Render Carrier Boards: Everything You Need to Know

If you are looking for a durable, versatile and easy-to-install solution for your external wall insulation or rendering project, then you might want to consider render carrier boards. Render carrier boards are specially designed boards that provide a solid and stable surface for thin-coat render systems to be applied to.

They are made from different materials, such as cement, wood fibre, magnesium oxide or gypsum, and have various properties and benefits depending on the type and application.

In this article, we will guide you through everything you need to know about render carrier boards, including what they are, how they work, what types are available, how to choose the right one for your project, and where to buy them online.

What are render carrier boards?

Render carrier boards, also known as sheathing boards or backer boards, are flat panels that are used as a substrate for external wall insulation or rendering systems.

They are attached to the wall structure, either directly or with battens or rails, and then covered with a thin layer of render or plaster. Render carrier boards provide a smooth and even surface for the render to adhere to, as well as add strength, stability and insulation to the wall.

Render carrier boards can also be used for other purposes, such as building false walls, ceilings, partitions, cladding or flooring.

How do render carrier boards work?

Render carrier boards work by creating a rigid and moisture-resistant base for the render system. They are usually fixed to the wall structure with screws or nails, and then covered with a mesh or tape to reinforce the joints and corners.

The render system is then applied on top of the board, either directly or with an adhesive or base coat. The render system can be either a thin-coat system, which uses a thin layer of acrylic or silicone-based render, or a thick-coat system, which uses a thicker layer of cement-based render.

The render system provides the final finish and protection for the wall, as well as enhancing its appearance and performance.

What types of render carrier boards are available?

There are different types of render boards available on the market, each with its own characteristics and advantages. Some of the most common types are:

• Cement board: This is a board made from cement and sand, reinforced with fibres. It is very strong, durable and fire-resistant. It is also water-resistant and does not rot or warp when exposed to moisture. It is suitable for both thin-coat and thick-coat render systems. However, it is also heavy, brittle and hard to cut. It may also require priming before rendering.
• Cement particle board: This is a board made from cement and wood particles, bonded together with resin. It is lighter than cement board, but still strong and stable. It is also water-resistant and does not rot or warp when exposed to moisture. It is suitable for both thin-coat and thick-coat render systems. However, it may also require priming before rendering.
• Magnesium oxide board: This is a board made from magnesium oxide and other minerals, bonded together with resin. It is very light, flexible and easy to cut. It is also water-resistant and does not rot or warp when exposed to moisture. It is suitable for thin-coat render systems only. However, it may also require priming before rendering.
• Gypsum board: This is a board made from gypsum plaster and paper or fibreglass. It is very light, smooth and easy to cut. It is suitable for thin-coat render systems only. However, it is not water-resistant and may rot or warp when exposed to moisture. It may also require priming before rendering.

How to choose the right render carrier board for your project?

Choosing the right render carrier board for your project depends on several factors, such as:

• The type of wall structure: Different types of wall structures may require different types of render carrier boards. For example, timber frame walls may need lighter and more flexible boards than masonry walls.
• The type of render system: Different types of render systems may require different types of render carrier boards. For example, thin-coat systems may need smoother and more even boards than thick-coat systems.
• The performance requirements: Different performance requirements may require different types of render carrier boards. For example, fire resistance may need cement-based boards than gypsum-based boards.
• The budget: Different types of render carrier boards may have different costs. For example, cement-based boards may be more expensive than gypsum-based boards.

To help you choose the right render carrier board for your project, you can consult the manufacturer’s specifications and recommendations for each type of board.

Where to buy render carrier boards online?

If you are looking for a reliable and convenient place to buy render carrier boards online, then you might want to check out Buy Insulation Online. We are a leading online supplier of insulation and building materials, offering a wide range of products at competitive prices and fast delivery. Buy Insulation Online has a selection of high-quality render carrier boards from trusted brands, such as:

• Marmox Multiboard: This is a versatile and lightweight board made from extruded polystyrene foam, coated with fibreglass mesh and cement polymer. It is water-resistant, thermally efficient and easy to cut and install. It is suitable for thin-coat render systems only.
• Steico Duo Dry Plater Render Carrier Board: This is a high-performance and eco-friendly board made from natural wood fibre, bonded with cement. It is strong, stable and fire-resistant. It is also water-resistant and breathable, allowing moisture to escape from the wall. It is suitable for both thin-coat and thick-coat render systems.
• Steico Wood Fibre Insulation Render Carrier Boards: These are similar to the Steico Duo Dry Plater boards, but with a lower density and thickness. They are also made from natural wood fibre, bonded with cement. They are suitable for thin-coat render systems only.
• Cemblock Cemplate Fibre Cement Board: This is a robust and durable board made from cement and cellulose fibre. It is resistant to fire, water, mould and insects. It is suitable for both thin-coat and thick-coat render systems.

You can browse through the products, compare the prices and features, read the reviews and ratings, and place your order online with ease. You can also contact the customer service team for any queries or assistance. We offer next-day delivery for most products.

Conclusion

Render carrier boards are an essential component of any external wall insulation or rendering project. They provide a solid and stable base for the render system, as well as adding strength, stability and insulation to the wall.

There are different types of render carrier boards available, each with its own characteristics and advantages. Choosing the right render carrier board for your project depends on several factors, such as the type of wall structure, the type of render system, the performance requirements and the budget.

You can find a wide range of render carrier boards online at Buy Insulation Online, a leading online supplier of insulation and building materials. We offer high-quality products at competitive prices and fast delivery.

We hope this article has helped you learn more about render carrier boards and how to choose the right one for your project. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below or contact us directly. We would love to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a render carrier board?

A: A render carrier board, also known as a cement render carrier board, is a durable backing surface primarily used as a base board for polymer modified render systems.

Q: What are render carrier boards made of?

A: Render carrier boards are typically made of cement bonded particle board or construction board.

Q: What is the thickness of a render carrier board?

A: Render carrier boards are available in different thicknesses, with common options being 12mm and 12.5mm.

Q: What are the advantages of using a render carrier board?

A: Using a render carrier board provides a high-performance and impact-resistant render base, ensuring long-lasting and durable external applications.

Q: Can render carrier boards be used for thin coat render systems?

A: Yes, render carrier boards can be used for thin coat render systems.

Q: What is the difference between STS render carrier board and Knauf Aquapanel?

A: STS render carrier boards and Knauf Aquapanel are both types of render carrier boards, but they are manufactured by different brands.

Q: Can render carrier boards be used as a direct render base?

A: Yes, render carrier boards can be used as a direct render base without the need for additional layers.

Q: Are render carrier boards suitable for external applications?

A: Yes, render carrier boards are specifically designed for external applications.

Q: What is the thickness of a render carrier board for polymer modified render systems?

A: The thickness of a render carrier board for polymer modified render systems is typically 9mm.

Q: Are render carrier boards cement-based?

A: Yes, render carrier boards are typically cement-based.