Guide
Covering pebble dash: your options
Sound pebble dash can usually be rendered over (about £60–£95 per m²) or insulated over (about £110–£175 per m²) without removing it. Hollow or failing dash should be cut out first, and full removal is only worth it when the dash is widely loose or the wall needs repair.
Option 1: render over
Clean, repair loose patches, apply a levelling base coat with mesh over the stones, then a thin-coat finish. Quick and cost-effective on sound dash.
Option 2: insulate over
Insulation boards are bonded and mechanically fixed through the dash into the wall. Adds warmth as well as a new finish — usually the best value on solid or concrete walls.
Option 3: remove first
Needed when the dash is widely hollow or the wall underneath needs inspecting. Noisy, dusty and can damage soft brick faces.
Questions
Can pebble dash be painted?
Yes, but it doesn't fix hollow areas and usually needs repainting every few years.
Will the stones show through?
Not with a proper levelling base coat.
Does it need planning?
Not usually for a house outside conservation areas in England and Wales.