Matching render on new extension

[Artyjools]

We are building a first floor extension on top of an existing one, which was probably built in the 1970s. We are having all sorts of problems, but the most recent one is about the rendering. The plasterer is now rendering the external walls, but has told me that he cannot match the existing render. In fact, he doesn't know how the existing render has been created, This means a textured render at the bottom and a smooth render, or a different type of textured render at the top. We think that will look pretty bad, but we are wondering whether the paint job on top can be used to make it all look more similar.

Has anyone had to deal with this sort of problem?

Not had that problem as all smooth plaster on this house. Can you get him to plaster over the bottom half so it's all smooth?

We had exactly the same issue so the builder just re-rendered the old surface so that it was the same as the new (as SquirtedPerfume suggested!)

Hmmm, we've just had an issue with ours. Not the usual textured render (stippling?). They sprayed something on to match called...Cullamix Tyrolean, a coloured cement finish.

Smooth render is much nicer than textured. I'd get the old stuff re-rendered so it's the same as the new stuff (in fact that is exactly what we did when we had an extension!)

Thank you Halfbaby & Squirted. Did your builders have to chip all the old plaster off before rerendering? My understanding is that he can't just skim over the top of the old plaster.

Rationalbrain, I have just found out about the tyrolean option. We would have to go over both.

The issue with both of those options is cost. It is a big extension and other areas of the extension/ renovation have taken the total cost way over what we were expecting. We were wondering whether very thick paint would mask the difference.

We, and other people nearby, have had our houses re-rendered without having the first layer scraped off. It was a very rough render though, don't know whether that makes a difference.

Not knowing your exact situation obviously, but does your builder not want to plaster over as opposed to not being able to? If its older rendering (like 1940) I can see that he might not want to as if it starts to chip off underneath he is liable to replace the new on the top iyswim.
I've not heard of not rendering over to change texture tbh.

As others ^ said if you can get the coloured cement finish its much more cost effective if it saves you painting the house every year. Mine is painted white, and I regret not having it done as its hassle and an additional cost every year.

You repaint your house every year?! We had ours painted 3 years ago and it still looks like it was done yesterday.

Mrs I live in Northern Ireland. Its wet. The house is bordered by trees, and it goes green.
Maybe I should get it painted green and be done with it.

And I like in famously dry East Anglia - explains the difference!

A house near us has actually just been painted green - it's so bright than the colour is actually reflected in the windows of the nearby houses and the whole area kinds of glows!