Gypsum or cement plasters: which compounds are better?

For any repair, plaster is indispensable. With its help, various surfaces are processed. There are gypsum or cement plasters. Which formulations are best used depends on several factors, which we will consider below.

This type of coating differs in its purpose. Ordinary plaster is used for construction work. With its help, you can level the surface, seal joints, reduce heat loss. It can perform a soundproofing function or serve as fire protection.

Decorative plaster is a mixture of different colors and is used for interior decoration, and such plaster has recently gained popularity. With its help, you can implement very interesting ideas in the design of premises for various purposes.

Plaster is divided into types, depending on which component is the main one in it - cement or lime, clay or gypsum. There are other options with the addition of certain substances. But many are inclined to believe that gypsum or cement plaster is best.

Such plaster is usually prepared from powder, diluted with water in the required proportions, which are indicated on the package. As a result, it should be a paste, which is most often applied in one layer.

Such a solution is used for leveling walls, preparing for painting or gluing wallpaper. This is what distinguishes plaster from putty, which, in turn, is used when the surface has more significant defects in the form of cracks and holes.

Gypsum plaster has several advantages:

• It is essential that it belongs to environmentally friendly materials.
• With its help, the walls can be made perfectly smooth.
• This type of coating does not shrink, and after its complete drying, the appearance of cracks on the surface is excluded.
• Its weight is quite light, so there is no load on the walls.
• The elastic structure allows you to apply dense layers of the composition to the walls, if necessary. But even then, you can be calm and not worry that a crack may appear somewhere.

The difference between gypsum and cement is that the reinforcing mesh is not required during work, while it is simply necessary when cement-sand plaster is used. Due to the porosity of the gypsum plaster, the walls do not suffer from moisture. And this is a very big plus. After all, no one wants to fight fungus and mold. Due to the low thermal conductivity of gypsum, the walls retain heat. And in terms of sound insulation, the performance of this material is quite high.

The speed of repairs using gypsum plaster depends on which layer will be applied to the wall. If it is very thick, it is better to wait a week for reliability. For thin coatings, two days are sufficient.

There are also some disadvantages of gypsum plaster, although there are very few of them. A disadvantage, which is not so significant for many, is the difference in price compared to other types, for example, with cement plaster, which can be one and a half, or even two times cheaper.

This plaster can always be made by hand quickly enough. You need to have water, cement, lime on hand. Sometimes sand is also used in its preparation.

This plaster also has a fairly wide range of possibilities. It is indispensable when processing walls in a bathroom or pool, kitchen or basement. It is good to finish with its help the outer walls and the basement, where increased frost resistance is required.

If we talk about the advantages of this type of solution, it is durable and reliable., there is no doubt about it. Many people consider these indicators to be especially important when they opt for cement. This composition fits well on any surface. Its density does not allow moisture to penetrate inside and damage the structure. The price of cement plaster is low, which allows you to purchase it at any time.

There are also disadvantages and they must be taken into account. We must not forget about the thickness of the applied layer, here we must remember that the weight of the cement plaster is quite large. When plastering the ceiling, such a composition is rarely used. This type of mixture is incompatible with wood, plastic and painted surfaces.

When applying it, leveling and grouting is imperative. This composition dries for a long time. It can completely harden after three, and in some cases even after four weeks. But when choosing cement plaster in hardware stores, you need to pay attention to the fact that now many manufacturers have been able to improve this composition. By adding certain components, the cement can be made more elastic and the drying time of the surface is shortened.

When studying the positive and negative characteristics of the compositions, you need to pay attention to which of them will be more convenient in each specific case, and whether additional materials will be required when carrying out repair work.

Gypsum plaster has practically no drawbacks. But if the speed of work is insufficient, the prepared solution may dry out, you will have to make a new one. And the price of this material is not low. Therefore, in the absence of experience, it is best to make the solution in small batches. This may not save time, but you can be sure that all the plaster will go to business and not to waste.

When grouting a surface, the installation of reinforcement is required. The solution dries for a long time. Therefore, you can safely breed a large volume and immediately cover large areas.

Each method and solution has its own advantages. This is also indicated by the reviews. Those who start repairs are usually already familiar with the characteristics of the materials they plan to use. Therefore, there are no surprises.

Some say that outdoor work is easy and quick thanks to the cement mortar. The drying time pays off by the fact that such treatment will last a long time. Others share their experience of applying gypsum plaster in rooms, and at the same time praise it for the fact that after its application, any manipulations can be made to the walls, provided that the entire technological process is followed.

The paint fits perfectly. The wallpaper does not bubble or fall off. And this is a very important factor.

The initial stage in any repair work is the preparation of the necessary compositions and tools. The first step is mixing the dry components, the second is adding water.

The preparation of each plaster has its own nuances:

• The powdery components of the cement plaster (cement and sand) are combined first.Only after thorough mixing can water be added to them. Then all this is mixed well until smooth. It will not be difficult to prepare plaster, in which both gypsum and cement will be present. This solution will dry faster, but will become less durable.
• Preparation of gypsum plaster takes literally five minutes. First, the gypsum is brought to the consistency of the dough, and then, if necessary, water is added so that the density is exactly the one that is needed.

When applying one and the other plaster, you need certain tools that you need to stock up on in advance. It is possible that in the process of work it will become clear that somewhere on the surface there is an old coating.

Therefore, you will need the following tools:

• spatulas;
• scrapers;
• metal brushes;
• hammer;
• sandpaper;
• container for the mixture;
• trowel;
• electric drill or mixer;
• level.

From all of the above, we can conclude that each plaster is indispensable for repairs, it all depends on which surfaces to process it. If all the technologies are followed, it is possible to perfectly process the external walls, basement rooms with cement plaster, and use gypsum plaster in the rooms.

See below for the fundamental difference between different types of plaster.