Unitex Textures and Finishes

Where Performance Meets Appearance

The texture and finish coat is what the world sees. It is the layer that defines the character of a building’s facade, and it is the layer exposed to UV, rain, wind, temperature variation, and time. A decorative finish that looks impressive on day one but fades, cracks, or absorbs water within a few years is not a finish — it is a problem deferred.

Unitex textures and finishes are formulated to perform in Australian conditions over the long term. From smooth trowelled finishes to coarse graffiato textures, roll-on systems to advanced polished concrete effects, every product is engineered for durability, weather resistance, and consistent colour retention — not just initial appearance.

All Unitex finish products are designed to be applied over Unitex base coat renders as part of a complete, compatible facade system. Using Unitex renders and textures together ensures adhesion compatibility, consistent performance, and a warranty-backed result. The Unitex technical sales team can assist with system selection for any project type.

The Unitex Textures & Finishes Range

Unitex offers six decorative finish products covering a broad spectrum of aesthetic options, from natural mineral colours to polished concrete effects and traditional render textures.

Trowel On Texture (500 Series)

The Trowel On Texture range is Unitex’s core decorative finish system, covering a wide variety of grain sizes and surface profiles. Available in fine sand through to coarse graffiato, the 500 Series can be worked to achieve smooth, lightly textured, or heavily raked surfaces depending on the applicator’s technique and the project’s design intent.

Trowel On Texture is suitable over Unitex base coat renders on brickwork, blockwork, EPS cladding, AAC panels, fibre cement sheeting, and other prepared substrates. A wide colour palette is available through Unitex’s tinting system. The 500 Series is the most versatile product in the Unitex finish range and is used extensively across Australian residential and light commercial construction.

Roll On Texture

A convenient, roll-applied texture finish for projects where speed of application and consistency across large areas are priorities. Roll On Texture produces a uniform, lightly textured surface with less skill dependency than trowelled finishes — making it a practical option for production builders, volume housing programmes, and projects with tight labour budgets. Available in multiple grain sizes and a range of colours.

Tanami Polished Concrete Finish

Unitex Tanami is a technologically advanced, flexible decorative finish that achieves the appearance of polished concrete without the weight, cost, or installation complexity of the real thing. Tanami requires only 2–3 coats compared to the 5-coat process of traditional polished concrete finishes, significantly reducing application time and labour cost.

Tanami is a genuinely innovative product — flexible enough to bridge minor substrate movement without cracking, weather-resistant, and producing a refined, contemporary aesthetic that suits modern residential and commercial design. It is compatible with the Unitex Base Board cladding system and suitable over a range of prepared substrates.

Polished Concrete Finish (Uni-Rock)

Uni-Rock delivers a natural aggregate surface texture with the visual character of exposed aggregate or polished concrete. It is applied by trowel and worked to achieve the desired depth of texture and aggregate exposure. Uni-Rock suits contemporary and industrial architectural aesthetics, and is durable in high-exposure environments. Suitable over Unitex base coat renders on most substrate types.

Veneto Mineral Coloured Finish

Veneto is a mineral-based decorative finish that produces a natural, textured appearance with the warmth and depth of traditional European mineral renders. The mineral formulation provides inherent colour stability, breathability, and a surface character that differs from standard acrylic finishes. Veneto suits projects where a natural, non-synthetic aesthetic is desired — heritage-influenced residential design, premium custom builds, and projects seeking a departure from standard acrylic texture systems.

Unitex Bagging Finish

A traditional bagging finish product for projects requiring the classic bagged masonry look — a partially filled, lightly textured surface that preserves some of the substrate’s natural character while improving weather resistance and uniformity. Bagging Finish is applied over brickwork or blockwork by sponge float or similar technique and is particularly suited to renovation and heritage-adjacent projects where the texture of the original masonry is to be partially retained.

Choosing the Right Finish for Your Project

Match the Finish to the Design Intent

The Unitex range covers a spectrum from fine and smooth to coarse and heavily textured, and from natural mineral tones to bold, tinted colours. The right product depends on the architectural design intent, the substrate, the exposure environment, and the project budget.

For volume residential construction where productivity and consistency are priorities, Roll On Texture or a mid-grain Trowel On Texture are practical choices. For premium custom builds or projects with strong design intent, Tanami, Veneto, or Uni-Rock offer more distinctive results. For renovation projects over existing masonry, Bagging Finish may be the most appropriate approach.

