Finishing a house with facade plaster: choosing the best mixtures for exterior work and covering the walls using technology  

Plastering is one of the popular methods of finishing facades. Its popularity is associated with ease of execution, affordable price and a large selection of texture options. This type of finishing is universal - it can be used to decorate both a private home and an office building. In this article we will look at what types of plasters are suitable for finishing the outside of a house.

Advantages of facade plasters:

• simplicity of application technology; you can plaster the walls outside the house yourself, even without experience in such work;
• good level of heat and sound insulation;
• resistance to air temperature changes;
• high level of strength;
• moisture resistance.

But besides the advantages, many types of decorative facade mixtures have a significant drawback compared to other finishing materials - this is a rather high price. But at the same time they have a small consumption of 2–3.5 kg per 1 m2.

The advantages of decorative plaster include the following:

• High environmental properties.
• A huge variety of colors, textures, application methods.
• A simple application technique that even a person with no experience can handle.
• Aesthetic, high-quality result of the work performed.
• Durability, maximum immunity to external aggressors (rain, wind, ultraviolet radiation, sudden temperature changes).
• Unpretentiousness in further use.

Among the disadvantages of cladding, the following factors should be mentioned:

• Shorter service life compared to cladding with brick, clinker, and ventilated facades.
• Large time and energy costs required to finish the entire house. Because of this, in most cases it is necessary to use the services of hired teams.
• The need to carefully select the type of plaster depending on the material of the wall being treated.
• There is a chance of running into hackers who will perform work in violation of technological requirements. This can lead to not only a reduction in the service life of the facade, but also partial destruction of the main wall. For example, when using the wrong material for cladding a façade made of breathable aerated concrete.

Grinding cement-sand plaster

After several hours after leveling the surface, the wall is rubbed with a floor polisher or grater in a circular motion . This method will make it possible to remove all errors and flaws that appeared during the plastering process . If necessary, this technique can be repeated a day later.

How does façade differ from ordinary plaster?

Facade plaster comes into contact with winds, rain and snow, and “collides” with ultraviolet radiation and chemicals. Sometimes, the outer covering takes on the blows of objects crashing into it. Therefore, plaster for facade work should be:

Exterior view of a house finished with facade plaster

1. Waterproof. Otherwise, the coating will swell, begin to fall off, become moldy, and lose its aesthetics. Indoors, plaster is often used without moisture protection, since there is a minimum of vapor in the air. The exceptions are bathrooms and swimming pools.
2. Durable. Mechanical loads on the facade are rare. However, the potential for impacts poses a threat. For example, a car will not crash into interior walls. A lamppost will not fall in the rooms, and the ball is unlikely to fly from a 100-meter distance, having time to accelerate to its maximum. To eliminate such risks, manufacturers focus on the strength of façade coatings.
3. Resistant to temperature changes. There is always a positive indicator in the home. It is customary to maintain a comfortable living temperature of 20-25 degrees Celsius. Outside the situation is different. The building can almost melt, or it can take the blow of icy cold. Facade plaster for external use must withstand temperatures from -40 to +45 degrees. For arctic and desert regions, specialized lines with a wide range of operating temperatures are produced.
4. Vapor permeable. This property is popularly called the breathing of building materials. Vapor permeability allows the coating to allow air to pass through. This eliminates the accumulation of condensation and maintains a healthy microclimate inside the building.
5. Heat and sound insulating. The coating serves as additional protection for the structure, including from frost and noise. In order for them to “stick” in the plaster, it has closed internal pores. Closed capsules are filled with gas. It transmits both noise and temperature waves poorly. For a significant effect, a thick layer of plaster is needed. Therefore, its heat and sound insulating properties are only auxiliary, additional to the main ones.
6. Plastic. It is more difficult to apply coating to facades, especially high ones and complex shapes, than to apply coating to indoors. Therefore, plasters for external use are made to be expressly plastic. This makes the decorating process easier and the finish adheres to the base.
7. Diverse. For facade plaster, decorativeness is especially important. The covering becomes the face of the building, representing its style. Therefore, decorative finishing is needed. Facade plaster can always be tinted; it already contains color pigment or design particles such as sparkles, mineral chips, shells.
8. UV resistant. Solar radiation has a destructive effect not only on living tissue, but also on building materials. In particular, they fade. Therefore, special pigments are added to plasters for exterior finishing. In addition, plasticizers that are resistant to sun rays are added, as if they are locking and enveloping dyes.

Facade plaster bark beetle

Naturally, facade plaster must have high adhesion. This is the property of adhesion to the base, penetration into its smallest cracks and pores. This way the coating reinforces the lower material and adheres to it better.

Varieties of mixture

Let's consider the main types of plaster for facades, differing in composition and characteristics.

