Plastering drywall, how to do it correctly

A common material for smooth, even walls in both new construction and renovations is drywall. But to get a perfect finish, installing drywall alone isn’t sufficient. Plastering correctly is necessary to make sure your walls appear polished and expert.

We’ll walk you through every step of plastering drywall in this post, from surface preparation to plaster application and smooth finish. Whether you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast or just trying to get better at it, we’ll give you helpful hints and clear instructions to help you finish the task correctly.

Knowing the essential procedures for plastering drywall can significantly alter how your walls will look in the end. You can make walls that are ready for painting or decorating that look brand new with the correct method and a little perseverance.

Step Description
1. Prepare the Surface Ensure the drywall is clean, dry, and free of dust. Patch any holes or imperfections with joint compound.
2. Apply a Primer Use a primer suitable for drywall to create a uniform surface and improve plaster adhesion.
3. Mix the Plaster Follow the manufacturer"s instructions to mix the plaster to the right consistency. It should be smooth and spreadable.
4. Apply the First Coat Spread a thin layer of plaster over the drywall using a trowel, starting from the top and working downward. Ensure an even application.
5. Smooth the Surface Use a trowel to smooth out any ridges or bubbles in the first coat. Allow it to dry completely.
6. Apply Additional Coats Apply one or more additional coats of plaster, sanding lightly between coats to ensure a smooth finish.
7. Final Sanding Once the final coat is dry, sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper to achieve a smooth, even texture.
8. Clean Up Clean your tools and remove any dust from the surface before painting or decorating.

Features

A lot of the building supplies that are sold on the market have acronyms attached to them. GKL, the well-known plasterboard, is one of them. The sheet material is made up of a gypsum core with paper (cardboard) facings adhered to it. Gypsum plasterboard sheets are used to create partitions, cover niches, and cover walls and ceilings. The substance levels walls and produces smooth surfaces.

Brick, regular concrete, and wood are stronger materials than gypsum plasterboard. requires defense. Gypsum plasterboard is fastened either directly to the frame (using screws) or to the wall (using a sticker).

Not the best sights are broken corners, seams, and screw heads. In these situations, covering everything with plaster mortar should be your first priority.

But a thick layer of plaster could distort it. The mortar’s moisture content can warp and weaken. Thus, the question of whether plastering GKL is necessary or even possible arises.

Why do this

Plasterboard’s cardboard wrapper is ugly, which is why a finishing coat should be put on top of it. This is typically a "shirt" made of paint or wallpaper. These two finishing techniques are thinly layered, do not conceal joints and fasteners, and necessitate a particularly smooth and flat surface. This is why drywall requires extra leveling with putty or plaster composition before hanging wallpaper or painting.

Furthermore, plastering drywall acts as a barrier against external "misfortunes" of fragile materials that are readily susceptible.

Decorative plaster is a different kind of finishing coat for gypsum board. This is a well-known innovator when it comes to improving homeowners’ interior design and modes of self-expression.

Contemporary plastering materials shield drywall walls from moisture, fungus, mold, and rodents while enabling you to create distinctive designs without overly burdening the supporting structures with their weight. They also let the walls breathe. Plasterboard partitions that have the appearance of malachite, marble, or onyx, for instance, cannot be created. Decorative plastering alone can be used to decorate a ceiling in the Venetian style.

Plastering drywall, however, is only advised in cases where it is not feasible to remove the sheets and install new ones in order to level collapsed or bent walls. Sheets break during disassembly, and new fasteners need to be put in. The plasterboard cladding is puttied in all other cases.

Plastering drywall correctly is necessary to give your walls a smooth, polished finish. To ensure proper adhesion, prime the surface first in order to get it just right. Smooth each layer of plaster before it dries by applying the material in thin, even layers. Sand in between coats for a perfect surface, and use a drywall knife to fill in any holes or seams. Finally, before painting, ensure that the last layer is flawlessly smooth. You can achieve a flawless, long-lasting finish by following these instructions.

