How to render a brick garden bed?

[Samc1234]

I have built a brick garden bed; I am wanting to have a render finish. I am wondering what tools I need and supplies? I have also seen people put steel cornering around the edges what is the benefit of this?

Thanks, 

Sam

[JacobZ]

Hi @Samc1234,

Rendering a brick garden bed is a great way to give it a smooth, modern finish while also adding protection to the brickwork. The process itself isn’t too complicated, but having the right tools and materials will make the job cleaner and easier.

For tools, you’ll need a hawk (to hold the render), a trowel (to apply it), a float or sponge float(for smoothing and finishing), a straight edge like a spirit level or long piece of aluminium (to level the surface), and a bucket for mixing and transferring. 

A good quality mixing bucket with handles, like this Ezy Storage 60L Assorted Colour Round Flexi Storage Tubs and a drill with a paddle mixer attachment can also save a lot of effort compared to mixing by hand.

In terms of supplies, you’ll need premixed render such as this Dunlop 20kg Multipurpose Acrylic Render. If you want a finer finish, you can also use a topcoat such as this Dunlop 20kg Fine Coat Render over the top.

The steel render beads that you’ve seen are especially useful for garden beds and other projects with external corners. They reinforce the edges, making them straighter and much more resistant to chips and knocks. Without them, corners are vulnerable and can crumble or wear down more quickly. They also make it easier to achieve a crisp, professional-looking line at the edges, which really lifts the overall finish.

Check out How To Render and How To Render Corners for some guidance on the process.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[Samc1234]

Thank you can render beads be cureved for curved edge?

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Samc1234,

An archway bead can be used for a curved edge.

Mitchell

[Samc1234]

thank you, do I need render adhesive? and how would I install the render beads?

[JacobZ]

Hi @Samc1234,

Applying a primer such as Davco Ultraprime Surface Primer to the surface of the bricks is going to be worthwhile. This will help to prepare the surface and create a key for the render to bond to.

Render beads are just pressed into the render while it is still wet. You can see an example of this in How To Render Corners. To bend the archway bead around the bend, you would make a series of relief cuts along the perforated leg of the bead using some aviation snips. This will allow you to bend the bead around the curve to create that sharp edge you are looking for.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[Samc1234]

Thanks Jacob, 

Trying to cut down on costs is the primer necessary?

Do I need to add a primer or finishing coat after rendering?

In addition, I would like to glue the render beads on before using a bonding agent, what bonding agent could I use? Would I use something like selleys construction glue?

I have also seen the benefits of using plastic beads, we are not near the coast, but would plastic beads be suitable or are there any major cons with them? I would still use the metal archway beads for the rounded corners. 

Thank you again for all your help

[JacobZ]

Hi @Samc1234,

A primer isn’t always essential, especially on fresh or clean brickwork with a decent key, but it does help the render bond more consistently and can reduce issues like patchiness or premature flaking. If you’re trying to cut costs, you could skip it if the bricks are sound, rough-textured, and free of dust or paint, but applying a primer or bonding agent will almost always improve durability. 

A finish coat render isn’t strictly necessary unless you want extra protection or a smoother look. Standard render, well-applied, can be left as-is. I would, however, suggest using a sealing primer such as British Paints White 4 In 1 Prep Water Based Primer Sealer Undercoat before painting as paint doesn't bond well to powdery surfaces such as render.

I generally wouldn't recommend using an adhesive as opposed to render because the bead should be fully encapsulated in the render, which isn't achievable if it is glued to the surface before application. In saying this, if you absolutely had to, I would be more inclined to use a contact adhesive like this Sika Sikabond Sprayfix Contact Adhesive.

Plastic beads would be fine, but the downside to them is that they aren't quite as strong as metal beads. If you were to use something like a whipper snipper up against the corners, they are more likely to dent and become damaged than metal. The choice is yours, but metal is going to be more durable.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob