Walling Guides
Mortar, rendering and masonry guides
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How Long Does Render Take to Dry?
Render needs to dry and cure before painting or second coats - but the timeline varies more than most people expect. Here are the actual figures and what affects them.
Read guideHow to Render a Wall: Step-by-Step UK Guide
Rendering looks straightforward but has several stages where poor practice causes cracking, delamination or staining later. Here is how to do it properly.
Read guideHow Long Does Mortar Take to Set?
Mortar sets in hours but takes weeks to fully cure. Here are the actual timelines for bricklaying, pointing and tiling work, and what affects how fast mortar hardens.
Read guideRepointing Brickwork: The Right Mortar Mix
Using the wrong mortar mix to repoint is worse than leaving the joints as they are. Here is how to match the mix to the brickwork and avoid expensive damage.
Read guideHow to Mix Mortar by Hand
Mixing mortar by hand is a straightforward skill once you know the ratio, the sequence and what the right consistency looks like. Here is how to do it properly.
Read guideTypes of External Render UK: Which One Is Right for You?
There are more external render types than most people realise, and choosing the wrong one creates problems that are expensive to fix. Here is a plain comparison of the main options.
Read guideHow Much Mortar Per m2 of Brickwork?
About 15 litres of mortar per m2 of single-leaf brickwork - but that translates to very different cement and sand quantities depending on your mix ratio. Here is the full breakdown.
Read guideHow Much Render Per m2? Coverage Rates Explained
Coverage rates for render vary by product type and coat thickness. Here are the numbers that actually matter, with a worked example and bag count table by wall area.
Read guideMortar Mix Ratios Explained: Which One Do You Need?
The number on the bag does not tell you which mix to use for your job. Here is a plain guide to mortar ratios, what they mean in practice, and which applications need which strength.
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