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Silicone Render

Also known as "Thin Coat Render".

Thin Coat / Silicone Rendering

Thin coat render, also known as silicone render, is a modern, flexible type of external render used to achieve a sleek and durable finish on buildings. Unlike traditional thick renders, thin coat render is applied in a much thinner layers, typically around 1.5 - 6mm. It is often made with silicone-based materials, giving it excellent water-repellent properties while remaining highly breathable.

This combination helps to protect the building structure from moisture and prevents issues like cracking or discolouration. Additionally, thin coat renders are available in a wide range of colours and textures, allowing for versatility in design while maintaining long-lasting performance.


  • Flexibility: Adapts to minor building movements, reducing the risk of cracks and ensuring a long-lasting finish.

  • Breathability: Promotes airflow, preventing trapped moisture and damp issues.

  • Water-repellent: Protects the facade from rain and harsh weather, enhancing durability and minimizing maintenance.

  • Customisable aesthetics: Offers a wide range of colours and textures for bespoke designs that complement the building’s style.

  • Practicality and longevity: Combines durability with design versatility, making it an ideal choice for modern construction and renovations.

To ensure your next project benefits from the durability and elegance of thin coat render, get in touch with our expert team today. Whether you're working with masonry, external wall insulation, or other suitable surfaces, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process. Contact us now to discuss your requirements and transform your exteriors with a flawless finish!
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Advantages of Using Silicone Render Over Existing Render

Applying silicone render over existing renders has several key benefits. As well as enhancing the building’s appearance, it improves performance and increases the lifespan of the existing render. Known for its durability, flexibility, and water-repellent properties, silicone render creates a strong protective barrier against weathering, UV rays, algae, and fungi.

In addition to protecting the building from external elements, silicone render provides significant energy-saving benefits. Its thermal insulation properties help minimise heat loss, resulting in lower energy bills and a more comfortable indoor environment.

Applying silicone render over existing render provides a more cost-effective solution than removing and replacing the entire layer. This method is an excellent option for those looking to improve both the appearance and performance of their building while staying within a sensible budget.

Silicone Render FAQs

Silicone render is a thin layer of cement applied to the exterior walls of a property. This type of rendering combines silicone and resin, offering greater flexibility compared to traditional options like acrylic render. Traditional renders, typically made from sand, cement, and lime, often take several weeks to dry before they can be painted for the desired finish. In contrast, silicone render dries in just a few hours, providing a more efficient solution.

At Options 4 Surfaces, we use coloured silicone render to deliver quicker and more cost-effective results. Silicone render is particularly ideal for homes in damp climates prone to wet rot, as it acts as a moisture barrier, protecting walls from cracking while enhancing the property’s appearance with a sleek finish. Moreover, rendering improves wall insulation, boosts energy efficiency, and helps to lower heating costs.

Silicone render is an excellent choice for offering durable, long-lasting protection to the exterior walls of your home. Its thin coat application is especially effective at protecting against damage caused by extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain and strong sunlight, while also helping to prevent cracking or fading of the walls.

Thin coat renders generally last between 25 and 30 years, offering a durable and dependable form of wall protection. However, several factors can affect this lifespan, either prolonging or shortening it. These include the local climate, geographical location, size and type of property, as well as the quality of the application.

With a thickness of only 6 to 10 mm, silicone render is much thinner than traditional cement render, which is usually around 25 mm. This thinner application makes silicone render a great choice for maximising internal space. However, the exact thickness can vary depending on the straightness and alignment of your property's walls.

Silicone render can be applied to high-quality existing render systems that have been properly prepared, including those made from cement, lime, or acrylic materials. However, any painted render should be removed beforehand, as the painted surface may prevent the new coat from adhering correctly to the property’s walls.

Silicone render is extremely durable and crack-resistant. When applied in thin, even layers with a steel trowel and sponge float, starting from the bottom and working upwards, it can last for up to 30 years. Applying a base coat beforehand further reduces the risk of cracks caused by structural movement.

It’s generally not recommended to apply silicone render over painted render, as the paint can prevent proper adhesion. For the best results, it’s advised to remove the paint and prepare the surface thoroughly before applying silicone render.

It’s not always necessary to remove the existing render before applying silicone render. However, it’s crucial that the current render is in good condition, free from cracks, and properly prepared to achieve the best results when applying silicone render.

Silicone render is certainly compatible with lime render. However, as lime render is more porous than other types of render, extra preparation may be needed to ensure proper adhesion.

Silicone render is compatible with acrylic render, but proper surface preparation is essential for optimal adhesion. This involves thorough cleaning and priming of the surface.

Silicone render can be used with cement render as long as the surface is properly prepared. Thorough cleaning and priming are crucial to ensure the best adhesion.

Silicone Render is available in a wide range of different colours

Silicone Render Examples

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Options 4 surfaces specialise in luxury surface applications including microcement and modern day external renders based in the East Midlands

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