A building’s facade can be made more durable and aesthetically pleasing by plastering the walls. Plaster is more than just ornamentation; it is a weather-resistant coating that is resilient to moisture, ultraviolet light, and mechanical harm.
Plastering over imperfections in the underlying building materials gives homeowners a uniform, smooth surface. Through this process, the facade is not only made to look better but also has better thermal insulation, which helps buildings use less energy in both warm and cold climates.
Plastering correctly requires an understanding of several essential steps. It is important to prepare the substrate by making sure it is dry, clean, and devoid of any contaminants or loose particles. Depending on the type of plaster being used—conventional cement-based, lime-based, or contemporary synthetic options—different application techniques apply.
A durable and attractive finish can only be achieved by carefully combining the plaster materials to the proper consistency. Depending on the desired visual effect, techniques like trowel application and float help achieve a variety of textures, from smooth to textured finishes.
Why plaster the walls | Plastering walls enhances durability, provides a smooth finish for painting or wallpapering, and improves thermal insulation. It also helps to conceal imperfections and protects against moisture and weather damage. |
How to do it | To plaster walls, prepare the surface by cleaning and priming. Mix plaster to the right consistency, apply it evenly using a trowel, and smooth out with a float. Allow drying between coats and finish with sanding for a polished look. |
- What is such a finish for?
- Surface alignment
- Sealing seams
- Insulation and hardening
- Creating a protective layer
- As a decorative coating
- Varieties of compositions and the specifics of application
- Cement
- Gypsum
- Decorative
- What surfaces should be plastered
- Brick
- Foam concrete or gas blocks
- Concrete
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What is such a finish for?
- Breaking component – clay, gypsum, cement, lime.
- Sand.
- Additional mineral or synthetic components that improve the composition make it more plastic, resistant to external influences.
- Water.
On certain occasions, the mixture is made right there on the construction site, combining all the ingredients in precise proportions. but buying a finished mixture is far quicker and easier. The following issues with the wall or ceiling are meant to be resolved by plastering:
- the presence of large changes in vertical and horizontal on the surface;
- the appearance of cracks in the wall during operation;
- heat loss in the heating period and a decrease in wall strength;
- creating a barrier in front of low ambient temperatures, moisture and other negative effects;
- creating a unique ornament or pattern on the wall.
We shall now go over each of the points in greater detail.
Surface alignment
Developers frequently attempt to complete all construction work far more quickly than anticipated or, on the other hand, modify their workforces quickly enough. This has a detrimental effect on the wall’s construction quality. It will not be possible to create a high-quality decorative finish if the surface has significant variations, including hills and hollows.
Consequently, use wall plastering. The task is completed in multiple phases:
- Installing plaster beacons – will help create an even surface without any difficulty.
- Priming – increases adhesion.
- Surface spray – applied a more liquid plaster solution. This layer is not aligned. If the wall has no large differences, this stage can be skipped, then the thickness of the plaster will be much smaller.
- Soil – the mixture is slightly thick and now it fills all the voids that remained at the previous stage. Align the surface with the rule.
- The finish layer – the solution resembles a thick dough and is used to eliminate the smallest flaws.
Next, decorate the walls with the materials. Wallpaper or paint are the most common decorating materials for interior walls. The wallpaper’s contemporary canvases don’t require a perfectly smooth wall beneath them. However, the paint can draw attention to even the smallest flaws, so a finish layer grout is also necessary.
Sealing seams
Natural material settling is another issue with old brick, block, or panel buildings. Consequently, the masonry becomes uneven, and the solution from the joints is sprinkling on. to employ a plaster solution and elevate such homes.
The finished mixture is first filled into the seam, and the wall is then plastered as a whole. Nevertheless, you don’t have to use the solution on the whole wall. Perform a spotlight if you intend to finish, which will conceal such glaring flaws. However, areas that always spill out must be filled before sealing the seams.
Insulation and hardening
These days, everyone wants their home to be warm and cozy while also trying to cut down on heating expenses. As such, they take action to warm the house’s exterior walls. Using specialist plastering compositions, or so-called warm plaster, is one of the better options for this kind of procedure.
You must use a specific solution in order to strengthen the wall. For instance, two-way plastering is used to strengthen a partition made of one brick that separates rooms in a house.
Creating a protective layer
Even the most resilient building material ages with time. There are tiny fissures where moisture collects. When the outside temperature drops to negative values, it freezes and causes significant damage.
However, some contemporary materials are not very resistant to high humidity. The spaces meant to hold on to heat become clogged with water. This causes the material and the design as a whole to be destroyed too soon. For this reason, plastering must be used in these two situations to provide water protection.
As a decorative coating
Plaster can be used to conceal imperfections in addition to helping to align the walls. Contemporary compositions will contribute to a distinctive exterior and interior design. There’s the
- textured;
- relief;
- facade;
- Colored solutions.
