How to do facade plastering with your own hands

Plastering your home’s exterior is a useful way to shield the structure from the elements in addition to making it look better. If you’re thinking about doing this project yourself, you’ll discover that with the correct direction and planning, it’s a manageable task.

Although plastering a facade may seem difficult at first, you can accomplish professional-looking results with a few simple tools and supplies and a little perseverance. Whether your goal is to complete a new build or update an old surface, doing it yourself can be a satisfying experience.

We’ll guide you through every step of plastering your facade in this article, from surface preparation to final coat application. By the time it’s through, you’ll know enough to confidently change the outside of your house.

Step Description
1. Surface Preparation Clean the facade, removing dirt and old paint. Repair any cracks or holes.
2. Apply Primer Apply a primer to ensure better adhesion of the plaster to the wall.
3. Mix the Plaster Follow the manufacturer"s instructions to mix the plaster to the right consistency.
4. First Coat Apply the first coat of plaster using a trowel, spreading it evenly over the surface.
5. Let It Dry Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying additional layers.
6. Apply Additional Coats If needed, apply one or more additional coats, allowing each to dry.
7. Finishing Use a float or trowel to smooth and texture the final layer as desired.
8. Paint (Optional) After the plaster has dried, you can paint the surface if required.

A useful and satisfying do-it-yourself project that improves the exterior of your house and offers protection and visual appeal is facade plastering. You don’t need to hire a contractor to accomplish professional-looking results if you follow a few crucial steps, such as properly mixing the plaster, applying it evenly, and surface preparation. Plastering the exterior of a home is a doable task for anyone who has the necessary supplies, equipment, and patience.

Types and methods of application

Selecting the appropriate material is necessary before beginning the facade plaster application process. There are a few varieties available here, so you must select the appropriate one. Facade plaster application in a video will offer you advice on this matter.

Types of facade plaster

As there are multiple options, you should choose the type of mixture before beginning the plastering work on the facade. Both the type of material used to finish the facade and the climate in your area will have a significant impact on your plaster selection.

Let’s examine the primary basic types currently in use:

Mineral This type of plaster is distinguished by its relatively low price, durability of the finished product, resistance to fungus and mold. The basis of the mixture is cement and various additives that affect the adsorbing quality of the solution.
Silicate Liquid fraction potassium glass is used to make this plaster mixture. Main characteristics: vapor permeability, strength, antistatic.
Acrylic The solution is based on synthetic resins and has a high degree of vapor permeability, frost resistance, plasticity.

Note: Out of all the options suggested, the silicone grade is the most optimal but also most expensive. It has assimilated every advantageous quality of the aforementioned types. It is based on a polymer compound.

The texture and application technique of facade plaster are additional classification criteria.

  • Pebble the option assumes the homogeneity of the layer containing a large number of grains. After the grouting is done, the appearance of the plaster resembles small pebbles located very close to each other. An ideal solution for decorating the facade of a building located in a polluted area, since dirt does not linger in such a texture.
  • Bark beetle texture (see. Decorative bark beetle plaster: features of the material) is a type widely used in construction. It got its name because it creates the illusion of being eaten by a beetle, in appearance it resembles numerous grooves. To get such a texture, a plastic float is passed over a fresh layer of plaster. The surface is drawn in several directions: vertically, horizontally, in a circle. By experimenting with the grain size, you can achieve maximum expressiveness of the texture.
  • Mosaic type is a colored plaster of a glassy type. It is based on small multi-colored stones and transparent resin. It is perfect for decorating plinths, balustrades, slopes. It practically does not accumulate dirt, soot, it is easy to clean.

Application tool

Following your selection of the plaster mix type, get the supplies and equipment ready for the job:

  • Primer, which provides reliable protection of surfaces;
  • Beacons, with their help the quality of the applied layer is controlled;
  • Reinforcing mesh, preventing cracks;
  • Corners, for joining surfaces;
  • Spatulas;
  • Float;
  • Rule;
  • Knives.

When plastering the facade, a lot of surface area needs to be worked with, so the following guidelines should be adhered to:

  • Strictly adhere to the technology of preparing the plaster mix;
  • Use the same ingredients for the entire technological cycle;
  • Correctly divide the work surface into capture zones;
  • Prepare all the tools required for the work in advance, as well as materials in full;
  • Carefully perform all actions, do not allow negligence.

Following these guidelines will enable you to obtain a top-notch position and a visually appealing façade.

Note: Individuals lacking prior experience in this domain may wish to rehearse on a smaller structure, like a concrete fence, garage, or utility block.

Observe how the plaster is applied during the trial work: is the surface evenly colored or is it spotted? It is important to learn to use the same color for each part of the solution or to select a mixture that can be painted on during the final finishing step if streaks and stains are apparent.

