Perlite plaster: characteristics and features of use

The lightweight composition and thermal insulation qualities of perlite plaster make it a highly versatile material. It is frequently used to improve wall insulation and provide a smooth finish in building and renovation projects.

The ability of perlite plaster to control interior temperature and improve energy efficiency is one of its main advantages. Because of this, it’s a great option for both residential and business structures.

For best results, there are certain techniques that must be followed when applying perlite plaster. To get the best results from your wall finishing projects, you must comprehend its characteristics and use it correctly.

Use of perlite plaster

Based on perlite, plaster works very well as a heat insulator.

As a result, it is frequently utilized in numerous construction processes:

• In the organization of finishing the facade of buildings, requiring additional thermal insulation;
• Work on sound and heat insulation of walls, internal or external;
• Perlite plaster is used for insulation of wall surfaces, slopes for windows or openings for doors where other vertical areas are attached to them;
• It is used as insulation for sewer and water pipes;
• It is a good insulation for ceilings and floors;
• To reduce noise during internal repair and construction work.

Perlite plaster’s natural origin and ease of installation give it the following benefits:

• When using it for finishing, you can refuse to use reinforcement mesh;
• The solution can be applied to treated and untreated walls;
• Due to increased adhesion (bonding), a large amount of work can be completed in a short time;
• There are no cold bridges on the treated surface;
• Perlite “warm” plaster prevents the occurrence of rats and mice.

Making your own "warm" plaster solution is a fairly simple process.

Note: To achieve this, some of the leveling solution’s components are swapped out for ones with better thermal insulation capabilities.

For instance, you can use loose perlite in place of quartz sand, and cement mortar or gypsum will function as a binding agent. Since perlite plaster, which includes cement, can be finished both indoors and outdoors, it is universal. Because of its increased hygroscopic properties, gypsum in the finishing mixture prevents it from being used for external finishing.

Advantages of "warm" perlite plaster

Perlite has exceptional thermal insulation properties because it is an oxidized form of sand that originated from volcanic eruptions. It imparts properties to plaster mixtures when it is present.

As a result, perlite plaster offers several benefits.

• Allows you to improve heat retention in the house;
• Increases sound insulation;
• Used on almost all surfaces: brick walls, foam blocks (see. How to plaster foam blocks according to technology), wooden surfaces, stone bases;
• Has good fireproof properties. This increases fire safety, as it does not support the combustion process;
• Allows you to maintain the correct microclimate and the desired level of humidity in the room. This is achieved due to the vapor permeability of the material;
• Perlite plaster is resistant to the formation of microorganisms, mold and fungi;
• It has an environmentally friendly and safe composition.

Perlite plaster functions uniquely because of its resistance to moisture and frost, as well as its elasticity and pliability during application. The smoothness, lack of imperfections, and extended retention of the treated surface’s original shape set it apart.

Removal of uneven areas of the surface

Prior to beginning any work, the wall’s vertical level and the existence of any irregularities or depressions are inspected. A thicker layer of the mixture must be applied here in order to level the base and remove depressions.

The work will take longer if multiple layers of the solution need to be applied. Plaster consumption per square meter increases with surface leveling; this must be considered while working.

The repair standards specify the allowed variations of the final surface, which vary depending on the kind of plaster mix used:

• For a conventional plaster mix, the norm is considered to be a shift from the vertical of no more than 1.5 cm in relation to the height of the wall or no more than 3 mm per 1 meter, the thickness of the applied solution is no more than 12 mm;
• Improved plaster can have a deviation of no more than 10 mm per the final height of the walls or ≤ 2 mm per 1 m of surface. The layer should not be thicker than 15 mm;
• According to the rules, the highest quality plaster has a deviation that does not exceed 5 mm per building height or 0.1 cm per meter of surface. In this case, the applied layer should be no thicker than 2 cm.
• Often, to remove large irregularities in the wall, a wire mesh with a cell size of 10×10 mm is used. To attach the wire mesh to the brick wall, use nails driven into the seams between the bricks.
• If the wall is concrete, then such a mesh is fixed at the place where the reinforcement comes out. To prevent the wire from rusting, it is treated with so-called cement milk.
• Small depressions and cracks are covered with a solution. Such preparatory work should be carried out at least three days before the start of using the plaster.