Types of plasterboard

There are five different kinds of gypsum board that are made; the distinction between them is in the characteristics and makeup of the core:

  1. In addition to the usual wall gypsum board, gypsum board ceiling sheet material is produced, which differs from the wall only in its smaller thickness. The core contains the same building gypsum.
  2. Moisture-resistant gypsum board faced with green cardboard (GKLV) is used in the interior of bathrooms (even to cover the walls in swimming pools). GKLV treated with antifungal impregnation and other compounds is not afraid of moisture.
  3. GKLO – fire-resistant gypsum board with reinforcing and fiber additives suitable for lining fireplaces and chimneys. In case of fire, the cardboard is charred, but the plasterboard sheet retains its shape.
  4. The core of flexible arched gypsum board is reinforced with fiberglass threads, which allows the sheet to be bent in different directions with a possible minimum radius of up to 300 mm. It is thinner, more expensive. If you consider that to ensure the strength of the arches that are made from it, GKLA is used, folded in two sheets, plasterboard structures cost a decent.
  5. Moisture-resistant fire-resistant combines the qualities of fire-resistant and moisture-resistant.
  6. Combined, used for wall insulation, has a special composition with the addition of polystyrene foam.

You will require this information in order to select the type of plaster composition. Monolithing the seams requires careful consideration of the edge’s shape.

Choosing the material

The composition of the plastering and primer is predetermined by the characteristics of the drywall walls. Regular, ceiling, and arched types can benefit from solutions that either don’t contain any water at all, don’t add much, or don’t give moisture to the base. It is preferable to leave polymer solutions for plasterboard walls of any kind and standard mineral mixtures for GKLV.

Gypsum

Plasterboard plaster on a gypsum base is widely used for decorative finishing and leveling in dry rooms. sets and hardens quickly, without "sharing" water with the base.

  • vapor permeability;
  • easy restoration (repaired without a visible trace of repair);
  • low weight of the coating;
  • environmental friendliness;
  • versatility (compatible with any base);
  • perfectly molded and sanded;
  • does not form shrinkage cracks when hardening;
  • fire safety;
  • low thermal conductivity;
  • easy to mix;
  • less consumption compared to cement mixture;
  • an excellent base for paints, varnishes, wallpaper.
  • low frost resistance;
  • rabies;
  • fast setting.

Plasterboard walls in dry rooms can be plastered using gypsum plaster, as was previously mentioned.

Cement

Portland cement serves as the cement mixture’s binding agent. Additives that supply the required properties are combined with a basic composition that uses sand as a filler. varies in the coating’s durability and resistance to frost. For drywall, cement plaster can be bought as a dry mixture or made on your own.

  • good adhesion;
  • availability (large selection, low price);
  • easy application;
  • maintainability;
  • fire safety;
  • resistance to water;
  • strength;
  • versatility;
  • frost resistance;
  • durability.
  • refers to heavy (not for weak plasterboard walls);
  • long-term strength gain (at least 3 weeks);
  • does not withstand precipitation and vibration.

Ideal for plastering damp areas with plasterboard. Additionally, complex mixtures are employed, such as cement-lime

Modern polymer compositions

Experts recognize the versatility of polymer compositions in particular. Polymer mixtures stick to drywall firmly, dry quickly, are lightweight, and are simple to apply.

Among them are:

  • acrylic,
  • silicone,
  • polymer cement,
  • siloxane and others.
  • elasticity;
  • strength, as well as its rapid gain;
  • water resistance (water repellent and waterproof);
  • 25 or more years of service;
  • environmental friendliness;
  • shrinkage-free;
  • rich palette;
  • increased mechanical resistance;
  • easy to lay;
  • increased adhesion.
  • high price;
  • not suitable for leveling;
  • purchased only ready-made.

The best option for plastering drywall because they prevent water intrusion, weigh it down, and don’t "supply" it with water.

