PROJECT CASE STUDY
Render Removal and Silicone Render in Hall Green, Birmingham
Hall Green, Birmingham · Full Render Removal · Brick Stitching Bars · Silicone Render Finish
Full Front Elevation · 10-Year Workmanship Warranty · Free Site Survey
PROJECT DETAIL / SPECIFICATION
Project at a Glance
LOCATION
Hall Green, Birmingham
PROPERTY TYPE
1930s solid-wall semi-detached home
ELEVATION TREATED
Full front elevation
SYSTEM INSTALLED
Reinforced silicone render system in a clean white finish
ADDITIONAL WORKS
Six 1m brick stitching bars, an edge strip behind the central downpipe and new roof fascia
ACCESS
Scaffolding to the front elevation
WASTE REMOVAL
Skip hire and waste removal arranged by our team
WARRANTY
10-Year Workmanship Warranty
The Brief
Loose, cracked 20-year-old cement render stripped back to the brickwork, the cracked front section stabilised with brick stitching bars, and a new white silicone render system fitted — completed within a week of the render team starting.
When the homeowner in Hall Green, Birmingham got in touch with Advanced Wall Protection, the front of her 1930s semi-detached home was clearly struggling. The cement render on the front elevation had been applied around 20 years earlier and was now loose and damaged in places, with visible cracks running between the top and bottom windows.
She asked us about removing the existing cement render and replacing it with silicone render. She found us through our website and requested a free quote. After reviewing photos of the front elevation and discussing the cracking, we scoped the job with our project manager and renderer and prepared a clear quotation with no hidden extras.
The Problem
Reviewing the front elevation with the homeowner identified four issues to deal with before any new render went on:
ISSUE 01
1
Loose and damaged render.
The cement render had been applied around 20 years earlier and was now loose and damaged in places across the front elevation.
ISSUE 02
2
Cracks between the windows.
Visible cracks ran between the top and bottom windows, and the brickwork behind the render needed reinforcing.
ISSUE 03
3
A structural concern.
The property has relatively shallow foundations and a timber lintel above the bay window, so brick stitching bars were recommended to help stabilise the cracked front section before re-rendering.
ISSUE 04
4
A stained, tired finish.
Weathered cement render with dark staining left the front of the house looking tired.
Two options, one clear choice. We offered partial removal around the affected areas or a full strip of the front elevation. The homeowner chose the full strip to provide a sound, uniform base for the new silicone system.
The Solution: Full Render Removal, Brick Stitching and Silicone Render
We removed all existing render from the front elevation, fitted brick stitching bars around the visible cracks and installed a complete reinforced silicone rendering system in a clean white finish. Brick stitching bars are stainless steel bars set into mortar joints across cracks to help tie the brickwork back together and improve stability.
We finished the elevation in a silicone render system because it is breathable, allowing moisture to escape rather than trapping it in the wall; flexible, helping to resist hairline cracking as the building naturally moves; self-cleaning, with a water-repellent surface that sheds dirt and rain; and through-coloured, so it retains its finish without repainting. The alkali-resistant reinforcement mesh strengthens the render across the elevation and helps reduce the risk of future cracking.
WHAT WAS INCLUDED
1
Complete removal of the existing 20-year-old cement render from the front elevation
2
Three 1m stitching bars above the top window, two brick courses apart
3
Three 1m stitching bars between the top and bottom windows, two courses apart, either side of the crack
4
Edge strip behind the central downpipe to separate the finish from the neighbouring property
5
Base coat, alkali-resistant reinforcement mesh, primer and white silicone finish coat
6
New roof fascia works
7
Scaffolding, skip hire and waste removal arranged by our team
8
10-Year Workmanship Warranty
BRICK STITCHING BAR LAYOUT
Before work began, we marked up the proposed stitching bar positions on a photograph so the homeowner could see the plan: three bars above the top window and three between the windows, each 1m long and two courses apart. Final positions were confirmed on site.
The Process, Step by Step
Every AWP project follows the same sequence, so homeowners know exactly what is happening on site and when.
STEP 01
1
Project booked.
The homeowner selected the full-strip option. We agreed the plan, payment stages and start date.
STEP 02
2
Scaffolding erected.
Scaffolding provided safe, full access to the front elevation.
