In short
- Merrow's housing is mainly interwar, post-war and 1960s semis, detached houses and bungalows.
- Pebbledash and painted render are common, and many owners are moving to through-coloured silicone.
- Bushy Hill includes post-war housing where external wall insulation may be worth considering.
- Homes on the slopes toward Merrow Downs take more weather on exposed elevations.
Merrow's homes
Merrow grew outwards from the old village along the Epsom Road. Most houses date from the 1920s to the 1970s: interwar semis with bays, post-war semis and terraces, 1960s detached houses and a good number of bungalows. The Bushy Hill estate was built after the war and includes housing types where external wall insulation can transform comfort.
What Merrow owners usually want
- Pebbledash replaced or covered with smooth white or light grey silicone.
- Painted render replaced with a through-coloured finish to stop the repainting cycle.
- Extensions rendered so the whole house reads as one.
- Algae-stained render cleaned on shaded elevations near the Downs.
Exposure on the Downs side
Properties higher up toward Merrow Downs and Newlands Corner get more wind and rain, particularly on south-west facing walls. Specify sills with good drips and allow for exposure in the base coat.
Planning
Guildford Borough Council currently handles planning here. Surrey's district and borough councils are being replaced by new unitary councils, so check which authority handles planning at the time you apply. Land to the east rises into the Surrey Hills National Landscape; check whether your property falls inside it before rendering an unrendered house.
Questions people ask
Is Merrow in the Surrey Hills?
Much of the housing is not, but the land toward Merrow Downs and Newlands Corner is. Check the boundary for your address before rendering brick for the first time.
What does a Merrow semi cost to render?
A typical three-bed semi with around 100 m² of wall is commonly £7,000 to £11,000 in silicone including scaffolding, depending on preparation.