Finishes
Smooth Render Finish
Flat, contemporary smooth render — the most demanding finish and the most striking when done right.
Smooth render is the finish people picture on a contemporary house — flat, uninterrupted and sharp-edged. It is also the least forgiving finish available, because a smooth surface shows every undulation, trowel mark and substrate irregularity in raking light. There is nowhere to hide.
That means the work happens below the visible coat. The basecoat has to be genuinely level and true, corners and reveals have to be bead-formed accurately, and the topcoat has to be worked consistently across a whole elevation without stopping mid-wall. It takes more time and more skill than a textured finish, which is why quotes for smooth render come in higher. When it is done properly the result is the cleanest look in rendering; when it is rushed, every defect is on display.
When it is the right choice. Choose smooth for contemporary architecture and sharp modern detailing — provided the substrate is sound enough to justify it.
Specification at a glance
| Typical guide price | £74–£115 per m² supplied and installed |
|---|---|
| Applied thickness | Fine topcoat over levelled basecoat |
| Curing / drying | 24-48 hours per coat |
| Guarantee | 20 years |
| Category | Finishes |
Guide prices are indicative only and exclude scaffold, stripping and repairs. Your written quote follows a free survey.
What is included
- Flat contemporary appearance
- Levelled and floated basecoat
- Fine 1mm or smooth topcoat
- Crisp bead-formed edges
- Through-coloured options
- Sharp modern detailing
- Pairs with cladding and timber
- Requires a true substrate
- Skilled hand finishing throughout
- 20-year system warranty
Get a quote for smooth render finish
Tell us about the property and we will call you back to arrange a survey.
Related services
What happens next
Four steps from enquiry to finished wall
Free survey
We visit, test the substrate, measure up and identify what caused any existing failure.
Written quote
An itemised fixed price with the system named, materials specified and scaffold included.
Booked in
An agreed start date, scaffold arranged, and a clear run of days set aside for your job.
Finished and guaranteed
Site cleared, scaffold struck, guarantee documents and system warranty issued.
Coverage
Smooth Render Finish by county
We carry out smooth render finish across all 74 counties below. Pick yours to see local detail.
East of England
South East
South West
North West
North East
East Midlands
Yorkshire
London
West Midlands
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
FAQs
Smooth Render Finish — your questions
Is smooth render more expensive?
Yes, typically 15-25% more than a comparable textured finish, because levelling the basecoat and working the topcoat consistently takes considerably more labour.
Does smooth render crack more easily?
It doesn't crack more, but any cracking is far more visible than on a textured surface. Mesh reinforcement and proper movement joints are essential.
Can I have smooth render on an old house?
Often yes, but the substrate has to be levelled properly first, which adds cost. On a very irregular wall a fine texture is usually the better result.
What is the difference between smooth and 1.5mm render?
1.5mm has a fine grain that reads as almost smooth at a distance but has a subtle tooth up close. True smooth has no grain at all and is significantly harder to achieve evenly.
Can you match my existing render?
Usually, yes. We colour and texture match as closely as we can, though weathered render never matches a fresh batch exactly — we will be honest about how visible a patch will be.
How long does a rendering job take?
A typical three-bedroom semi is usually one to two weeks on site including scaffold, preparation, application and finishing. Weather, wall condition and the system chosen all move that.
Do I need planning permission to render my house?
Usually not on a standard house, but you will if the property is listed, in a conservation area, or if rendering would significantly change its appearance. We flag it at survey.
Thinking about smooth render finish?
Book a free survey and we will confirm whether it is right for your walls before you commit.