Traditional render systems
Traditional methods of roughcast are a sand and cement mixture, mixed in a cement mixer, and applied by hand with a trowel using two coats or layers.
The first coat, 8mm - 10mm thick, is commonly known as the scratch coat. Once applied to the wall evenly, it is scratched with a tool to leave lines on the surface to which the second coat will adhere.
The second coat or top coat, also 8mm - 10mm thick, is then applied by hand, as evenly as possible, and the chips or shells are cast on, adhering to the top coat.
Colour choice can be quite limited. Colour is added by using coloured sand on top of either white or grey cement. This results in the choice of grey, cream, brown or white.
