EDUCATIONAL GUIDE TO

PROPERTIES OF RENDERING MORTAR

Properties of Rendering Mortar

Contents

Page

Introduction

Specifying rendering mortar

Properties of fresh rendering mortar

Properties of hardened rendering mortar

Rendered finishes

General

10

Glossary of terms

12

Bibliography

14

Self-assessment questions

16

Answers to self-assessment questions

17

Properties of Rendering Mortar

Introduction
This learning text considers the role played by rendering mortar as an element of masonry
construction and complements the MIA learning text on masonry mortar. The current situation
with regard to specifying rendering mortar is reviewed and the various properties of rendering
mortar in the fresh and hardened state are then discussed. An overview of rendered finishes is
given and a glossary of terms and bibliography are provided.
A render is a mortar consisting basically of cement and fine aggregate, usually together with
lime or a plasticizer, which is applied to a wall surface, generally in two or more coats. When
correctly matched with the background, the hardened render provides a durable weather
resistant finish that will enhance the surface of a building.
Rendering is a traditional craft that has evolved over many centuries. Originally wattle and
daub was used to fill gaps in walls constructed from wood or stone, to minimise the ingress of
wind and rain. A drawback of these early mortars was their inability to prevent the ingress of
water, which was partially compensated for by having roof overhangs and adequate drainage at
the base of the wall. The development of Portland cement led to a mixture of cement and sand
being applied to the external walls of structures, both for protection and decoration.
Historically, in some countries there has not been available the range of suitable indigenous
facing material to construct external walls and rendering has been used for this purpose. A
walk around some of the towns and villages in the UK will provide testimony to the wide
range of rendered finishes that may be produced.
Aesthetic fashions in the final coat of a rendering system have changed over the centuries and
an examination of buildings with a rendered finish provides an interesting insight into
construction history. The outer walls of the Colosseum in Rome were covered with stucco.
Stucco or ashlar finishes are often to be found on late 18th and early 19th century town houses.
Pebbledash and Tyrolean finishes are both characteristic of more recently constructed
properties, especially semi detached houses built in the period 1920-1940.
A satisfactory render depends not only upon a knowledge of the properties of the constituent
materials, but also on selecting suitable mix proportions so that the render is compatible with
the background to which it is applied.
The two principal reasons for using a rendering mortar are:

To provide a barrier to prevent rain from penetrating into the background masonry.
To enhance the appearance of a plain masonry structure.

An ideal rendering mortar should generally be slightly weaker than the background to which it
is to be applied, this also applies to the coats in a multi-coat rendering system, each successive
coat should be no stronger than the previous coat. In practice this is frequently achieved by
maintaining constant mix proportions, but using successively thinner coats. It should be noted
that there are some specially formulated rendering mortars available that can be applied in a
single coat.
Confusion sometimes arises over the use of the terms rendering and plastering. Rendering
mortar is applied to external surfaces, plastering mortar to internal surfaces.

Properties of Rendering Mortar

Specifying rendering mortar

The principles for specifying a rendering mortar are similar to those for specifying a masonry
mortar, which are discussed in greater detail in the MIA learning text on the properties of
masonry mortar. The specification of a rendering system requires consideration of a number of
parameters:

The nature and condition of the background (i.e. its strength and absorptivity).
The nature and conditions of exposure.
The functional requirements.
The type of render.
The type of finish/appearance (e.g. textured/smooth).

The properties of the background that should be considered include:

Strength. Strong backgrounds generally require relatively strong rendering mixes.

Mechanical key. Some backgrounds have an inherently good physical key, others require a
key to be provided.

Suction. The degree of suction can be a significant factor in achieving proper adhesion. It
may be necessary to adjust this by pre-treatment or the use of admixtures.

Durability. Some backgrounds are inherently durable while others such as wood rely on
the render to provide the durability.

Resistance to damp penetration: Many backgrounds are themselves resistant to moisture

penetration while others rely on the render to provide this resistance. Additionally, some
backgrounds can themselves be degraded by the effects of saturation.

BS 5262 which is entitled Code of practice for external renderings, lists mixes suitable for
rendering. Table 1 is based on this.
Mix
Designation

Cement:
lime: sand

Readymixed
lime:sand

Cement:ready
mixed
material

Cement:sand
using
plasticiser

Masonry
cement
sand

i.

1:_:3

1:12

1:3

ii.