If you are unsure which finish suits your project, the Unitex technical sales team can advise — contact them before purchasing to avoid costly product mismatches.

The Importance of System Compatibility

Unitex texture and finish products are designed to be applied over Unitex base coat renders. Applying a Unitex finish over a non-Unitex base coat render introduces compatibility risk — differences in polymer chemistry, surface energy, and flexibility can affect adhesion, colour uniformity, and long-term performance.

Using a complete Unitex system — cladding or substrate preparation, base coat render, and texture finish — delivers predictable, compatible performance and is required to maintain Unitex warranty coverage. Refer to the System Specifications guides and Application Manuals for the correct system selection for your substrate and finish product.

Colour Selection and Tinting

Most Unitex texture and finish products are available in a wide range of pre-mixed and tintable colours through the Unitex colour system. Colour selection should account for exposure conditions — darker colours absorb more solar heat and may exhibit greater thermal movement on EPS-based cladding systems. The Unitex technical team can advise on appropriate colour selection for specific system and climate conditions.

Weather Resistance and Maintenance

All Unitex finish products are formulated for exterior use in Australian conditions. They are designed to resist rain penetration, UV degradation, and mould growth over extended periods. Correctly installed and maintained, Unitex texture finishes are virtually maintenance-free. Where re-coating or repair is required after extended service, the Unitex technical team can advise on the appropriate product and preparation process.

Application Support and System Specifications

Unitex publishes detailed Application Manuals covering the preparation, priming, base coat render, and texture finish sequence for each substrate type. These manuals are available for download from the Unitex website and cover all standard substrate and system combinations. Following the manual is a condition of Unitex warranty coverage.

For projects using the Unitex Base Board cladding system, the Base Board Application Manual covers the complete system from panel installation through to texture finish application. For other substrates, refer to the relevant System Specification guide.

If your project involves a non-standard substrate, design feature, or finish requirement not covered in the published documentation, contact the Unitex technical sales team for project-specific guidance.

Order and Enquire

Unitex textures and finishes are available from Unitex Render Warehouse (URW) branches in Oakleigh South (VIC), Seven Hills (NSW), and Dry Creek (SA), open from 6:00am Monday to Friday. Products are also stocked at Dahlsens stores across Victoria and southern NSW, and at Walkers in Geelong and Ballarat.

For project quantities and colour advice, call 1800 RENDER (1800 736 337) or email sales@unitex.com.au. Use the Request a Quote form on the Unitex website for a written materials estimate from your project plans.

Frequently Asked Questions — Unitex Textures & Finishes

Can Unitex texture finishes be applied directly over brickwork?

Unitex texture finishes are applied over a prepared base coat render, not directly onto bare brickwork. The base coat render creates the stable, even surface required for consistent texture finish application. Applying texture directly over unprepared or poorly prepared brickwork is a common cause of adhesion failure and uneven appearance. Refer to the relevant System Specification for the correct preparation and render sequence.

What makes Tanami different from other texture products?

Tanami is a flexible, polymer-modified decorative finish that achieves a polished concrete aesthetic in 2–3 coats — compared to the 5-coat traditional process. Its flexibility allows it to bridge minor substrate movement without cracking, which is a significant performance advantage on EPS-based cladding systems where thermal movement occurs. Tanami is more technologically advanced than standard acrylic textures and suited to projects where both aesthetics and performance are priorities.

How do I choose between trowel-on and roll-on texture finishes?

Trowel-on finishes offer more control over texture depth, profile, and finish character. They require greater applicator skill but allow for a wider range of decorative results. Roll-on finishes are faster to apply and produce consistent, uniform results with less skill dependency. For large-area residential projects where speed and consistency matter, roll-on is often preferred. For custom or detailed finishes, trowel-on is the more versatile option.

Are Unitex finishes suitable for coastal environments?

Yes, with appropriate product selection. Unitex texture and finish products are formulated for exterior use including coastal conditions. For high-exposure coastal environments, the Unitex technical team can advise on the most appropriate base coat render and finish combination, as well as any additional preparation or protective coating requirements.

Can Unitex finishes be re-coated or touched up after damage?

Yes. Unitex finish products can be re-applied for touch-up or full re-coat where required. Surface preparation — cleaning, removing loose or damaged material, and priming where appropriate — is essential before re-coating to ensure adhesion. Contact the Unitex technical team for guidance on repair and re-coat procedures specific to your product and situation.