Silicone vs. Sand & Cement: Why Ludlow Homeowners Are Upgrading

Sand & Cement: It dries hard and brittle. Shropshire weather fluctuates wildly—freezing in winter, hot in summer. When your house bricks expand and contract with the heat, the rigid cement cannot move with them. Result: It cracks.

Silicone Render: It contains plastic polymers that make it flexible. It acts like a "skin" that stretches with your building.

The Winner: Silicone Render (It handles movement without cracking).

Sand & Cement: Often traps moisture behind the wall. If rain gets into a crack, it can't evaporate out, leading to "blown" patches and damp inside your home.

Silicone Render: It is vapour-permeable. It stops rain getting in (hydrophobic) but allows moisture from inside the house to escape as water vapour. It lets your house "breathe."

The Winner: Silicone Render (Keeps damp at bay).

Sand & Cement: It is absorbent. It sucks up dirt and algae, turning grey or green within a few years. You have to paint it every 5-10 years to keep it looking good.

Silicone Render: It is "Self-Cleaning." The surface repels water, so when it rains, the dirt washes off. Plus, the colour is mixed into the render, so it never needs painting.

The Winner: Silicone Render (Zero maintenance).