STEP 03
3
Render removal.
Old damaged render was stripped and waste cleared into a skip.
STEP 04
4
Stitching bars and repairs.
Six 1m stitching bars were fitted across the cracks and the downpipe edge strip installed.
STEP 05
5
Silicone render applied.
Base coat, reinforcement mesh, primer and silicone finish coat were applied.
STEP 06
6
Fascia and completion.
New fascia works were completed, the site cleaned and scaffolding removed.
Before and After
Stained, cracked 20-year-old render replaced by a clean, uniform white silicone finish.
BEFORE
Weathered cement render with dark staining and cracking between the windows.
AFTER
Clean white silicone render across the front elevation, with new fascia.
The Result
The front of the house now has a smart, uniform, weather-resistant white silicone finish. The stained, cracked 20-year-old render has gone, the cracked brickwork has been reinforced, and the fresh render finishes neatly at the neighbouring property. The original black decorative detailing and window frames stand out against the new white finish.
✓
A uniform finish. One clean, white silicone render across the whole front elevation, replacing the stained and patchy old render.
✓
Stabilised brickwork. Six stitching bars now help tie the cracked front section of brickwork back together.
✓
Crack-resistant. The mesh-reinforced base coat helps reduce the risk of future cracking.
✓
Low maintenance. Through-coloured silicone render retains its finish without repainting and sheds dirt with the rain.
✓
A neat junction. The edge strip behind the central downpipe gives a clean finish at the neighbouring property.
✓
Protected. Covered by our 10-year workmanship warranty and the manufacturer’s product warranty.
WHY CHOOSE US
Why Homeowners Choose Advanced Wall Protection
AWP Ltd is a specialist external rendering, wall coatings and insulation contractor. Rendering is not a sideline for us — it is all we do, which is why our finishes and our detailing hold up.
Specialist Expertise
A dedicated team focused on silicone rendering, render removal and wall insulation.
5-Star Rated on Google
Trusted by homeowners across Leicester and the Midlands.
10-Year Workmanship Warranty
Every installation is covered by our 10-year workmanship warranty, and the products we use carry their manufacturer’s own warranty.
Fixed, Written Quotations
Clear written quotations with no hidden extras.
Full Project Service
Scaffolding, skip hire and waste removal arranged by our team.
Free, No-Obligation Survey
Expert advice and a detailed quotation for your project.
GoogleReviews★★★★★
RATED 5.0 OUT OF 5 ON GOOGLE
What Our Customers Say
“
“Before and after photos. Did a great job which included removing loose and damaged render, new fascia, brick stitching bars and edging trim between properties. Very friendly and good communication throughout.”
Niki WHomeowner, Hall Green, Birmingham
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cracked render be repaired, or does it need removing?
It depends on how widespread the damage is and how well the render is bonded. Small isolated cracks can sometimes be repaired, but where render is loose or damaged across large areas, removing it back to the brickwork gives the new system a sound base. On this project the homeowner chose to strip the whole front elevation.
What are brick stitching bars?
Brick stitching bars are stainless steel bars set into mortar joints across cracks to help tie the brickwork back together and improve stability. The underlying cause of significant structural movement should always be assessed separately.
Do I need a skip for render removal?
For small patch removals, waste can sometimes be taken away in a van. When a whole elevation is stripped, a skip is normally required. We arranged one for this project.
How long does a silicone render project take?
A typical semi-detached front elevation usually takes around a week, depending on weather and preparation work. This project was completed within a week of the render team starting.
Does Advanced Wall Protection cover Birmingham?
Yes. We provide silicone rendering, render removal and external wall insulation across Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, Northampton, Derby, Coventry and the wider Midlands.
Thinking about rendering or render removal for your home?
Whether your render is loose, cracked or stained, or the brickwork behind it has started to crack, the survey and quotation are free and there is no obligation.
Call 07541 268 541 · Email contact@advancedwallprotection.co.uk · advancedwallprotection.co.uk
Advanced Wall Protection Ltd – Specialists in exterior home renovation and protection through professional silicone rendering, external wall insulation and protective wall coating systems. Proudly serving Leicester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Derby, Northampton, Coventry and the wider Midlands. Explore our Birmingham rendering services, silicone rendering, render removal and rendering cost calculator.