Rendering vs Keeping Face Brick: What Perth Homeowners Need to Know

The dilemma of choosing between retaining face brick and home rendering in Perth is one of the most popular issues for homeowners, regardless of whether you want to renovate an old double-brick building or you have to make your decision regarding a new construction. The decision about whether to render face brick will depend on the following three aspects: the budget of the homeowner, the age of the building, and the period of time you intend to live there. There is no universal solution for all houses in Perth, but this guide will help you choose with all relevant details.

Should You Render or Keep Face Brick in Perth?

If you prefer to have a maintenance-free house that won’t depreciate in value through regular maintenance, then face brick is definitely a better choice. However, if you are on the lookout for a contemporary look and don’t mind spending money on repainting the exterior once every seven to fifteen years, then house rendering Perth is just the thing for you.

Rendering vs Keeping Face Brick: Cost Difference in Perth

In newer estates, the Perth rendering cost ranges from $32–$63 /sqm. 

 

Render Type	Price Range
Cement render	$32–$63/sqm
Acrylic render	$42–$74/sqm
Texture coat render	$47–$84/sqm
Polished / venetian plaster	$84–$190/sqm
Feature wall (indoor)	$52–$115/sqm
Whole house exterior (approx 200 sqm)	$8,400–$18,900 total
Single storey house (approx 150 sqm)	$5,800–$13,650 total
Two storey house (approx 300 sqm)	$12,600–$28,350 total

 

Face brick, by comparison, costs more at the build stage since residential bricklaying and materials are priced into the build itself, but it carries no ongoing coating expense once the home is finished. In Perth, the approximate cost of face bricks ranges from $900 to $1,000 per 1000 bricks. 

A few things affect where you’ll land on that range:

• Suburb and substrate: In newer estates like Baldivis, Ellenbrook and Piara Waters, the homes tend to be made of double bricks. As a result, these homes are quite cheap to render as they have a consistent brick substrate and easy scaffolding access.
• Home size and storeys: Single-storey homes are much faster and cheaper to scaffold and paint than two-storey houses.
• Facade complexity: Decorations such as archways, decorative walls, or ornate trim increase the time and expense.
• Render type: Acrylic lies at the cheaper end, while polymer and silicone renders cost more but last longer.

The table below sets out how face brick and rendering double brick actually compare across cost, upkeep, and resale, so you can weigh them side by side before deciding.

Factor	Face Brick	Rendered Finish
Upfront cost	No render cost, but brickwork and bricklaying labour add more to the initial build than a rendered wall system	$30 to $55 per square metre on top of the base wall, paid once during the render job
Ongoing maintenance	The face brick maintenance cost is lower because no repainting or resealing needed under normal conditions	Repaint or reseal required roughly every 7 to 15 years depending on render type and sun exposure
Typical Perth cost	Cost is absorbed into the build, not a separate line item	$7,000 to $14,000 for a standard single-storey home; up to $50,000 for double-storey or complex house facades
Damp or moisture resistance	Resists moisture well if joints and mortar are properly sealed	Acts as a protective barrier against moisture when applied correctly, particularly on older solid-wall homes
Resale perception	Matches the dominant look in most established Perth suburbs, so it rarely puts buyers off	Can modernise a dated facade, but only adds value where it matches the render style common in that suburb
Repair or patch matching	Matching old brick colour and texture can be difficult if the original batch is discontinued	New render patches blend more easily since colour can be mixed to match
Best suited to	Owners planning to stay 10+ years who want to avoid recurring facade costs	Owners planning a facade update before selling, or wanting a specific modern look now

 

Does Rendering Add or Reduce Home Value in Perth?

In some instances, rendering Perth homes will definitely improve your curb appeal by modernising your old facade. However, the effect it has on the value of your home depends on whether the look of the finish corresponds to what buyers want from their homes in your suburb. For instance, in an area dominated by Perth brick homes, a rendering finish that does not fit into the local taste could end up working against you during a sale.

