Special effect paints - marble, metal, decorative concrete
Walls that look like marble. No actual stone required.
Special effect coatings imitate materials and textures - marble, polished metal, industrial concrete, silk, velvet, aged gold. Applied with a trowel, sponge or specialist roller. The result depends more on application technique than on the product price tag.
Marble effect: a two-colour coating worked wet on wet, creating the veins and depth of natural stone. The most demanding of the special effects category - needs a steady hand and a practice run on cardboard before you touch the wall.
Metallic and mirror effect: paints with fine metal particles or metallic pigment. Matt or gloss finish depending on the shade. Easier to apply than marble - a wide trowel or fine roller on flat surfaces gives good results.
Industrial concrete: flat grey finish imitating polished concrete. Popular in loft-style flats, modern open kitchens and commercial spaces. Applied in thin layers with a float or trowel.
Velvet and silk: coatings with fine particles giving visual depth and a gentle satin sheen. Easier to apply - a good starting point for anyone new to decorative finishes.
Before any special effect, the surface must be perfectly smooth. Any bump shows up under raking light. Skim coat, sand, prime - then apply the effect. Skip steps, get disappointing results.
Velvet or silk - applied with a fine roller in two coats, forgiving of technique. Matt metallic is next in difficulty. Marble and industrial concrete need confident trowel work - practise on a piece of cardboard first before doing a wall.
Yes. Primer evens out surface absorption. On an unprimed wall, special effect paint absorbs unevenly and the finish looks patchy. For marble and concrete effects, an adhesion primer or a tinted primer matching the base coat is a required step.
If the old coating is sound, clean and smooth - yes, with a primer coat in between. If it's flaking, cracked or has a heavily porous matt surface, prepare and sand first. Special effects amplify surface imperfections, they don't hide them.
Depends on the product. Some are certified for damp areas with high washability ratings. Others are for dry interiors only. Always check the product specs. Concrete and metallic effect ranges often have moisture-resistant versions - ask in store.
Satin and gloss finishes wipe down fine with a damp cloth. Matt porous surfaces like velvet or matt concrete absorb stains more readily. In areas with heavy use, pick a more satin or gloss variant - it'll be easier to maintain.
