Pebbledash painting and render painting
Textured walls need more paint, more preparation and more patience than smooth ones. Pebbledash painting and render painting refresh tired, stained or patchy exteriors, but the coating only performs if the wall underneath is sound, dry and clean. This page covers how masonry surfaces are assessed and painted; for windows, doors, fascias and other exterior work, see the wider exterior painting service.
Assess the wall before choosing paint
Tap test render and pebbledash for hollow areas, look for cracks, blown patches and loose stones, and check whether existing paint is chalking or flaking. Gutters, downpipes and sills that leak onto the wall should be fixed first, because a wet wall will push paint off again however good the coating.
Previous coatings matter. Masonry paint, textured coatings and silicone render behave differently, and some walls have never been painted. Knowing what is already there helps choose a compatible system, and avoids sealing moisture into a wall that needs to breathe.
Pebbledash painting needs extra care
Pebbledash has thousands of small stones and crevices. Paint must be worked into every recess, so it takes more material and more time than flat render, and a roller alone often leaves pinholes. Spraying followed by back-rolling or brushing can help push the coating into the texture.
Loose stones are brushed off and bald patches repaired with matching dash before painting, otherwise they show clearly through the finished coat. Once pebbledash is painted it will need repainting in future, so it is worth confirming that painting is the right choice before the first coat goes on.
Render painting and masonry repairs
Sand and cement render, rough cast and smooth renders are cleaned to remove dirt, algae and loose paint. Biocidal wash treatments deal with green growth. Fine cracks are filled with a flexible masonry filler; larger cracks and hollow sections are cut out and repaired so the new coating has a stable base.
Chalky surfaces are stabilised with a suitable primer so the topcoat can bond. Bare brick, stone and block need a coating suited to masonry painting, as sealing some older walls with the wrong product can trap moisture and cause later failure.
Painting a wall for the first time
An unpainted render or pebbledash wall is a bigger decision than a repaint. Once coated, it joins a maintenance cycle and will need repainting every so often to stay looking fresh. Some walls were designed to weather naturally, and painting them can change how moisture leaves the masonry. Where the aim is mainly to clean up a stained or green wall, a thorough clean and biocide treatment may be enough on its own.
If painting is the right choice, the first coat on bare masonry is usually thinned or a dedicated stabilising primer is used so it soaks in and binds the surface, followed by full-strength finish coats.
Choosing the masonry coating
Smooth and textured masonry paints are the usual choice for render and pebbledash. Silicone-based and mineral coatings offer different levels of water repellency, breathability and dirt resistance. Exposed or coastal elevations, shaded walls prone to algae and older solid walls may each suit a different system.
Colour also matters. Very dark colours absorb heat and can stress some renders and coatings. Comparing a sample on the actual wall, in daylight, gives a better idea of the finished house exterior painting result than a small card.
Weather, access and what affects the cost
Masonry paint needs dry weather and suitable temperatures during application and drying. Painting is avoided in rain, frost or when the wall is still wet from recent weather, so exterior programmes allow for weather delays.
The price depends on wall area and height, the texture, the repairs needed, the coating system and access. Two-storey elevations and awkward ground usually need scaffold or towers. Photographs of each elevation, close-ups of cracks or flaking and notes on what the wall has been painted with before help produce a clear quote.
Related pages
Common questions
What is involved in pebbledash painting?
Loose stones are removed and bald patches repaired, the wall is cleaned and treated for algae, primed where needed, then masonry paint is worked into the texture in two coats.
Can render be painted if the old paint is flaking?
Yes, once loose paint is removed, the cause of the flaking is dealt with and the surface is stabilised. Painting straight over flaking paint usually fails quickly.
How long does it take to paint a house exterior?
It depends on the size, texture, repairs, access and especially the weather. Masonry paint needs dry conditions, so programmes allow for rain delays.
What affects the cost of render painting?
Wall area and height, the texture of the surface, the repairs needed, the coating chosen and the access equipment required to reach each elevation safely.
Planning a commercial painting or decorating project?
Speak to a Hampshire commercial decorating contractor that turns up, communicates clearly and delivers a finish that lasts.