Group C · External wall insulation and render
Acrylic and silicone thin coat
Thin finishes over a base coat and mesh for a smooth modern finish.
Typical price
Acrylic and silicone thin coat
£50–£85 per m²
Render only (silicone, monocouche) — plus scaffolding
Ask for a quoteBefore grants · updated 11 October 2026 · a survey confirms the final figure.
- Best for
- Smooth modern finish, over boards
- Guarantee or standard
- System guarantee
- Time on site
- Usually one to two weeks for a typical house including scaffolding, depending on size, repairs and weather.
- Typical price
- £50–£85 per m²
What it is
What is acrylic and silicone thin coat?
Thin finishes over a base coat and mesh for a smooth modern finish.
Best for: Smooth modern finish, over boards.
Build-up
Render only
- 1Existing wall
- 2Base coat and mesh, where the system needs it
- 3Render finish
No insulation layer — render is a finish, never sold as insulation.
Who it suits
Which homes is acrylic and silicone thin coat suitable for?
Is my home suitable?
Pick your property type for a straight answer on acrylic and silicone thin coat.
Guidance only — every home is different, and a survey confirms what suits yours.
Houses
- Detached house
- Semi-detached house
- End-of-terrace
- Mid-terrace
- Townhouse
- Mews house and cottage
- Detached bungalow
- Semi and terraced bungalow
- Chalet and dormer bungalow
- Period home
- 1930s home
- Post-war and ex-council house
- Non-traditional / system-built
- Listed building or conservation area
- Farmhouse, barn conversion or rural home
- New build or self-build
Flats and blocks of flats
Commercial and public buildings
Usually suitable Depends — a survey confirms
Not usually suitable for 5 property types
- Park and mobile home — Park and mobile homes need specialist systems, which we arrange through a partner rather than standard measures.
- Purpose-built flat — A flat's outside walls are the building's responsibility, so rendering is done as building-wide works.
- Ground-floor, top-floor flat or maisonette — A flat's outside walls are the building's responsibility, so rendering is done as building-wide works.
- Mansion block — A flat's outside walls are the building's responsibility, so rendering is done as building-wide works.
- Ex-local-authority flat or maisonette — A flat's outside walls are the building's responsibility, so rendering is done as building-wide works.
Materials and brands
What we use
Thin finishes over base coat and mesh.
EWI and render brands we work with
- Sto
- Weber
- K Rend
- Wetherby
- Parex
Insurance-backed EWI usually requires approved-installer status with the system holder. The exact system and brand for your home are confirmed in your written quote.
Heat, bills and EPC
What it does for your heat loss, bills and EPC
Render on its own is weatherproofing and appearance — it doesn't insulate, so it won't lower the wall's U-value, your heating bills or your EPC. If lower bills or a better rating is the goal, external wall insulation puts insulation under the new finish while the scaffold is already up.
See the EPC points and savings for your home in the EPC plannerU-value before and after, typical heat and bill saving, and EPC points — worked out for your property.Price
How much does acrylic and silicone thin coat cost?
| Service | Typical range, installed |
|---|---|
| Render only (silicone, monocouche) | £50–£85 per m²plus scaffolding |
Indicative ranges for London and the South East, supplied and installed, including VAT. Updated 11 October 2026. A survey confirms your final price.
VAT on this work
Render without insulation isn't an energy-saving material, so standard VAT applies. External wall insulation in homes is zero-rated until 31 March 2027.What to expect
Time on site, disruption and approvals
Time on site
Usually one to two weeks for a typical house including scaffolding, depending on size, repairs and weather.
Disruption
Most of the work happens outside, so you stay in your home. Scaffolding is up for the duration, and downpipes, meters, lights and satellite dishes are moved and refitted.
Planning and building control
Like-for-like re-rendering doesn't usually need planning permission; changing the look in a conservation area or on a listed building may need permission or consent. Renewing render over a large area of wall can mean Building Regulations expect insulation to be considered at the same time — we'll tell you if it applies.
Guarantee and standard
System guarantee. The guarantee and certification for your job are confirmed in writing in your quote.
Questions
Acrylic and silicone thin coat: your questions answered
How much does acrylic and silicone thin coat cost?
Typically £50–£85 per m² (plus scaffolding) for render only (silicone, monocouche), installed in London and the South East, including VAT and before any grant. Prices updated 11 October 2026. A survey confirms your final figure.
What is thin coat render?
A thin acrylic or silicone finish applied over a base coat and glass-fibre mesh — usually on insulation boards or new substrates — for a smooth, modern finish.
Should I choose acrylic or silicone render?
Silicone sheds water and dirt better and keeps its colour well; acrylic is a lower-cost option. We'll show you samples of both.
Why does thin coat render need mesh?
The glass-fibre mesh in the base coat spreads movement stresses so the finish doesn't crack.
Group C
More in external wall insulation and render
External wall insulation (EWI)
A complete certified build-up of insulation board, mesh and render from one system holder.
EWI with brick slip finish
External wall insulation finished in brick slips so it looks like real brick.
K Rend silicone through-coloured render
One- or two-coat silicone render that cleans itself and never needs painting.
Monocouche render
Through-coloured single-coat cement render.
Lime render
Breathable lime render and lime plaster for older solid walls.
Insulating (thermal) lime render
Lime render with an insulating aggregate for modest U-value gains on old walls.
Begin your project
Ready to talk about acrylic and silicone thin coat?
Tell us about your home and we'll arrange a survey, then a fixed written quote — no obligation.