Group C · External wall insulation and render
Lime render
Breathable lime render and lime plaster for older solid walls.
Priced after survey
Lime render
Every job like this is different, so we measure first and give you a fixed written quote. The price depends on:
- The area and access
- What's there now and its condition
- The system and finish you choose
No obligation — your survey confirms what suits and what it costs.
- Best for
- Period, listed and solid-wall homes
- Guarantee or standard
- Manufacturer's guarantee, confirmed in your quote
- Time on site
- Longer than modern renders — lime is applied in coats with curing time between them, and works best outside frosty weather.
- Typical price
- Priced after survey
What it is
What is lime render?
Breathable lime render and lime plaster for older solid walls.
Best for: Period, listed and solid-wall homes.
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 lime render suitable for?
Is my home suitable?
Pick your property type for a straight answer on lime render.
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
Breathable lime render and lime plaster.
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 lime render cost?
Priced after survey
Jobs like this vary too much for a fair online price, so we measure first and give you a fixed written quote — with no obligation.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
Longer than modern renders — lime is applied in coats with curing time between them, and works best outside frosty 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
Manufacturer's guarantee, confirmed in your quote.
Questions
Lime render: your questions answered
Why use lime render on old buildings?
Lime is breathable and slightly flexible, so solid walls can dry out and move without cracking. Cement render on old walls can trap moisture and cause damp.
Can lime render be used on modern walls?
It can, but its main benefit is on older solid walls. Modern block and brick usually suit silicone or monocouche render better.
Does lime render need maintenance?
Lime renders are often finished with limewash, which is renewed every few years to protect the surface and refresh the colour.
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.
Acrylic and silicone thin coat
Thin finishes over a base coat and mesh for a smooth modern finish.
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 lime render?
Tell us about your home and we'll arrange a survey, then a fixed written quote — no obligation.