What the customer wanted
A rear elevation in Ormskirk where the ground floor had been extended and altered over the years and the brickwork no longer matched itself. New doors had gone in, anthracite, and the wall around them was a patchwork of three different bricks. They wanted the back of the house to look like one thing again without rendering the whole house.
What was done
The ground floor was rendered and the first floor was left as brick. That is a deliberate split rather than a compromise: rendering only where the wall is a mess puts a single clean plane behind the doors and the patio, which is where anybody stands and looks, and leaves the upper elevation as the original brick so the house is not suddenly a different building.
The render stops on a bead at the top rather than running out into the brick, so the line between the two is a decision rather than an accident. Around the doors it is worked tight to the frames with the reveals kept square, because on anthracite frames every edge of the render is silhouetted against them and a wandering reveal shows.
Substrate first, as always. Brickwork from three different periods takes suction at three different rates, which is exactly the situation where the primer earns its keep: it evens that out so the top coat cures at the same rate right across the wall instead of drying patchy.
The finish
One plane of render across the ground floor, brick above it, and the doors reading as black against a flat pale wall rather than as three bricks and a frame. The patio was sheeted before anything started and swept down at the end of each day, which on a rear elevation with the garden in front of it matters more than it does on a street frontage.
What a part-render involves, and when it is the right call, is on the external rendering page, and the system itself is on the silicone rendering page. This job was in Ormskirk.
Questions people ask about this
Can you render just the ground floor?
Yes, and on a rear elevation it is often the better answer. It puts a clean plane where people actually stand and keeps the original brick above, so the house still reads as itself from further back.
Will the join between render and brick show?
It will be visible, which is the point. It stops on a bead so it is a straight deliberate line rather than a ragged edge, and a straight line reads as a design decision.
Why does mismatched brickwork matter to a renderer?
Because brick from different periods pulls water out of the coat at different rates. Left alone that dries patchy. The primer evens the suction out so the top coat cures the same right across the wall.
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