How to detail the 'plinth' area below render line - block w/timber frame

[AppleDown]

Hi everyone. I'm looking at what 'budget saving' options I have for the plinth area directly below the render line. It's block with timber frame on top. The sand/cement option seems to be a slightly eye watering sum for the whole house. I had seen some examples where slate tiles were placed onto the block as an option - but can't seem to find it now (thanks Google for delisting!).

 

Any ideas or options?

[Onoff]

I think it was @Jeremy Harris who used black uPVC board?

[Nickfromwales]

3 hours ago, Onoff said:

I think it was @Jeremy Harris who used black uPVC board?

Yes, iirc he said the tunnel bunnies don't like to munch on it so much too.

[ETC]

Paint it black.

[AppleDown]

@Nickfromwales @Onoff any particular prep you can remember? Dust it all off and use something particularly sticky I assume?

[Big Jimbo]

Sticks like shit, is very good IMO

[Iceverge]

Might be less work than you think.

 

2 plasterers did ours (48m) in about an hour and a half. 

[Big Jimbo]

I stuck PVC to brick with the above about 15 years ago. Still there.

[Big Jimbo]

I did a block plinth several years ago. Used sharp sand and cement with a load of water proofer in the mix. Used a sponge to finish it off. Quite enjoyed it to be honest. painted it black when dry. It lasted at least 10 years, till i sold the place. The old PVC ain't cheap, and you can see ripples if the chucked up blockwork is a bit iffy.

[Bramco]

We used aluminum composite panels to clad the base of the insulated slab, i.e. the outside face of the insulation - looks very good and doesn't wrinkle of course.

There are some parts (where the patio extends out from the slab base) where the outside face is blockwork - just painting this hasn't been very successful, efflorescence and peeling, cracking paint, so the sand/cement idea might be an option for this.