1:_ :4 to 4_

1:9

1:4 to 4_

1:3 to 4

1: 2_ to 3_

iii.

1:1:5 to 6

1:6

1:5 to 6

1:5 to 6

1:4 to 5

iv.

1:2:8 to 9

1:4_

1:8 to 9

1:7 to 8

1:5_ to 6_

v.

1:3:10 to 12

1:4

1:10 to 12

Table 1: Composition of rendering mixes

Properties of Rendering Mortar

Table 2 lists typical compressive strengths for the designations and an indication of their
suitability for different applications.
Mix
Designation
i.

Minimum 28 day
compressive
strengths N/mm2
12

Ii

Iii

Iv

N/A

Rendering mix
characteristics

Typical
Backgrounds

Strong, relatively
impervious rendering
with high drying
shrinkage
Moderately strong

Engineering bricks, in situ

concrete, dense blocks

Medium strength,
greater permeability
than Designation 1
mixes but less likely
to crack and craze
Moderately low
strength
Low strength

Calcium silicate bricks,

some facing bricks
Lightweight aggregate
blocks, some common
bricks

Autoclaved aerated
concrete, some softer
bricks
Weak materials in
sheltered locations

Table 2: Applications of rendering mortars

Rendering is normally subjected to environmental exposure (e.g. frost, wind, sun and rain).
The location of the structure to which the rendering has been applied will also affect the ability
of the rendering to withstand the environmental actions applied to it. BS 5628 provides details
of an exposure classification system. The categories of exposure are based on a driving rain
index and can be described as follows:

Sheltered conditions. These are classified as areas of moderately low rainfall in which
walls are protected from the weather by overhanging eaves and the close proximity of other
buildings. Typical examples are ground and first storey buildings in urban areas.

Moderate conditions. This classification applies to walls partially protected from the
weather by overhanging eaves and by adjacent buildings of similar height. Typical
examples are to be found in many urban areas.

Severe conditions. This classification applies to walls which are exposed to the full force
of wind and rain. Examples of this classification would be buildings on hill sites, near the
coast and those projecting above surrounding buildings.

The compilation of a specification for rendering requires a number of factors to be taken into
account. These include the characteristics of the substrate or background, the exposure
conditions and the type of finish required.

Properties of Rendering Mortar

Properties of fresh rendering mortar

A fresh rendering mortar must have the ability to adhere to the background to which it is
applied.
Workable life
This property is a measure of the length of time after mixing that the mortar remains workable.
There are many ways of testing for the workable life, but all rely on the assumption that
workable life is taken to have been reached when a certain arbitrary test value has been
attained, using a laboratory test.
The test procedure given in the new European Standard EN 1015-2, is based on the old British
Standard test from BS4551 and is simple to carry out, although a laboratory facility is
generally required. Although the time itself may not match exactly the time that a bricklayer
might deem to be appropriate, it is nevertheless a reasonable compromise and represents a
good way of comparing different mortars.
Air content
All factory made mortars and many but not all site made mortars are air entrained. The use of
air entrainment produces mortars that have much improved working properties in addition to
being far more durable and resistant to the effects of freezing and thawing. Indeed, it is not
recommended to use mortars for rendering that are not air entrained. This situation is reflected
in current British and European standardisation.
The topic of air entrainment in mortars is dealt with in the learning text on admixtures which is
also in this series of texts.
Properties of hardened rendering mortar
The properties required of a hardened rendering mortar are:

Good adhesion.
Fitness for purpose (i.e. weatherproofing and appearance).
Durability.

A rendering mortar does not attain its final characteristics until it has hardened after
application. As previously stated, different exposure conditions require the use of rendering
mortars with different properties and performance levels.
An undercoat must compensate for uneven surfaces of the background, provide uniformly
moderate suction and good adhesion for intermediate and/or finishing coats. The final coat
must act as the main barrier against rain penetration and provide a visually acceptable surface.

Properties of Rendering Mortar

The thickness of an undercoat should be approximately 9-13mm. The final coat should be
thinner than the undercoat. Using the same general principle, where three coat work is
undertaken each successive coat should be no thicker and no stronger than the previous.
Differential drying, moisture movements and thermal movements greater than those occurring
internally, lead to shear and/or tensile stresses between the background and renders or between
coats. In persistently wet conditions sulfates emanating from the masonry units or from the
environment may attack Portland cement based rendering.
Compressive strength
BS EN 998-1 lists four categories of compressive strength:
Category

Strength range N/mm2

CS I

0.4-2.5

CS II

1.5-5

CS III

3.5-7.5

CS IV

>6

Table 3: Compressive strength categories (BS EN 998-1)

The compressive strength is determined in accordance with BS EN 1015-11. The stronger a
rendering mortar is:

The more impervious it is.

