What the customer wanted
A terrace in Churchtown that had been painted a drab olive grey at some point and had been that colour ever since. The render underneath had been patched more than once and the patches had all weathered differently, so the front was three shades of the same tired colour.
They wanted white, and they wanted the arched door recess and the bay canopy to still read as features rather than being flattened out.
What was there
Old painted render on what is almost certainly a solid wall, which is the normal construction for a terrace of this age. That rules a lot out. A hard cement finish on a solid wall traps moisture in the masonry instead of letting it out, which is why so much of the old render round here has blown in the first place.
The bay has a lead canopy over it and the door sits in an arched recess, so this is not a flat elevation with two holes in it. Every one of those returns has to be beaded and cut in by hand, and that is what takes the time.
What we did
Everything hollow or lifting came off first. Tapping the elevation, not looking at it, is how that gets decided, and it is why we do not price a render like this over the phone.
Then a breathable build-up: basecoat with mesh, primer, and a white through-colour silicone top coat. Breathable matters here rather than being a sales word, because on a solid wall the finish has to let the wall dry outwards.
The openings, the canopy and the door arch were all masked before the top coat went anywhere near them. The second photograph is that stage: the render is on and the masking has not come off yet.
The finish
White across the whole frontage, the bay and the arch still standing proud, and the neighbour's pebbledash next door for comparison.
A terrace front like this is a few days of render over a week or so on site once the strip back, the scaffold and the drying time between coats are counted.
Stripping a failed finish and starting again is on external rendering, and the breathable system on silicone rendering. This job was in Churchtown.
Questions people ask about this
Why does the old render have to come off?
Only the parts that have failed. Anything hollow, cracked through or lifting comes off, because rendering over a failing coat means the new work fails with it, usually within a few winters.
Is a terrace like this a solid wall?
Usually, at this age. It matters because a solid wall needs a breathable finish. Sealing soft brick under a hard cement render turns a dry wall into a damp one.
Can you render around a bay and an arched door?
Yes, and it is the part that takes the time. Every return gets a bead and every curve is cut in by hand, which is accounted for in the written estimate rather than after the scaffold is up.
What customers say
4.6 out of 5 from 11 reviews on Google. Every review below is verbatim from that profile.
Anthony's just finished skimming the lounge. He prepared it all thoroughly and was so conscientious throughout. He arrived punctual in the mornings and never stopped until it was finished. He's done a brilliant job the room looks immaculate. He left it so clean and tidy afterwards. We would recommend him to anyone.
Anthony has done a fantastic job on our rendering. Excellent communication from start to finish and has always been responsive. He has turned up every day early and has left the place spotless. Couldn't fault the service and would use again and recommend to others. Thank you so much.
Anthony rendered the gable wall and single storey kitchen of my house. He did an excellent job of the work. Anthony fully explained the process and where he was up to as it progressed. He made sure that surrounding area and walls were protected from any debris or render during the process and did an excellent job of cleaning up both as it progressed and at the end. Anthony was also a pleasure to deal with as a tradesman. In addition his price was really competitive compared to other renderers who quoted. When I get the rest of the house re-rendered I will certainly be using Birkdale Plastering and Rendering.
I recently had the front of my house rendered by birkdale plastering and rendering, and couldn't be happier with the results. From start to finish Anthony was professional, friendly and highly skilled. The quality of the rendering is outstanding, giving my home a fresh, modern look. Anthony paid great attention to detail, kept everything tidy and completed the job on time. If you're looking for expert rendering services I highly recommend birkdale plastering and rendering. Fantastic workmanship and excellent customer service. Thank you Anthony!
Anthony did an amazing job re-rendering our bungalow. The finish is flawless, and our home looks brand new! Professional, tidy, and efficient from start to finish. Highly recommend Birkdale Plastering and Rendering. Thanks again!
Anthony is prompt, professional and friendly in nature. He arrived when he said he would and completed all plastering work to an excellent standard. He also did an amazing job with my coving. I would 100% recommend him for all plastering work 😊 ...
Areas we cover
Based on Liverpool Road in Southport. We work right along the Sefton coast, down into Liverpool, and inland across West Lancashire as far as Preston. Every town below has a page of its own.
Related services
Internal Plastering
Skimming, float and set, ceilings and repairs. Flat walls that take paint evenly and stay that way.
Read moreDry Lining & Plasterboarding
Stud walls, ceilings and insulated linings, set out square, taped and beaded before skimming.
Read moreDecorative Plasterwork
Cornice, ceiling roses and panelled ceilings restored, matched and run in where sections are missing.
Read moreGet a free written estimate
Tell us what the walls are doing and we will come and look. You will get an honest assessment and a written price, with no obligation and no pressure.
Get in touch
Tell us what the walls are doing and we will come and look. Free written estimate, no obligation.
- Phone 07923 545449
- Email anthony9thompson@yahoo.co.uk
- Address
Birkdale Plastering and Rendering
546 Liverpool Road, Southport PR8 3BG - Opening hours Every day, 7am to 9pm