How to render blue board

If you’re looking to save money and want to learn how to render blue board yourself, then there’s a few things you’ll need to know. For larger, trickier jobs, you might prefer to get help from a professional.

In this DIY blue board installation guide, we explore:

• What is blue board
• What tools you need when rendering blue board
• How to prepare for the job
• DIY steps for your rendering project
• Hiring a renderer, and more.

Want to find a local renderer in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide?

What is blue board?

Blueboard is a type of plasterboard sheet or drywall that is used as a form of external wall cladding, and is made to be coated with an acrylic or polymer render. This gives a beautiful rendered finish without the expense of masonry. Blueboard sheeting come in a range of sizes to suit your project, from external cladding material to fences and feature walls.

What is blue board made of?

Blueboard cladding is made from a core layer of gypsum sandwiched between two sheets of thick paper. Blueboard thickness is usually about 7.5mm. The blue colour of the paper is where it gets its name from, and is used to ensure the render will stick to the board. Installing blue board is a simple and quick process because of its lightweight material.

What is blue board used for?

Builders use blueboard for lining external walls buildings as a form of cladding. It’s quick and easy to nail or fix to steel and timber frames, and it adds structural support to the building. Coated in layers of thick paper, blue board is not waterproof until it has been rendered.

What tools do I need for a blue board render job?

If you’re ready to give DIY rendering a go, you’ll need a few tools first. Here are some items you will likely need to render a blueboard wall:

• Metal and wooden trowel
• Plastic float
• Tape measure
• Sponge
• Hammer
• Square edge
• Masking tape
• Brushes
• Bucket
• Shovel
• Wheelbarrow (to mix in)
• Water

Don’t forget, protective clothing should be worn as well, and this includes face mask, goggles, gloves and appropriate footwear. It’s important to protect your eyes and skin because cement products are alkaline, which means they can burn.

Want to find a local renderer in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide?

Preparation for rendering blue board

If you’re installing blue board and are about to render the wall, you’ll need to prepare a few things, such as the joints, first. If you don’t take the time with joint preparation, then you may notice cracks begin to appear later on.

You’ll need a good blue board joint compound for the job and an alkaline resistant fibreglass mesh to cover the joints and prevent cracking. Be sure to get the right render for blueboard, which is usually a polymer or acrylic render.

Here is a list of materials you will need to render blue board:

• Bags of render
• Cement oxide (to colour your mix if you want)
• Black plastic sheeting (for covering areas you don’t want render to spill on)
• 50mm fibreglass tape
• Adhesive
• Moulded corner beading

You might like: How much does house rendering cost?

5 simple steps for DIY rendering blue board

Let’s look at how to render blueboard yourself. Your blue board sheets are installed and the seams are flush and have been taped. Next, you’ll need to make sure the blue board render is applied correctly. It’s a good idea to finish your rendering job in the morning before the area will be exposed to full sun.

To render blue board yourself, follow these five DIY steps:

1. Apply the render with a metal trowel. Ensure you start from the bottom of the surface that you need rendered, and move your trowel upwards, pushing gently from left to right. This will give you a flat and even finish. Move up and across the surface with long, even spreading motions to get the right thickness and smoothness.
2. For a perfectly smooth result, use the float and move it in a circular motion over the surface to achieve the desired look and feel.
3. In the case that you are applying an extra layer of render to your blue board, scour the surface first so that it will stick.
4. Choose a texture or finish you want to achieve for your rendered blue board.
5. Allow the blue board render to dry for three to five days to avoid cracking.

Getting the right look

There are a number of ways you can create different textured looks for your rendered surface. Trowels or sponges can be used to produce certain effects. Some rendering products even come with textured finishes, so check your product label to find out the grain size for smooth, medium or rough textures.

Wait at least 14 days before painting the rendered surface with water-based paints, and 28 days for oil-based paints.

Now you know how to render blueboard, if you think you need help with your project, get in touch with a professional local renderer for a free quote.

What affects blue board render cost?

For a DIY rendering project, the cost will just be your own time and the materials that you use. If you decide to hire a professional to render the blue board, the cost of rendering will depend on a few factors. This includes:

• Amount of prep work needed
• Area of the job in square metres
• Number of windows on your home (windows take longer to work around).

Want to find a local renderer in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide?

Hiring a renderer and getting quotes

For large surface areas that need rendering, it’s best to call in the experts. Make sure to find out whether your local rendering service is qualified, licensed and insured to work on your home. You can also request references and to see a portfolio of their previous work.

With Yellow Pages, you can compare multiple free quotes to get the best market rates in your area. Peruse our extensive listings for a rendering service with excellent reviews and trusted service.