The more susceptible it is to cracking.
The greater its drying shrinkage.

Rendering mixes with a lower strength are less liable to cracking and crazing.
Durability
To ensure a durable render, a number of factors have to be considered in its specification:

The penetration of rain and rising damp.

Problems associated with soluble salts.
The corrosion of embedded metal.
Damage from abrasion and impact.
Crazing and cracking.

One of the principal functions of a render is to assist in the exclusion of water. If a render
becomes cracked, rainwater can penetrate into the rendering system and may freeze during
periods of cold weather causing partial disintegration of the render. In addition rain
penetration may lead to adhesive failure between the render and the substrate. Render should
not be applied to saturated walls as there is a high risk that it will become detached.
C ill

ti

Properties of Rendering Mortar

One of the principal reasons for using render is to restrict the penetration of rain into the fabric
of the building. The ingress of water can be a serious problem as if the water freezes loss of
adhesion to the substrate may develop. In sheltered and moderate conditions of exposure a
render which conforms to the requirements of BS EN 998-1 with a capillary water absorption
of Class W/1 or W/0 should be used. Where severe conditions of exposure exist a render
which conforms to the requirements of BS EN 998-1 with a capillary water absorption Class
W/2 should be used.
Water vapour permeability
BS EN 998-1 specifies that the water vapour permeability shall be determined for mortar used
in external situations. The test is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of BS EN
1015-19 and determines the passage of water vapour through a specimen under standard
conditions.
Thermal conductivity
The majority of rendering mortars have little direct effect upon the thermal transmittance of an
external wall. This is due to the fact that only a thin coat of material is applied and the
conductivity of the rendering mortar is relatively high.
However, it is possible to obtain thermal insulating mortars that have enhanced properties. BS
EN 998-1 has created a category of designed mortar entitled thermal insulating mortar; this
material is further classified into two classes T/1 and T/2 based on their thermal conductivity.
Thermal insulating render may be applied in thicker coats than normal renders.
Fire resistance and combustibility
Cementitious external rendering is classified as non-combustible when the organic material
content is less than 1%. Where the organic material is greater than 1% the render should be
tested and classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-1. A render contributes to the fire
resistance of a wall, but generally no separate values are calculated for the rendering system.
Rendered finishes
Many types of finish can be produced, some of which are smooth while others are textured or
mixed with coarse aggregate. The decision on the type of finish is generally based on
serviceability and aesthetic merit. Local custom or tradition may favour a particular finish, but
in some locations the degree of exposure or the type of background may restrict the choice.
Due to the fact that rendering has evolved as a craft over hundreds of years, there are a wide
variety of terms applied to some of the finishes that can be produced. Some textbooks and
guides to renders classify rendered finishes into four types:
Those applied with a trowel directly by hand.
Those thrown onto the wall and left in this state.
Those applied with a trowel and subsequently tooled or imprinted.
Those applied by machine.
However, this learning text discusses rendered finishes under six main headings:

Properties of Rendering Mortar

Smooth.
Scraped.
Textured.
Tooled.
Thrown.
Special ornamental.

Smooth finishes
The final coat is finished by using a float to produce a smooth surface. It should be
remembered that a smooth finish may become somewhat drab as time progresses. A variation
on this type of finish is to remove the surface matrix to expose the fine aggregate.
Traditionally, some plain finishes were described as Stucco finishes, which were generally
painted.
Scraped finish
The aggregate is selected for its colour and grading and the render allowed to harden for a few
hours. The surface is then scraped, sometimes with a float faced with a piece of expanded
metal. This process removes some of the cement rich surface and drags some of the coarser
sand particles out of the matrix, whilst exposing others.
Textured finish
The plain smooth finish can also be textured to produce a criss cross pattern by scoring through
the finished mortar using a trowel blade or a hacksaw blade and a straightedge. An alternative
finish pattern is to score the finished render to produce a stone block effect (ashlar finish). A
stiff bristle brush can also be used to give a textured finish.
A texture that is popular in some areas is the so called "English cottage finish, which is
achieved by hand texturing and produces a random rugged effect which looks old fashioned,
hence the name. This type of finish may be seen in many English villages and contributes to
the quintessential charm of the surroundings. The workmanship in producing this finish is
unique in that application of the render commences at the bottom of the wall, all the others
types start at the top and continue downwards.
The Travertine finish is achieved by incorporating rounded particles of approximately 5 mm
in size, which move under the wooden float to produce a dragged or torn surface, which is said
to resemble marble. It should be noted that a textured finish gives greater protection against
rain penetration and is less prone to cracking.
Tooled finishes
The hardened render can be tooled with a needle gun or by abrasive blasting to expose the
aggregate.

