Mosaic plaster: types of compositions and features of use

Mosaic plaster is an exquisite and original finishing material, known since Byzantium, where it was used to decorate religious and cultural buildings. Then the material was undeservedly forgotten, and only in the 18th century was revived again. This happened thanks to M. Lomonosov, who discovered the technique of mosaic panels. Currently, mosaic plaster is a versatile, affordable and beautiful material that has a huge number of fans and is in great consumer demand.

Mosaic plaster is a combined composition of acrylic copolymers and a filler made of stone chips, which are used as granite, marble, quartz, lapis lazuli and malachite. A wide range of colors is achieved due to the addition of dyes to the material. The size of the stone chips varies from 0.8 to 3 mm in diameter and depends on the type of stone and the purpose of the plaster.

The material has high operational and decorative characteristics, which are due to the following indisputable advantages:

• Versatility. The plaster can be used for both external and internal work.

• Moisture resistance. The material reliably protects the walls from moisture penetration. This ensures that no fungus, mold or pathogens appear.

• High resistance to aggressive environmental conditions. The plaster is well tolerated by temperature fluctuations, ultraviolet radiation and exposure to heavy rainfall. This allows the material to be used in all climatic zones.

• Good heat and sound insulation characteristics. The facade, finished with mosaic plaster, will help reduce heat loss in the cold season and significantly save on heating.
• A wide range of models, represented by a wide variety of textures and shades, makes it possible to implement the most daring design decisions.

• Good breathability. Plaster walls are well ventilated. This eliminates the accumulation of moisture and the appearance of fungus, and also significantly extends the service life of the structure.

• High strength and elasticity. The material has excellent resistance to abrasion, deformation and mechanical stress. The mosaic surface is stable and durable.
• Ease of application and easy maintenance. The material is suitable for both manual and machine application. Installation will not cause difficulties even for people who have no experience in wall cladding.

The disadvantages of mosaic plaster include the high cost of the material due to the presence of expensive natural ingredients in the composition. For example, the average price of one kilogram of Ceresit plaster is 120 rubles.The most expensive are frost and moisture resistant species with high adhesion and intended for outdoor use.

Another disadvantage is the limitation of the application of plaster on surfaces consisting of mineral wool and glass wool. Poor maintainability of raw materials is also noted. If a certain section of the wall is damaged, it will be difficult to eliminate the problem by the method of spot repair: the new and old surfaces will differ, and it can be quite difficult to achieve their complete similarity.

Among the disadvantages is the need to apply special primer mixtures on metal surfaces. Otherwise, they will be susceptible to chemical corrosion and rusting through the mosaic surface.

The ability to use the material on all types of surfaces provides a variety of options for its use. The resistance of the plaster to ultraviolet rays and water makes it possible to decorate the facades of residential and public buildings. There is no risk of losing the original appearance. The mosaic surface retains the brightness of colors and impeccable shape throughout the entire service life.

Mosaic plaster blends harmoniously with any style direction, which is very valuable when decorating interiors. The combination of several colors and textures looks very interesting. This technique emphasizes the geometry of the space and visibly enlivens the interior.

Mosaic plaster is available in a huge range. The models differ from each other in the following ways:

• Particle size of stone chips. The material is fine-grained, the particle diameter is 0.8 mm, fine-grained - with particles from 0.9 to 1.2 mm, medium-grained - 1.2-1.5 mm, and coarse-grained - with fragments up to 3 mm in diameter.

• By type of material plaster can be granite, marble, quartz, malachite and lapis lazuli. The method of painting the mixture also depends on the material of manufacture. Some breeds have a persistent natural color and do not need tint. Others need additional coloring to obtain bright saturated colors.

• Binder type. Acrylic compounds have high elasticity and are presented as ready-made mixtures that do not require additional dilution. Mineral compositions contain cement, gypsum or lime components and are characterized by high strength of the formed coating and relatively low cost. The disadvantage of this type is the limitation on use: only cement mixtures are suitable for outdoor work, and gypsum and lime should be used only indoors. Silicate compositions contain potash glass. The downside is that it hardens too quickly, so this type is recommended for people with certain skills in finishing work. Silicone compounds are made on the basis of silicone resins and are suitable only for interior decoration.

• At the place of application There are three types of mosaic plaster: decorative solutions for interior decoration, facade materials and mixtures for finishing the basement.

The following recommendations will help speed up the finishing work and not make a mistake when choosing the right model:

• When purchasing material, you need to make sure that all bags are released in the same batch. If it is not possible to purchase models of the same series, and the compositions are made on different days, it is recommended to thoroughly mix all the material in one container. This will eliminate color differences and make the composition uniform.

• It should be borne in mind that not all types of material are suitable for use in residential premises. Plaster made on the basis of quartz particles is categorically unsuitable for interior decoration: the stone has a natural radiation background and can be dangerous for residents.

• When finishing facades, it is recommended to use mixtures with natural natural shades: dust on such surfaces is practically invisible. The coarse-grained composition allows finishing without the preliminary elimination of minor defects.

• Outdoor work using plaster should be carried out at an air temperature of at least five degrees and a relative humidity of no more than 80%.

• Before applying the plaster, the surface of the wall must be primed. This significantly increases adhesion and promotes an even distribution of the mortar.

• The use of models of different grain sizes will give the facade a visual volume and make the structure solid and presentable. When choosing a wall covering for residential premises, you need to take into account that mosaic plaster belongs to the "cold" coatings, therefore it is better to use it in non-residential spaces such as a bathroom, veranda or corridor.

In the next video, you will see the rules for applying mosaic plaster.

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