When it comes to transforming the look of your home while protecting it from the elements, render is a tried-and-true solution. With so many types of render available today, it’s easier than ever to find a finish that suits your vision—whether you’re after a smooth modern facade, a textured look, or something completely bespoke.
In this guide, we’ll explore six popular types of render: brick render, acrylic render, cement render, lime render, microcement render, and clay render. We’ll give an overview of each, where they’re best used, and how they can elevate your next home project.
Quick Links
- Acrylic Render
- Cement Render
- Lime Render
- Microcement Render
- Clay Render
- Choosing the Right Render for Your Home
- Why Render Your Home at All?
- Get Inspired with Rockcote
Acrylic Render
Acrylic render is a modern, performance-driven option for homeowners who want flexibility, superior adhesion, and a strong, long-lasting finish. Acrylic systems are made with advanced polymers that improve elasticity, allowing the render to withstand minor movement in the substrate without cracking.
Rockcote Polymer Renders are 100% acrylic and can be applied in film builds of 2-4mm and are specifically formulated for surfaces like fibre cement sheeting, painted substrates, and other areas where movement tolerance and strong bonding are essential. These flexible coatings are ideal for creating a coarse, sponge-finished look while levelling out uneven areas with ease.
Rockcote Polymer Modified Render’s are pre blended to exacting tolerances and require the addition of clean water when being mixed and can be applied in a single coat between 2-10mm thick in a single coat on a wide variety of substrates including masonry, AAC and even polystyrene, making it perfect for both new builds and renovations. Please contact Rockcote for the best render for your situation.
Why choose Rockcote Acrylic and Polymer Modified Renders?
- Designed to handle surface movement without compromising appearance
- Excellent adhesion to fibre cement, painted walls, concrete, AAC panels, and more
- Fast and efficient application with minimal surface prep
- Water-based and low-VOC, suitable for internal and external use
- Provides a durable, coarse-textured finish ready for overcoating with coloured renders or membranes
Best for: Homes that experience temperature shifts or substrate movement—particularly multi-storey buildings, renovated surfaces, or fibre cement walls requiring a reliable, flexible coating system.
Considerations: While acrylic renders offer excellent versatility and durability, they must be overcoated with a compatible Rockcote finish (such as a coloured texture or protective paint membrane) to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Application should also be managed according to weather conditions for best results.
Learn more about Rockcote Acrylic Renders
Cement Render
Classic cement render is a mixture of sand, cement and occasionally included the addition of lime. Classic sand & cement renders would be manually mixed onsite, usually with a shovel and put into a cement mixer. Cement render is only able to be applied to masonry substrates and requires a minimum of 28 days to dry and cure before being painted or finished.
Rockcote’s range of Modified Cement Renders take this classic solution a step further. These pre-blended, quick renders are engineered for performance and tailored to suit specific conditions—whether you’re rendering brickwork, blockwork, concrete walls or polystyrene. Rockcote range of Quick Renders only require 2-3 days before they are able to be overcoated with texture system or paint. Designed to create a solid base for overcoating, they offer excellent adhesion and workability, reducing time on site while delivering a consistent finish.
Why choose cement render?
- High strength and impact resistance
- Can be finished smooth or textured to suit your style
- Compatible with paint and a wide range of topcoats
- Rockcote’s modified options offer faster application and specialised performance
Best for: Homeowners seeking a tough, dependable render for brick, block, or stone and many other surfaces—especially where a traditional finish is desired.
Considerations: Choosing a quality formulation like Rockcote’s Quick Renders and applying a flexible texture and topcoat system can help prevent issues and extend the lifespan of your finish and guarantee premium performance.
Learn more about Rockcote’s Modified Cement Render Range
Lime Render
Lime render is a timeless and breathable finish that has been used for generations in traditional construction—and it’s still highly valued today for both restoration and sustainable building projects. Rockcote Lime Plaster offers a modern take on this age-old material, delivering natural beauty and functional performance in one.
Rockcote Lime Plaster is free from added Portland cement and contains zero VOCs, making it ideal for health-conscious homeowners and heritage-sensitive sites. It can be applied to both interiors and exteriors and tinted with mineral pigments to achieve a broad palette of soft, natural tones and aged patina effects.
Highly versatile in application, this fine-grained plaster can be finished using float, sponge, or trowel techniques—ranging from classic flat finishes to textured, artisanal designs.
Why choose lime render with Rockcote Lime Plaster?
- Breathable and moisture-regulating—perfect for older buildings and solid substrates
- Naturally beautiful with a subtle matte finish and customisable colour options
- Allows for decorative effects and traditional finishes
Suitable for heritage restorations and sustainable homes - Low odour and free from synthetic additives
Best for: Renovations of stone cottages, mud brick homes, architecturally sensitive restorations, or any project prioritising natural materials and breathable construction.
Considerations: Lime renders require more cure time than conventional options and are best applied by experienced tradespeople. They also do not offer crack-bridging flexibility, so substrate preparation is crucial to avoid structural movement affecting the finish. Full curing takes approximately 28 days, with protection needed during drying.
