Decorative plaster is a great way to add a distinctive and fashionable finish to your walls. It adds depth and texture, unlike ordinary paint, turning plain surfaces into artistic creations. Decorative plaster offers an endless array of options for achieving a classic or more modern aesthetic.
Applying decorative plaster may seem like a difficult task at first, but anyone who is willing to put in the work can master it with the right guidance. It all comes down to knowing the tools, methods, and procedures that are used. You’ll be able to produce breathtaking effects that will improve the appearance of any space once you get the hang of it.
We’ll take you step-by-step through the technology of applying decorative plaster in this article. We’ll go over everything you need to know to get results that look professional, from painting and priming your walls to adding the finishing touches. So, this guide will help you get started with confidence whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or just interested in learning more about the process.
Step | Description |
1. Surface Preparation | Clean the wall, repair cracks, and apply a primer to ensure the plaster adheres well. |
2. Mixing Plaster | Prepare the decorative plaster by mixing it according to the manufacturer’s instructions until you achieve a smooth consistency. |
3. Applying Base Coat | Using a trowel, apply a thin, even layer of plaster to the wall as a base coat. Let it dry completely. |
4. Adding Texture | Apply another layer of plaster and create the desired texture with tools like sponges, brushes, or special rollers. |
5. Drying | Allow the textured plaster to dry completely, which may take up to 24 hours depending on the product and environment. |
6. Finishing | Once dry, you can paint, seal, or polish the surface to achieve the final decorative effect. |
Features of decorative plaster
The contents of the material consist of:
- Watery base.
- Polymers for binding.
- Filler, which can be:
- sand;
- lime mixture;
- marble chips (see. Plaster with marble chips: types, features, application methods).
Decorative plaster can be used on a variety of building materials and precisely levels the surface.
Here, the walls could be:
- Brick.
- Gypsum board.
- Wooden and others.
The material is unique in that it can produce a wide range of images due to its high plasticity. Additions of tiny stones and shells can produce an expansive pattern.
Advice: You can buy dry or dough-like decorative plaster. It is important to consider its distinct technical properties when choosing a material to finish a room’s walls.
Depending on the kind of binding element and filler composition, the material can be:
- Mineral plaster. Consists of lime or cement, water-based. Its price is the lowest, but there are a number of disadvantages, the most important of which is low vibration resistance. Such material can begin to crack even with minor vibration in houses located near the railway line, which must be taken into account.
- Silicate plaster. Has greater resistance to vibration movements, however, not the highest. In this case, the binding element is liquid potassium glass. The main advantage of the material is its low tendency to become dirty.
- Acrylic plaster. A higher quality coating compared to the two previous ones. The technology of decorative plaster is based on an aqueous dispersion of acrylic resins. This material is used to decorate interior walls of rooms and facades of houses. Its main advantages:
- moisture resistance;
- heat resistance.
It is also quite simple to wash. There is no substitute for this kind of coating in the kitchen and bathroom.
- Silicone plaster. This is the most expensive coating. The binding element here is polymers. When applying such a decorative coating to the wall with your own hands, it is easy to understand what excellent plastic properties the material has, which allows even a non-professional worker to apply it. In addition, the surface is easy to wash.
The type of plaster is determined by the fillers used.
- Textured (see. Textured plaster: features of wall decoration). This is an inexpensive and quite popular type of coating. The filler in it is:
- wood fibers;
- mica;
- small stones;
- mineral chips.
With the use of these fillers, one can create a pattern that appears three-dimensional, and the walls beneath the plaster take on the appearance of authentic artwork.
- Structural. Here, stone and mineral chips are used as a filler. Quartz elements are also used in the coating.
Advice: You should become acquainted with the structural homogeneity of this coating prior to applying it. The wall in this instance will resemble tree bark.
- Venetian (see. DIY Venetian plaster: features of the work). The filler in such material is marble chips. This is a very beautiful decorative plaster, the technology of its application is quite complex. The material is used most often in antique or classical interiors.
- Facade. Mainly used for finishing facades. However, when using small granules, it can also be used indoors. Fillers in the material can be very different. Its advantages:
- moisture resistance;
- good soundproofing;
- resistance to temperature fluctuations.
- Plaster. In this case, gypsum is used as a filler. Advantages of the material:
- high environmental friendliness;
- high-quality leveling properties;
- strength;
- increased ductility.
What tools are needed for the job?
A video explaining how to create a unique ornament or texture, the kind of material, and the technology for applying decorative plaster all demonstrate the entire process in detail.
You will need specific tools in order to apply the coating:
- Steel trowel. It is a special spatula, which is mainly intended for applying the Venetian type of mixture. Coating metal elements with special means prevents the formation of rust. Patterns on structural and textured types can be very different, which allows you to make tools of different sizes.
- A plastic trowel is used to create relief in structural compositions such as:
- "bark beetle";
- "fur coat".
- A decorative brush allows you to make the surface rough. The surface is "combed" with a brush, leaving furrows. The result depends on the direction of movement of the tool along the wall. Movements can be:
- vertical stripes;
- arcs.
Everything is up to the property owner’s creativity.
- Applicator. Designed to give a comfortable texture to wood.
- Sea sponge. With its help, paint is applied, which gives the coating an interesting effect.
- A roller with a "marble" surface is purchased for working with a Venetian surface. Helps to imitate natural stone.
- A porous roller is needed to create a surface of an unusual texture. Used not only for painting with decorative paints.
- Textured roller (see. Rollers for decorative plaster and creating a relief surface). Such tools are made on different stamps. They are convenient to use for applying repeating patterns, like on wallpaper. When working, you need to move from the bottom up, you need to move the roller over the surface in one motion, imprinting the pattern on the wall.
- Stamp for "Safari". It can be used to make the surface look like crocodile skin, using a special mixture "Safari" for this, which will give the surface a very expensive and respectable look.
Adding ornamental plaster to your walls is a great way to bring out their beauty and personality. With the correct equipment and a little perseverance, you can produce amazing effects that give any space a special touch.
From surface preparation to plaster application and finishing, even inexperienced workers can confidently take on this project by following the specified steps. Recall that thorough planning and taking your time at each step of the procedure are essential for success.
Decorative plaster offers countless options for creating a classic or modern aesthetic. Try different textures, colors, and application methods to get the ideal finish that complements your style. As you practice, you’ll get better at what you do and have the satisfaction of making something really unique for your house.
Adding decorative plaster to your walls is an artistic and useful way to improve their appearance while preserving their durability. To create a gorgeous, textured finish, this article explains how to properly mix plaster, prepare your surface, and apply it. Whether you’re a novice or an enthusiast, you can easily achieve professional-looking results with the help of this straightforward advice.