Some practical tips

Expert suggestions are available to help you select the ideal putty option:

  • Carry out work on priming the surface before applying plaster. The absence of a primer is often the reason for subsequent peeling of the plaster layer.
  • Varnish, silicone-based paint, selected as a material for finishing, increase both the elasticity and strength of the plastered surface.
  • Soundproofing, fire-resistant, heat-insulating plaster requires compliance with certain proportions when preparing the solution, as well as the use of special additives that improve the required characteristics.
  • The optimal thickness of the plaster layer for facade work is 1 cm, its multiple increase will not affect the heat transfer of the room in any way, but will only cause additional financial and labor costs.

Technology of applying facade plaster to the surface

We’ll talk more specifically about how to plaster the facade now.

Note: It is important to remember that outside work should be done in air temperatures between +5 and +30 degrees, with a maximum relative humidity of 70%. Plaster cannot be applied when the surface being treated is exposed to direct sunlight or during the rainy season.

The following sequential operations can be used to categorize the entire work process:

  • It is necessary to allocate a place for washing the hose.
  • Prepare all the tools and equipment required for the work, check the working condition of the mechanisms. You can plaster the facade of a building in two ways: mechanically, using a station and manually – using special tools.
  • Prepare the components necessary for the solution, in full.

The technology mentioned above is generic in nature, but there are subtle differences in working with each type due to the unique properties of the various materials used to make walls. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Applying plaster to a foam concrete wall

Plastering walls serves to shield them from moisture and stop cracks. Plaster is usually applied in a layer of 5 to 10 mm on aerated concrete surfaces.

Note: The thickness of the internal and external plaster in this instance must be accurately calculated and correlated, as this influences the walls’ ability to withstand frost and heat.

  • The thermal conductivity of both layers must be high, allowing moisture to freely escape to the outside. This indicator should be increased in direct proportion, moving from the inner layer to the outer. This will allow moisture to freely pass through the outer layer, which will have a beneficial effect on the condition of the walls, protecting them from destruction.
  • For those who cannot calculate the thickness of the layer, there is the following hint: the layer of plaster applied from the street side should be 2 times thinner than the internal one. In this case, a satisfactory thickness for external plaster is considered to be within 5-10 mm, while for internal plaster – from 10 to 20 mm.
  • The process of drying plaster on a foam concrete wall lasts much longer compared to other types of materials. This is due to the fact that walls made of foam blocks (see. How to plaster walls made of foam blocks while maintaining their ability to "breathe") do not absorb moisture, so the drying of the plaster layer occurs only due to the removal of moisture to the outside.

A few operational details:

  • A cut block made of cellular concrete, due to its rough surface, has better adhesion to plaster;
  • For cast blocks, it is recommended to sand, which allows you to remove the upper hydrophobic layer;
  • It is preferable to use a plaster mixture characterized by high adhesion, since the foaming component of foam concrete reduces the susceptibility of the surface to adhesion;
  • You can increase the adhesion of plaster on a foam concrete wall if you use a special reinforced mesh;
  • If it is necessary to paint a plastered wall made of foam blocks, it is recommended to purchase a special facade paint based on silicate or silicone.

Plastering work on a concrete wall

Concrete walls have a unique quality in that imperfections like chips, cracks, drips, and depressions form during the construction process. Therefore, using plaster solutions or special repair putty, the walls must be leveled and free of any defects before plaster is applied.

Attention: Failure to do so may result in a high likelihood of the plaster layer adhering weakly to the base and making the creation of a layer with the same structure impossible.

A primer or strengthening compound is applied after the surface has been leveled. This can be accomplished mechanically with a spray gun, or manually with a roller or brush.

Because concrete does not absorb moisture well, layers of plaster are applied to it:

  • The first layer is a spray, quite liquid in consistency, consisting of the same components as the main working solution. Its thickness varies between 3-5 mm.
  • The second layer is applied with a primer, thickening it to 10 mm.
  • And lastly, they perform the covering, which plays a decorative role. Its thickness is up to 7 mm.

Plastering a brick wall

Brickwork is done with the joints joined into a waste area if plastering the surfaces is the original plan after construction is finished.

  • Using a fine metal mesh or creating notches on the bricks helps improve the adhesion of the plaster layer to the brick.
  • As for the plaster layer itself, it is also multi-layered and includes spray, primer and covering.
  • The consistency and thickness of the solution is similar to that for a concrete wall.

Be aware that you should first deepen the seams on brick walls. This will encourage improved surface adhesion.

You can successfully finish the facade plastering of your home by yourself by following these steps. With the correct equipment and supplies, this task is entirely achievable even though it will take some time and effort. The end product will be a gorgeous and long-lasting finish that will improve your property’s appearance.

The result will be durable and polished if the surface is properly prepared, the right type of plaster is selected, and it is applied carefully. Keep in mind that improvement comes with practice, so don’t give up if you need to make changes as you go.

Ultimately, plastering your own home not only saves you money but also gives you the satisfaction of making improvements to your house yourself. You can accomplish an outcome you’ll be happy with if you have patience and pay close attention to detail.

Video on the topic

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Dmitry Stepanov

Professional decorator with 10 years of experience. I know everything about renovating apartments, houses and offices. I will be happy to share my knowledge and experience with you.

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