What is pebbledash?

4th March 2020


What is pebbledash?


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		Pebbledash is an exterior wall covering created by throwing pebbles, stones or shells (known as aggregate) onto a cement base that has been applied to a wall.

		Pebbledashing is very similar to roughcasting, except that with the latter, the aggregate is premixed into the cement before being applied to the wall.



		Pre-packed vs. loose aggregate
		Wonkee Donkee advises that when pebbledashing, you purchase smaller bags of pre-packed stone, shingle or pebble. Unlike loose or bulk-bagged aggregate, smaller quantities are usually pre-washed and sized, and any extremely small bits of stone are omitted. This is often not the case with loose or bulk-bagged aggregate, which can contain a variety of different sized pebbles as well as sand, which can prevent an even distribution when you come to apply the mixture to the wall.

		The downside to this of course, is cost – It costs more to purchase individual 25kg bags than a single 500 or 1000 kg bulk bag. However, evenly sized and correctly prepared aggregate will be easier to apply and will look far better, which could potentially increase the value of your property.

		Storage Be sure to store any aggregate on clean, dry ground, well away from soil and fallen leaves etc. Any contaminants may prevent you achieving an even, clean finish when applying the pebbledash to the wall by causing it to look tainted or fall away from the base layers.

		Grain types
		There is a wide variety of pebble or stone which can be used for pebbledashing, some including small shells and gravel. Preference is purely down to the user, although in some cases your choice may be influenced by the houses around you or by council restrictions and regulations, so it’s always best to look at your options before purchase.

		Most people choose pebbles with complementing colours, so that when applied to the wall, they give a natural finish that is pleasing to the eye.

		However, some people choose to paint over the pebbledash or whitewash the walls at a later date, or if they become weathered over the years. Pebbledashed walls can also become discoloured if the iron (a naturally-occurring element in some stone) leaks through. This is most common if the stone was sourced from coastal, glacier or river bed areas, and can cause unsightly brown staining in patches over the wall.