Terracoat is Terraco’s pre-mixed, acrylic-based textured coating, applied with a trowel. It is used on villa and building facades across Dubai, Sharjah and the rest of the UAE, and it is also the finish coat for the Terraco EIFS insulation system. This guide summarises Terraco’s own technical data sheet for Terracoat so you can pick the right grade and estimate quantities.
Key facts at a glance
- Pre-mixed, acrylic-based textured coating, applied with a steel trowel.
- Available in 50 standard colours and supplied in 25 kg pails.
- Three main textures: Excel (scratch finish), Granule and Sahara (granular finishes).
- Needs a coat of Terraco Tex Primer, tinted close to the topcoat colour.
- Drying time 3 to 4 hours, according to the data sheet.
Where Terracoat can be used
Terraco states that Terracoat bonds to most interior and exterior surfaces, including concrete, sand and cement render, gypsum drywall, plywood, chipboard and primed anti-rust steel. It is used as an exterior facade finish, as the topcoat of Terraco EIFS, and as a decorative wall and ceiling finish indoors.
According to the data sheet, its acrylic binders give elasticity and resistance to colour fading and pollution, its flexibility helps hide minor surface defects and small cracks, and it is designed for climates with desert heat and large day-to-night temperature swings.
Excel, Granule or Sahara: which texture?
- Terracoat Excel: an alpine scratch finish, trowel-applied, in 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 mm grain sizes. Designed for EIFS and conventional masonry.
- Terracoat Granule: a granular finish in 0.8, 1, 1.5 and 2 mm grain sizes, plus a Filled Granule version in 1.5 mm. It can be trowelled or sprayed.
- Terracoat Sahara: a filled granular finish in 1, 1.5 and 2 mm grain sizes. It can be trowelled or sprayed.
A larger grain size gives a coarser, more visible texture and uses more material per square metre.
Coverage per square metre
Coverage figures from Terraco’s data sheet (kg per m²):
| Grade | Coverage (kg/m²) |
|---|---|
| Excel 1 mm | 1.5 to 2.0 |
| Excel 1.5 mm | 2.0 to 2.5 |
| Excel 2 mm | 2.5 to 3.0 |
| Excel 3 mm | 3.5 to 4.5 |
| Granule 0.8 mm | 1.8 to 2.3 |
| Granule 1 mm | 2.5 to 3.0 |
| Granule 1.5 mm | 3.0 to 3.5 |
| Granule 2 mm | 3.5 to 4.5 |
| Filled Granule 1.5 mm | 2.5 to 3.0 |
| Sahara 1 mm | 2.5 to 3.0 |
| Sahara 1.5 mm | 3.0 to 3.5 |
| Sahara 2 mm | 3.5 to 4.5 |
Worked example: a 100 m² facade in Excel 1.5 mm at 2.0 to 2.5 kg/m² needs roughly 200 to 250 kg, which is 8 to 10 pails of 25 kg. Allow extra for waste and surface variation, and confirm quantities with your applicator.
Surface preparation and primer
- New surfaces: remove dust, dirt and loose matter, and make sure the surface is free of salts, oil, grease and ridges. Repair cracks, chips and voids with a suitable filler.
- Old surfaces: check the substrate is firm, wash it with a soda and water solution, rinse, and let it dry before repairs or coating.
- Primer: one coat of Terraco Tex Primer, tinted close to the topcoat colour. On porous or dusty surfaces, and on EIFS basecoat, Terraco specifies a coat of Terrabond A diluted 1:5 with water first, then Tex Primer.
For filling exterior cracks before texturing, see our guide to filling exterior wall cracks with Terraco Handycoat Exterior.
How Terracoat is applied
- Prepare and prime the surface as above, and mask adjacent areas.
- Apply the material with a steel trowel.
- Create the pattern with a wetted plastic trowel.
- Clean tools with water after use.
Texture work on large facades is skilled work, and an experienced applicator will give a more even finish across scaffold lifts and joints.
Storage
Store pails in a clean, dry area away from direct sun and extreme heat. Terraco gives a shelf life of 12 months in unopened containers and advises using the oldest stock first. On UAE sites, keep pails shaded rather than out on the roof or scaffold.
Frequently asked questions
Can Terracoat be used indoors?
Yes. Terraco lists it as a decorative finish for interior walls and ceilings as well as exteriors.
Does Terracoat need a primer?
Yes. The data sheet specifies one coat of Terraco Tex Primer tinted close to the topcoat colour, with Terrabond A first on porous or dusty surfaces.
How many colours are available?
Terraco lists 50 standard colours.
Buying Terraco products in Sharjah and Dubai
Al Tashteb Al Saree is an authorised Terraco distributor, supplying the full Terraco range direct from the manufacturer, alongside National Paints, Berger and Jotun. We stock Terracoat and Tex Primer. Contact us for colours, prices and delivery in Sharjah and Dubai, or browse our products.
Sources
Retrieved 31 October 2026. Always check the latest data sheet before specifying. Main image from Unsplash: Antoine Merour.
Considering a mineral render instead? See Terol vs Terracoat. For the right primer under each finish, see our Terraco primer guide.
