5 ways to apply decorative plaster

Decorative plaster is an excellent way to give your walls character and texture. This adaptable material can be used to create a rustic, modern, or even artistic finish, depending on your preference. With so many application techniques at your disposal, you’re sure to find the ideal method to complement your decor and area.

This post will examine five common applications for decorative plaster. Every technique has a different outcome, so you can create designs that are bold and eye-catching or elegant and subtle. Knowing these methods will assist you in selecting the best option for your project, regardless of whether you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast or intend to hire a professional.

Materials and tools

Decorative plaster is used to apply distinctive and creative wall finishing coats. You will need to gather the required tools and purchase pre-made decorative mixtures or standard gypsum plasters in order to accomplish this.

The following brands include ready-to-apply decorative materials: Ceresit, VGT, and San Marco. Good plastering dry mixes include Knauf Uniflot, Knauf Rotband, Ceresit ST127, and similar products.

You’ll need the following to apply the solution and add texture to the wall:

• rectangular trowel;
• wide and narrow spatula;
• wide brush;
• rollers (fur and figured).

Preparing the walls

Any prepared surface can be covered with decorative plaster:

• finishing putty or leveling plaster (cement, gypsum etc.);
• brick and concrete;
• aerated concrete;
• gypsum board or chipboard;
• wood (using mesh or shingle reinforcement).

The walls need to be properly prepared before you begin any work. The surface needs to be dust-free, dry, and clean. Cracks and irregularities need to be puttied, and all traces of the previous finish are eliminated.

If the decoration is intended for uneven foundations, such as brick masonry, wooden walls, or other surfaces, these surfaces need to be aligned beforehand and sealed with chipboard or GKL sheets. Plaster conceals large flaws, while putty covers minor ones.

Prime the walls before plastering. The primer will ensure that decorative materials adhere well to walls. Selecting deep penetration acrylic or alkyd compositions is worthwhile. An antiseptic primer that guards against the growth of mold and fungus is chosen for wet rooms.

Adhesive compositions containing quartz sand are required to prepare walls made of smooth materials like drywall and chipboard. Sand will increase the coating’s and the base’s adhesion by adding roughness. The brands Bayramix Astar, DALI-Decor Quartz Primer, Alpina Expert, and Betonokontakt are available for adhesive quartz primer.

If the walls are already covered in ornamental plaster, you can update the interior by adding a fresh coat of material. It is not necessary to remove the prior finish in order to accomplish this. To ensure consistent and robust material adhesion, the surface only needs to be treated with adhesion primer.

Reinforcement using a mesh of fiberglass. Before decorative work is done, some bases need to be reinforced. For instance, a fiberglass mesh-covered plaster layer is applied over mineral wool or polystyrene foam when constructing a wet facade. This layer serves as a base leveler. Fiberglass is not required at this stage of the plastering process because the mixture is applied in a thin layer ranging from 2 to 5 mm.

Application Methods

Prior to beginning repair work, you must determine the material consumption in order to buy the necessary quantity of mixture. The type of texture of decorative plaster determines how much of it is consumed. The least amount of material is used in coatings that mimic real stone, wood, or leather. Per square meter, about one to one and a half kilograms of ready-made solution are used.

When applied in a single layer, textured plaster has a thickness of 2-3 mm. The texture will be rougher the thicker the layer.

The size of the grains has an impact on how much plaster mixture is consumed as well. For example, depending on the size of the material’s mineral granules, the "bark beetle" finish’s consumption can range from 2.5 to 4 kg per 1 m2.

With a trowel and spatula

Using a rectangular trowel and spatula is the most straightforward method of applying a decorative coating. These tools can be used to create a variety of textures, including imitation stone and Venetian plaster.

The following work techniques are included in the technology of trowel application:

• A portion of the solution is applied to the tool and distributed over the wall with short strokes. Laying layers of plaster is done overlapping each other. Their direction can be either in one direction or in different directions. If the trowel does not move in a straight line, but in an arc, the relief will be completely different, more bizarre.

• Another popular option for laying decorative trim is trowel trimming. The plaster solution is also taken on a trowel, then it is easily pressed against the wall with its entire surface and pulled back. The movements are made quickly "until it"s tacky", turning the tool in different directions. The effect is obtained of a small "fur coat". You can also first apply the plaster in an even layer of 2-3 mm, and then trim over the entire area. It turns out as in the photo.

Roller

Both regular fur (painting rollers) and unique rubber ones with a specific design are used to decorate walls while they are being repaired. Using your hands, you can also create a structural roller for decorative plaster by wrapping a rag, bag, or rope around its rotating portion.

Using a structural roller to apply a pattern is a very easy technique:

• the wall is plastered in one layer 2-4 mm thick;
• roller is carried out according to plaster in one direction, leaving the pattern.

Use a fur roller to give the walls the appearance of a "fur coat." Two methods of execution exist:

• The roller is dipped in a plaster solution and roll along the wall;
• The area of ​​the wall is completely plastered with a cell or a spatula, then the texture is formed with a roller.

Once you have the solution in your hand, you can use a wet kelma to walk along the wall and smooth and wipe any protrusions.

Important: excess mixture must be removed with a spatula if it is arranged unevenly. When using a roller, it is not advised to take long breaks because the material will dry out and the joints will show.

Brush

Apply a final coat with a brush; ready-made plasters for decoration are usually used. There are various benefits to this method:

• Economy. The brush distributes the material with a thin layer.
• Rapidity. When applying the mixture to the wall, the texture is immediately created.
• Simplicity. No special skills or techniques are required, decorative plaster is simply applied and distributed with strokes in different directions.

These mixtures frequently include mineral fillers like marble chips and sand. They enhance the texture produced by the brush and give the plaster more roughness. The video tutorial below will go over the application technique in more detail.

Sponge

You can also make a textured coating with homemade tools like plastic bags, rags, foam rubber, or sea sponges.

Use a trowel to first lay an even base layer. Next, use a sponge to pick up a tiny quantity of plaster mortar and apply it to the wall in brushstrokes. You can only create plaster islands rather than covering the entire surface. After 15 to 20 minutes, when it starts to set, use a trowel or spatula to smooth out the tops.

This technique generates random patterns while mimicking the texture of stone.

Machine application

Plaster applied by machine offers the following benefits:

• high labor productivity;
• strong connection with the base;
• economical use of material.

Plastering machines are typically only used to level walls because the decorative effect they produce is so basic. The resulting finishes, like "shagreen" and "lamb," are excellent for facade work.

For automated plastering, a variety of equipment types are utilized:

• Machine stations. In it, the solution is mixed and fed in a stream onto the wall.
• Pneumatic gun with compressor. Has one bed and a funnel for the solution at the top. The plaster is sprayed onto the surface being finished.
• Pneumatic bucket with compressor. The principle is the same, but the bucket has 4 nozzles for applying the solution.

Using decorative plaster to finish walls gives you an artistic and adaptable way to add distinctive patterns and textures to your house. Regardless of your desired style—rustic, modern, or classic—there is a method that will work for your room and personal taste.

Every technique, such as stippling and troweling, gives the walls a unique personality. You can select the application method that most closely matches your vision by being aware of the various methods available.

Trying out these techniques can be a satisfying experience that turns plain walls into unique elements that express your own style.

There are many ways to add texture and style to your walls with decorative plaster, and knowing the various application methods will help you get the ideal finish for any area. Choosing the appropriate technique is essential, regardless of whether you want a sleek, polished appearance or a more rustic, textured surface. This post will walk you through five efficient methods for applying decorative plaster, enabling you to easily and creatively alter your walls.

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