BS EN 13914-1:2016

What is BS EN 13914-1 - External rendering about?  

BS EN 13914 is a series of the European standard on requirements and recommendations for building details, design and materials considerations that discusses the selection of mixes and the application of renders and plasters. 

BS EN 13914-1 is the first part of the BS EN 13914 series of documents that specifies requirements and recommendations for the design, preparation and application of  

• Renders based on cement, lime or other mineral binders, and/or combinations thereof, masonry cement and polymer modified binder based external renderings. 
• Renders based on organic binders. 

BS EN 13914-1 includes rendering on both new and old backgrounds and the maintenance and repair of existing work.  

BS EN 13914-1 gives guidance on the use of the established site, factory and semi-finished factory-made renders. 

Note: BS EN 13914-1 does not cover the following 

• The use and application of special renders for liquid retaining structures, e.g., coatings, and for backgrounds to cladding systems 
• The structural repair of concrete 
• The installation of external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS) 
• The specification and use of sealants used to seal joints for use with rendering; e) the use of gypsum-based renders used externally, but their use may be permitted in some countries 
• Renders on historical monuments or buildings in protected areas which may be regulated by national codes 
• The design and installation of flashings at windowsills and elsewhere 

Who is BS EN 13914-1 - External rendering for? 

BS EN 13914-1 on rendering is useful for: 

• Builders 
• Architects 
• Interior designers 
• Manufacturers of renders and plasters
• Manufacturers of binders, cement and limes 

Why should you use BS EN 13914-1 - External rendering?  

External render is a coating applied to the walls of a building, to provide a protective coating that would prevent rain penetration. 

BS EN 13914-1 specifies the essential principles and building programme in the preparation of rendering and plastering. 

BS EN 13914-1 introduces the types of render and material requirements of factory-made and semi-finished factory-made renders. 

BS EN 13914-1 provides the requirements on materials used for site-made renders, for reinforcement, carrier and beads, and for screwed, plugs and anchors fixing. 

BS EN 13914-1 describes the factors affecting the design of the rendering system and the background characteristics when designing a rendering system as well as provides the summary of the measures to rendering on to various types of backgrounds. 

BS EN 13914-1 gives general advice on the work on-site, preparation and application of renderings. 

BS EN 13914-1 gives recommendations for the maintenance and non-structural repair of new and older render, where the render and building structures are made of materials and techniques that are similar to those used in current construction. 

Overall, BS EN 13914-1 walks you through the manufacturing and fabrication of rendering to protect the bricks or blocks from which the building is built and to offer a decorative finish to enhance the appearance of a building. Rendering makes your wall more durable by making it water repellent. 

As a result, good maintenance of the wall covering is necessary to avoid cracking and dampness penetration through the render and into the house.