Composition of plaster: what types of mixtures are there

One of the most adaptable and popular building and remodeling materials is plaster. The correct plaster mix can make all the difference when it comes to protecting surfaces, smoothing walls, and creating decorative finishes. But it can be difficult to choose the best plaster because there are so many varieties available.

The secret to choosing the ideal plaster mixture for your project is to understand its composition. Plasters vary in composition and are formulated to fulfill distinct purposes. Plasters come in various forms and applications, ranging from conventional mixes consisting of lime and cement to contemporary pre-made options.

This post will examine the various kinds of plaster mixtures, dissecting their constituent parts and emphasizing the optimal applications for each. Understanding the fundamentals of plaster composition will help you complete your wall finishing projects with the best possible outcome, regardless of your level of experience or interest in do-it-yourself projects.

Knowing the composition of plaster is essential to selecting the appropriate kind for your project. Various combinations are made for specific purposes, such as adding decorative elements or simply smoothing walls. This post examines the different kinds of plaster mixtures, outlining their components and providing advice on how to use them to complete wall finishing projects with optimal results.

Types of plaster

Plaster comes in a variety of forms, and each has unique properties and compositions. Let’s take a closer look at each kind of finishing material and the circumstances surrounding their application. Any can be applied manually, which will result in a much cheaper finishing cost. Selecting precisely what you need is crucial. You will also learn the composition of the plaster.

Dry plaster

Plasterboard sheets are often used to finish a room’s walls (see. Technology for plasterboard cladding: techniques for applying the material). They are produced in factories under particular circumstances.

Understanding the dimensions and properties of this material is essential for a quick and high-quality finishing process:

• It is better to use a galvanized profile for installation. It is attached to the walls with brackets and measured by level.
• The size of the sheet must be taken into account when placing it on any surface. Attach the plasterboard to the profile with screws.
• In those places where there are cracks and joints, they are covered with putty and cleaned. To achieve a perfectly smooth surface, it is necessary to use an abrasive mesh of various consistencies.

Among dry plaster’s benefits are:

• Speed ​​of work. This is due to the fact that installation is carried out without "water" processes.
• Low cost. Independent installation work using dry plaster does not require extra costs for specialists.
• Easy to build plasterboard walls, as well as various surfaces.
• You can also level the plane without increasing the weight of the supporting structure.
• You can make several levels of finishing with this finishing material. It is also used when it is necessary to make recessed spotlights.

Among dry plaster’s drawbacks are:

• The material is capricious to changes in temperature and humidity;
• It is short-lived and fragile.

Monolithic

Monolithic plaster is required to level the interior and to add any color or texture. This material is resistant to outside influences and is not affected by high temperatures or humidity.

These kinds of plaster also have the following benefits:

Note: Because each layer must be dried, monolithic plaster adds weight to the structure, increases costs, and lengthens the work schedule.

Ordinary plaster and decorative plaster are examples of the wet type of finishing material.

• The main task of the ordinary type is to prepare the surface for subsequent gluing or painting.
• In the decorative version, it is good to make a plane structure.

There are a number of components to this composition for plastering walls for communication, including:

• Based on lime (see. We prepare the solution for lime plastering ourselves), which is often chosen due to the ease of preparation of the mixture. The solution for work is prepared using lime and sand. If you buy a ready-made mixture, it may also contain synthetic particles, which serve to strengthen.
• Based on acrylic, which are unpretentious to temperature and humidity changes. The main advantage of this material is its elasticity, which makes it indispensable when working with old surfaces.
• Based on polymer cement, distinguished by the fact that they are fireproof. This is due to the fact that the composition includes polymers that increase the mechanical characteristics of the finishing material.
• From the composition of various resins, which are distinguished by their unpretentiousness to adverse weather conditions and do not disintegrate under the influence of moisture.

Cement plaster

Most often, this plaster mix composition is created by hand. Cement serves as the primary binder component in this plaster composition. Plaster composition is categorized by grades; m25 plaster composition is less durable than m500 plaster composition.

• It can be easily made by hand. The price of the components is not high.
• Perfectly suitable for finishing external surfaces.
• Perfectly tolerates temperature changes and high humidity.

Colored decorative

The connecting element between all the constituent parts of colored decorative plasters (see Decorating walls with decorative plaster: creating a beautiful interior) is either an acrylic-based substance, dyes, or quartz sand. Facade plaster is typically offered for sale as a ready-made mixture.

