Render boards
Render boards, often referred to as render carrying boards, are panels which act as the substrate for finished render. They are attached to the wall structure and then covered with your chosen finish. STEICO wood fibre render boards are suitable for residential and commercial builds and can contribute to your sustainability goals through responsible sourcing and carbon binding.
How are render boards installed and how do they work?
Render boards can be a key part of your wall make up if you are finishing the wall with external insulation or render. Depending on the type of board or desired finish they can either be attached directly to the wall or battens and rails are fixed to the wall which then carry the render boards.
They work by providing a rigid and moisture-resistant base for the render system which the finish can adhere to directly or with the aid of an adhesive base coat where required. There are several factors that will affect the type of render board you need, including:
- Diffusion open or ventilated wall systems - Diffusion open systems tend to use direct applied insulating render boards whereas ventilated facades use thinner more rigid render boards where no thermal performance is required.
- Lime or Mineral / Silicate render systems - Tend to be used with diffusion open render boards like wood fibre whereas cement or dense polymer renders are less permeable.
- The type of wall – The weight-bearing capacity of the wall will affect what render boards you can choose. For example, a masonry wall may be able to carry heavier render boards than a timber structure depending on the details of construction.
- Cost – Different render boards will come with different price tags. However, you should consider the whole lifecycle of the project. If a slightly more expensive render board leads to lowered bills for the end user, you may be able to command a higher sale price, for example.
STEICOuniversal dry
Sarking and sheathing board made using the "dry process". Secure rain protection.
STEICOuniversal
Sarking and sheathing board made using the wet process. Secure rain protection.
STEICOspecial dry
Sarking and sheathing board made using the dry process. Secure rain protection.
STEICOsafe
Base sheet for flat sloping roofs and for use behind facings.
The advantages render boards can provide to your project
What makes render boards suitable as the substrate for your wall finish? Whatever material you choose, it should offer the following characteristics:
- Solidity – The surface should be solid and resistant to impacts so it provides a consistent finish.
- Weather and moisture resistant – The finished system should protect the building fabric from wind, rain and snow as well as allowing the existing building fabric to allow water vapour to escape.
Key features and benefits of STEICO render boards
STEICOuniversal dry and STEICOspecial dry are suitable for use as render boards in most projects. They are available in different thicknesses depending on your need, and can offer the following key features and benefits when specified and installed correctly as part of an overall wall system
- Protection from the elements – STEICO wood fibre render board can contribute to protecting your property against cold, rain and wind by providing an extra layer.
- Sourcing – All our render boards are sourced responsibly from PEFC-certified forests (PEFC/04-31-2550), contributing to the overall sustainability rating of your building.
- Diffusion-open – Our wood fibre render boards are diffusion-open so they can assist with the transfer of water vapour in your home, contributing to its structural integrity and safety.
- Carbon binding – Each cubic metre of STEICO render board binds CO2eq during Life Cycle Stage A1 as defined in EN 15804+A2, contributing to the sustainability of your home.