Acrylic

The function of the binding component in such a material is performed by acrylic resin, which allows the mixture to be sold in a state prepared for application. The applied plastic layer begins to set after a couple of hours, the surface becomes impact-resistant, vapor-permeable, and resistant to negative influences.

This plastering material for facades contains components that prevent the development of bacteria.

Silicate

The binder in this composition is liquid potassium glass. It is distinguished by a neutral indicator of electrostaticity, which provides protection against the accumulation of contaminants on the surface. Silicate material has good vapor permeability and creates an excellent alternative to acrylic compositions when their use is impossible.

Silicone

This material for exterior decoration is considered expensive, but has undeniable advantages - a rich color palette, elasticity, and is easy to wet clean.

A façade plastered with this composition easily allows steam to pass through, allowing the walls to “breathe.”

Mineral

The main component is a cement material, which creates an unprecedented strength indicator. On the building materials market, such plaster for external use is sold in the form of a dry mixture, which remains to be mixed with water, observing the ratios. The operational period of the finishing exceeds ten years, the material practically does not absorb water and resists the development of microbes.

If you use this option, you will have to paint it with facade paint that is resistant to low temperatures. Paintwork materials are used only on a silicate basis so that the plaster layer can breathe.

Terrasite

A type of decorative material for plastering facades, made on a cement-sand base with the addition of lime, mica and fine marble. The coating is durable and moisture-resistant, looks interesting, and lasts a long time. There is a labor-intensive process of applying the material and a long hardening period.

Cork

This type of plaster is gaining popularity among fans of eco-style. The composition contains natural oak bark, mixed with modifiers and binding components and creating the characteristics of a cork of natural origin. The coating is distinguished by its unique appearance, softness, antistatic characteristics, elasticity and environmental safety. Applied to walls made of aerated concrete, expanded clay, wood, and plastic.

Thermal insulating

It is used for external walls, the insulating material of which cannot cope with the functions assigned to it, and the frame base of the structure will not withstand additional protection from heat loss.

The composition of such facade plaster includes sawdust, polystyrene foam balls, verculite and other materials.

Soundproof

This plaster is used instead of auxiliary materials, combining it with mineralized wool or polystyrene foam. In combination with such insulation, the plaster layer protects against extraneous noise.

A cement-based plaster mortar; slag, pumice or magnesite are used as additional components to create a porous surface texture and sound absorption.

Exterior plaster textures

The structural effects of exterior plaster have a direct bearing on how long the building's façade will last. A smoother surface can withstand stress less easily and cracks are more likely to appear on it. A rough surface is much more stable in this sense.

The surface of the “lamb” type or corrugated bark beetle is of the rough type.

Bark beetle

Lamb

The lamb is formed using a roller or grater, which ensures that the lumps are evenly distributed. The bark beetle contains pebbles, which form horizontal or vertical grooves during the grouting stage.

Decorative “lamb” plaster, the photo of which can be seen above, is an environmentally friendly material. It consists of dolomite, marble, quartz. "Bark beetle" does not require additional processing after application. This type of exterior plaster is environmentally safe and resistant to aggressive environments. It consists of fine marble chips, acrylic dispersions, etc.

Tips and tricks

The undoubted advantage of ready-made building mixtures is their quality and proper combination of all components. However, preference should be given to products manufactured by trusted manufacturers.

New materials must be treated with caution. As a rule, the high cost of such a mixture will be justified by the ease of use of the composition, as well as economical consumption

It is very important to make large purchases of building materials only from reliable suppliers. This will help you avoid purchasing counterfeits of well-known brands.

Regarding use on different surfaces, experts recommend the following:

• wooden walls are plastered with a cement-lime composition using lathing;
• for foam concrete it would be preferable to purchase a gypsum mixture;
• brick walls do not require the application of a special composition.

To make sure that the purchased product is truly of high quality, you can check its packaging. The dry plaster mixture in the bag will have a film between the outer and inner layers of the package. The release time of the composition applied to the bag should not be the same. To increase the plasticity of the plaster mixture, it is recommended to add a little detergent to the water. For work with surfaces that have significant curvature, it is best to use plaster beacons.

By carefully studying the characteristics of each type of plaster mixture, you can easily make the right choice.

See below for a comparison of plaster from different manufacturers.

Horizontal and vertical application of bark beetle

It is generally accepted that the final texture of the surface plastered with bark beetle depends on the manufacturer and brand of the product. It is worth noting that this indicator also depends on the technique of applying the mixture by the master.

The application technique depends on the manufacturer of the plaster and the desired result.

If it is necessary for the furrows of the plaster to be placed horizontally, it must be applied in the same direction. To obtain vertical furrows, you need to change the direction of application.

