In short
- The finish is the texture of the final surface, set by the product's grain size and how it is worked.
- Scraped finishes are standard on monocouche; floated grains of 1–2 mm are standard on silicone.
- Finer grains look smoother but show imperfections more; coarser grains hide more and hold more dirt.
- Roughcast and pebbledash are traditional thrown finishes now mostly seen on older houses.
Common finishes
| Finish | Typical systems | Look |
|---|---|---|
| Scraped | Monocouche, K-Rend K1, weber.pral M | Flat, lightly open texture |
| Floated 1 mm grain | Silicone, acrylic | Fine, near-smooth |
| Floated 1.5 mm grain | Silicone, acrylic | Fine sandpaper texture, most common |
| Floated 2 mm grain | Silicone, acrylic | Visible texture, hides more |
| Roughcast (wet dash) | Traditional | Coarse, aggregate mixed in |
| Pebbledash (dry dash) | Traditional | Stones thrown on |
| Smooth painted | Sand and cement | Smooth, painted |
Grain size and how it ages
Finer grains give a crisp modern look but reveal any unevenness in the base coat and any marks from scaffold ties. Coarser grains are more forgiving on imperfect walls but hold more dirt. For most houses, a 1.5 mm grain is a good balance.
Smooth render
Truly smooth render is harder to achieve than people expect. Thin-coat systems with fine grains come close. Sand and cement render finished smooth and painted is the traditional way, but brings repainting.
Details that finish a finish
- Straight, sharp corners from quality beads.
- Consistent reveals around windows and doors.
- Clean stop lines at the base, above the damp-proof course.
- Decorative bands, plinths or quoins in contrasting texture or colour where they suit the architecture.
Choosing a finish for your house
- 1930s semis: a smooth or fine silicone finish gives a clean, contemporary result; scraped monocouche is a cost-effective alternative.
- 1970s and 1980s houses: fine to medium silicone suits crisp modern updates.
- Period homes: lime float finishes and limewash have the right irregular character.
- Large detached homes: a consistent medium grain hides minor variations over large areas.
Texture and dirt
Coarser textures give dirt and algae more surface to hold on to. On shaded or roadside walls, a finer grain stays cleaner. On sunny, open elevations texture matters less.
Sample panels for texture as well as colour
Ask for the sample panel in the exact finish, applied by the same crew. The same product can look different in different hands, and the panel shows you what you are buying.
Questions people ask
What is a scraped render finish?
The render is allowed to firm up, then scraped with a toothed tool to remove the surface skin, exposing an even, lightly textured finish. It is standard on monocouche.
Which render finish is easiest to keep clean?
A fine or medium silicone grain. Coarse textures hold more dirt.