• This material is used to smooth surfaces inside the premises, as well as for independent finishing of door and window frames.
• Decorative colored plaster can also be found on the front side of buildings. Most often, this finishing material has the appearance of small stones.
• Decorative plaster composition can be quite different, when buying, you should study the instructions and parameters for its use.

Stone

Many surfaces can be decorated with stone plaster:

• The first step in this process will be the application of stone lines. This can be done with a special marking thread.
• Next, a pre-selected type of plaster is applied. When the solution hardens, you can start carving on the stones.
• The soft mixture is removed at a distance of about one third of the entire layer.

Granite or marble chips are the primary ingredient in stone plaster (see Facade plaster with marble chips: types, features, application methods). These types of finishing materials are seen on building columns, foundations, and other components.

Terrazite

When finishing a building’s exterior, terrazite plaster is frequently used to mimic a stone surface.

Let’s take a closer look at the steps involved in cladding with this material:

• First, the future decorative pattern is applied to the surface. It is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the plaster. For this type of finishing, a mixture of cement, lime and mica is used. Small chips of stone and sand are the components of this solution.
• A mesh in the form of a wave or groove is applied to the still soft layer of material. This work can be done using various tools at your discretion. For concrete walls, it is better to use a hammer or chisel. Waves should be placed horizontally at a distance of about 4 cm from each other.
• In order to apply terrazzo plaster to the surface, it must be pre-moistened. 15 minutes before covering the decorative material, the wall must be sprayed with water.
• Next, it is necessary to process this finishing material using a scraper. The result of this process will be a shiny and smooth surface.
• The last stage of finishing with terrazzo plaster will be the upholstery of the top layer with a chisel or other tool. Using sandblasting equipment, we complete the coating work.

Sgraffito – artistic

Sgraffito-artistic plaster produces a lovely coating with a relief pattern.

Recall! This kind of plaster is prepared by applying layers of different colors. Removing some of the layers in order to get a pattern will be the last step in this process.

With the aforementioned plaster, all finishing work can be broken down into multiple stages:

• After applying the layer, it must be rubbed and leveled. The number of layers is chosen at your discretion. The most optimal number is considered to be five or six.
• The second stage will be marking the pattern. For this, a template and chalk are most often used. After the pattern is outlined, you can begin to apply a layer of plaster. This process begins with covering the plaster along the contour, and then along the outlined pattern.
• As a result, you get a relief pattern that will perfectly fit into the design of the front side of the building.

Venetian

This kind of plaster invariably contains marble powder, limestone, or acrylic.

• The subtlety and beauty of this material lies in the application of a large number of thin layers to the surface. A wall covered with Venetian plaster shimmers in the sun. This effect is obtained due to the different depths of application of the material.
• It is distinguished by its high cost and requires more careful handling compared to its other types. The process of applying Venetian plaster may require the help of a qualified specialist.
• It is quite suitable for finishing fireplaces and stoves.
• As a result of labor-intensive work, a cladding about 5 mm thick will appear, which will shimmer in the sun and delight with its beauty and aesthetics.

Because this decorative plaster composition is expensive, it is best to level the plane using cement mortar and apply Venetian for the final finishing.

Choosing plaster

There are a lot of different kinds of plaster available today. You must be aware of every feature of the finishing material before selecting one.

• Plaster varies in cost. At the moment, it has become fashionable to use imported finishing materials, which are distinguished by their high price. But high cost does not always guarantee good quality. It follows from this that domestic material is preferable to foreign analogues.
• The design of the premises both inside and outside requires a combination of colors and materials. Otherwise, there will be no harmony in the interior.

Attention: It is clear from the above that choosing the plaster requires considering its design and color in addition to its price.

Type of Plaster	Main Ingredients
Cement Plaster	Cement, sand, water
Lime Plaster	Lime, sand, water
Gypsum Plaster	Gypsum, water
Clay Plaster	Clay, sand, straw, water
Acrylic Plaster	Acrylic resin, fillers, water

For every wall finishing project, knowing the makeup of plaster is crucial to getting the best results. Depending on the particular requirements of the surface and the intended finish, different kinds of mixtures have different advantages. There is a plaster mix ideal for any purpose, whether it is moisture resistance, durability, or a smooth look.

In the long run, selecting the appropriate plaster mix can save you money, time, and effort. It guarantees that the wall finish will look great and last a long time. Understanding the fundamental elements and varieties of plaster enables you to make well-informed choices that enhance the overall caliber of your undertaking.

In the end, the choice of plaster and the method of application determine how well your wall finishing turns out. With the correct combination, you can easily create stunning, long-lasting walls that improve the appearance and atmosphere of any area.

Video on the topic

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