ROMAN CLAY VS LIMEWASH
VS VENETIAN PLASTER

 

 

The short answer

 

Choose limewash for a soft, cloudy, chalky look, especially on brick, stucco or exterior walls.

Choose Roman clay for a smooth, stone-like interior wall with gentle movement and a soft sheen.

Choose Venetian plaster for the most polished, marble-like finish with real depth and shine.

 

 

 

Limewash

 

How it's applied

Brushed on in two or more thin coats with crossing strokes.

 

Look

Matte, chalky and slightly transparent, with cloudy color variation.

 

Best for

Living rooms, bedrooms, fireplaces, brick and exterior stucco.

 

Good to know

Breathable and mineral-based. Over existing paint it needs a mineral primer. The look softens over time.

 

 

 

Roman clay

 

How it's applied

Hand-troweled in two to three thin coats, then burnished.

 

Look

Smooth, soft and stone-like, with subtle movement and a gentle sheen.

 

Best for

Feature walls, bedrooms, entryways, powder rooms and bathrooms (sealed).

 

Good to know

Low in VOCs. Small scuffs can usually be touched up.

 

 

 

Venetian plaster

 

How it's applied

Many thin troweled layers of lime plaster, compressed and polished.

 

Look

Polished and marble-like, with visible depth. It can be high-gloss.

 

Best for

Statement walls, high-end entries and commercial lobbies.

 

Good to know

The most labor-intensive of the three, so it's usually the highest cost.

 

 

 

Side by side

 

Application

Limewash: brush · Roman clay: trowel · Venetian plaster: trowel and polish

 

Finish

Limewash: matte and cloudy · Roman clay: soft sheen · Venetian plaster: polished

 

Texture

Limewash: slightly chalky · Roman clay: smooth · Venetian plaster: glass-smooth

 

Exterior use

Limewash: yes · Roman clay: interior · Venetian plaster: mostly interior

 

Relative cost

Limewash: lowest · Roman clay: middle · Venetian plaster: highest

 

 

 

Questions we hear

 

Can I put limewash or Roman clay over my existing paint?

Yes, with the right prep. Limewash needs a mineral primer over paint, and Roman clay needs a primed, smooth wall. Very rough walls get a skim coat first.

 

Which is best for a bathroom?

Roman clay with a protective sealer works well on bathroom and powder room walls.

 

Which costs less?

Limewash is usually the least expensive and Venetian plaster the most. Wall size, prep and access matter more than the material.

 

Do you offer all three?

Lee's Painting applies Roman clay and limewash across Orange County. Ask us about Venetian plaster for your project.

 

 

Not sure which finish fits your space? Call 714-917-9959 for a free estimate. We'll bring samples.