Removing dirt from the surface of the walls

The wall surface has to be cleaned before the plaster layer is applied. The liquid plaster solution’s adhesion force is greatly decreased in the presence of stains, dust, and dirt.

• To clean the bases of brick, concrete, stone, use a solution of hydrochloric acid with a concentration of 3%, then wash the surface with ordinary water.
• Oil stains are removed with the help of fatty clay. It must be spread in a solid layer over the grease stains, then the dried wall or ceiling is cleaned. Dried clay absorbs fat.
• If the contamination is severe and does not clear up immediately, the procedure will have to be repeated. The downside of this method is that sometimes you have to apply clay several times to completely absorb the stain, repeating this process several times.
• Also, the removed grease stains may reappear after a while. Therefore, the best method of dealing with grease stains is to remove the affected areas by cutting. The resulting irregularities must be covered with a solution.
• Dust, dirt and dried mortar are cleaned from the walls and ceilings with an iron brush. It is necessary to press the steel brush hard against the surface being treated and make movements in different directions.

Because of its insulating qualities and versatility, perlite plaster is a great choice for increasing a building’s energy efficiency. Applying it is simple, and it offers good fire resistance and soundproofing. For a variety of interior and external walls, knowing the essential qualities and appropriate application methods of perlite plaster can help guarantee a long-lasting and high-quality finish.

Increasing the adhesion of the mortar

To increase adhesion on brickwork, the brick joints must be widened and lowered by approximately 1 centimeter.

• The resulting recesses at the seams will make the adhesion much higher. This method only works if the base is made of brick with a porous base. The surface of the brick without gaps, a smooth surface is made to improve adhesion to the mortar, rough. This is done by making notches using a chisel, which is struck with a hammer.
• A smooth concrete wall is processed with a hammer drill or a carpenter"s axe. Notches are cut out, which are sunk approximately 5 mm deep and 5-10 cm long.
• You can use the method of processing with a wet brush moistened with clean water.
• Oil paint stains, just like other greasy stains, are removed by cutting out.

Reinforcement using mesh or wire

Plastering with a 4 cm thick layer suggests that the wood’s surface needs to be strengthened. A metal mesh is used for this, though wire can be used in its stead.

It’s simple to apply reinforcement on your own by following these guidelines in order:

• A metal mesh made of stainless material is used (see. Metal plaster mesh: features of use), the size of the cells can be different: minimum 10×10 mm, maximum 40×40 mm. The canvas is cut to the required size and fixed with nails. The nailed mesh must be well tensioned, excluding sagging. Nails must be at least 8 cm, no more than 10 cm. Nails are nailed, fixing the mesh, in a checkerboard pattern, retreating 10 cm between nails. The nail does not need to be driven in all the way. Bend the unhammered part of the nail with the head, thereby pressing the mesh.
• A better result for ensuring roughness can be achieved by braiding the driven nails with wire. This method is more optimal than using a ready-made metal mesh, but is less fast. The nails are placed in the wall in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of 1 m. The nail heads will be recessed 2 cm deep after applying the plaster layer.
• A copper or stainless steel wire with a diameter of 1-2 mm is wrapped around a nail, pulling tightly, and a mesh is woven.

The distinctive combination of lightweight characteristics and superior thermal insulation makes perlite plaster stand out. Its capacity to improve energy efficiency and offer a long-lasting surface makes it a desirable option for a range of wall applications.

Even though applying it carefully is necessary, particularly when layering and mixing, the advantages outweigh the drawbacks. When applied properly, perlite plaster gives your walls a layer of fire resistance in addition to improving the interior climate.

For those looking for wall finishes that strike a balance between protection and usability, going with perlite plaster is a sensible choice. It’s a sturdy material that satisfies structural and aesthetic requirements.

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