The mortar joints in the brickwork have started to crumble. There are dark moisture stains beneath the windows. The render is cracking at the corners. The facade is the first thing everyone sees — but more important than appearances is what it does: it keeps water and cold out. When the facade fails, moisture damage, heat loss and costly consequential damage follow.
Here is an overview of what facade renovation costs, and what makes most sense for your house.
Types of facade renovation and costs
Facade renovation ranges from simple maintenance to a comprehensive insulation project with new cladding. Prices are indicative including labour:
Repointing masonry: 400–900 DKK/m² The most common facade renovation in Denmark. Old mortar joints are raked out and replaced with new. The price depends on the depth of the joint and the condition of the masonry. For a typical detached house with 150 m² of facade: 60,000–135,000 DKK.
New rendered facade: 500–1,200 DKK/m² Removal of old loose render and application of new. Sand-and-cement render or sand-washed finish at the lower end, silicone resin render at the upper end. For a house with 120 m² of rendered facade: 60,000–144,000 DKK.
Cavity wall insulation: 200–400 DKK/m² Insulation material is blown into the cavity between the outer and inner leaf of the wall. Inexpensive and effective — but only possible if the cavity is empty and at least 50 mm wide. Typical price for a detached house: 20,000–50,000 DKK. Read more about insulation.
External insulation with new cladding: 1,500–3,500 DKK/m² The most comprehensive solution. Insulation batts are fixed to the outside of the existing wall and clad with brick, timber, fibre cement panels or metal panels. For a detached house with 150 m² of facade: 225,000–525,000 DKK.
Cleaning and painting: 150–400 DKK/m² For rendered or painted facades that need refreshing. Including algae treatment, repair of minor cracks and painting. For 120 m² facade: 18,000–48,000 DKK.
What affects the price?
The condition of the facade. A facade with localised cracks is faster to repair than one where the render is loose across the entire surface. Remediation of moisture damage and rot in the underlying structure can double the price.
Access. Scaffolding costs 15,000–40,000 DKK depending on the size of the house. Platforms are cheaper for short-term work, but more expensive per day on longer projects.
Material choice. New facade cladding in brick costs more than timber cladding, but also lasts longer and requires less maintenance. Slate panels and zinc are at the expensive end.
Local plan and listed status. If you live in an area with a local plan that regulates facade materials and colours, your choices may be limited. Listed buildings have specific requirements.
Window replacement at the same time. If you replace windows at the same time as the facade, you save on scaffolding and flashing work. This typically gives 10–15% overall saving.
The consequences of waiting
A neglected facade is not just a cosmetic problem:
- Moisture penetration. Crumbling mortar joints and cracks allow rainwater to penetrate the structure. This leads to moisture in walls and potentially mould.
- Frost damage. Water in cracks freezes and expands. Every winter the damage worsens.
- Heat loss. An uninsulated brick facade loses 25–35% of the house’s heat. Cavity fill or external insulation can halve this.
- Falling property value. A neglected facade lowers the valuation and deters buyers.
Which homes are most at risk?
Brick villas (1900–1940). Solid construction, but the mortar joints are typically 60–100 years old. Repointing is almost always necessary. Many have uninsulated cavity walls that can easily be filled.
Detached houses from the 1960s–70s. Often with thin brick walls and minimal insulation. Aerated concrete facades from the period can have serious frost damage. External insulation gives the greatest effect here.
Rendered houses. Render requires maintenance every 15–25 years. Silicate paint lasts longer than traditional lime wash, but is more expensive.
Houses with timber cladding. Requires painting every 6–10 years. Neglected timber is attacked by rot and fungus, and the cladding may end up needing complete replacement.
Facade renovation and energy requirements
If you undertake a major facade renovation, the Danish Building Regulations (BR18) require insulation to be brought up to current standards. When replacing facade cladding, the facade must in principle be insulated to meet current requirements (U-value max. 0.30 W/m²K) — unless this is technically or economically unreasonable.
This means that a planned facade renovation can trigger insulation obligations. Conversely, it is an opportunity: when the facade is already open, the additional cost of insulation is relatively modest.
Combine facade renovation with new windows and improved heating, and you can significantly improve your energy rating — from E or F to C or better.
What about grants?
Energy renovation of facades can in some cases be supported by energy company grant schemes. The grant amount depends on the expected energy saving and varies between companies — typically 2,000–15,000 DKK for cavity wall insulation and 5,000–25,000 DKK for external insulation.
Always apply for grants before work begins. The grant lapses if you start without prior approval. Check Sparenergi.dk for current rates.
Timeline and practicalities
Repointing a detached house typically takes 2–4 weeks. External insulation with new cladding takes 4–8 weeks. Plan work during the dry season (April–October) — damp conditions impair the result, especially for render and pointing work.
You can live in the house during the work, but scaffolding in front of windows means less daylight during that period. Coordinate with the contractors to keep windows and doors accessible.
How to move forward
Facade renovation is a major project with many choices. Start by getting clarity on what the facade actually needs — and what makes sense to combine. A professional survey of your home can save you from costly mistakes and ensure money is spent wisely.
Combine facade renovation with insulation and new windows — it gives economies of scale and a better overall result. If the roof also needs attention, our guide to new roof cost can help you assess whether it makes sense to do everything at once.
Sources: Bolius — facade renovation, BYG-ERFA — masonry joints