Yes, yes, yes! Also agree with the above comment, the bagged finish is also cheaper. If you like the smoother finish, then a sponge finish is what you are looking for. Would love to see some after photos!

Thanks all for your comments. We have seriously considered just painting due to cost, I'll take a look at Three Birds now.

Do you have drainage issues following a heavy rain? It looks as though all water would be directed to the front of the home.

The problem that I see is not so much the home itself. The garden is completely letting the home down. It does nothing for the street appeal at all.

If you render, and you have drainage problems, you are going to considerably aggravate any moisture problems that you may have with rising damp. You need to allow the bricks to breathe and rendering will effectively stop this.

Rendering is also becoming really dated - and rightly so. In my opinion it should be discouraged at all times.

There's a drain a the bottom of the driveway which runs underground and right down to the rear of the property- no pooling water and garage remains dry. We are definitely planning on landscaping the front. New stairs down to the front gate- as wide as the arch to make for a much nicer entrance. New retained garden beds either side, with tropical planting to match the backyard. Grass to the verge. Timandra- what do you think about painting the brick? Will it still allow it to breathe?

Thanks all for your comments.

It would be interesting to see your home without the garden in front. Your home could have quite a lot of quirky, as in different, character which you need to retain. But this is my opinion only.

Rendering to me is now so commonplace. Buildings have lost a lot of natural character because they have been shuttered out. It becomes a fad, and I'm not a fan of fads.

Your home is different so maximise that difference.

The brick is beautiful. Take a closer look. Its the paint choices that are ruining the look. Rethink your garden too to really bring out the brick's magic. I bet there are tones of ochre, warm pinks, blues etc. And have you run your hand over the bricks and felt their earthy texture that can work to store and transmit thermal mass for your citrus etc.

Render or paint is an application of an acrylic or petrochemical based surfacing, and cement that is hungry for resources in its making. There are some bricks, very few, that don't make the aesthetic grade but make sure yours are definitely in that category before taking this irrevocable step.

Dont do it. It will have to be painted in years to come, meantime it attracts mould and moss on the shady damp areas. Moreover, rendering is a passing fad, stick with yr classic brick. If you wants to modernize yr look paint your window trims etc with a striking colour. Eazier and cheaper to do and eazily changed

The srong colours are very effective against the blond brick. Well done!

keep the brick, repaint trims and garage door as others suggest. spend the money on sandstone paving over existing concrete path. The sandstone with tie in nicely with the brick colour on the entry arch. cool house! keep the plant to the left (b/w arch and garage) - it has great form!

I agree with the bagged comment above. I think the texture of bagged render would suit the era of this property well.

Maintain distinctiveness, history. Accent in other ways.

It will bring this house to life by rendering.