The best ways to make a decorative brick wall of plaster

Plaster can be used to create a decorative brick wall that gives a special touch to any area. This method combines the adaptability and smooth finish of plaster with the charm of traditional brickwork. Learning this technique can improve the overall appearance of your walls, whether you’re looking to improve the exterior or interior decor of your home.

Selecting the appropriate plaster type and priming your wall surface are the first steps in the process. Every technique, whether conventional or contemporary, has advantages of its own and can produce distinct effects. You can choose the method that most closely matches your design objectives and personal taste by being aware of these techniques.

This guide will go over several techniques for applying plaster that will give the appearance of brick. We’ll go over helpful hints, detailed instructions, and the necessary equipment to make a wall that really pops. These methods will assist you in producing an exquisite and long-lasting outcome, regardless of whether you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast or simply seeking some inspiration.

What does plaster look like for brickwork

For wall decoration, arches, and doorways in flats, cottages, offices, or administrative buildings, decorative plaster for brick is utilized. You can use this kind of finish to highlight certain areas or portions of the wall. The exterior faces of buildings are composed of less costly cement mixtures. However, the most effective light or red stone bricks were pressed out onto ornamental plaster.

Here are some images of plaster imitation brick walls used for facade decoration and interior building design.

Pros and cons of finishing

Let’s enumerate the principal benefits of these coatings:

• unlike bare stone walls, up close the surface looks very neat and even elegant;
• small thickness: the space of the premises does not decrease after finishing, because to obtain voluminous bricks a plaster layer of 10-30 cm is sufficient;
• minimum weight: it is much less than that of natural brickwork; Even old houses with wooden floor beams can be finished with such plaster;
• the ability to imitate any type of brick or stone;
• less work required than when laying brick walls;
• high strength of surfaces: when using high-quality mixtures, they do not crack or wear out;
• When using polymer-based coatings, walls can be easily wiped or washed with a regular rag.

Drawbacks:

• the need for preliminary surface preparation: cleaning from old plaster and paint, as well as leveling;
• any relief surfaces collect dust faster, so such walls need periodic cleaning;
• the possibility of working with solutions only at positive temperatures.

Which material to choose?

Decorative plaster can be made from a variety of materials, such as acrylic putty, gypsum, or white cement. Cement-sand plaster is appropriate for creating brickwork on the house’s foundation.

However, premade compositions made of silicone and silicate, two polymers, are the most robust and high-quality materials available. They are plastic, easily dispersed across the surface, and possess high strength, moisture resistance, and adhesion.

Preparing the walls

Certain preparations are needed for the walls that will have decorative brickwork applied to them.

Uneven walls must be leveled using plastering or, alternatively, drywall sheets.

Take out the stream finishing. If the decor is intended to be placed over the old plaster layer, it must be thoroughly cleaned, given a rough surface, and then given an adhesion primer treatment. Chips are cleaned and puttied, and weak spots are removed from the wall. If the surface has already been painted, the paint layer needs to be removed as well, or the plaster won’t adhere properly. Our article "Is it possible to plaster over paint: how to do it correctly?" goes into great detail about this. Go through.

Priming is done on the wall before plastering. For interior decoration, a deep penetration universal acrylic composition is appropriate. The primer will strengthen the wall’s adhesion and bind dust and tiny particles.

Plaster can be used to create an artistic brick wall that gives any area a chic and distinctive look. With the correct plastering techniques and finishes, you can achieve the look of conventional brickwork with the added flexibility and customizability of a more adaptable material. This post examines the best techniques for attaining a stunning and long-lasting plastered brick appearance, providing helpful advice and imaginative suggestions for turning your walls into focal points.

DIY imitation of brickwork

There are multiple techniques for creating ornamental plaster "bricks." We’ll go over each one in detail.

Creating bricks using a stamp and roller

Special silicone or polyurethane stamps for one or more bricks are available for purchase. They are carefully applied to a layer of slightly dried plaster on the wall, and they are also carefully removed, taking care not to scuff the print.

When applying the "bricks," any minor flaws are smoothed out using a spatula. The impression could be hazy if the plastered wall is not completely dry. In this instance, you’ll need to use a spatula to smooth the surface once more, give it some time, and then apply the form again.

Textured rubber rollers are another method for creating a brick-like impression on the wall. The roller is moved horizontally along the plastered wall. Bricks can be obtained in two or four rows at a time, depending on the roller’s width.

Using tape

The location of the future seams is marked on a dry wall with a pencil in order to create artificial masonry. Initially, 7.5 cm intervals are marked on one edge from the floor to the ceiling. Next, on the other side. A bubble level or laser level can be used to adjust the lines’ horizontality.

Over the markings, a 1-1.5 cm wide masking (paper) tape is glued. Since it’s not always possible to find such tape on sale, you’ll frequently need to cut the mothers lengthwise and purchase a larger size (3 cm).

Adhere the horizontal lines first, followed by the vertical ones. This will require several hours of labor and effort. The diagram illustrates the appearance of the markings:

The ends of the tape are brought out past the plastered area’s edge to facilitate finding them beneath the layer of mortar.

On top of the tape, mortar is applied to the wall. 3–5 mm is the thickness of the layer.

They start pulling the tape ends after leveling. There is still an obvious seam pattern on the surface after the tape is torn off. Uneven edges are cleaned after they have completely dried. The video below will demonstrate this technique in detail.

Cutting out bricks

Masonry seams can be cut on partially dried plaster using a small spatula, a thick knitting needle, or any other appropriately sized pointed object as makeshift tools.

"Drawing" the seams is required until the plaster is fully set. Sanding the wall after completion is preferable to having it appear overly smooth. A brick wall will appear more realistic with a rough surface and drawn seams. You can add tiny chips and scratches to the wall to make it appear realistic.

Rusticated plaster

Rustications, or straight seams that divide the surface into blocks, are used to simulate volumetric bricks or massive stones on the facades of houses. They can be made in a number of ways:

• using wooden lathing;
• stuffing with a metal strip;
• pulling using templates;
• cutting with a saw under the rule (a construction tool in the form of a long ruler).

It is not at all necessary to make the lines extremely even when creating masonry. Tiny imperfections on the seams could give the wall a more expressive texture.

Plaster can be used to create a decorative brick wall that dramatically improves the appearance of any area. With the correct methods and supplies, you can create a finish that is fashionable, long-lasting, and charming.

The most important thing is to carefully follow the application process, regardless of whether you choose more contemporary or traditional brick patterns. To achieve the best results, make sure your wall surface is properly prepared, use high-quality plaster, and apply it precisely.

Trying out various finishes and textures can also assist you in creating a distinctive look that complements your style. A beautiful focal point in your house can be created with a decorative plaster brick wall and the appropriate technique.

Video on the topic

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