Cement plaster

One of the most common and adaptable materials used in building and remodeling projects is cement plaster. It has established itself as a mainstay for both interior and exterior wall finishes thanks to its strength and longevity. Cement plaster is a dependable option whether your goal is to achieve a smooth, visually appealing finish or to protect surfaces.

To make this kind of plaster, a precise ratio of cement, sand, and water is needed. The end product is a tough, long-lasting surface that is resistant to wear and different weather conditions. It’s ideal for adding durability to your walls and giving them a modern, tidy appearance.

Applying cement plaster to your walls not only makes them look better, but it also provides an additional barrier against environmental damage and moisture. Because of its adaptability, it can be used in both residential and commercial buildings. Knowing the fundamentals of cement plaster can help you accomplish excellent results in your construction projects, regardless of whether you’re a professional contractor or a do-it-yourself enthusiast.

Types of cement-sand plaster

Even with the wide range of contemporary dry mix options, cement-based compositions continue to be the most widely used. In addition to serving hygienic and decorative purposes, a layer of cement plaster levels surfaces, shields walls from various types of damage, acts as a great heat insulator, and effectively absorbs noise.

The solutions are separated by composition into:

• cement-sand;
• cement-lime.

Watch this video to learn how to plaster slopes using cement mortar; the tips will help you complete the task on your own.

Cement-sand mortars

Cement-sand mixtures are used for both interior and exterior projects; they are incredibly resilient, unaffected by moisture or temperature changes, and long-lasting. The only downside is that the solution takes a while to set and dry. The primary component of the mixture is cement, a binder whose brand dictates the plaster’s application area:

• M150-300 – interior decoration;
• M300 and more – facade work, open balconies, rooms with a difficult microclimate, for example, bathrooms.

The quality of sand, the second crucial component of the cement mixture, impacts the solution’s dependability and strength. It is advisable to use medium-fraction sand; small sand grains in the composition can cause the plaster layer to crack after it dries; they are added when applying the final thin layer to create a smooth surface. Sand that is coarse is only used for finishing facades.

To enhance the composition’s properties in an industrial setting, additional ingredients can be added to the final cement-sand mortar. Redispersible polymers and copolymers are examples of additives that improve the adhesive and hybrophobic qualities, as well as the solution’s strength and plasticity, and they also increase the resistance to frost.

Features of the cement-lime composition

Regulations state that cement-lime plaster should only be used in spaces with relative humidity levels below 65%. Slaked lime, which is added to the mixture along with cement and sand, lightens the weight of the mixture, increases its elasticity, speeds up the setting process, and makes handling it much simpler.

Lime needs to be quenched and allowed to sit for approximately two weeks in order to make cement mortar by hand. If you disregard these guidelines, the plaster’s quality will drastically deteriorate, bubbles will form while the work is being done, and the plaster layer’s integrity will be compromised. A good cement mortar with lime paste will hold up over time and allow for vapor penetration.

Manufacturers’ ready-made mixtures consist of the following elements:

• Portland cement;
• slaked lime (hydrate);
• quartz sand;
• water retaining additives;
• fiber polypropylene.

Certain cement-lime mortars are suitable for external plastering; typically, the packaging specifies this.

You have to follow the directions to the letter when working with a dry composition, like if there is too much water. Performance declines as the composition loses its strength-enhancing properties.

Gypsum or cement plaster, which is better??

It is hard to say with certainty which type of plaster is better, cement or gypsum; both work well in different situations and are frequently used in repairs. Furthermore, they have the following traits in common:

• the mixed solution retains its qualities for up to 6 hours;
• frost-resistant;
• solutions can be applied at a temperature delta from +5 to 30 o C;
• You can putty and paint plastered surfaces after 2 weeks;
• after 3 days the layer of plaster can withstand the gluing of tiles;
• It is recommended to store the dry mixture for no more than 1 year, in a tightly closed container, in a dry place.

You should consider the area of work, the surfaces’ operating conditions, and the reasons for leveling the surface before deciding between gypsum and cement plaster. It is therefore thought that a gypsum composition is preferable for painting and wallpapering, and that a cement composition is preferable for tile finishing in highly humid rooms.

A strong and long-lasting finishing material that improves the strength and appearance of building surfaces is cement plaster. Because of its low cost, simplicity of application, and superior resistance to weather, it is frequently used in construction. This article discusses the advantages of cement plaster, some of its uses, and offers helpful advice for applying cement plaster to walls and ceilings and getting a smooth, durable finish. Knowing the fundamentals of cement plaster can help you, whether you’re a professional contractor or a do-it-yourself enthusiast, complete your construction projects more successfully.

How to prepare cement mortar for plastering walls

Cement and sand serve as the two primary ingredients of cement plaster; other possible ingredients include polymer additives, lime, and clay. The ratios of sand to cement used in plastering walls are determined by the area to be covered by the solution and the brand of binder selected. The final plaster is made by adding water to a dry mixture; the amount of water added determines how saturated the solution gets and, ultimately, how good the finish is. Solutions types:

• greasy – a large percentage of binder, the plaster often cracks during formation;
• skinny – a lot of water and filler, the plaster layer is weak and can peel off;
• normal – the ratio of sand and cement for plaster is maintained in accordance with the brand of binder and sandstone fraction.

The most widely used do-it-yourself plaster mortar recipe: ratio: one part sand to three parts cement. However, the composition of the mixture can differ greatly based on the cement brand:

• M-400 – 1:8;
• M-100 – 1:2.

The plaster solution becomes much more plastic when PVA is added; roughly 100 ml of glue is added to 10 liters of the final mixture.

Lime paste is a component of cement-lime plaster. You can do it yourself as long as you take safety measures. Due to the massive amounts of heat released by the quenching reaction, the process must be carried out in an airtight metal container. Two liters of water are required for every kilogram of lime. After the mixture cools, pour it through a fine-mesh strainer, cover the container, and leave it alone for approximately two weeks. Next, combine the mixture and, if necessary, add water.

The components of the plaster cement license solution, divided into parts:

For plaster clay surfaces, a lime-clay solution is used; it takes 0.2 hours. Iztiv: Sand or cement-clay (c, g, p)-1: 4: 6–12, correspondingly, for three to five hours, or one hour of clay. Because perlite plaster inhibits the growth of microbes and parasites, it is suitable for areas where fungi grow. The elastic, light, quick-drying, and easily workable gypsum compositions can be used to apply a thin layer of plaster up to 50 mm thick indoors.

We provide you with a video tutorial on applying cement plaster correctly in accordance with aerated concrete.

Because of its superior adhesion and long-lasting finish, cement plaster is a flexible and strong material that is frequently used in construction. It’s a great option for both indoor and outdoor applications because of its resistance to different weather conditions. Cement plaster offers a dependable and durable solution, whether you’re building a new structure or remodeling an existing one.

Although applying cement plaster can seem difficult, it can be done easily with the correct equipment and methods. To guarantee a smooth and even finish, proper surface preparation, plaster consistency mixing, and even application are essential steps. Even if you’re not an experienced contractor, you can still get professional results by following these steps.

Cement plaster has aesthetic benefits in addition to its practical ones. To accommodate varying design tastes, it can be finished, painted, or given different textures. Because of its adaptability, you can personalize the way your walls appear, giving your rooms personality and flair. Cement plaster can assist you in achieving the desired aesthetic for your project, whether it be sleek modern finishes or rustic textures.

Overall, because of its strength, adaptability, and aesthetic potential, cement plaster is still a common option for building and remodeling projects. Cement plaster offers a dependable and long-lasting solution, whether your goals are to protect your walls, improve their appearance, or both.

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