Exterior textures

Pebbledash is similar to Roughcast but contains pebbles instead. Check that the pebbles are adhering tightly by brushing off until there is no loose aggregate left on the wall. Very deep pebbledash profiles can cause excessive paint application in the 'valleys', leading to 'mud cracking' of emulsion type paints.

Roughcast sometimes called harling is a render applied to exterior walls in which a final coat of mortar containing stone chippings is thrown against the surface. These chippings then remain fixed in the render giving a textured surface.

Tyrolean is a self-coloured exterior plaster or render which is applied by a hand-operated machine. It gives a rough textured surface which has good resistance to rain penetration and the effects of weathering generally. Left unpainted, it usually keeps its appearance for 10 to 12 years. After that it can go sandy and require painting. This does not always give satisfactory results due to the changes of texture, especially when the sandy patches are removed as painting does not provide an even texture, especially if the surface has serious irregularities.