Limewash, microcement or venetian plaster: which one?
Three finishes that look similar in photos but work very differently in practice. An honest breakdown, including where limewash is not the right answer.
| Limewash | Microcement | Venetian Plaster | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | ~$4–8/m² | ~$50–100/m² | ~$60–120/m² |
| Installed | ~$4–8/m² DIY ~$25–35/m² with a painter |
~$150–250/m² | ~$150–300/m² |
| DIY | Yes Any painter or keen DIYer | No Professional required | No Skilled tradesperson only |
| Wet areas | With prep Not inside showers | Yes Waterproof when sealed | Limited Not for splash zones |
| Look and feel | Soft, matte, textured, organic | Smooth, seamless, contemporary | Polished, layered, luxurious |
| Breathability | High Walls breathe naturally | Low Sealed surface | Moderate |
| Longevity | Touch-ups every 5–10 years | 10–20+ years, minimal upkeep | Very durable if applied well |
| Eco | Strong No added VOCs, no plastics | Weaker Synthetic resins | Moderate Lime-based, additives vary |
| Reversible | Yes Can be painted over | Difficult | Difficult |
We make limewash, so keep that in mind. But we would rather you choose the right finish than buy something that doesn't suit the project.
- You want to do it yourself this weekend
- Natural, non-toxic materials matter to you
- You want a soft, lived-in texture rather than a slick finish
- It's a bedroom, living room, or interior wall
- Budget is a real factor
- You want to be able to touch up or change colour later
- You're working on an older or heritage building
- It's inside a shower or directly behind a sink
- You want a seamless, perfectly flat surface
- You need something that lasts 20+ years without attention
- You want bold, saturated colour
- It's a high-traffic floor (limewash is for walls, not floors)
People worry about limewash needing regular touch-ups. In practice, it depends on the room and how well the surface was prepared. Interior walls in a living room or bedroom can go a decade without attention. The powdered format helps here: keep a bag on the shelf and you can match and touch up any spot without calling anyone.
Example: a standard 15m² bedroom wall runs roughly $150 all in, DIY, or $500–600 with a painter. The same wall in microcement or venetian plaster typically costs $2,000–4,500 installed.
Choose limewash if you want something natural, DIY-friendly, and genuinely affordable. It suits most interior walls and handles Australian conditions well. The texture is the point: organic, imperfect, and different depending on the light.
Choose microcement if you need a waterproof, seamless surface that requires almost no maintenance. Bathrooms, wet areas, and floors are where it earns its price. Hire a professional.
Choose venetian plaster if you want the most refined, luxurious finish of the three. A polished statement wall that can't be replicated with anything else. Budget for a skilled tradesperson and don't cut corners on the application.
All three can look beautiful. The mistake is choosing based on photos alone. Think about who's applying it, what surface it's going on, and how the room will be used.
Ready to try limewash?
Start with a tester. 350ml covers a decent patch and costs $18. See how it looks on your actual wall in your actual light before committing to a full room.
Read our latest journal posts to learn more
Introducing Dalray Primer: A breathable foundation for limewash
How to get the most out of your limewash
Learn how to get the most texture out of your limewash using thin layers, the right brush technique, and a simple method for that soft, cloud-like movement. Includes practical tips on layering, brush control, and when to stop for the best natural finish.
Five differences between venetian plaster, micro cement and limewash paint
When choosing a wall finish, the decision often comes down to the balance between aesthetics, durability, ease of application, and cost. Limewash paint, Venetian plaster, and microcement each offer unique characteristics, but they also come with different benefits and challenges. Here’s a comparison of these three popular finishes to help guide your choice.