Canterbury Spar is the standard exterior finish supplied with Dencroft’s pent and apex concrete garages. Its textured appearance provides a practical, neutral finish that works alongside many different property styles.
It is also designed to require relatively little routine maintenance, making it a popular choice for garages, sheds and workshops.
What Is a Canterbury Spar Finish?
Canterbury Spar is a textured aggregate finish made using small stone chippings embedded into the outer surface. It has an appearance similar to dry dash or pebble dash, creating a durable facing for the concrete panels.
The combination of colours and textures helps the garage blend into its surroundings without requiring a perfectly smooth or painted exterior.
What Are the Benefits of Canterbury Spar?
There are several reasons why Canterbury Spar is used as the standard finish on Dencroft’s concrete garages:
- It provides a robust, textured exterior surface
- It requires relatively little routine maintenance
- The varied texture can make light dirt and minor marks less noticeable
- Its neutral appearance suits a wide range of properties
- Small areas of localised damage may be repairable
As with any external finish, its condition will still be affected by age, weather exposure, nearby trees and how well the rest of the garage is maintained.
Is Canterbury Spar Waterproof?
Canterbury Spar contributes to the weather-resistant exterior of the garage, but the finish alone should not be treated as a complete waterproofing system.
Keeping a garage dry also depends on the condition of the concrete panels, panel joints, roof sheets, fixings, doors, base and drainage. A leak should therefore be investigated properly rather than assuming that the external finish is responsible.
Persistent water ingress, cracking or damage to the garage can be assessed through Dencroft’s repair and refurbishment service.
Does Canterbury Spar Require Maintenance?
The finish is generally low maintenance, but occasional checks will help keep it in good condition. Look for cracks, damaged areas or sections where an unusual amount of aggregate has become loose.
Light surface dirt can usually be removed carefully with a soft brush. If further cleaning is needed, use a mild product suitable for exterior masonry and test it on a discreet area first.
Avoid aggressive scrubbing or high-pressure washing unless the method has been confirmed as suitable. Excessive pressure may loosen the aggregate or damage the surface beneath it.
What Should You Do About Loose Stones?
A small amount of loose aggregate may occur naturally as the exterior ages. However, widespread stone loss, cracking or exposed areas could indicate that the finish needs attention.
Local repairs may be possible, although matching the original colour and texture can become more difficult as the surrounding finish weathers. Larger damaged areas should be inspected before new material is applied.
Can You Paint Canterbury Spar?
A stable aggregate finish may be suitable for painting with a compatible exterior masonry system, but preparation is important. Loose material, dirt, algae and existing damage need to be addressed first.
Painting will change the natural appearance of the aggregate and may make future local repairs more noticeable. Before painting or applying another render, seek advice on whether the existing surface is sound and which preparation and coating system should be used.
What Other Garage Finishes Are Available?
Canterbury Spar is supplied as standard, but customers can choose from several alternative garage finishes. Current options include:
- White Spar
- Derbyshire Spar
- Yellow Spar
- Denbrick brick-effect finishes
- Denstone stone-effect finishes
The right finish will depend on the appearance of your property, personal preference and available budget.
Discuss Your Garage Finish
Dencroft has been manufacturing concrete garages since 1947. If you would like to compare Canterbury Spar with the alternative colours, textures and brick or stone-effect finishes, contact Dencroft Garages to discuss the available options.