Clay brick
Fired clay masonry, including existing brick façades.
What to check
Check mortar, surface soundness, moisture, coatings and movement joints.
The wall. The system.
The finished look.
Three separate choices. A cement basecoat and an acrylic texture can be part of the same specified system.
Use as my preference →
Concrete block
Masonry blocks used in new walls and renovations.
What to check
Confirm wall condition, joints and the selected render’s preparation requirements.
In-situ concrete
Concrete poured and cured on site.
What to check
Form oils, smooth surfaces, moisture and adhesion need assessment.
Precast / tilt-up concrete
Factory-cast or site-cast panels lifted into place.
What to check
Identify panel joints, surface treatments and any manufacturer coating requirements.
AAC / Hebel blocks
Autoclaved aerated concrete blockwork.
What to check
Use a compatible AAC system with the required preparation and reinforcement.
AAC / Hebel panels
AAC wall panels rather than masonry blocks.
What to check
Identify the panel system and joint details before specifying the coating.
Fibre-cement texture base sheet / blueboard
A fibre-cement sheet designed to receive an appropriate texture system.
What to check
Confirm the exact sheet and current jointing, reinforcement and coating specification.
Other fibre-cement cladding
Other fibre-cement products with different surface or joint details.
What to check
Do not assume every cladding sheet can receive the same render system.
Dincel / PVC permanent formwork
Permanent PVC formwork filled with concrete.
What to check
Identify the exact product and its approved coating preparation and system.
EPS / XPS insulated render system
Insulated foam panels within a specified reinforced render assembly.
What to check
Basecoat, reinforcement, trims and finish must match the approved assembly.
Existing render / textured coating
A wall already carrying render or a textured surface.
What to check
Check adhesion, hollow areas, cracks and compatibility before covering it.
Painted or sealed masonry
Masonry with paint, a sealer or another existing coating.
What to check
Surface preparation and adhesion testing determine whether coatings can remain.
Interior plasterboard
Interior plasterboard for a specialist decorative enquiry.
What to check
Confirm the board, room conditions and compatible interior finish. Exterior products are not automatically suitable.
Natural / heritage masonry or earth
Natural stone, traditional masonry or earth-based walls.
What to check
Specialist assessment is needed. Do not choose a coating without considering the existing wall and moisture behaviour.
Mixed materials / not sure
Choose this when the wall type is uncertain or changes across the project.
What to check
Send close-up and wide photographs; the team will help identify the surfaces.
Traditional sand-and-cement
A site-mixed render approach for suitable masonry, with the mix, preparation and finish selected for the wall and project.
What to check
The condition and absorbency of the wall, coat thickness, curing and intended paint or texture finish all need to be agreed. Do not assume a site mix has the same curing requirements as a proprietary pre-blended render.
Preblended cement render
A factory pre-blended cement render that provides a base for compatible acrylic textures and paint systems.
What to check
Preparation, curing and overcoating must follow the current technical data sheet. The wall material matters: a masonry render should not be assumed suitable for fibre cement or foam panels.
Polymer-modified cement render
A pre-blended polymer-modified cement render used within specified coating systems.
What to check
ROCKCOTE specifies PM100 within its Reinforced Render system for expanded and extruded polystyrene. The linked technical data sheet excludes fibre cement sheeting; it is not a universal lightweight-wall render.
High-build / repair basecoat
Specialist products can rebuild selected low areas, level uneven walls and prepare local repairs before the final finish.
What to check
Identify loose material, moisture and the cause of cracking first. Required depth and substrate determine the product and layering; adding a thick coat is not a structural repair.
Acrylic render / texture coating
Acrylic finishes provide the final appearance within a compatible render system. Cerano is a premixed, tintable option made with 100% acrylic polymers for a smooth finish.
What to check
Confirm whether the brief calls for a smooth Cerano finish or a granular texture. The base, primer and any protective coats are part of the selection.
Reinforced lightweight-wall system
A lightweight rendered wall needs a coordinated substrate, jointing, framing and coating specification. Cemintel Texture Base Sheet is a 7.5 mm fibre cement substrate designed for externally textured walls.
What to check
The sheet is one component. Joint treatment, reinforcement, movement details, flashings and coating selection must follow the relevant proprietary system.
Lime render / plaster
Lime plaster offers natural tonal variation and a range of hand-worked finishes. ROCKCOTE Lime Plaster is listed for both interior and exterior applications.
What to check
Discuss the changing patina, sample finish and maintenance expectations. The manufacturer notes temporary colour deepening when this lime finish takes up moisture. Confirm the exact product: Lime Plaster Basecote has a different intended use.
Clay / earthen plaster
ROCKCOTE Earthen Render Coarse is a clay-based render with a richly textured, rustic appearance, designed exclusively for internal use.
What to check
This is an internal-only product. Agree the sample, level of texture and any compatible finishing treatment before installation.
Microcement / decorative microtopping
ROCKCOTE MicroStone is a two-part decorative microcement finish for a continuous, stone-like appearance on suitable prepared surfaces.
What to check
The complete system includes preparation and compatible protective finishes. Wet areas and other demanding uses require the correct specification; agree the finished sample and maintenance before proceeding.
Recommend after assessment
Start with the result you want and let the team assess a suitable system.
What to check
Share wall photos, the existing surface and your preferred finish. The final recommendation depends on the property assessment.
Smooth / fine trowel
A refined appearance with a fine trowelled surface.
What to check
Review a physical sample; flatness, light and the basecoat affect the result.
Fine sand / sponge
Fine grain and a subtle sand or sponge appearance.
What to check
Confirm grain size, the product and the sample under natural light.
Medium sand texture
A visible, medium-grain texture.
What to check
Agree the sample and consistent application across whole elevations.
Coarse / heavy texture
A stronger grain or heavily textured appearance.
What to check
Discuss detailing, edges and the intended cleaning or maintenance approach.
Float / sponge-finished cement
A float or sponge finish to a suitable cementitious render.
What to check
Confirm curing and whether a separate protective or decorative coating is included.
Concrete-look / mottled trowel
A hand-worked, concrete-inspired decorative appearance.
What to check
Specialist availability, substrate, samples and any sealer must be confirmed.
Rustic / sandstone-style
A rustic or sandstone-inspired decorative texture.
What to check
Confirm what can be achieved with the specified product; samples are essential.
Brushed / limewash-style patina
A brushed decorative effect or limewash-inspired variation.
What to check
Confirm whether the effect is a coating or part of a separate specialist system.
Natural lime / mineral
A mineral or lime-based finish category.
What to check
Agree the exact product, interior or exterior use, and substrate compatibility.
Polished Venetian plaster
A polished plaster appearance with depth and movement.
What to check
Specialist enquiry. Confirm sample, substrate preparation, application and protection.
Microcement / exposed-stone effect
A decorative microtopping or stone-effect system.
What to check
Confirm location, room use, sealer and any separate waterproofing requirements.
Natural clay / earthen texture
An earthy, clay-based decorative appearance.
What to check
Check the exact product’s limits; many earthen finishes are intended for interiors.
Match an existing finish
A repair or extension intended to blend with an existing surface.
What to check
Supply photographs and a sample where possible. An exact match cannot be promised.
Help me choose
Choose this if you know the look you want but not its name.
What to check
Share an inspiration photo and the wall details so we can discuss suitable options.
Specialist finishes are enquiries for discussion, not confirmed services. The team must assess substrate compatibility, preparation, application and availability. Manufacturer instructions apply to the specific product and system.