Ultimate Guide to Acrylic Render for Home Exteriors

What is Acrylic Render?

Acrylic render is a type of render that incorporates acrylic, a type of plastic, into the mix. This addition imparts flexibility and strength to the render, making it more resistant to cracking compared to traditional cement-based renders. Acrylic renders are suitable for a wide range of substrates, including brick, concrete, fibre cement, and previously painted surfaces.

Benefits of Using Acrylic Render: 

Flexibility and Durability

Acrylic renders are renowned for their flexibility, which allows them to accommodate minor movements in the substrate without cracking. This flexibility is crucial for maintaining the integrity and appearance of the render over time, especially in areas prone to temperature fluctuations.

Enhanced Adhesion

The acrylic component in the render enhances its adhesive properties, ensuring a strong bond with various substrates. This feature makes it ideal for use on surfaces like fibre cement and painted substrates, which may present adhesion challenges for traditional renders.

Superior Finish

Acrylic renders provide a smooth, aesthetically pleasing finish that can be customised to achieve various textures and effects. Whether you prefer a smooth, polished look or a more textured, coarse finish, acrylic render can deliver.

Quick Drying Time

Compared to traditional renders, acrylic renders have a faster drying time, which can significantly reduce project timelines. This attribute is particularly advantageous for applicators working on tight schedules.

Weather Resistance

Acrylic renders are highly resistant to weather elements, including UV rays, rain, and wind. This resistance helps maintain the render’s appearance and structural integrity over time, ensuring a long-lasting finish.

Rockcote’s Grey and Off White Acrylic Renders

Rockcote offers two exceptional acrylic render products that exemplify the benefits mentioned above: Polymer Render Grey and Polymer Render Off White.

Polymer Render Grey

Rockcote Polymer Render Grey is a flexible, acrylic-based coating designed for substrates such as fibre cement and painted surfaces. It is particularly useful where tolerance to movement and good adhesion are crucial. 

Key Features:

• Water Based: Environmentally friendly and easy to clean up.
• No On-Site Additions Required: Polymer Render Grey is ready to use, eliminating the need for additional mixing or additives on-site.
• Build-Up Capability: It can be applied in coats up to 4mm thick, making it ideal for levelling uneven substrates.
• Attractive Finish: The render can be sponged to achieve an appealing coarse finish, perfect for overcoating with Rockcote top coats.
• Excellent Adhesion: Ensures a strong bond with various surfaces, reducing the risk of peeling.
• Reduced Glare: The grey colour reduces glare for applicators, making it easier to work with.

Uses:

• Suitable for application over properly prepared substrates such as brick, block, cement render, Rockcote render, concrete, cement sheeting, AAC panels/blocks, and plasterboard.
• Can be used for both interior and exterior applications.
• Must be overcoated with acrylic coloured render, texture, protective membrane paint, or clear sealer.

Polymer Render Off White

Rockcote Polymer Render Off White is another flexible, acrylic-based coating, primarily composed of specially selected graded quartz sand with a pure acrylic binder system. This render is especially suitable for application over fibre cement, blue board, and painted substrates.

Key Features:

• Water-based: Environmentally friendly and easy to clean up.
• Premixed Convenience: Polymer Render Off White comes premixed, ensuring consistent quality and reducing preparation time on-site.
• Movement Tolerance and Adhesion: Offers excellent tolerance to substrate movement and strong adhesion properties.
• Highly Crack Resistant: Flexible nature reduces the risk of cracking over time.

Benefits:

• Easy to Apply and Finish: Simplifies the application process, making it ideal for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.
• No Mixing Required: Ready to use straight from the container.
• Flexible and Durable: Provides long-lasting performance even in challenging conditions.

Uses:

• Suitable for application over properly prepared substrates such as brick, block, cement render, Rockcote render, concrete, cement sheeting, AAC panels/blocks, and plasterboard.
• Can be used for both interior and exterior applications.
• Must be overcoated with acrylic-coloured render, texture, protective membrane paint, or clear sealer.
• Not designed as a coloured finish, but can be tinted to assist in the coverage of subsequent coloured coatings.

Application Tips for Outstanding Results

Achieving a stunning and durable finish with acrylic render requires attention to detail and adherence to best practices. Here are some expert tips to guide you through the process:

1. Surface Preparation

Proper surface preparation is crucial for a successful render application. Ensure the substrate is clean, dry, and free from any loose or flaking material. For painted surfaces, ensure the paint is well-adhered and not peeling.

2. Priming

Applying a primer compatible with the substrate and the render can enhance adhesion and provide a more uniform surface for the render to bond to. Rockcote offers a range of primers suitable for different substrates.

3. Mixing and Consistency

Although Rockcote’s Polymer Render Grey and Off White are premixed and ready to use, it’s essential to stir the render thoroughly before application to ensure consistency. Avoid adding water or other additives unless specified by the manufacturer.

4. Application Technique

Acrylic render can be applied using a trowel, hawk and trowel, or a rendering machine. Apply the render in thin, even coats, building up to the desired thickness. For Polymer Render Grey, apply coats up to 4mm thick.

5. Sponging and Finishing

For a coarse finish, use a sponge float to texture the render once it has been partially set. This technique not only enhances the visual appeal but also helps to compact the surface, increasing its durability.

6. Curing

Although acrylic renders dry quickly, it’s important to allow sufficient curing time to ensure the render sets properly. Protect the render from extreme weather conditions during the curing process to avoid potential issues.

7. Overcoating

For added protection and aesthetic appeal, consider overcoating the render with a suitable top coat. Rockcote offers a range of top coats designed to complement their acrylic renders, providing additional weather resistance and a polished finish. 

Acrylic render is an excellent choice for transforming your home’s exterior, offering flexibility, durability, and a superior finish. Rockcote’s range of coloured renders, including Quicksand Coarse, Sandcote, Sandcote HYDRATECH, Santini, and Toscani, deliver exceptional performance and ease of application. Additionally, Rockcote Acrylic Texture Coarse and Acrylic Texture Medium finishes are high-quality, flexible base coat renders that are quick and easy to use, formulated for various substrates like previously painted masonry, off-form concrete, AAC, fibre cement sheeting, and plasterboard. 

Rockcote’s flexible high-build elastomeric membrane coatings from the Armour selection can also be applied as an overcoat to provide superior protection and durability.By following the tips outlined in this guide, applicators can achieve outstanding results, ensuring a solution-oriented, long-lasting finish that enhances the beauty, performance, and quality of any home. For more expert advice, contact us here or visit one of our Trade Hub locations today!