Bark beetle decorative plaster for outdoor work: finishing the facade of the house

Decorative plaster with bark beetles has grown in popularity among homeowners who want to improve the appearance of their homes. This textured finish is perfect for outdoor applications because it not only gives facades a distinctive and appealing appearance but also provides durability and weather resistance.

Bark beetle plaster gets its unique look from a unique application technique that produces a pattern resembling wood that has been carved by beetles. Any home’s aesthetic appeal can be greatly enhanced by this natural and rustic style, which complements a variety of architectural designs.

Bark beetle plaster is prized for its protective qualities in addition to its aesthetic appeal. It protects the building’s facade from inclement weather, such as wind, rain, and temperature changes, which helps to maintain the structure’s integrity over time. Bark beetle decorative plaster is a dependable and fashionable choice to take into consideration when remodeling an existing facade or finishing a new one.

Bark beetle decorative plaster is a great option for completing your home’s facade because it’s long-lasting and has a distinctive textured appearance. This kind of plaster not only shields your external walls from inclement weather but also gives them a distinctively fashionable and rustic look. Bark beetle plaster is a practical and aesthetically pleasing choice for any homeowner wishing to improve the curb appeal of their home because of its wide range of colors and ease of application.

Characteristics of plaster

Certain requirements must be met by the appropriate facing material used for the house’s exterior decoration. This is strength and durability first and foremost.

The bark beetle is especially hardy.

This plaster is special because it can form different patterns that resemble the marks made by wood-boring insects. This allows you to visually conceal the wall surfaces’ imperfections. This plaster is primarily used for finishing facades, or exterior work.

Types of plaster

Bark beetle types based on the base:

Mineral plaster is available in powder form, and acrylic plaster is sold fully assembled and ready to use. Chips of marble are added to the base. It endows the facing material with unique strength. It facilitates the creation of exquisite designer patterns on home facades. The marble chips range in size from 0.8 to 3.5, depending on the pattern you wish to see. Deep grooves will be created in a pattern by larger ones, and vice versa.

Plaster has an approximate service life of fifty cycles, or twenty-five years.

The ability to add color to acrylic plaster without having to repaint the wall is a significant benefit. In addition, the color is more vulnerable to fading from UV light than the paint used on the facade’s exterior.

• Mineral

The most stable base is mineral-based. Cement is simple to use and long-lasting. Possibly the greatest choice in terms of both cost and quality.

Natural silicone resins are the foundation for the creation of silicone plaster. It costs more, and finding the genuine article can be difficult.

These bases consist of glass that is liquid. The best quality bases are strong, breathable, and extremely long-lasting. In their category, they are also the priciest.

Advantages and disadvantages

As previously mentioned, bark beetles have long been a favorite among homeowners. These are the primary characteristics that have made bark beetle so well-liked for facade finishing.

1. Bark beetle is made of high-quality and natural materials that do not pollute the environment, do not emit harmful vapors when heated. Bark beetle has proven its reliability for more than a dozen years.
2. A special advantage is the lightness of this material. This is important, since under strong mechanical load, the façade of the building may become deformed. Especially if it is made of fragile materials.
3. Practice has shown that bark beetle is not afraid of temperature changes, sunlight (it will not fade in the sun), excess moisture.
4. The plaster material has water-repellent properties on the outside, and also removes steam, that is, it breathes. Also, mold and fungi do not form on it, since the environment does not contribute to their reproduction.
5. Such plaster does not belong to flammable materials.
6. You can easily change the color of the plaster according to your mood. There is a wide selection of colors in case you want to change something radically.
7. Since the bark beetle has long established itself in the market of facing materials, it is represented by a wide range of manufacturers: both domestic and foreign. As a result, a fairly flexible pricing policy is created.

Next, we will discuss the drawbacks:

1. Possibility of damage as a result of mechanical impact. However, do not be upset: any damage to such material can be easily restored. There is no need to replace the entire facade for this. It is enough to remove only the part that was damaged and everything will look the same again.
2. The plaster itself is easy to apply. However, it is worth remembering that for this it is necessary to properly prepare the surface and take into account some nuances. You may need the help of a specialist, since surely not everyone will have all the necessary tools, for example, a trowel.
3. Difficulty in removing dirt, for example, dust in relief. Here you definitely can"t do without outside help, since such surfaces are cleaned using sandblasting.

Material consumption

Naturally, the thickness of the layer affects how much of the dry mixture is consumed. One bag of powder usually covers 7-8 square meters. The values are approximations that may change based on the master’s work and the size of the marble chips.

Technology for creating Bark beetle on the facade

The bark beetle will blend in nicely with the brick, DSL, plasterboard, and cement facade. Dense, hard surfaces yield the best results. There are certain technical quirks when it comes to application to insulation. This will be covered in the section that follows.

If the mixture is not properly prepared as directed by the instructions, the material may become brittle and fall off.

Make careful to follow the instructions on the packaging regarding the ratio of powder to water. If not, there’s a chance that the coating will degrade quickly and have poor quality. The mixture must then be mixed with a mixer and allowed to swell. There are three iterations of the mixing process. This is required in order for the mixture to mature and the smallest lumps to dissolve.

How to prepare the surface

Typically, a layer of plaster mixed with cement and sand is covered with decorative plaster. The bark beetle and the preparatory layer in this instance are both about 1 cm thick.

