Parge coat
The term ‘parge coat’ refers to the application of a thin coat of a cementitious or polymeric mortar to concrete or masonry walls.
Parging (or sometimes 'pargeting') is commonly used as a method for improving the thermal and acoustic performance of walls before before finishing them with a final surface such as drylining.
A parge coat can reduce air leakage through cracks, joints and porous wall constructions and so reduce energy consumption and improve comfort and acoustic performance. It can also be used to prepare a surface for a topcoat.
The parge coat is typically applied by hand, or by spraying, in a continuous coating with a minimum thickness of 6mm. As the walls are then finished with a subsequent top layer, it is not necessary to smooth the parge coat to a perfectly flat surface.
See also: Pargetting
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”