Tools

You will need common plastering tools and equipment if you want to plaster walls by hand:

  • spatulas – for applying the solution;
  • for priming – rollers, brushes;
  • grater;
  • mixer;
  • rule;
  • construction knife;
  • masking tape;
  • containers;
  • rags.

Features of preparatory work

The plasterboard coverings’ surface needs to be repaired and dust-free before the solution is applied. When gypsum boards are installed, dents and broken corners are common. Every area where screws are affixed needs to be covered with mortar and leveled with the surface.

The seams are monolithic as well. If the chamfers are left in place, they should be cut out at a 45-degree angle using a sharp knife to avoid sacrificing the quality of the monolithic work. Often, a serpyanka mesh is used to reinforce the seams. But there are better alternatives: fiberglass tape and special paper.

First, fix the plasterboard’s joints:

  1. Cut off the chamfer with a knife.
  2. Clean the joint with a brush or brush from dust.
  3. Apply the primer, dry.
  4. Dilute the putty.
  5. Apply the composition with a narrow spatula, level.
  6. Apply a reinforcing mesh (pre-wetted paper tape), press and smooth with a narrow spatula (from the middle to the ends).
  7. Apply a covering layer of putty, level with a wide spatula.

Putting on the outer layer

Fix the fasteners that have dents in them. The caps have to be set back into the sheet’s thickness. Using a narrow spatula, cover all attachment points crosswise with mortar. In this instance, mortar will undoubtedly fill the slots and grooves on the screw heads.

Paper, mesh, or perforated corners are used to reinforce the corners of plasterboard walls and partitions. It is best to go with the first ones.

The tasks ought to be completed in this order:

  1. Process the edges of the sheets, removing the chamfer.
  2. Remove the resulting dust.
  3. Priming.
  4. Apply the first layer of putty.
  5. Apply the corner and press it into the mortar (according to the level).
  6. Apply the mortar on top, level it with a spatula.
  7. After drying, unevenness of the mortar in the corner area rub with a grater

The surface is fully primed with betonkontakt following repairs, and then plastered. More puttying is required if the putty in the joints has settled.

The putty and primer that were applied to the gypsum board need to dry before plastering can be done.

"Is it necessary to plaster sheet plasterboard under the wallpaper?" arises if the walls are smooth after the preparatory work is finished. You may respond adversely. Wallpaper can be applied to a primed, smooth wall (without additional puttying or plastering). Roughness will be hidden by wallpaper.

Plasterboard sheets that are excessively curved should be straightened or replaced because a thick layer of plaster can make things more difficult.

How to plaster drywall – technology

Now let’s talk about how to plaster drywall walls correctly. It is preferable to plaster over the tear if there is little unevenness on the gypsum board surface:

  • apply the solution into the recesses with a spatula;
  • the mixture is leveled using the rule, resting the tool on the surface of the sheets.

Plaster with a wide spatula on uneven surfaces where differences can be as much as 10 to 15 mm. Two layers could be applied in succession, with each layer needing to dry completely.

How can I plaster drywall over wallpaper that has a lot of wall curvature? Plaster along the beacons in two successive layers if the surface’s curvature or unevenness is too great. The following layer is only applied after the previous one has dried. Use fine sandpaper or an abrasive mesh to smooth out any uneven areas once the solution has dried.

For painting

The drywall putty for painting is processed extra carefully after application because a coat of paint has the power to highlight even the smallest imperfections. A trowel is used to rub the plaster layer that was leveled and applied with a wide spatula (gypsum is sanded to the appropriate smoothness).

They begin doing this as soon as the solution loses its stickiness and is unable to be forced through with light finger pressure. The solution’s surface becomes wet. The float is applied flat and gently rubbed in a circular motion. On convex areas, apply more pressure; on recesses, apply less. Sanding is done on the dried plasterboard that will be painted. Apply a primer after that.

How to plaster plasterboard under wallpaper with your own hands

The following information is for you if you’re not sure enough about the necessity of plasterboard underneath wallpaper.