Learn more about Rockcote Lime Plaster
Microcement Render
Microcement render is redefining modern design, offering a refined, continuous surface finish that blends minimalism with natural elegance. Rockcote MicroStone is at the forefront of this trend—delivering a durable, high-end aesthetic that mimics the look of natural stone with the flexibility to suit a variety of applications.
This two-part decorative system is engineered to create seamless finishes across walls, floors, and even furniture. Whether you’re aiming for a soft, polished sheen or a more rustic, tactile texture, MicroStone can be customised to achieve your desired effect. Its low-shrinkage formulation ensures minimal cracking and a consistently smooth result, even across large areas.
Why choose Microcement Render and use Rockcote MicroStone?
- Achieves a sophisticated, stone-like finish with a contemporary edge
- Suitable for both residential and commercial interiors
- Applies to a wide range of surfaces, offering complete design freedom
- Can be tailored to mimic polished concrete, natural stone, or textured rustic looks
- Seamless finish minimises grout lines and visual interruptions
Best for: Modern, design-focused spaces including feature walls, bathrooms, kitchens, floors, and built-in furniture—where a continuous, architectural surface can make a striking impact.
Considerations: Due to the precision required for a flawless finish, MicroStone is best installed by professional applicators that are familiar with decorative surface coatings. The look is premium, and so is the application—but the visual and tactile payoff is unmatched.
Learn more about Rockcote MicroStone
Clay Render
Clay render offers a naturally warm and textural finish that has become a favourite among those seeking beauty, breathability, and sustainability in their home design. Rockcote Clay Plaster Décor brings a refined touch to this ancient building material, offering an elegant yet earthy aesthetic suited to both traditional and contemporary interiors.
This fine finishing plaster is formulated with natural materials and enhanced with marble dust, creating a soft glimmer under ambient light. Its natural composition supports healthier indoor air quality by allowing surfaces to breathe, and it contains zero VOCs—ideal for eco-conscious homeowners and families.
Rockcote Clay Plaster Décor is also incredibly versatile. It can be applied with a variety of tools and techniques to achieve everything from smooth, modern finishes to highly textured, artistic effects. Natural elements like straw, rice husks, or marble chips can even be added to create unique visual depth.
Why choose a Clay Render like Rockcote Clay Plaster Décor?
- Naturally breathable and free from synthetic additives
- Adds a tactile, earthen elegance to interior walls
- Ideal for custom finishes, from smooth and polished to softly textured
- Supports healthier homes with zero VOCs and low odour
- Can be tinted with mineral oxides to achieve a natural colour palette
Best for: Traditional straw bale homes to modern buildings, or any homeowner seeking a stunning interior feature with visual and environmental appeal.
Considerations: This finish is best used indoors and in dry or protected areas. It’s not suitable for wet zones or exterior walls and should be applied by a skilled professional for best results. Clay Plaster Décor takes 7 days to cure and requires appropriate surface preparation.
Learn more about Rockcote Clay Plaster Décor
Choosing the Right Render for Your Home
Each type of render has its own benefits depending on your project needs, surface conditions, and design preferences. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Render Type | Key Benefits | Best For |
| Acrylic Render | Flexible, great adhesion, ideal for movement-prone or pre-painted surfaces | Fibre cement, painted substrates, contemporary homes |
| Classic Cement Render | Limited, affordable | Masonry substrates |
| Modified Cement Render | Strong, reliable, fast-drying, suited to overcoating | Brick, block, or stone and many other surfaces requiring durability |
| Lime Render | Breathable, zero VOC, ideal for heritage or eco builds | Restoration projects, stone homes, architecturally sensitive interiors |
| Microcement Render | Seamless, polished or rustic finishes, decorative flexibility | Feature walls, floors, furniture, modern interiors |
| Clay Render | Natural, VOC-free, textural and light-reflective finishes | Eco-conscious homes, strawbale, modern builds, or artistic interior walls |
Why Render Your Home at All?
Beyond improving your home’s appearance, render offers serious practical benefits:
- Protects the underlying substrate from deterioration caused by exposure to environmental elements
- Protection from harsh weather and UV rays
- Improved insulation and energy efficiency
- Increased property value through enhanced street appeal
- Flexibility in design, from rustic textures to ultra-modern polished look
If you’re planning to renovate or build, the type of render you choose can completely transform your space. Whether it’s giving a tired brick wall a fresh look with brick render, adding some contemporary style with microcement render, or going the more natural route with clay or lime render, there’s a finish to match every aesthetic and function.
Get Inspired with Rockcote
At Rockcote, we’ve spent over 40 years developing and refining the art of beautiful, durable surfaces. Our range of innovative and quality products are designed to perform in Australian conditions and offer something for every style.
Need help choosing the right product? Want to see how different finishes look in real life?
👉 Explore the Rockcote Inspiration Page to discover stunning projects, finishes, and colour palettes that can elevate your next renovation or build. Get inspired and start designing with confidence.
Ready to begin your rendering project? View our product range and let Rockcote be your guide to a stunning exterior or statement interior finish.
