In short
- Acrylic render is a polymer-bound thin-coat finish applied over a meshed base coat.
- It is flexible, so it copes well with minor movement, and it holds vivid colours.
- It is less vapour-permeable than silicone and more prone to dirt pick-up, so it is less often specified on whole houses now.
- Typical 2026 installed ranges are close to silicone, from about £50 to £100 per m².
What acrylic render is
Acrylic render uses an acrylic polymer as its binder. Like silicone, it is a thin, through-coloured topcoat applied over a base coat with mesh and a primer. The polymer makes it flexible and gives a strong, consistent colour, which is why it has long been used for bold facades and on board substrates such as cement particle board and render carrier boards.
Acrylic or silicone?
| Acrylic | Silicone | |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | High | Good |
| Water vapour permeability | Lower | Higher |
| Rain shedding and dirt | Holds dirt more readily | Hydrophobic, stays cleaner |
| Strong colours | Very good | Good |
| Typical use today | Boards, feature panels, some EWI | Most whole-house work |
For most Surrey houses silicone is the safer default because it lets masonry walls dry out. Acrylic still makes sense on timber-frame render boards, small feature panels and where a manufacturer's system calls for it. Many manufacturers now sell silicone-acrylic hybrids that sit between the two.
Where acrylic is a poor choice
Avoid acrylic on solid, historic walls that need to breathe, and on walls with existing moisture problems. Trapping moisture behind a less permeable coating is how render fails from behind. See render and damp.
Costs
Published 2026 figures for thin-coat renders put acrylic at roughly £50 to £100 per m² installed, slightly below comparable silicone systems. The saving on material is small next to scaffold, preparation and labour, which is one reason silicone has become the default.
Questions people ask
Does acrylic render need painting?
No. It is through-coloured. It may need cleaning more often than silicone, particularly on shaded or roadside walls.
Can acrylic render go on a timber-framed extension?
Yes, as part of a manufacturer's render-board system with the right boards, battens, cavity and mesh. It must not be applied directly to timber.
Why do some renderers not recommend acrylic any more?
Because silicone offers better water shedding and breathability for a small extra cost, which suits UK masonry houses and weather better.