Find the right render finish for your space

Start with the look, then choose the system

A render system may combine preparation, a levelling basecoat, a texture coat and a protective topcoat. The decorative finish and the wall underneath need to work together. A brick exterior, fibre-cement wall and interior feature wall can need different preparations even when the desired appearance is similar.

Consider the grain, colour, sheen and how the finish looks in daylight. Coastal exposure, existing coatings and maintenance expectations also help determine the specification. A physical sample is useful for agreeing on colour and texture before work begins.

Granosite texture finishes

What it is: Granosite is Wattyl’s family of texture coating systems. It is a brand range with different products and profiles, rather than one universal texture. Depending on the product, coatings can be trowelled, rolled or sprayed.

Example: A prepared masonry façade with a consistent granular or scratch-pattern appearance. The selected texture and compatible topcoat determine the final look.

Advantages: Different profiles give designers and owners a choice of visual depth across large wall areas. Suitability depends on the specific Granosite product, the substrate and the complete coating specification.

Venetian plaster

What it is: A decorative plaster technique that uses thin, worked layers to produce a marble-like surface with tonal movement. Traditional lime-based products can be polished to a high gloss; the chosen material and technique influence the result.

Example: An interior entrance wall, living-room feature or commercial reception area with depth and a hand-finished appearance.

Advantages: Creates a distinctive focal point and a smooth surface with subtle variation. Product suitability matters: Rockcote’s Venetian Plaster is developed for interiors. An exterior wall, shower or constantly wet area requires a separately assessed system.

Russian stamp decorative finish

What it is: A name used for decorative patterned finishes. It does not identify one standardised product specification, so the intended pattern should be agreed from a reference image and sample.

Example: A feature wall or architectural element with a repeating or hand-worked textured effect, subject to a suitable product being selected for the location.

Advantages: Offers an individual appearance and stronger visual texture than a plain wall. Share a close-up of the finish you want so we can assess its pattern, depth, colour and suitability for your wall.

Bagging and bagged-look finishes

What it is: A hand-worked finish with a deliberately irregular, relaxed texture. Traditional masonry bagging and proprietary bagged-look coatings are different ways of achieving this character.

Example: A brick feature wall or façade with an informal textured appearance. How much of the underlying masonry remains visible depends on preparation, coating thickness and technique.

Advantages: Adds character without the uniform appearance of a finely levelled finish. Rockcote Santini is one product example capable of a medium-to-heavy bagged look. Agree on a sample and any required coating layers for the selected system.

Smooth, sponge, scratched and coarse finishes

• Smooth: A closely worked, even appearance for clean architectural lines. A smooth render surface is not necessarily polished or glossy.
• Sponge: A fine, open sandy texture produced by the finishing technique. Often selected where a subtle grain is preferred.
• Scratched: A directional or circular pattern formed with the selected texture product. The grain size affects the pattern’s depth.
• Coarse: A more pronounced grain that creates visible texture and shadow across a wall.

These descriptions refer to appearance. Each still needs sound preparation and a compatible render or coating system. Texture can soften the appearance of minor surface variation, but it cannot stabilise loose render or repair moving structural cracks.