Rendered Brick vs Face Brick: Which Option Handles Perth’s Climate Better?

The hot, dry summers and the high UV penetration that is common in Perth place greater stress on the render than the bricks themselves, manifesting itself in the form of hairline cracks or fading. The face brick, particularly the easy-to-care-for clay brick commonly used in new constructions, is able to withstand Perth’s weather without much effort.

How each option holds up depends largely on where in Perth you’re located:

• Coastal plain suburbs: Intense sun exposure means acrylic render fades and chalks faster, while brick facade stays largely unaffected.
• Hills suburbs (Kalamunda, Mundaring): Cooler, more humid conditions affect how brick rendering cures, sometimes extending drying times.

How Much Maintenance Do Rendered Walls vs Face Brick Need?

Once installed, face brick maintenance is not much of a hassle. Render, by contrast, will need repainting or resealing about every seven to fifteen years, and is also more susceptible to cracks due to movement of the substrate below. So, the render maintenance cost might be an issue for some homeowners. Ultimately, this boils down to whether you are comfortable putting in the time and money required for maintaining your exterior every few decades.

Can You Render Over Existing Face Bricks Later?

Indeed, in most situations. So long as your brick is intact, clean, and dry, it will be possible to have Perth bricklayers do the rendering work on top of that brick some time down the road, all without having to begin all over again.

However, what should be remembered about this is that this process is very hard to reverse because reverting from rendering to exposed brick is much more difficult and expensive. In case there is any cracking, crumbling of the mortar, or damage to the brick wall, a brick restoration job beforehand will get the surface ready for rendering to bond properly. 

What Should Influence Your Final Decision?

You need to consider some practical considerations beyond merely personal preference:

• Planned length of ownership: Long-term possession works well with face brick due to its minimal maintenance requirement, but short-term possession could benefit from the fresh appearance of render.
• Budget shape: Consider whether you’d rather pay more upfront or spread costs out over years of maintenance.
• Suburb norms: Think about what local house buyers would want.
• Home age and substrate condition: In older homes with solid walls, rendering will provide extra protection against dampness. You can also contact Perth plastering contractors to understand what to do. 
• Risk tolerance: Weigh up cracking and fading on render versus brick’s own quirks like spalling over time.

FAQs:

Is rendering over brick a good idea?

Yes, rendering over bricks can work quite well in many instances, particularly if you desire a modern style or extra weather protection for an older facade. Just make sure that the bricks have been cleaned properly and are sound structurally before applying your render.

Can you render over poor brickwork?

It is not advisable since render requires a smooth and even surface to bond to. Any cracks, crumbling mortar, and loose bricks have to be sorted out first; otherwise, the render is likely to crack or fail early.

How long does render last on a Perth home?

Properly applied acrylic or texture render generally lasts between 12 and 15 years before repainting is required, whereas simple cement render will have to be touched up after 5 to 7 years in areas near the coast. Sunlight and salty air are two major factors that influence the longevity of render jobs.

Does face brick need sealing in Perth?

Sealing isn’t essential for most modern clay brick, but it does help reduce moisture absorption and salt bloom in coastal suburbs. Older or more porous brick benefits the most from a breathable sealant applied every few years.

Is it cheaper to render or repaint a brick home?

​​Painting over an existing rendered surface will always be less expensive than a complete rendering because it does not require the preliminary processes of surface preparation and priming. If you’re starting from bare face brick, though, rendering is a higher one-off cost with no equivalent repaint-only option.

Final Verdict: Which Wins for Perth Homeowners?

If you want minimal maintenance costs and high resale value, then go with face brick in Perth homes. Alternatively, if you have an urge to give your property a modern look, and you are prepared to pay for repainting, then exterior rendering is what you should opt for. Either way, getting a precise estimate from the experts at BODA Bricklaying Perth will help to make the right choice before taking any action.

Disclaimer: All costs mentioned in this blog are estimates only and may vary based on property size, condition, and contractor quotes. Please obtain a personalised quote for accurate pricing.