Decorative plaster with marble chips for outdoor work

A common option for homeowners wishing to improve the exterior of their homes is decorative plaster mixed with marble fragments. It can change any outdoor space with its distinctive texture and elegant appearance.

This kind of plaster is a great choice for outdoor applications because it blends aesthetic appeal and durability. In addition to providing visual interest, the plaster’s embedded marble chips offer a durable, weather-resistant finish that will not fade over time.

Marble chips in decorative plaster can add a refined and sophisticated appearance to your external walls, whether you’re finishing a new construction or remodeling an old one. It’s an adaptable material that can be used on a variety of surfaces, opening up creative design options.

Composition and characteristics

Marble chips in facade plaster may include the following components:

• Marble or granite chips are used as a base, which gives a characteristic appearance and properties to the treated surface. Chips differ in size, color and basic technical characteristics.
• To ensure that the chips stick to the wall, a binding component is used. For this purpose, acrylic resins are added to the composition, increasing adhesion to the surface.
• In addition to the main components, additional components may be included in the plaster. Among them are bactericidal compounds, water-repellent impregnations, dyes and decorative glitter.

The primary composition will have an impact on the coating’s properties. The following should be noted as some of this plaster’s salient characteristics:

• High wear resistance and excellent quality of the material, the chips are not subject to mechanical stress.
• Hardness and durability of the coating.
• Thanks to the water-repellent components, the coating is not exposed to moisture.
• Plaster allows steam to penetrate through porous structures.
• Ecologically friendly components.
• Good connection with any type of surface.
• For outdoor work, marble plaster is used for finishing purposes.
• Marble plaster can also be used for interior decoration.

Types of marble plaster for outdoor work

The coating option that is being presented comes in multiple versions, some of which are noteworthy:

• Venetian or Venetian is a material made from marble flour.
• Standard marble plaster, which is divided by the size of the granules included in the composition. There are small, medium and large fractions of particles.
• There is also a mosaic version of the coating, which contains additional inclusions of mineral elements (granite, quartz, malachite, lapis lazuli …).

Calculation of the amount of material

You must understand how much material is consumed in order to accurately estimate how much will be needed to complete finishing work.

Depending on the percentages of chips in the mixture, different amounts of the mixture are used to finish different tasks.

For finishing the facade, fine-grained marble plaster requires 1-2.5 kg per square meter; if a medium fraction is used, 2-3 kg per 1 m^2 will be required; large-fraction chips can require up to 5 kg for the same area.

Multiplying the material consumption by the total surface area that needs to be covered with the solution will yield the amount of mixture.

How to prepare a solution for plaster with chips

Most of the time, manufacturers create ready-to-use mixtures for wall application; however, occasionally, additional water dilution may be required. The label of the container containing the material will indicate how much water should be added to achieve the right consistency.

It is essential to carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations before using.

Prior to use, open the container, pour in the recommended amount of liquid, and then use a construction mixer set to medium or low speed to thoroughly mix the material. The material will then be prepared for use.

Necessary tools

The following instruments are used to complete the walls:

• Construction mixer with an attachment.
• Masking tape to determine the boundaries of application.
• A container in which you can mix the solution.
• Spatulas and floats for applying and distributing the mixture.
• Roller for applying the material.
• A stepladder when working at height.
• Rags.
• Respirator, gloves and protective gown.
• Trowel, level, pencil, tape measure for easy marking.

Finishing the facade with marble plaster

Once the tools and materials are ready, you can move on to the main task. There are multiple steps involved in applying marble plaster to the facade. We’ll go into more detail about each of them below.

Surface preparation

You must carefully prep the walls before using marble plaster for exterior work to adorn the building’s appearance. You must perform the following in order to do this:

1. Removing the old coating, layer-by-layer removal of the old plaster or other materials that were applied to the surface.
2. To create a smooth surface, you need to clean the walls with a brush and go over them with a grinding disc.
3. If there is mold and fungal colonies, you should thoroughly clean the wall and treat it with chlorine-containing substances.
4. All chips, cracks and recesses in the walls should be sealed with cement mortar. It is necessary to create an even coating so that the decorative plaster firmly adheres to the surface.
5. After the cement mortar has dried, it is necessary to apply a layer of primer for better adhesion of the material.
6. At the final stage, you should wait until the walls are completely dry. Before starting work, the humidity should not exceed 5%.