However, you can "draw" independently even with a very common solution. You will need makeshift supplies for this. The most important thing is to keep in mind how the initial pattern was made and to make sure that the entire wall is clearly repeated.
Varieties of compositions and the specifics of application
Plaster compositions come in a wide variety in today’s construction market. They are all not without their benefits and drawbacks. Don’t purchase that right away. Determine precisely what needs to be plastered and what the future conditions of this room will be. If you’re having trouble deciding, speak with a professional.
Cement
The most well-known and reasonably priced plaster composition. Simple to produce by hand. The principal elements consist of:
- High -quality cement.
- River sand, necessarily sifted.
- Pure water.
Manufacturers of cement compositions add extra ingredients to enhance plasticity and boost moisture-repelling qualities.
They decorate facades and areas (like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements) where humidity is frequently raised using this type of plaster mixture. freezes for approximately twelve hours.
Gypsum
It is preferable to purchase a pre-made gypsum plaster mixture. Since there are no dangerous ingredients, it is regarded as being completely safe. Additional benefits consist of:
- The weight of the structure with the plaster applied does not change much;
- does not give shrinkage, because the surface after drying will be perfectly smooth;
- Gypsum easily absorbs excess moisture, but at the same time also gives it, and this positively affects the microclimate in the premises;
- does not burn;
- quickly and easily eliminates all irregularities;
- Sound and thermal insulation.
However, there are some drawbacks:
- not intended for external work or rooms with a wet microclimate;
- high price;
- quickly freezes, because the newcomer needs to make small kneels.
Decorative
These are special compositions that contain additional fillers in addition to the main ingredients, which work together to create the distinctive pattern on the wall that sets the structure apart from the overall mass. Decorative plaster can be used to protect the house from outside influences, cover up some drawbacks, and add a distinctive facade decoration.
These compounds are also universal, meaning they can be used on a range of surfaces. Manufacturers typically don’t add any dangerous ingredients. Compared to regular plaster, the drain of such a coating is substantially higher.
However, every material has drawbacks. This is it:
- The high cost is the material itself and the price for the performance of work, because not with all types of decorative plasters it is possible to cope yourself.
- Thorough preparation of the base – for some, the wall should be perfectly flat.
- The difficulty of dismantling.
Plastering walls has both practical and decorative uses in new home construction and renovation. It gives walls a smooth, long-lasting surface that improves their structural integrity and serves as a foundation for paint or wallpaper. Using the right plastering techniques guarantees a consistent finish that can enhance insulation and cover up flaws. This post will examine the rationale behind plastering walls, go over different kinds of plaster, and offer helpful advice on how to get a finish that looks professional. It’s a great resource for both do-it-yourselfers and homeowners.
What surfaces should be plastered
The plaster on the wall does not have to be used every time. However, there are a few circumstances in which it is unavoidable.
Brick
Brick plastering is required in the new home in a few situations:
- under wallpaper or painting;
- the presence of large irregularities on the wall;
- for insulation;
- the seams are not completely filled with the solution.
In a home with a lengthy service life, the same issues might surface. If the structure started to crack, plastering would undoubtedly be necessary.
Foam concrete or gas blocks
The voids in these two materials allow moisture from the outside to quickly accumulate, giving them a porous structure. Use plastering to ensure that water does not cause the material to be destroyed. Must select compositions that repel moisture. Plaster will also add another layer of thermal insulation.
Concrete
Regarding concrete, its surface is smooth. Concrete cannot be plastered with regular cement plaster. Thus, it is necessary to install a reinforcement grid and prime the base thoroughly before applying the solution. Plaster is used in this instance for point plastering and seam closure.
When building or renovating a home, plastering walls has both practical and decorative uses. Plaster does more for walls than just create a level, smooth surface; it also fortifies and shields the underlying framework. Plaster improves the overall look of interior spaces by covering flaws and filling in gaps to provide a consistent surface for painting or applying other finishes.
Furthermore, plastering makes a substantial contribution to the soundproofing and insulation of walls. Depending on the type of plaster used, it can help regulate indoor temperature by acting as a barrier against heat gain or loss. Plaster also absorbs sound, which lessens outside and inter-room noise transmission and enhances the home’s acoustics.
As with any plastering project, it is important to start with careful planning. This entails giving the surface a thorough cleaning to get rid of all dust, debris, and loose particles. Using the right primer ensures good adhesion and encourages an even finish. Next, factors like the intended aesthetics and the surrounding environment must be considered when selecting the proper type of plaster, be it lime, gypsum, or cement-based.
Using a trowel, the plaster mixture is applied uniformly across the wall surface during the plastering process to ensure smoothness and uniform thickness. To get a perfect finish, you might need to use multiple coats and techniques like feathering edges. Before adding any more finishes or decorations, it is crucial to give the application enough time to dry and cure.