Introduction
There are several types of plaster out there, all of which have different applications and mixing techniques. So, if you are into building and construction, art, or even medicine, you will find this article to be very helpful, as we will take a look at the variety of plasters on offer, along with everything you need to know about them. Consequently, it is believed that by the end of this, you’ll be able to decipher all the different types of plasters to efficiently carry out the tasks at end.
What is Plaster?
This is a fundamental question that is necessary to understand the nature of the subject matter. When we hear the word plaster, we often think of a mortar, levelling bar, trowel and lots of dirt. In the meantime, plaster has become a generic term that covers everything that can be put on the wall, from 20 mm lime-cement base plaster to 3 mm clay filler. Simply put, it is a building material that is used to coat and protect internal walls and ceilings, and in some cases, is even used on outdoor walls.
Interestingly, the art of plastering has been around for ages, with civilizations as old as the Egyptians using it. Nowadays, it isn’t used as much as a decorative tool but is ever-present in modern homes.
Exploring Different Types of Plaster
As mentioned earlier, there are a myriad of plasters available, all of which are used for various purposes. Here, we will provide a detailed outline of each one, as well things to pay attention to. They include;http://dublinrenovation.ie/
Browning plaster
This is an undercoat plaster used as a base for paint and other decorative endeavours. It is very similar to bonding plaster but is most useful with more absorbent surfaces. Furthermore, they can be used to ‘build up’ walls and are very useful in construction. That said, most builders apply browning plaster at about 8mm thickness for ceilings and 11mm thickness for walls.
Subsequently, a finish coat is added to proceedings before anything else is done to the walls. Meanwhile, the drying time for browning plaster is dependent on the weather and the season, but to be safe, most experts and enthusiasts will advise you to leave it for a day or so before coming back to work on it.
Bonding plaster
Similar to browning plaster, bonding plaster is also considered as an undercoat on which other things are added. However, due to its versatility, it is more popular for building as it has an awe-inspiring sticking ability. Therefore, it is generally used on all sorts of surfaces, even engineering blocks, and concrete. Also, it doesn’t depend on the absorption levels of a surface to be effective, which makes it the ideal wall plaster. And just like browning plaster, bonding is usually applied at 8mm for ceilings and 11mm for walls.
As mentioned earlier, it is an undercoat plaster, which means it is the first coat to be applied to a newly patched wall. Consequently, when it is levelled off, it is marked with a nail to provide a ‘key’ for the topcoat to follow.
Thistle plaster
Next up is thistle plaster; which, as opposed to bonding and browning, is a finish coat, which means it comes up at the end of the plastering process. It is one of the most popular types of finish plasters, as it is very versatile and convenient to use. Hence, it is favoured for small repair jobs and other common tasks that require plaster.
Speaking of versatility, thistle plaster can be used on plasterboard, or as part of a two-coat system. Also, it can be applied by hand or with a mechanical tool, which adds to its appeal. Another reason for its widespread popularity is its quality, as it does a great job and provides you with a smooth surface on which you can apply various decorative finishes.
Carlite plaster
Just like with thistle plaster, carlite is also a finish coat that is usually used on top of a background. Also, carlite plaster is versatile and can be used on a variety of surfaces, after which you can then add decorative finishes.
However, the main difference between carlite and thistle is the setting time with the former taking about three hours to set while the latter is much faster and takes just about half the time to set. Thus, thistle is generally more popular, but carlite is also pretty decent when it comes to durability. So, carlite is scratch resistant and typically has a strong impact.
Hardwall plaster
Hardwall plaster is an undercoat plaster that is most commonly used with masonry backgrounds like bricks and medium-density blocks. Just like the other undercoat plasters we’ve spoken about, hardwall is an ideal base to work with; more so, its easy application is one of the reasons it is so popular. That said, it is advised that you use hardwall on structures in good condition as a poor or crumbling wall could cause the plaster to crack.
Dri-coat plaster
Dri-coat plaster is a little different from the others as it is used for re-plastering after installation of a new damp-proof course (DPC.) Also, dri-coat plaster prevents the movement of hygroscopic salts from the background to the surface. This is an essential function as hygroscopic salts tend to absorb atmospheric moisture, which can lead to damp walls. Therefore, dri-coat plaster helps to protect walls and keep them in pristine condition.
That said, dri-coat isn’t recommended on frozen backgrounds as this affects its efficiency. Similarly, it does precious little to reduce the spread the effect of fire, and for this reason, it is advised that you ensure that the plaster isn’t exposed to extreme temperatures.
One Coat plaster
Unlike the other plasters discussed in this article that fall broadly within the category or undercoat, or finish plasters, one coat plasters are something of a swiss army knife. This means that it can act as both an undercoat and a finish. Therefore, it is a very popular plaster variant as it contains fewer steps and is incredibly easy to use. More so, consisting of the traditional gypsum material, one coat plaster possesses a thicker consistency, which enables it to work with thicker layers than other variants.
Additionally, it is easy to apply and can be done by hand or with the help of mechanical tools. Moreover, one coat plaster saves a lot of time as it doesn’t require a scratch coat or any other step before use. Lastly, one coat is usually used for repair jobs as it is a lot easier to get a smooth finish over smaller areas.
Tough coat plaster
It is an undercoat plaster which, as the name implies, is very tough and can take on conditions that other types of plaster just can’t handle. For example, it provides some protection from fire, and while it isn’t advised to use it on frozen walls, it can still do a decent job. On top of that, it possesses strong impact resistance and is a great base for masonry backgrounds.
What is a Plaster Undercoat?
Imagine you’re an artist and you want to paint your masterpiece, what are the tools you’ll need? What are the steps you’ll take first? Generally, an artist will secure brushes and paint, but most importantly, the canvas on which the painting will be showcased must be secured. With that in mind, think of an undercoat as a canvas on top of which you can create some pretty unique designs for your walls or other surfaces.
Hence, undercoats are the base on which everything else is built, and they are so important because of this function. Therefore, the mixing and application of an undercoat is crucial and needs to be done right. This is because, if the mix is wrong, or it isn’t applied properly, everything else built on top of it will also be defective. With that said, mixing an undercoat isn’t too tricky, and with the help of a mixing drill, you can get the right consistency.
As with other mixing techniques, you should mix several batches before settling on the one you want. There are several types of undercoat plasters, some of which we’ve examined, including, browning, bonding, and tough coat plaster. Furthermore, you need to note that plastering over large areas isn’t easy, which is why experts advise that you section the wall into bits and take it one step at a time. This is to ensure that the plaster is evenly applied and isn’t rough. Once you get the undercoat right, you are ready to move on, and you can be sure of a smooth wall when you are done.