As a general rule, rendering is done on the exterior of walls and it consists of applying cement or lime coats to the surface of a wall, whereas plastering is usually done internally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are some differences between rendering and plastering that you should be aware of. For one thing, whereas rendering tends to stick more to the inner layers of larger stones in the wall, plaster seems to adhere better to bricks. Therefore, when plasterers apply their material onto old stone walls they often need to coat the surfaces with render first before they can then go ahead and apply the plaster properly. This is especially true when using very sandy aggregated materials for both processes (such as sand\/cement). However, there are also other types of render that don\u2019t need this preliminary step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another key difference is that plastering usually provides a much smoother finish than rendering, thanks to the fact that it can be applied in very thin layers. This isn\u2019t always the case with render, which is sometimes applied in thicker coats (although this will obviously vary depending on the exact type of render being used).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In terms of the actual materials used, there are some important distinctions to be made here too. Render is typically made from either lime or cement, while plaster contains gypsum (calcium sulphate dehydrate) as its main ingredient. There are also different types of lime that can be used for rendering \u2013 including fat lime, hydraulic lime and London cement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to the actual application process, the main difference is that rendering usually involves multiple coats, whereas plasterers will typically get a much smoother result after one or two coats of plaster. Note that this doesn\u2019t mean that you can never use plaster for external surfaces \u2013 as long as you\u2019re using weather-proof materials and applying it in several thin layers, it should be perfectly suitable for most exterior walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So which is better? It really depends on your individual project and the type of surface you need to work with. If you have an old stone wall then plastering may be your best option, whereas rendering would likely be more appropriate if your walls are made from bricks or other similar materials. Ultimately, the best course of action will be to consult a professional when making this decision so that you can get some expert advice on the most suitable approach for your particular project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n