How to Choose the Right Render Colour for Your Home

The right colour makes the whole house look finished, and with pre-coloured render it is a decision you live with for years. A little planning avoids regret.

Start with how the colour is made

Silicone and acrylic thin-coat renders are usually tinted to order from a base, so the choice is very wide. Monocouche is pre-mixed, so the range is more limited. Either way the colour runs through the finish, with no need to repaint.

Practical tips

1. Look at it on your wall. A small card in a shop looks very different on a large wall in daylight. Ask for a sample on a board or a trial patch where possible.

2. Check different times of day. Morning, midday and evening light change how a colour looks, and so does a bright or overcast day.

3. Consider your orientation. Shaded north-facing walls can look cooler and darker. South-facing walls look brighter.

4. Match the details. Roof tiles, window frames, doors, gutters, brick plinths and driveways all sit beside the render. Put samples next to them.

5. Look at the street. Take cues from neighbouring homes so your house sits comfortably in its setting.

6. Think about upkeep. Pure white looks crisp but shows dirt and algae quickly. Soft off-whites, creams, stone and mid-greys are more forgiving.

7. Mind dark shades. Some systems limit very dark colours, because dark surfaces heat up more and can stress the finish. Ask your installer.

8. Check planning. Changing the colour of render can need permission in conservation areas and some other locations.

Texture changes the look

The grain size of the finish affects how colour reads. A coarser texture creates more shadow, which can make the colour look slightly deeper.

Popular choices

• Bright white and soft off-white for a clean, modern look.

• Cream and stone for a warmer, traditional feel.

• Light and mid greys for contemporary extensions and flat-roofed additions.

Not sure?

Send a photo of your house to Alb Render on WhatsApp on 07846 928256 and we'll talk through colours, finishes and samples with you.

Related reading

• Do you need planning permission to render your house?

• What is silicone render?

• Render vs painted brick vs cladding

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