Finishing is an integral part of the construction and repair work. Usually putties are used as decoration. They can be different. There are silicate, silicone, acrylic, gypsum, cement-lime, cement-sand options. But recently, decorative mineral plaster has often been used. Its composition includes minerals of different origin (granite or crushed marble). Also included is a light Portland cement and lime. What are the features of this plaster and what is the technology of its application? We will consider all this further.
What are the advantages of the material?
Among the pluses in the reviews, there is a quick setting of the material. In comparison with analogues, decorative mineral plaster quickly connects to the base. During the day, it solidifies completely (and the initial drying takes place already in the 20th minute). But since all reactions occur quickly, you also need to work with this material immediately. Otherwise, a qualitative result will not work. If decorative mineral plaster is applied according to the instructions, then you can get a strong and aesthetic surface of the wall. This is possible due to the porous structure of the material. Under the influence of moisture, strength is enhanced. In addition, the material passes air and performs a heat-insulating function.
Use for interior work
Very often, mineral decorative plaster (including Bark beetle) is used for interior work with drywall. He does not need additional processing, and plaster can change its texture. Often it is used to highlight some objects. These are niches, cornices, and sometimes separate walls. Thanks to the mineral plaster it is possible to give the coating a rougher look. If this is an internal work, additionally the surface can be varnished. This makes the color of the wall more saturated and gives the coating more gloss. In addition, the strength characteristics increase.
Outdoor work
Since this plaster perfectly withstands moisture and other atmospheric influences, it is often used for facade work. As practice shows, such coatings last quite a long time. The composition withstands both severe frosts and frequent temperature changes. You can take care of such a coating with any detergent composition. Decorative mineral plaster is used for decoration:
- Outdoor stairs.
- The inputs.
- Caps
It can cover both a separate element of the house, and the entire facade. The material is not combustible, therefore it can be used as protection for wood, chipboard or MDF panels.
Use for decorative work
This plaster is also used for decorative purposes. She does not need additional covering with a tile or wall-paper. It looks quite stylish and modern. The composition for decorative work can be either tinted or unpainted. Sometimes it is already applied to a painted surface. If you apply a thin layer of the composition, the color of the base will remain. And you can achieve the desired shade depth with colorless varnish. It makes the appearance of the wall more attractive. The texture of the plaster may be different, depending on the type used. So, the composition may be silky, with grooves or pebbles.
Primary Draft
Is such a compound used for roughing? Experts give a negative answer. Mineral plaster is an exclusively decorative and finishing material. Therefore, you can not use it as a starting plaster. The composition is applied only to the prepared surface, without large differences and with masked cracks. Otherwise, all defects on the wall will be visible.
Varieties
There are two types of plaster:
Structural is characterized by the presence of fractions of different sections. In this case, it acquires the texture after application to the surface.
Structural plasters include pebble (it is also mosaic). It consists of fine granite or marble with the addition of other components. Very often, “Bark beetle” plaster is used for decoration. It refers to a textured type. After application, you can get a voluminous and beautiful pattern. A slightly different effect is obtained after using the Venetian mineral plaster. Fine fractions of various shades and colors are visible on the surface (as a rule, this is marble dust). The composition contains no additives from rocks. Venetian plaster includes marble chips and natural ingredients (cellulose).
What is needed for application?
Many are interested in how decorative mineral plaster is applied. To perform this work, you need to prepare personal protective equipment. It is unacceptable that the composition gets on the skin, since it has an alkaline pH. From the tools you will need:
- The grid is plaster. Its price is about 120 rubles per meter.
- Container for mixing the mixture (if not ready, but dry is used).
- Grater for plaster (steel).
- Trowel.
- Spatulas (several pieces of different sizes).
- Construction mixer and plastic grater.
We will also need:
- Corner Profiles.
- Lighthouses
- Masking tape.
Getting to work
So, first you need to level the walls with a starting putty. This is used to seal holes, recesses, curved bends and crevices. All defects must be disposed of in advance.
After preparation, particles of cement mortar may remain on the surface. You need to get rid of them too. This can be done with sandpaper. Additionally, the wall is degreased in the presence of spots. If you are finishing on a soft base (for example, on mineral wool insulation), you need to lay a special stucco paint net (its price is about 150 rubles per linear meter). It is laid on the base, and the starting plaster mixture is placed on top.
Before applying the finishing composition, this wall is primed. This is necessary for better adhesion. So that the composition does not stick to the instrument, the latter is pre-wetted in water. Then you can get to work. It is important to pre-calculate the amount of the desired composition, since it must be applied in one go. If there is an excess of the mixture, in the future it will be unsuitable, as it will quickly dry out.
If the finished composition purchased at the store turned out to be too dry, it can be diluted with plain water. By mixing the composition, you can get the perfect mixture. But putty should not be too liquid. Ideally, the composition should have the consistency of sour cream.
If you need to apply any geometric pattern to the wall, or to make a combination of colors, masking tape is applied to the surface along the outlined lines. The solution is laid top-down and bottom-up. There must be a 15 degree angle between the tool and the wall. It is important that the layer is thin and does not exceed the thickness of the largest fraction of the putty composition.
First, a coarse layer is applied, and after that it is leveled with a spatula. Further, the profile is laid on the corners and pressed. After that, the corner is also covered with a putty mixture and leveled.
If Bark beetle is used, the next step is to create an invoice. This is done using a plastic plaster grater. It is necessary to make linear or circular movements. Then they stop work for 20 minutes. This is necessary in order for the initial setting to take place. Then masking tape with raw residues is removed. After this, you need to wait another two days and boldly cover the surface with varnish. It is advisable to apply the composition using electrical equipment. At the same time, the wall dries up without additional impacts - just open the windows. If work is being done outdoors, it is important that debris does not accumulate on the surface.
Consumption
Consumption depends on the grain diameter of the largest fraction. The larger the size, the thicker the layer (accordingly, the greater the consumption of the composition). For example, the consumption of “Lamb” plaster, where the granule cross-section is about 2.5 millimeters, is 3.5 kilograms per square meter. And if the granule size is 3.5 millimeters, this consumption increases by 1.4 kilograms.
Price
It must be borne in mind that decorative mineral plaster will always be more expensive than regular cement. The cost will depend on:
- The composition of the mixture.
- Varieties.
- Type of mixture.
- Points of sale.
- Production region.
It is worth considering that pebble mineral decorative plaster is much more expensive than conventional cement based. The price of packaging 25 kg varies even within the framework of one specific brand and depends on a number of factors including:
- Points of sale.
- Type of mixture.
- Categories / grades.
- Production region.
- The composition of the mixture.
Mineral decorative plaster Ceresit will cost from 600 to 840 rubles on average. This is the price for a 25 kg bag. The price of the Chrysel compound is slightly lower than the Cerezit plaster - about 450 rubles. But the composition of Vetonit can cost up to 2.5 thousand rubles. It is believed that the Cerezite plaster is the golden mean.
Conclusion
So, we found out what decorative mineral plaster is. Using this mixture, you can significantly change the design of the interior or facade of the building. However, in order to not upset the result, you need to know the application technology.