What is the difference between putty and plaster?

The modern construction market is "rich" in a variety of materials and compounds used for repair work. Some of the most popular types are plaster and putty, which are widely used for wall decoration.

Many people mistakenly believe that these building materials are no different from each other. Therefore, in order to understand the difference between the compositions, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the features and properties of each option.

To begin with, it should be said that plaster is used to eliminate cracks and various surface defects. After its application, a hard and durable layer is formed. Plaster can be used to level not only walls, but also ceilings. With the help of such a building mixture, you can quickly and efficiently get rid of drops on the surface.

Often, plaster is applied in only one layer, which is several centimeters. This is quite enough to eliminate irregularities and get rid of cracks. At the heart of the plaster mixture there are large granules. The size of these components directly determines how strong and thick the applied layer will be.

To create a simple plaster, the following components are used:

• sand;
• cement;
• water.

Often plaster is used to treat large surfaces... This option is somewhat cheaper than a gypsum mixture. It should be noted that this composition is easier to apply to the surface. In addition, the gypsum mixture lends itself well to leveling, which simplifies the repair process.

To understand the difference between putty and plaster, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic properties of the material. This composition is most often used to eliminate small defects on the surface. Unlike plaster, the surface can be putty in a thin layer, since the base does not contain large granules.

The fine mixture is applied both to the wall and to the ceiling. The composition lends itself well to leveling, which is done with a spatula. In addition, the manufacturers of this material offer customers a fairly wide range of mixtures:

• The first option is a cement look. Plasticizers are added to the main components of the putty. The difference from plaster lies in the presence of small granules. A feature of cement putty is a high level of moisture resistance. Often this option is used as a topcoat after wall treatment.
• By the name of the gypsum putty, one can understand that its main component is gypsum. But many people wonder how this option differs from plaster. The composition is based on finely ground gypsum. This material serves not only as a filler, but also as a binder. The main disadvantage of gypsum plaster is that it cannot be used in rooms with high humidity. Under such conditions, the coating cracks and deforms. Therefore, this putty is used exclusively for interior decoration.

• Acrylic mixture is no less popular in the construction market.The composition of the material is rich in resins, which provide a glossy shade of the surface after the end of the work. Often, chalk and a water base are used as additional components.
• Glue putty is least often used for repair work. The material is based on natural linseed oil. In addition, up to 10% of the adhesive component is added to the composition.

Putty and plaster are used to level surfaces. But the second option is most often used to repair severe damage. These can be cracks, strong drops on the wall or ceiling. This is due to the fact that large granules ensure the reliability of the layer attachment during application.

Another distinctive feature of plaster is the absence of shrinkage. But many experts say that the thickness of the layer should not exceed 30 mm, otherwise additional reinforcement is required... It should be understood that due to its structure, plaster is able to eliminate serious defects. But it is impossible to provide a perfectly flat surface using this composition.

As for the putty, it contains smaller components, as mentioned above. Thanks to this, the composition will provide an even surface at the end of the preparatory process.

After processing with putty, the wall is completely ready for further manipulations - decoration and wallpapering.

The peculiarity of this material lies in the fact that it can be used to eliminate small defects on the surface. If the putty is applied in a thin layer and the correct working technology is followed, the composition will hold well for a fairly long period.

If the layer is too thick, later shrinkage of the material may occur..

The difference between materials lies not only in the main components and the final result, but also in the methods of application. Basically, the method of work depends on the type of filler used, since it is this component that determines the nature of the attachment of the mixture to the surface.

To work with cement-type plaster, the master uses a special trowel. Using the throwing method, you can ensure maximum adhesion of the material to the treated wall.

Particular attention must be paid to sufficient moisture during operation.

Interior finishing is carried out in one step. As for outdoor work, before plastering the wall, you first need to moisten and apply a primer on top. Covering is a mandatory step.

At the end, treatment with putty or decorative plaster is carried out. In this case, the choice depends on your preference and, of course, the type of surface.

As for the putty, this composition is best applied with a special spatula. A narrow tool is used to collect the mixture, after which it is transferred to an inventory with a narrow base. Further, the mixture is washed over the surface.

When choosing a putty and plaster for preparing walls indoors, you should pay attention to several important points:

• When buying the first option, first you need to determine the location of the repair. If you plan to prepare an already plastered facade, then it is best to give preference to a mixture for outdoor use. There is also a special heat-insulating putty that is ideal for filling small cracks.
• If you are planning to level the walls in the bathroom, it is best to give preference to the starter mixture. Such putties are used for interior work. The advantage is that the surfaces do not need final leveling.

• When preparing walls in living quarters for further painting, it is worth giving preference to gypsum plaster. A good choice would be a polymer composition characterized by high performance. If the surfaces do not have strong drops, you can use the finishing option.
• If the putty is used for decorative finishing, it is better to apply the usual textured putty.
• As for the choice of plaster, everything here also depends on the type of surface and the repair technology. For example, a common mortar of cement and sand is used for rough surface finishing. The composition is used to eliminate serious defects.

• Regarding gypsum plaster, it should be said that it is best used after the walls have been treated with a cement-sand mortar. The mixture will help get rid of minor defects.
• Decorative plaster today is often used as an alternative to wallpaper. The material is presented in a wide range of colors. A separate type is decorative compositions used for facade work.

If you are making repairs with your own hands for the first time and have not previously worked with plaster or putty, you need to pay attention to several important nuances:

• For example, when preparing a surface from aerated concrete, a prerequisite is filling the wall. The composition can be used as a finishing treatment. But plastering for this surface is not always required, since it differs in evenness.
• When working with formulations, you should not immediately dilute a large amount of solution. Otherwise, the putty or plaster will begin to dry out, which will greatly complicate the process of preparing the walls.

• Before starting work, you need to carefully inspect the surface. If there are serious drops and damage on the wall, you should definitely use plaster.
• You should first calculate the estimated layer thickness. If the layer of material exceeds the 5 cm mark, it is necessary to level the concrete walls with plaster. Putty treatment is done at the final stages to give smoothness and maximum evenness.

To make a decision without a doubt - putty or plaster, watch the following video.