Thrown finishes

Properties of Rendering Mortar

These types of finishes can be further sub-divided into wet dash and dry dash.
A wet dash finish is achieved by incorporating 6-14 mm coarse aggregate in the final coat,
with the mortar being thrown onto the wall and left untrowelled. The coarseness of the texture
depends on the size and shape of the aggregates, this type of finish is known as roughcast in
some parts of the country. Traditionally, in Scotland it is known as harling.
A dry dash finish is a rough textured finish in which dry aggregates in the size range 6-14 mm
are thrown onto a freshly applied coat of mortar (often called a butter coat) and left exposed.
The aggregate can be selected in combination with a pigmented mortar to give a range of
colours. In some areas this type of finish is referred to as pebble or spar dash (dependent on
particle characteristics).
Special ornamental finishes
Although most renders are to some extent ornamental, special techniques or materials may be
used to accentuate visual features.
A variety of impressions can be made in freshly applied rendering using for example profiled
tools or the base of bottles. This type of finish is called pargeting in some areas, the word
being derived from medieval English and meaning ornamental plasterwork.
A Tyrolean finish is a proprietary finish, which is supplied in a number of colours and is
applied as thrown material, where a machine is used instead of hand application. It is also
possible to sand down this type of finish with a carborundum stone to produce a rubbed
Tyrolean finish. Render may also be applied by spraying, where the texture obtained will
depend primarily upon the render material used and the type and size of spray nozzle.
General
Metal lathing and expanded metal
When it is desired to apply a rendering to steel or timber framed structures or to other surfaces
which provide an unsatisfactory bond/key (e.g. friable masonry or unsound renderings),
support for the rendering can be provided by metal lathing. To minimise the risk of corrosion
the lathing may be initially coated with a workable cement rich mix, although a preferable
alternative is to use stainless steel or zinc coated steel.
Curing
In common with all cementitious materials, adequate curing is essential to allow the strength of
the render to develop. Fresh rendering should be protected from the effects of drying winds
and wind funnelling and from direct sunlight.

Fibres

Properties of Rendering Mortar

Many ancient rendering mortars incorporated animal hair. The inclusion of fibres in a mix
improves the toughness and impact resistance of a rendering.
Polymers
Polymer dispersions may be incorporated in rendering mixes to improve bond strength,
resistance to rain penetration and durability. Care should be taken to utilise only those
polymers that are known to be suitable for external use.

Properties of Rendering Mortar

Glossary of terms

Adhesive strength
(bond strength)

- The maximum adhesive strength of a mortar applied onto a

substrate, which can be determined by shear or tensile
strength test.

Ashlar finish

- A plain rendered finish scored to simulate stone blocks.

Butter coat

- The soft final coat to which the aggregate is applied in drydashing.

Crazing

- Cracking of the surface layer into small irregular shaped

contiguous areas.

Final coat

- The final coat of a multi-coat rendering system.

Lathing

- Mesh which when fixed to a background provides a key for

rendering and in some cases support and stability.

Rendering coat

- A layer applied in one or more operations or passes with the

same mix, with the previous pass not being allowed to set
before the next one is made.

Rendering mortar

- Mortar, which is applied in the fresh state to an external wall

or other surface and which hardens after application.

Rendering system

- A sequence of coats applied to a substrate. It can be used in

conjunction with a support and/or reinforcement and/or a pre
treatment.

Stucco

- A smooth external rendering with a painted finish.

Surface coat

- See Final coat

Thermal conductivity

- A measure of the rate of heat transfer through unit thickness

and area of material and from face to face. The thermal
conductivity (k) of a material is technically defined as the
quantity of heat that passes through 1m2 of the material of
1m thickness for 1oC difference in temperature of the inner
and outer surface. The units used to measure thermal
conductivity are W/mK where W represents Watts and K
represents Kelvin.

