“Decorative texture paint, colour to architect’s approval” may communicate an intention, but it leaves important questions unanswered. What is the required surface condition? How much tonal variation is acceptable? Which protective treatment is included? What should the contractor submit before starting work?
For architects specifying decorative wall finishes in Malaysia, a clear specification should connect design intent with a buildable, inspectable finish. The objective is not to make the document unnecessarily complicated. It is to make the important decisions visible before procurement and installation.
Specify the complete finish system
Begin with the wall build-up rather than the decorative layer alone. Identify the substrate, required preparation, compatible primer or base treatment, decorative finish, and any final wax or protective coating. Obtain the manufacturer’s recommendations for the proposed combination.
MacoAvell’s Vellma application guidance, for example, includes preparation requirements, separate application stages, and drying intervals before subsequent treatments. These are part of the finish process, not optional details to be inferred from a colour sample. Avoid giving a generic coat count or drying time that has not been checked against the selected product and current technical instructions.
Describe visual characteristics precisely
A product name does not fully describe the intended appearance. State whether the finish should have low or pronounced tonal contrast, fine or coarse texture, directional or irregular movement, and matte or polished character.
Where the design calls for a stone-inspired finish, clarify what “stone-inspired” means. Is the intention a subtle mineral surface, horizontal travertine-like movement, or a more rugged texture? Reference an approved physical sample rather than relying solely on a digital image. For significant areas, request a representative site mock-up that includes relevant edges and junctions.
The approval record should identify the sample—not just state that “texture paint is approved.”
Make substrate acceptance a defined step
Include a requirement for the applicator to inspect the proposed substrate and report unsuitable conditions before work begins. MacoAvell identifies a stable, prepared surface free from dust and damp as a requirement for its decorative finishes. Its guidance also notes that cracking in the underlying wall can affect the plaster finish.
The specification should therefore distinguish decorative application from rectification of underlying defects. Ask the project team to identify responsibility for surface correction, moisture investigation, and treatment of movement joints. Do not leave the decorative finish contractor to resolve unknown conditions after the appearance has already been approved.
Match performance requirements to the actual location
An entrance feature wall, hotel corridor, sheltered external wall, and shower enclosure should not be treated as interchangeable applications. Define the exposure and use conditions first. Then request written confirmation that the proposed finish system is appropriate.
For example, MacoAvell states that Vellma, Vellplas, and Vellcco are not waterproof in their natural form, and its FAQ does not recommend them for direct shower areas. A decorative finish should not be specified as a substitute for a waterproofing system.
Where a project requires particular fire, emissions, cleaning, or environmental performance, request documentation relevant to the exact product and proposed system. Do not approve those requirements through appearance alone.
Establish the basis for substitutions
A visually similar sample is not enough to establish equivalence. Ask an alternative supplier to identify its substrate requirements, application process, final protective treatment, maintenance instructions, and evidence for every project-specific performance requirement.
Evaluate the replacement as a complete proposal. A change in product may also require a change in preparation, sequencing, or the appearance of the final protective layer. This gives the architect and contractor a structured basis for reviewing alternatives without reducing the decision to colour matching.
Use a practical finish note
The following is an illustrative starting point, not a complete project specification: Provide the selected decorative wall finish to designated surfaces using a manufacturer-compatible preparation, primer, decorative layer, and protective treatment where required. Submit product information and a representative sample for approval before application. Match the approved sample’s colour, texture, tonal movement, and sheen. Confirm substrate suitability before commencement and provide cleaning and maintenance instructions at handover.
Add project-specific requirements for locations, quantities, junctions, mock-up size, inspection conditions, and responsibilities.
Define acceptance before installation
Agree how the finished work will be reviewed. Identify the approved reference sample, viewing conditions, relevant lighting, and the characteristics being assessed. Distinguish intentional handcrafted variation from departures from the agreed finish.
Retain the approval record through handover so future maintenance teams can identify what was installed.
Can one decorative finish be specified throughout a development?
Only after confirming suitability for each location. Appearance may be coordinated across spaces without requiring an identical system everywhere.
What is the most useful early submission?
A product proposal tied to the actual substrate and location, supported by a representative sample and the relevant technical information.
Discuss your specification with MacoAvell Malaysia
MacoAvell develops decorative wall finishes and provides product guidance, samples, and application support for project teams. Share the proposed wall build-up, finish schedule, exposure conditions, and design references when making an enquiry.