There are a large number of different renders that can be applied to the external leaf of a dwellinghouse. Each has its own set of ecological, sustainable, maintenance, durability and cost issues. As ever the correct solution results in a balanced combination of the issues relative to an individual build. Simply put what might be the correct balance for one house would be wrong for another.

The render that is most commonly applied in Scotland incorporates a cement binder. Although the production of cement requires a high degree of energy, the application process is labour intensive, and the finished component inert.