1. Pre-clean the surface from dust, dirt, old paint. This can be done with a spatula or sandpaper. If the finishing is internal, you should also remove the old wallpaper. The surface should not crumble.
2. There should be no cracks, scratches, dents, since the thickness of the bark beetle is only 3 mm. Under such a thin layer it will be impossible to hide too obvious flaws. Flaws must be processed so that there is nothing superfluous and only a solid and dry surface of the wall remains. This is how the bark beetle will best adhere to the wall.
3. Then the wall is primed. Primer is also necessary to strengthen the upper layers of the surface. It serves for high-quality adhesion of materials. Professionals recommend using primer and plaster from the same manufacturer. The primer is applied with a roller or brush, after which it dries from 4 to 6 hours. Dusty surfaces should be coated twice.

Surface leveling

Sometimes using tools to mechanically level the surface is not possible. Here, a layer of preparation is applied, serving as the bark beetle’s sort of foundation.

In order to level a wall in this manner, strips are put on the wall’s plane to act as supports for the rule, which is a leveling tool. On the edges, beacon profiles are installed and adjusted with a level. The beacons are then attached with a cord. Once more, beacons are positioned in the gaps, or in between the end beacons. The surface is then left for a few hours before grout is applied. After a day, the last grouting is finished.

The preparatory layer must be completely dried. Every day, the surface is moistened to prevent cracks if the weather is excessively hot. It will be impossible to level the joints if cracks don’t appear unless they are rubbed with putty again after being moistened with water.

Additionally, before applying the bark beetle, sand the upper layer using sandpaper.

Application

The shavings’ grain size can be used to determine how thick the layer that is applied will be. The grooves are the best in this instance. Please be aware that the wall should be completely covered with the solution at one time. If not, the edges will dry out, the joints will be visible, and the new edge will no longer "stick" to the dried edge. Unprofessionalism will be evident and the outcome will undoubtedly not be pleasing to the eye.

Applying the final solution as soon as possible is advised. Ideally, in two to three hours. It dries in two to three days, but it takes a month for it to reach its peak strength.

When utilized on different surfaces, there are subtle differences in the technology in each instance.

The intermediate coating technology should be used if applied to insulation. To accomplish this, level the preparatory layer with glue again, install the mounting mesh, and then apply another layer of glue. For a stronger contact, the mesh needs to be pressed firmly into the adhesive layer. Reapplying glue should cause it to vanish. Everything is then primed. It’s important to note that since the resulting grooves are conveniently filled with glue again, you should use a notched trowel when applying glue.

For the final coat, use a metal spatula.

You must choose the grooves’ direction before applying the pattern. A grater or half-grater is used to create a textured surface. The next step is to check if the layer has been chosen correctly. If the composition seems to move as you distribute the pebbles, then the layer has been chosen correctly and you will be able to get the desired effect.

As was previously mentioned, the pattern depends on the direction of the float, so it is significant. You must rub with a float as haphazardly as you can while keeping an eye on the chosen interval if you do not wish to create a pattern.

Please be aware that time is of the essence. After the bark beetle is leveled, making the pattern should take roughly fifteen minutes. Given that the pattern has already been made on a surface that is somewhat dried and seized.

Ideas for patterns and the technology of their application to the facade of the house:

Vertical arrangement, also referred to as "rain." Unmistakably modeled after tree bark. motions in both directions. It is crucial to follow the grooves’ prescribed length; otherwise, the effect will be artificial.

• Horizontal stripes

Horizontal. Though the lines are parallel to the ground, they resemble vertical.

A more disorganized application technique. When using the pattern, movements are made in various directions. Even so, it’s still important to keep circular chaotic movements roughly the same diameter; otherwise, the facade pattern will appear sloppy.

Another option is to use a pimply or lattice pattern. Generally speaking, everything is dependent on the plasterer’s creativity and ability. The pictures of the facades are shown below.

Painting the plastered facade

After the bark beetle has dried completely, level the surface and sand the facade using sandpaper to get rid of any extra granules. The mixture appears white in its pure form. Certain varieties of bark beetle plaster can be painted using a colorant, meaning the composition will be painted a different color and the finished surface won’t need to be painted. But not all compositions are suitable for coloring.

The technique of double painting is a useful tool for hiding flaws. The grooves and depressions are painted over first. The relief is unaffected by the second layer, which is lighter. Because the texture will be brighter, the facade will appear twice as impressive. Furthermore, more strength will be supplied.

Aspect	Description
Application	Bark beetle plaster is applied to the facade for a textured, rustic finish. It creates a unique pattern that resembles wood eaten by beetles.
Durability	This plaster is highly durable, resistant to weather conditions, and protects the facade from moisture and damage.
Composition	It consists of cement, lime, sand, and small granules that create the distinctive texture.
Preparation	The surface must be clean, dry, and even. A primer is recommended before applying the plaster.
Painting	After the plaster dries, it can be painted in any color, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the facade.

Bark beetle decorative plaster is a practical and fashionable way to finish the facade of your home. This material provides durability and weather resistance in addition to improving the external aesthetic appeal of your home. Its unique texture gives your home personality and makes it stand out from the others in your neighborhood.

Bark beetle plaster can last for many years without requiring much upkeep if applied correctly. You can achieve the desired effect with the variety of finishes available, whether you’re going for a more traditional or modern look. To maximize the plaster’s longevity and appearance, just make sure that the surface preparation and application are done carefully.

All things considered, bark beetle plaster is a practical and adaptable choice for anyone wishing to enhance the outside of their house. Its combination of beauty and functionality makes it a wise investment to improve the curb appeal of your home.

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