Smethwick sits between Birmingham and West Bromwich in Sandwell, with a dense mix of Victorian terraces around High Street, Cape Hill and Bearwood, inter-war semis towards Warley and Uplands, and post-war estates in Londonderry, Brandhall and Quinton’s edges. Many of these houses have pebble-dash, spar dash or old cement render that’s cracked, stained or blown. RCR Connections Ltd is a rendering and plastering company based in Solihull, and we render homes across Smethwick, Bearwood, Warley, Cape Hill, Londonderry and Brandhall.
Render systems we use
- Through-coloured render (K-Rend, monocouche): colour runs through, so no painting is needed.
- Silicone render: thin, flexible and water-repellent, helps walls stay cleaner.
- Sand and cement render: traditional, hard-wearing, normally painted.
- Insulated render (EWI): insulation boards with a render finish to cut heat loss.
Victorian terraces and tired render
Smethwick’s older terraces often have hard cement render that has cracked or come away, especially on gable ends and bay windows. Rain gets behind loose sections and makes the problem worse. We tap-test the walls. Sound areas can sometimes take a suitable system after preparation; hollow or loose render has to come off first, which is dusty, so windows are protected and neighbours should be told.
Solid walls and insulated render
Many pre-1930s houses here have solid brick walls with no cavity. External wall insulation with a render finish can make them noticeably warmer. It adds thickness, so sills, downpipes, gas meters and satellite dishes may need extending or moving. The wall needs to be sound and dry before insulating.
Choosing a colour
Off-whites, creams and soft greys tend to look cleaner for longer than brilliant white on busy urban streets. If your house is mid-terrace or a semi, think about how the new colour sits next to your neighbours. We can bring sample cards.
How a rendering job works
- Photos first. WhatsApp pictures of the walls to 07453 614095.
- Survey and preparation. We check cracks, damp and hollow render, then repair and prime.
- Protection and scaffold. Windows, doors and paths are masked, with scaffold where needed.
- Application. Beads, base coat and mesh where needed, then the finish coat.
- Clean-up and walk-round.
Planning in Smethwick
Smethwick is covered by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council. Re-rendering is usually permitted development, but conservation areas and listed buildings are different. Check first if you’re unsure. Render needs dry weather and temperatures above about 5°C while it cures.
Plastering inside too
We also skim, re-plaster, board and repair ceilings. See plastering in West Bromwich and Birmingham.
Areas we cover
We cover Smethwick town, Cape Hill, Bearwood, Warley, Uplands, Londonderry, Brandhall, Rood End and the edges of Quinton and Oldbury.
Get a rendering quote
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Call or WhatsApp 07453 614095 or email rcrconnectionsltd@gmail.com. See also rendering in Solihull and our K-Rend and monocouche page.