What Changes the Cost of Roughcasting a House in Scotland
Why no honest tradesman can put a figure on this page, and the things that actually decide what yours comes to
Read thisThe short answer
Roughcasting is a two or three coat render finish with stone aggregate in or on the top coat. It is what most houses in the west of Scotland were built with and it is what keeps them dry.
Harling is the Scottish word for the same thing. Pebble dash is the English word for one of the two ways of doing it. Wet dash and dry dash are those two ways.
Wet dash
The aggregate is mixed into the mortar and the whole lot is thrown at the wall together, traditionally off a harling trowel. The face comes out rougher and more random, and the stone is held in the body of the mortar rather than sitting on it.
It is the traditional Scottish finish and it is what most older harled buildings carry.
Dry dash, or pebble dash
The mortar goes on first and the chips are thrown onto the face while it is still green, then lightly pressed in. The result is sharper and more even, and the stone sits proud.
This is what most people picture when they say pebble dash, and it is what most of the houses in our work section are finished in.
Which one suits your house
Mostly, whatever is on it now. A wall already in dry dash takes dry dash again and the join to a neighbour's half will match. An older solid stone wall usually wants a harl, and often a lime based one, because the wall has to be able to let moisture out.
The thing that decides it is not taste, it is what the wall is built of and what is on it. Anyone who tells you one is simply better than the other has not looked at your wall.
Want somebody to look at yours? Ring 07501 844432, or send a photograph of the wall on WhatsApp. If it is not a job for us we will say so.
Straight answers
Questions on this
Is harling the same as roughcasting?
Yes. Harling is the Scottish word and it is the older one. If one firm quotes for harling and another for roughcasting, they are quoting for the same wall.
Is pebble dash the same as dry dash?
Yes. Dry dash is the trade word for the method where the stone is thrown onto the mortar rather than mixed into it, and pebble dash is what most customers call it.
Can I change from one to the other?
Yes, and plenty of people do. The old coat comes off, the wall is made good and the new finish goes on. Changing from dash to a smooth render is the biggest visual change you can make to a house of this type.
More guides
Other things worth knowing
Is It Worth Removing an Artex Ceiling?
Usually yes, and almost never by scraping it. Here is how the decision actually goes.
Read thisSkimming or Replastering: Which Does Your Wall Need?
One is a tidy day and a thin coat. The other is a skip. Which you need is decided by tapping the wall, not by
Read thisGet in touch
Tell us about the wall
Tell us what the wall or the room looks like now and we will come back to you with a price and a straight answer about what it needs.
Call us for your instant, no obligation quote
07501 844432. Or send a photo of the wall on WhatsApp.