When refurbishment works began at the Waterside Shopping Centre in Lincoln, the objective was straightforward yet ambitious: restore confidence in a tired retail destination by transforming its external appearance. Renderplas PVCu render beads feature there…
Years of exposure had left the rendered facades suffering from widespread crazing, cracking and chipping. Large sections had deteriorated beyond repair, giving the building a dated and uninviting appearance. For a city-centre development seeking to attract new visitors, retailers and hospitality operators, the condition of the exterior no longer reflected its potential.
In 2019, a comprehensive programme of refurbishment commenced to revitalise the elevations. Approximately 1,100m² of failed render was removed and replaced with weberpral M monocouche render, chosen for its durability and consistent through-colour finish. The system was complemented by PVCu render beads from Renderplas.
High-quality Renderplas finish
Principal contractor Barwin, a specialist in façade restoration and refurbishment with more than 30 years of experience, understood that achieving a high-quality render finish depends on more than the render itself. The detailing defines the finished appearance.
More than 2,500 linear metres of render beads were required across the project, including bellcast beads, stop beads, corner beads and movement joint beads. These components would determine the straightness of lines, the sharpness of corners and the long-term durability of vulnerable edges.
Although Renderplas PVCu beads were not included in the original specification, Barwin made the deliberate decision to use them based on previous experience and confidence in their performance. Inferior beads can distort during installation, corrode over time and compromise the crispness of architectural detailing. On a prominent retail redevelopment, those risks were simply unacceptable.
Martin Hill, Senior Estimator at Barwin, explains: “Renderplas beads complement the quality finish of the render really well. It was a no-brainer to use them. They are readily available and don’t distort or fall apart. They also remain dead straight and give a perfect, crisp finish.”
Eliminating costly rectification
His comments reflect a challenge familiar to many façade refurbishment projects. Contractors are frequently required to rectify problems caused by substandard beads that have warped, cracked or rusted, resulting in uneven lines, rust staining and premature render failure.
By contrast, Renderplas PVCu beads are engineered to remain straight and dimensionally stable while providing sufficient flexibility for efficient installation. Their corrosion-proof composition eliminates the risk of rust staining, while their structural integrity supports clean movement detailing and long-term façade performance.
Importantly, Renderplas external render beads are fully BBA certified and backed by a 25-year guarantee, or the lifetime of the render system. This provides specifiers, contractors and building owners with confidence that the detailing will continue to perform without costly maintenance or premature replacement.
Built to last
Today, the completed façades provide a bright, contemporary backdrop to a revitalised retail and leisure destination. Crisp corners, clean edges and consistent detailing enhance the monocouche finish, creating a cohesive architectural appearance that complements the centre’s new mix of shops, restaurants and bars.
The refurbishment also demonstrates an important principle of façade construction: long-term quality is determined by informed material choices. By selecting Renderplas PVCu beads, despite them not being specified originally, Barwin ensured the renewed render system would not only achieve an excellent finish on completion but continue to perform reliably for decades.
Delivered across five carefully planned phases, the project was completed in just five months – one month ahead of the original six-month programme – highlighting the benefits of effective planning, quality materials and experienced site management.
In external rendering, the details matter. When corners are straight, movement is properly accommodated and vulnerable edges are protected, the entire façade benefits. Renderplas continues to supply the construction industry with durable, BBA-certified PVCu render beads that deliver crisp architectural detailing and dependable long-term performance, ensuring that on projects like Waterside, corners are finished precisely – and never cut.