A coat of primer and putty or plaster is also required if the plasterboard is going to be wallpapered in order to keep the wallpaper from adhering firmly to the board. If not, it will be impossible to take off the outdated wallpaper without causing harm to the plasterboard foundation.

Unlike paintings, wallpaper can conceal minute faults and imperfections like tiny pores and microcracks. As a result, it is quite possible to apply just a starting putty underneath the wallpaper to achieve the desired result of having no dents, protrusions, or large pores. The same holds true for plaster. The top layer, or cover, of leveling plaster applied to beacons is composed of fine-grained material. After rubbing, the surface is sanded to finish drying.

The video also teaches you how to properly plaster drywall beneath wallpaper.

Is it possible to apply decorative plaster to drywall

You can, of course. One kind of finishing is decorative plaster on drywall. Preparatory work should be done on drywall before applying decorative plaster, and primer should be applied last. To achieve smoothness under thin-layer coatings, like Venetian, the surface is further puttied. It is not required to have a smooth base beneath structural plasters.

Using a spatula, roller, or trowel, decorative plaster is applied to drywall in a way that creates the desired effect. Textured plaster is applied in layers, each of which is dried after application. There shouldn’t be much of a decorative layer.

Is it possible to plaster drywall with rotband?

The Rotband (Knauf) gypsum composition is one of the best plasters for gypsum boards. This is more than just drywall leveling plaster. It can be applied to create an adornment layer. It has light filler, polymer additives, and gypsum. Plastering with rotband enables you to produce a smooth surface that doesn’t need any further processing.

Rotband isn’t just for dry wall plastering. Kitchens and bathrooms can also use it (except very wet rooms). The composition’s lightness makes it possible to plaster ceilings with rotband. The plaster blend dries rapidly. One of the drawbacks is that the solution can corrode metal objects. They are therefore insulated prior to plastering.

Plaster plasterboard or putty what is the difference

The names of the two building materials are not coincidences. There are notable variations between them:

  1. Purpose. Plastering is used to level out large deviations and unevenness of the base surfaces. Putty – to level out minor irregularities.
  2. The size of the filler is different. The composition of the plaster mixture may contain coarse-grained components, the grain size can reach 5 mm. In the starting putty, the filler grain has a size of 80-200 microns (0.08-0.2 mm), in the finishing – 20-80 microns, in the thin – up to 20 microns. The grain size affects the minimum thickness of the created layer. The putty paste intended for the finish is applied with a thickness of 0.1-0.4 cm.
  3. The shrinkage of putties is less.
  4. Plasters have higher strength.
  5. The cost of plaster compositions is lower.
  6. The application technology also differs. You can apply plaster manually and mechanically, throw it on, apply a thick layer. The putty composition is applied in small portions and leveled.

Putty, similar to plaster, can be used to decorate walls as well.

It takes skillful plastering of drywall to get a smooth, long-lasting finish. By using the proper techniques, you can make sure your walls are long-lasting and visually appealing. First, prepare the surface and select the appropriate plaster for the task. To guarantee strong adhesion and prevent cracking, apply the plaster in thin, even coats.

Don’t forget to wait for each layer to completely dry before adding the next. This will assist you in avoiding flaws and producing a perfect finish. Sanding in between coats will help to create a smooth finish by removing any ridges or bumps.

Plastering drywall can be an easy and satisfying task if done correctly and with meticulous attention to detail. Not only will your walls appear polished, but they will also be well-protected for many years to come.

Video on the topic

Waterproofing drywall in the bathroom. My opinion.

How to putty drywall under wallpaper

How to putty drywall

Puttying drywall walls. HOW TO STAY CALM? Puttying joints, corners and more.

Finishing and painting drywall. All stages. Systematic approach.

Part 6. Do I need to putty all the drywall? Technology of puttying walls for painting

How to properly putty drywall for painting, from A to Z. Part 2

What type of plaster do you prefer to use in your projects?
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Elena Sokolova

Architect and interior designer with a deep interest in traditional and modern methods of wall finishing. On the site I share tips on choosing materials and techniques that help create a cozy and stylish space.

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