There are a few things that are crucial to ensure your plastering job is as successful as possible. First of all a high-quality utility knife is essential as you will need to cut bags of plaster mix open, score walls and cut patches from sheets of drywall.
A float is another important tool for plastering as it achieves a smooth and high quality finish. CES stock both plastic and sponge floats to suit your requirements.
1. Thistle Plaster
Unlike cement, thistle plaster is suitable for use on a range of backgrounds and provides a smooth surface that’s ready to decorate. It is also easy to apply by hand or with the help of tools and dries in just 1.5h!
Thistle Bonding Coat is a retarded hemihydrates pre-mixed gypsum plaster incorporating exfoliated vermiculite aggregate, requiring only the addition of clean water to prepare for use. It can be applied over a variety of backgrounds including tiling, concrete Merseyside, Thistle Undercoat plaster or surfaces treated with Thistle Bond-it and is ideal for skim finishing over low suction backgrounds.
Its fine mix allows for improved workability making it hassle-free to spread, rule and darby. It is the ideal base coat for MR grade plasterboards, adding sound insulation to British Gypsum DriLyner systems by up to 2dB.
2. Carlite Plaster
If you’re considering a remodel, plastering is a great option. It adds value to your property, protects against fire, and is durable. It’s also a cost-effective way to make your home more comfortable and safe.
For a smooth coat finish, you can use Gyproc carlite finish plaster. This is a versatile finishing plaster that can be used to finish most backgrounds and linings. It combines gypsum, cement, and sand to offer a high-quality surface for your walls. It also dries quickly and provides an excellent base for decorative finishes like paint.
3. Fire Resistant Plaster
Aside from preventing fire damage, plaster is also resistant to many other kinds of degradation. This makes it ideal for structures that are exposed to changing climate conditions. It’s also very durable, which is why plaster mouldings are still present in many historical buildings.
It’s possible to make gypsum plasters fire resistant by adding effective amounts of naturally-occurring phosphate rock. These additions prevent the oxidation of gypsum, which reduces its tendency to spread flames. This allows a gypsum plaster to be used as a fire-rated material at thicknesses that are acceptable by most building codes.
This means that the progression of a fire in a building is slowed down which helps to protect the structure and stop major damage from occurring, particularly in crowded areas like hospitals and schools. This enables these spaces to be safely evacuated, which is an important feature in these types of buildings.
4. One Coat Plaster
One Coat Plaster is a new plastering process that eliminates the need for undercoat and finish. It’s also a lot faster, which makes it ideal for small area repair.
It’s made with gypsum and can be applied over both brick and wooden lath. The open-pore nature of this plastering allows walls to breathe, which reduces surface condensation and mould growth.
One Coat plaster also doesn’t require a skim coat, so you can start painting straight away. It’s also very easy to use, as it doesn’t generate dust and is suitable for both hand or mechanical application. It also has higher resistance to chlorides, sulfates, alkalies and chemicals than conventional OPC. Using this type of plastering will help you save on energy bills. It will also protect your home against rust.
5. Undercoat Plaster
As its name suggests, this type of plaster is an undercoat. It is a good option for those who are looking to add more value to their property, especially as it provides some fire protection. It is also a good choice for those who want to remodel their home as it is sturdy and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Most builders recommend applying browning plaster at about 11mm for walls and 8mm for ceilings. It is also a good idea to section the surface before beginning. Plastering is a tricky job and even those who do it regularly need to practice to make sure they have the right ‘feel’ for it. If you have any concerns, be sure to contact a professional.