By carrying out this process, you can understand and appreciate the need for high-quality preliminary plastering. If the cement plaster is applied evenly and rubbed well with a polisher, the relief structure of the “bark beetle” will be clearer. A unique relief is created by small pebbles in the plaster mixture, which create grooves due to friction between the wall and the surface.

Technology of applying facade plasters to different surfaces

Before applying facade plaster, it is important to properly prepare the base. The most important thing is that the surface should be smooth and without major defects.

Also, regardless of the quality and evenness of the wall structures, it is necessary to create a base reinforcing layer with a mesh on their surface to provide a strong and durable base for decorative finishing.

Photo 3. Formation of the “Lamb” texture by grouting

Techniques for plastering with decorative textured compositions:

• Application is carried out using a spatula or trowel.
• The solution is applied in small areas, since after 10-20 minutes you need to grout.
• Grouting is carried out to give the coating a certain texture (depending on the plaster used). Usually done with a plastic grater using circular movements until the desired decorative effect is achieved.

The technology for applying facade plaster using the example of a mixture of the “Bark Beetle” type is shown in more detail in the following video:

Finishing facades made of aerated concrete

Facade plaster for external use is not simply applied to aerated concrete walls, even if the masonry is well done and does not require leveling. The walls must first be plastered with a special adhesive mixture with reinforcing fiberglass mesh. Only in this case you are guaranteed to receive a strong and durable coating.

Photo 4. The process of plastering walls and aerated concrete with fiberglass mesh reinforcement

Facade plaster using polystyrene foam, penoplex and mineral wool

The facade mixture is also not applied directly to expanded polystyrene or mineral wool. Initially, it is necessary to reinforce the thermal insulation layer using a special solution and reinforcement with fiberglass mesh, as required by the technology for insulating building facades.

Photo 5. Reinforcing plaster of a house facade insulated with polystyrene foam

Plastering the facade on a wooden base

With wooden walls the situation is much more complicated, since dry plaster mixtures for external use, as well as ready-made ones, have low adhesion to lumber and other wood-based substrates

Here it is important to properly prepare the base for plastering. Preliminary preparation of a wooden facade for applying decorative plaster involves performing the following work:

Preliminary preparation of a wooden facade for applying decorative plaster involves performing the following work:

Elimination of all defects - special attention is paid to areas of rot and areas affected by fungus and mold.

Complex surface treatment with hydrophobic and antiseptic impregnations.

Upholstery of the facade with shingles to ensure strong adhesion of the plaster to the wood.

Plastering with ordinary cement-sand mortar to create a solid base for the decorative mixture.

Only after these measures and hardening of the leveling plaster layer with shingles can you begin to apply the base reinforcing layer and textured facade plaster.

Photo 6. Plastering over shingles

Brick façade finishing

It is also advisable to apply a leveling plaster layer to brick walls. If they are perfectly smooth and do not need leveling, you can immediately apply a thin layer of the base reinforcing compound with a mesh. After the initial plastering and hardening of the coating, either dry plaster for exterior use is mixed with water in the proportions specified by the manufacturer, or it is taken ready-made in a bucket and applied to the base.

Painting and finishing methods

If the finishing was not made of colored plaster, then the surface of the coating must be painted. The paint protects decorative plaster from atmospheric influences. Lime coating requires three-layer painting, other compositions require two-layer painting. Each layer of paint must dry before applying the next.

To ensure that decorative plaster for facades does not require painting every year, you need to choose the right paint. It is desirable that it “breathes”, combines with the plaster material, and does not fade. Silicone and acrylic paints are considered the best for facades.

Painting compositions are applied with a spray gun or manually (roller, brush). The direction of paint application should not be constant. If one layer was painted with horizontal movements, then the second should be applied with vertical movements. There should be no interruptions during the application of one layer.

When doing the work yourself, they often use a regular roller.

Simple DIY decoration.

Mineral homemade plaster mixtures are applied to the wall and leveled. The top is finished with a decorating layer of the same composition.

Alignment.

First coat of exterior plaster. Apply up to 1.5-2cm thick to give the wall perfect evenness. If you have to apply more significant layers, they must be reinforced.

Sometimes the exterior finish is applied in several thick layers, drying each one to avoid reinforcement. However, the reliability of layering is low: uneven thickness of the plaster is one of the main reasons for cracking of the exterior finish.

Decoration.

The second layer is textured. It is applied with various tools, depending on the desired relief, its nature, pattern and volume.

• Fur coats are obtained by working with a roller. To do this, the solution is made liquid and the preparation to be decorated is “painted” with this composition.
• Small coats are obtained by spraying the walls with a liquid solution using a brush. It is dipped in the composition and, directed to the desired section of the wall, passed along the pile with a hard object. The straightening fibers (line) of the brush “shoot” the plaster mixture.
• The stone texture is an imitation of the natural irregularities of natural minerals. It is applied as a second layer with a trowel or embossed material (a crumpled piece of fabric, fur, cellophane).

