Render finishes

Lime render

Lime render is a breathable render made with natural hydraulic lime or lime putty, applied by hand in two or three coats. It lets moisture move in and out of older solid walls, which cement renders can trap.

Vapour-open and flexible, suited to older solid walls
Helps walls dry out where cement render trapped moisture
Traditional hand-finished texture
Works with wood fibre insulation as a breathable EWI system
Slower curing — needs frost-free, protected conditions
Often appropriate in conservation settings

Get a guide price See prices

A stone cottage finished in warm off-white lime render with sage green windows and a cottage garden

Free survey for lime render

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Why use lime instead of cement?

Cement render is hard and relatively impermeable. On older walls built with lime mortar, it can crack, let rain in at the cracks and then stop the wall drying, leading to damp patches inside and spalling stone or brick. Lime is softer, more flexible and vapour-open, so moisture can escape.

Typical build-up

Binder: Natural hydraulic lime (NHL) or lime putty
Coats: Usually 2–3
Thickness: ≈15–25mm overall
Curing: Slow; protect from frost and rain
Finish: Float, sponge or roughcast

How is lime render applied?

Old cement render is removed where it's causing problems, the wall is dampened, and lime is applied in successive coats — usually a scratch coat, a float coat and a finish coat — with curing time between. Freshly applied lime must be protected from frost, rain and fast drying.

Can lime render be insulated?

Yes, using wood fibre boards or insulating lime plasters. These keep the wall breathable while reducing heat loss.

Lime render prices

Lime render guide prices
Item	Guide price	Notes
Lime render, three-coat	£78–£132 per m²inc VAT	Excluding scaffold
Removing cement render first	£22–£48 per m²inc VAT	Where needed
Wood fibre + lime EWI	£150–£210 per m²0% VAT	See wood fibre EWI

Guide prices are confirmed by a fixed written quote after a free survey. Prices include VAT at 20%. 0% VAT: installing insulation in a home is zero-rated until 31 March 2027, so these figures are the total; 5% applies from 1 April 2027.

How it works

Tell us about the property
Use the quote tool or form, or call free on 0800 088 6248.
Free survey
We measure the walls, check condition and confirm planning and building control.
Fixed written quote
The system, details, access, exclusions and VAT, in writing. Anything hidden is priced and agreed before extra work.
Installation and handover
Work planned around the weather, then inspected and documented.