Advantages and disadvantages of using decorative plaster in an apartment

Decorative plaster has grown in popularity as a way for homeowners to give the walls of their apartments a little more class and texture. It’s an adaptable material that can change the appearance and atmosphere of any space, coming in a variety of finishes from sleek and polished to rough and rustic.

However, decorative plaster has advantages and disadvantages of its own, just like any material. It can add durability to your walls and produce amazing visual effects, but before deciding if it’s the right option for your space, it’s important to consider the pros and cons.

We’ll discuss the benefits and drawbacks of decorative plaster in apartments in this post so you can plan your next renovation project with confidence.

What is decorative plaster

Decorative plaster is a common material used inside to finish surfaces, usually walls. It is frequently mistaken for regular plaster, which looks less attractive. Generally speaking, ornamental plasters come in various varieties:

• Structural. Includes particles of materials, such as wood or stone, in the mixture, making it possible to create unique patterns.
• Venetian. Contains marble dust, due to which, after drying, it imitates the texture of slabs made of the same stone. It is recommended to treat with wax to extend the service life.
• Flock. Its peculiarity lies in the presence of small plates in the mixture, which when dried form a unique texture.
• With stone chips. As the name suggests, it differs in that it is made from small or large stone chips of different colors.

It’s important to keep in mind that this finishing material varies in terms of both appearance and primary component.

• Acrylic. The most popular option due to the good price-quality ratio. It is used for interior decoration and is sold as a ready-made mixture.
• Vinyl. It is characterized by high plasticity and is best suited for complex decorative elements.
• Silicone. The most expensive option. However, the high cost pays off with extremely good indicators of resistance to all types of destroyers: water, mechanical damage, fungi and mold.
• Mineral. The most budget option, which copes well with its task. Can boast the greatest naturalness, as it includes only cement, lime, sand and fillers.
• Silicate. This mixture contains crushed glass. This option has an interesting appearance and good strength. It is distinguished by the fact that it practically does not attract dust, so it is often used as a facing material on buildings near roads.

Application area

Decorative plaster, like other finishing materials, is typically used for internal and external wall or surface finishing in apartment buildings or other renovated spaces.

On the other hand, it’s also frequently utilized to make exterior and interior decorative elements, like bas-reliefs.

Use in the interior

Decorative plaster is most frequently used inside of buildings, both commercial and residential. But as was already mentioned, it is not to be confused with regular plaster, as the decorative version contains unique additions among its constituents. Decorative plaster has such a distinctive look because of them.

It is important to note that you can mix a variety of colors, textures, and patterns in different ways when using this finishing material. This opens up a wide range of creative possibilities and design approaches.

Plaster can be used to give the treated surface the appearance of another material, such as stone, brick, or wood, in decorative work. Furthermore, the surface can be made extremely smooth, slightly rough, or even uneven. Decorative plaster for interior wall decoration has advantages and disadvantages just like any other finishing material.

Pros of decorative plaster

The numerous benefits of decorative plaster, which set it apart from alternative materials for apartment renovation, are noted by designers and repairmen.

• Can be applied to almost any surface: wood, concrete, stone or others.
• A good way to remove small defects, such as cracks.
• You can create almost any surface or bas-relief. It all depends only on the imagination and skills of the designer.
• Even a person who has never done finishing work before can handle the task.
• Such a coating will not absorb odors, is easy to wash off, so it is suitable for both the kitchen and the toilet.
• A coating with a long service life, which, with proper care, will retain its appearance even after many years.
• Due to the volumetric details, it significantly improves sound insulation in the room.
• It is considered an environmentally friendly material, since, in most cases, it contains only natural ingredients and does not emit toxic substances.
• After drying, no joints or seams are formed.

Decorator plaster is widely used in many projects and is favored by interior designers due to its extensive list of benefits.

Disadvantages of decorative plaster

This material has a great deal of benefits, but it also has a number of minor but significant drawbacks.

• The price for it, as a rule, is higher, compared to other finishing materials with a similar area of ​​application.
• Although there is nothing difficult in working with this material, to perform complex work with a high level of detail, you may need to involve a specialist with experience in this field.
• Difficult to dismantle from the surface.

This material is ideal for decorating a variety of rooms since it still has a lot of benefits despite all of its drawbacks.

Advantages and disadvantages of working with decorative plaster

When working with decorative plaster, there are a lot of benefits over other finishing materials.

• To work with decorative plaster, you do not have to be a specialist in the field of finishing works.
• With the help of plaster, you can cover the flaws and irregularities of the surface. And although it is desirable to apply the solution on a flat surface, a slight unevenness is acceptable.
• A large selection of decorative plasters allows you to choose the option that will be best approached under the design solution.

Surface preparation

The fact that decorative plaster doesn’t require much surface preparation before application is one of its benefits.

There will be sufficient standard simple processing available, which won’t require any special skills or a lot of time or effort.

• Remove the finish from the surface (plaster, wallpaper, etc.D.). If it is difficult to remove the coating, for example, varnish, then it can be treated with “non -contact”, as well as form notes with a thickness of not more than 5 mm for a stronger fixing on the surface.
• Clean the plane of dust and dirt. If there are large flaws or imperfections on the surface, then it is best to repair them with putty. This will allow you to save more expensive material later.
• To improve adhesion to the surface, apply 1 or 2 layers of primer.

Application

• Apply decorative plaster with a spatula. To avoid having to constantly bend over to the bucket, you can use a hawk.
• Choose the application method based on the pattern. For more convenient creation of borders, it is recommended to use tape for painting.
• You can start forming additional elements of the pattern after 5-10 minutes, while the material is flexible. For convenience, it is recommended to work in pairs. So one person can focus on the pattern, and the second on applying the plaster.

Decorative plaster can completely change the appearance of your apartment by giving the walls more depth and texture, which enhances the sense of individuality and customization. Compared to ordinary paint or wallpaper, it can be more expensive and difficult to apply, but it also offers durability and design versatility. Deciding if it’s the best option for your house requires an understanding of its advantages and disadvantages.

Difficulties in caring for plaster

It’s important to remember that this is possibly one of the least showy materials for upkeep. It will be sufficient to wash the decorative plaster fairly frequently with a rag that has been previously soaked in a warm, soapy solution in order to preserve its good appearance.

It’s also not necessary to worry about mold growing from water because this finishing material is resistant to fungi.

Differences from other types of finishing

A plethora of alternative materials are available for room finishing, in addition to ornamental plaster. It is very hard to state with certainty which material is superior, but comparing them will be helpful.

• Compared to wallpaper, it has greater durability. And also requires less careful surface preparation.
• Looks more impressive against the background of ordinary painting. In addition, a huge range of plasters opens up an infinite number of possible design solutions.
• In comparison with panels made of wood or other material, it is a more economical option.

With decorative plaster, you can achieve a range of textures and finishes that paint or wallpaper just can’t match, making it a unique way to add personality to the interior of your apartment. For individuals who want to create a unique atmosphere in their living spaces, it’s a favorite because of its capacity to conceal flaws and add depth to walls.

Decorative plaster has certain drawbacks despite being elegant and long-lasting. To get the best results, the application process can be labor-intensive and necessitate expert assistance. It costs more than conventional wall coverings as well, so not everyone can afford it.

In spite of these disadvantages, decorative plaster can be a cost-effective investment if you want to prolong the visual appeal and durability of your walls. It provides a durable finish that will last for years in your apartment with the right maintenance. In the end, the decision comes down to your own taste in fashion, financial constraints, and readiness to take on a more involved installation procedure.

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