r/Glasgow Tools

Title
Author	Red_Brummy
Comment	Some great answers in here but just to confirm the terminology as per [The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings](https://www.spab.org.uk/advice/roughcast): >Roughcast (also called ‘wet-dash’ in Cumbria and ‘harling’ in Scotland) is a render with a coarse finishing coat containing gravel thrown in a premixed state onto a wall. It is distinct from pebble dash (or ‘dry dash’) in which the aggregate is applied separately onto wet plaster. Historically, roughcast was popular for rural buildings across much of the UK, except the south-eastern half of England. It was also sometimes employed for high status Arts and Crafts buildings. >Compared to smooth render, roughcast is particularly advantageous in exposed districts because its heavy texture creates a larger surface area that aids moisture absorption and evaporation. Additionally, the application method allows use of a mortar mix less prone to shrinkage while curing. Roughcast / Wet-Dash / Harling = render with the gravel in it. Pebble Dash = gravel thrown (dashed) onto the wet render. OP, as to your query, if the Roughcast / Pebble Dash is sound, and has not bossed (come away from the sub-strate - you can tell this if it has cracked, or if you knock on it, it sounds hollow), then the best way to renovate it is to paint over. There are a few contemporary examples of renovated or new roughcast / pebble dashed buildings out there if you need inspiration: [One](https://www.dezeen.com/2019/10/17/david-leech-architects-house-dublin-ireland/) [Two](https://www.archdaily.com/324286/4-house-taka) - incidentally both are from Ireland.
Reddit Link	https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/kipzag/silly_question_but_why_does_so_much_social/ggsua90/
Created	Wed 23rd Dec 2020 2:51pm
Status	normal ()

Some great answers in here but just to confirm the terminology as per [The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings](https://www.spab.org.uk/advice/roughcast):

>Roughcast (also called ‘wet-dash’ in Cumbria and ‘harling’ in Scotland) is a render with a coarse finishing coat containing gravel thrown in a premixed state onto a wall. It is distinct from pebble dash (or ‘dry dash’) in which the aggregate is applied separately onto wet plaster. Historically, roughcast was popular for rural buildings across much of the UK, except the south-eastern half of England. It was also sometimes employed for high status Arts and Crafts buildings.

>Compared to smooth render, roughcast is particularly advantageous in exposed districts because its heavy texture creates a larger surface area that aids moisture absorption and evaporation. Additionally, the application method allows use of a mortar mix less prone to shrinkage while curing.

Roughcast / Wet-Dash / Harling = render with the gravel in it.

Pebble Dash = gravel thrown (dashed) onto the wet render.

OP, as to your query, if the Roughcast / Pebble Dash is sound, and has not bossed (come away from the sub-strate - you can tell this if it has cracked, or if you knock on it, it sounds hollow), then the best way to renovate it is to paint over.

There are a few contemporary examples of renovated or new roughcast / pebble dashed buildings out there if you need inspiration: [One](https://www.dezeen.com/2019/10/17/david-leech-architects-house-dublin-ireland/) [Two](https://www.archdaily.com/324286/4-house-taka) - incidentally both are from Ireland.