Manual application of the coating

The manual material application procedure is executed in compliance with the following algorithm:

1. A small amount of material should be applied to the trowel. At an angle of 60 degrees to the wall, it is necessary to apply the material to the surface. It is important to maintain the angle of inclination and uniformity of distribution of the mixture.
2. The procedure must be repeated until the solution completely covers the wall in an even layer. If necessary, you can use masking tape to interrupt the work. To do this, stick a strip of tape, apply the material to the designated level, and then peel off the tape with the remains of the still wet material.
3. As soon as all the material is applied to the wall, you should start grouting it. 20-30 minutes after application (the material must be wet), use a stainless steel trowel to level the surface in a circular motion. The trowel must be clean and slightly damp so that the material does not stick to the tool.
4. After the material has completely dried (approximately 24 hours), apply a varnish coating and then wait for it to dry for another 12 hours.

Mechanical method of finishing the surface with marble chips

If preferred, you can spray the completed composition using specialized mechanical devices.

The most common choice is a crumbler, which lets you apply an even layer of material to the surface fast.

The air-pumping mechanism consists of a compressor, a nozzle, and a bucket. When operating, the nozzle diameter shouldn’t be larger than 6 mm, the working pressure should be between 6-7 atmospheres, and the material should be applied 25–50 centimeters away from the wall.

If you are using a crumbler, fill the container with material, move the device up against the wall, and then spray the mixture all the way down. Make sure to evenly distribute the crumbs as you spray. Apply a final coat of varnish or another hydrophobic coating as a protective layer after the material has been applied.

Additional painting of the facade over marble chips

You can paint over the decorative plaster on the facade that has marble chips in it. You can create a distinctive design and give the coating a bright appearance if you’d like.

Painting should be done two to three days after the job is completed. The coating will gain strength upon full drying, at which point painting can begin.

If the coating hasn’t been changed in a while, painting the facade can also bring the color scheme up to date. You can use a roller to paint the surface for ease.

Finishing the base

Finishing can be done with marble plaster used for the base. The application procedure is the same as it is for the conventional finishing works. First things first, prepare the base, smooth out any blemishes, apply a coat of primer, and then wait until the walls are totally dry. The mixture is then either mechanically or manually distributed using specialized equipment.

Why do you need to finish the base

The main purpose of base marble plaster is to shield the base from excessive moisture. The basement is exposed to moisture because it is below the building’s planning level.

The walls will be shielded from mold, condensation, and different fungal colonies by a long-lasting coating.

Color range of marble mixture

Because natural materials are used, you can create a natural pattern by using marble plaster for the facade’s finishing touches. The coating typically comes in a range of natural colors, but you can alter the shade by adding more mineral elements. Construction stores now carry a fairly wide variety of color schemes.

For outdoor work, decorative plaster with marble chips is a great option because it provides a luxurious finish and is long-lasting. With its authentic stone texture, this kind of plaster not only makes a building look more attractive, but it also offers durable weather resistance. It’s a useful and fashionable choice for anyone wishing to update their home’s exterior.

Care of facade plaster with marble chips

When applied outside, marble plaster can eventually lose its shine. The coating needs to be properly cared for in order to preserve its high quality and vibrant color. A rag soaked in water can be used to wipe down the coating inside the house, and tap water can be used to wash the exterior layer. However, you should wait two to three days after the material was applied before doing the first cleaning.

Moreover, the plaster can be painted or varnished to maintain and revive the color. Repainting the house will bring out its brightness and give it a distinctive look.

Recipe for making the mixture yourself

You can save money by making plaster yourself rather than buying pricey supplies. You need to mix marble chips with a binder (lime, for example) to create the material. After combining the chips and binder in a 3:1 ratio, add water to the mixture until the desired consistency is reached. The mixture should spread evenly over the surface, not be overly thick, and be easy to apply with a trowel.

For external surfaces, decorative plaster containing marble chips is an excellent option. It provides durability and weather resistance in addition to improving a building’s visual appeal. This kind of plaster can improve the appearance of any exterior because of its distinctive texture and finish.

When used properly, it provides a durable solution that needs little upkeep. Incorporating marble chips into the plaster mixture not only gives the surface a sophisticated appearance but also fortifies it, increasing its resistance to deterioration.

This decorative plaster can be used to create a new facade or renovated one to accommodate different tastes and styles. It is an investment worth making for any homeowner because of its resilience to severe outdoor conditions without sacrificing its aesthetic appeal.