base coat to build up and level, followed by a finish coat. Finishes range from smooth to textured, and the right choice depends on the look you want and the exposure of the wall.
Beads, edges and details
Corners, window reveals, sills and the base of the wall need beads and correct detailing so render finishes cleanly and water is shed properly. These details decide whether the job looks professional.
Extensions and gable walls
New blockwork extensions and exposed gable walls take the brunt of the weather. Rendering them protects the masonry and ties the look of the extension into the main house.
Chimney stacks
Rendered chimney stacks are exposed on all sides. Re-rendering a stack is often done alongside chimney leadwork and flaunching. See leadwork and general roofing.
Render on older and traditional properties
Older Edinburgh properties built in stone or older brick often behave differently from modern blockwork. Traditional walls need to be able to release moisture, and an unsuitable render can trap that moisture inside the wall, leading to damp and deterioration over time. Before rendering, Robert looks at how the wall is built and what finish it currently has, so the new render suits the building. On mixed properties, such as a stone house with a newer blockwork extension, the goal is often a finish that ties the two together visually while suiting each wall type. Robert will explain the options and the reasons behind his recommendation, so you understand why a particular approach is right for your walls.
Rendering alongside roof work
Because Robert is a roofer as well as carrying out rendering, he can deal with the junctions between roof and wall that other trades often leave to someone else. Wallheads, skews, chimney stacks and the tops of gable walls are where roof and render meet, and where water often gets in if either is poorly finished. Combining roof and render work in one job means those junctions are finished properly, access is arranged once, and you have one person responsible for the whole result.
Rendering across Edinburgh and its neighbourhoods
Edinburgh's housing stock changes street by street. Tenements and terraces in Leith and Stockbridge, Victorian and Edwardian villas in Morningside and Colinton, seafront homes in Portobello exposed to salt air, and post-war and modern housing in Corstorphine, Liberton and South Queensferry all present different challenges. Robert has worked across all of them over 22 years, so he knows how roofs in each part of the city were built and how they tend to wear.
Wherever you are in Edinburgh, the approach to rendering is the same. Robert looks at the job himself, explains what he has found in plain language, and gives you a clear, fixed-price quote so you know exactly what you are paying before any work starts. R Galloway Roofing Services is owner-operated and fully insured with public liability and employer's liability cover, and the workmanship is guaranteed. You deal with one person from the first phone call to the finished job.
To arrange a visit, call Robert on 07756 375223 (Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm) or send a request using the form below. You can also read more about Robert or return to the homepage.
Straight answers
Rendering: questions answered
Something not covered here? Contact Robert or call directly.
Ask Robert: 07756 375223How much does rendering cost?
It depends on the wall area, the condition of existing render and access. Robert gives a fixed-price quote after seeing the property.
How long does rendering take?
It depends on the size of the job and the weather, as render needs suitable conditions to cure. Robert will give you a timeline when he quotes.
Can you repair just part of my render?
Where the rest of the render is sound, patch repairs can work. Robert will advise honestly.
Can rendering help with damp?
Cracked and failed render can let water into walls. Replacing it can help, but Robert will look at the cause of the damp first.
Is rendering work guaranteed?
Yes. Workmanship is guaranteed. Robert will explain what applies when he quotes.
Can you render a chimney stack?
Yes. Chimney stack rendering is often combined with chimney leadwork and roof work.
What weather do you need for rendering?
Render needs to be applied in suitable conditions, not in frost or heavy rain. Robert plans the work around the weather.
Which areas do you cover?
Edinburgh including Leith, Portobello, Morningside, Corstorphine, Stockbridge, Colinton, Liberton and South Queensferry.
Give your walls a finish that lasts
Tell Robert about your walls. He will assess the render and give you a fixed price. Fully insured, workmanship guaranteed.
Request a quote
Get a clear, fixed price
for your roof
Tell Robert what's going on with your roof. He'll come back to you personally to arrange a look and give you a fixed price.
07756 375223Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm