Improved plaster: what is it and what are the compositional requirements?

Today plaster is one of the most demanded materials in the field of repair and construction work. Unlike many options, these formulations are affordable and easy to work with. Particular attention should be paid to such a type as improved plaster. The peculiarity of this option from the standard mixture is the presence of additional components that provide high performance properties to the material.

Improved Plaster is not a special type of finish with the improved substances included in this mixture. The material is based on standard components, without modifiers. It is just an intermediate option in the classification of putties: it occupies a standard position between a simple and a high-quality mixture. The difference between all types of coating is determined by regulatory documents - SNiP and GOST.

Simple - it is used most often for finishing non-residential premises, when there are no increased requirements for the smoothness and leveling of the wall surface. Provides for the application of only 2 layers - spatter, primer.

Improved - it is used as an interior decoration of residential buildings, when it is necessary to make the walls as even as possible, or a finishing coating or facing - tiles, mosaics, etc. will be applied to the treated surface. Puttying is carried out in three layers: spraying, soil and covering.

High quality - plaster implies, in addition to three layers, the application of one more additional primer. Thus, a perfect smoothness of the wall surface is achieved.

And yet, in comparison with many other finishes, the putty has a high mechanical resistance. On surfaces treated with improved plaster, microcracks rarely appear. In addition, the material provides high moisture resistance to the walls, which allows it to be used in different rooms.

Before you get acquainted with the composition of the improved plaster, you should understand what are the differences between this option and other types of finishes.

In this case, you need to pay attention to the following features:

• after treatment with improved plaster, the coating becomes even and smooth;
• to achieve the desired result, a small layer of material is required - up to 1.5 cm;
• with improved plaster, finishing works are much faster than with simple ones.

It should be noted that immediately after applying such a putty, the surface can be painted or pasted over with wallpaper. Additional manipulations are not required, since plaster significantly improves the properties of the coating.

Please note that when working with these formulations, you can, but not necessarily, use beacons. In this case, the thickness of the elements must fully correspond to the finish layer, otherwise the application technology will be violated.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that the thickness of the layers must comply with the SNIP standards. According to its provisions:

Spatter:

• for brick and reinforced concrete - up to 0.5 cm;
• for wooden walls, taking into account shingles or metal mesh - 0.9 cm.

Designed to prepare the surface and increase adhesion before applying subsequent layers, so the wall is pre-cleaned, dust is removed. The mixture is prepared in the consistency of liquid sour cream. Then all cracks and depressions deeper than 5 mm are filled. At this stage, concrete contact must be applied to the concrete walls.

Primer for each layer:

• for heavy cement mortars (for rooms with high humidity levels) - 5 mm;
• for lightweight - gypsum, lime (for dry rooms) - 7 mm;
• the thickness of all layers (up to 3 is allowed) - no more than 10-15 mm.

This coating should completely complete the leveling of the surface. A rather thick solution is used - until the consistency of the dough. Each subsequent layer of primer is applied after the previous one has completely dried.

Covering - no more than 2 mm:

Decorative plaster can be used for this layer. It is applied to the already dried, but not completely, the previous layer of soil. The dried soil is moistened to increase adhesion.

The thickness of all layers of improved plaster should not exceed 20 mm. Particular attention should be paid to the quality requirements for these plasters. The composition used for spraying and priming must pass through a mesh with cells up to 3 mm in diameter. As for the coating solution, this is about holes with a size of up to 1.5 mm.

Grains must be present in the sand used to prepare the composition. The permissible size of each particle for spraying and soil is 2.5 mm. In the case of finishing, the indicator should not exceed 1.25 mm.

Improved plaster is used both for living rooms and for public premises, increasing the protective qualities of surfaces. The composition provides a high degree of adhesion to various surfaces and finishing materials.

The advantage of the improved plaster is that it is suitable for:

• for brick, concrete, wood and mixed substrates, consisting of different materials;
• for finishing walls, window openings, facing cornices and columns;
• as a leveling layer for ceilings in rooms for various purposes.

The technological process is not particularly complex if you adhere to the sequence of stages. First you need to start preparing the base. Dust and dirt are removed from the surface so that later there are no difficulties with adhesion. After that, minor defects and cracks should be eliminated.

Many experts recommend using a penetrating primer. Wall treatment must be carried out even before applying the plaster, which will increase the adhesion of the surface with different compositions. It should be noted that it is necessary to proceed to the next stages only after the surface is completely dry.

Then you need to start mixing the components for the cladding. Slaked lime and sand base are taken as ingredients. Their ratio with water should be 1: 1.5.

Professionals recommend using another common method. For the solution, it is necessary to prepare sand, cement and water. PVA glue is used as a bonding component. In this case, all the ingredients separately will cost much less than the ready-made solution.

For mixing, you need a container into which water is poured - 20 liters. For such a volume of liquid, approximately 200 g of an adhesive component is used, if necessary, the proportions can be changed. Then, all the components are mixed, gradually pouring sand and cement into the container. The mixture must be thoroughly mixed until the composition of the desired consistency is obtained.

Thanks to the application of this method, it is possible to make the layer of plaster slightly larger. The admissible thickness is 80 mm. In this case, the application can be carried out without a framework device, which greatly facilitates the work. It will also help to avoid unevenness.

The next step is spraying using a weak solution. This period of work is one of the most important, because this is how the surface is prepared for priming. Due to the presence of a liquid consistency of the composition, all defects on the wall can be quickly and easily filled. The treatment ensures maximum surface evenness.

The next step is to apply the primer. For work, you need a trowel, which in the process is positioned at an angle of 150 degrees. Initially, the application is performed with lateral movements, and then - from the bottom up. The average soil thickness ranges from 12 to 20 mm. A rule is used to determine the evenness. To eliminate defects, a solution is mandatory.

The final stage is the cover. This layer is applied in accordance with a special technology. In the process, it is necessary not only to level, but also to wipe the surface. Basically, a special pneumatic bucket is used to cover with this layer.

The soil, which has already dried out, must be moistened with a small amount of water. Using a brush, cover it in several layers. After drying, it is rubbed with a wooden trowel, firmly pressing the tool to the surface. First, circular movements are performed, after - horizontal and vertical.

If you are working with improved plaster for the first time, it is advisable to use a few helpful recommendations from professional craftsmen. For example, during the preparation of the solution, gypsum can be used instead of cement. Also, a little PVA glue - 100 g is added to the composition. Due to this, the strength and quality of the finishing layer is improved.

When spraying, pay special attention to unevenness. After careful processing, you will receive a reliable coating without the presence of small cracks, which often complicate further processes.

To determine the evenness of the soil after application, the rule should be applied horizontally to the wall. The tool is then used vertically and diagonally.

For the requirements for the composition of the improved plaster, see the following video.