Thermal insulating mortar - A designed mortar with specific thermal insulating properties.
Thermal resistivity

- The resistivity of a material is a measure of resistance to heat

flow through unit thickness and is the reciprocal of the
conductivity value (i.e. 1/conductivity).

Properties of Rendering Mortar

Thermal transmittance

- Thermal transmittance (U value) is the rate of heat transfer

through a construction from air to air and is the reciprocal of
the sum of all the thermal resistances offered by a
construction (i.e. all the components).

Undercoat

- The lower coat of render in a system.

Properties of Rendering Mortar

Bibliography

BS 4721

Specification for ready-mixed building mortars

BS 5262

Code of practice for external renderings

BS 5628

Code of practice for use of masonry

- Part 1: Structural use of unreinforced masonry
- Part 2: Structural use of reinforced and prestressed masonry
- Part 3: Materials and components design and workmanship

BS EN 998

Specification for mortar for masonry

- Part 1: Rendering and plastering mortar.
- Part 2: Masonry mortar

BS EN 1015

Methods of test for mortar for masonry

BS EN 1015-10

Determination of dry bulk density of hardened mortar

BS EN 1015-11

Determination of flexural and compressive strength of hardened mortar

BS EN 1015-12

Determination of adhesion of hardened rendering and plastering mortar

on substrates.

BS EN 1015-18

Determination of water absorption coefficient due to capillary action of

hardened rendering.

BS EN 1015-19

Determination of water vapour permeability of hardened rendering and

plastering mortars.

BS EN 1015-21

Determination of the compatability of one coat rendering mortars with

substrates.

BS EN 1745

Masonry and masonry products-Methods for determining design thermal

values.

BS EN 13139

Aggregates for mortar

PD 6682-3

Aggregates-Part 3:Aggregates for mortar - Guidance on the use of BS

EN 13139.

BS EN 13055

Lightweight aggregates- Part 1: Lightweight aggregates for concrete,

mortar and grout.

PD 6682-4

Aggregates-Part 4: - Lightweight aggregates for concrete, mortar and

grout-Guidance on the use of BS EN 13055.

Properties of Rendering Mortar

BS EN 13501-1:

Fire classification of construction products and building elements - Part

1: Classification using test data from reaction to fire tests.

prEN 13914-1

Design, preparation and application of external rendering and plastering

- Part 1: External rendering

Good Concrete Guide 3: Rendering a practical handbook (Bill Monks published by the
Concrete Society)
BRE Digest 410

Cementitious renders for external walls.

Properties of Rendering Mortar

Self-assessment questions

What standard is applicable to rendering mortar?

What type of finish is a Stucco finish?

What is the principal difference between a dry dash and a wet dash finish?

What are the principal functions of a rendering mortar?

Complete the following:

i) A plastering mortar is applied to ..
ii) A rendering mortar is applied to .

What is English cottage?

Above what level of organic content does a mortar have to be tested for reaction to
fire?

In a two coat rendering system what should be the approximate thickness of each
coat?

What are the two main properties measured in a rendering mortar?

10

What parameter are exposure classes based on?

Properties of Rendering Mortar

Answers to self-assessment questions

BS EN 998-1 (Specification for mortar for masonry - Part 1: Rendering and

plastering mortar)

A plain rendered finish, which is generally painted

In a wet dash finish the aggregates are part of the mix, in a dry dash the aggregates
are applied while the final coat is still plastic (fresh)

To provide a barrier to the ingress of water and wind

To provide a decorative surface.

i) A plastering mortar is applied to an internal wall or other surface.

ii) A rendering mortar is applied to an external wall or other surface.

A textured rendered finish, in which the render is applied to the walling from the
bottom upwards.

1% organic content.

Undercoat 9 - 13 mm
Final coat Less than the above

Workable life and air content

10

Driving rain index.

EXPERTS IN MORTAR
CEMEX Mortar is available in ready to use or dry silo options providing the perfect
solution for every situation. Our experts can advise on conformity to standards as well
as strengths, colour and working with different brick and block options. At our
centrally based research and development centre the team can support you further
with special mix designs, durability and colour specification. All CEMEX Mortars
conform to British and European standards and are factory produced for consistency
and reliability.

For more information contact

our Mortar Enquiry Line
Tel: 0800 667 827
Email: [email protected]
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www.cemex.co.uk/mortar