The layer is not laid completely, but partially, in small fragments between which gaps of the first layer remain. When the solution begins to set, it is “lubricated” with the tool.

The proportions of the solution for the decorative layer of plaster on external walls do not change. The array must be homogeneous.

Imitation of stonework.

It is especially popular for finishing plinths, supports, pillars, and fences.

A simple way to decorate exterior plaster with your own hands is to apply an imprint. Special molds having the relief of the masonry are pressed into the fresh exterior plaster. After drying, it is painted, giving the “stones” a more natural look.

In order not to purchase prints, you can limit yourself to creating a relief by sampling it in wet plaster. Rows of masonry and individual shapeless or hewn stones in it are marked on the wall. Select the solution to the required depth with the corner of a spatula or other convenient tool. This technique requires a certain aptitude for fine art.

Mistakes when working with plaster

There are several common mistakes that beginners make when plastering facades. Among them are the following:

• Ignoring the primer. The walls must be primed first, as this improves the adhesion of the mortar. Without a primer, the plaster will begin to peel off faster.
• Incorrect preparation of the mixture. When creating the working mixture, you must follow the instructions on the packaging. A solution prepared inappropriately will not adhere well to the wall.
• Applying a thick layer. The coating should not be too thick so as not to sag under its own weight.

Plastering a facade is not an easy job that requires appropriate knowledge and skills. Every person who decides to do this on their own should become familiar with the features and methods of applying plaster.

Varieties

Cement-based facade plaster has two varieties:

• sandy;
• limestone.

The solutions differ in composition. For the first type I use only classic ingredients, and in the second, lime is added to them, which has an enhancing effect.

Cement-sand

Cement sand plaster is a budget option and has excellent durability and stability. Its basis is cement, the marking of which varies between M150–M500.

In addition to the main component, sand is also present. A simple mixture is used for rough finishing, wanting to level the surface. The improved type of coating is applied three times, grinding the finishing layer with a special grater. Elite mixtures are applied 5 times over the beacons, finishing with a covering to obtain ideal quality.

Cement-lime

When comparing cement facade plaster for exterior use, which contains an additive in the form of lime, with a conventional mixture, it should be understood that the former has improved strength characteristics. When preparing such a solution yourself, before using it, the lime must be quenched with water and then left for about a week. This event will protect the coating from blistering on the wall.

Do-it-yourself ready-made cement plaster for exterior use includes the following ingredients:

• sand;
• slaked lime;
• Portland cement;
• polypropylene fiber;
• additives that prevent moisture penetration.

The finished mixture is sold in dry form; you should prepare it yourself. The advantages of such a solution, optimal for application to facade walls, are as follows:

• versatility;
• high degree of adhesion;
• plastic;
• resistance to the formation of fungi and mold;
• wear resistance;
• long shelf life even after some time after preparation;
• the surface remains permeable to steam.

Flaws:

• low parameters for reducing compressive strength;
• costs more.

Consumption of working mixture for facades, how to estimate

When going shopping, you need to know how much dry or ready-made mixture you need to purchase, so as not to run around for materials several times. And if you choose a colored mixture, it is better to take it with a reserve, since products from different batches and manufacturers may differ.

To calculate the required amount of plaster, you need to know the total area of ​​the surfaces being treated and the thickness of the layer. Plaster beacons will help determine the thickness. Different points on the wall have different curvature. For example, we take three indicators of differences of 1.3 and 5 cm. The average thickness is 3 cm on a wall with an area of ​​10 m2.

A responsible manufacturer indicates on the packaging the consumption per 1 square meter, 1 cm thick. Then this value is multiplied by 3 and the required amount of mixture in a particular case is obtained per square meter.

How to choose?

When choosing plaster, you should take into account the climatic conditions of the building, its purpose, and the type of working base.

To provide additional heat to the building, pay attention to compositions containing foam glass, perlite, and vermiculite. In regions with high humidity, the moisture-resistant characteristics of the plaster should be maximum

The so-called “winter” or frost-resistant version is optimal for northern regions. For those who want to repair the facade as rarely as possible, acrylic (service life is up to 25 years), silicone and silicate (service life is 15-20 years) compositions are suitable. Cement compositions have the least durability; their service life is 10 years.

Long-term preservation of functionality and aesthetic appeal is associated with the texture of the plaster

Smooth and smooth surfaces are more susceptible to cracking, while rough ones are not only more durable, but also hide minor surface imperfections. When purchasing plaster, it is important to understand how well it matches the type of wall. Otherwise, even an expensive and high-quality composition will not fulfill its functions.

So, for brick it is better to use cement or silicone compounds, and for aerated concrete - silicate or silicone. For the frame structure, choose an elastic acrylic mixture. Wood will accept silicate plaster well, and it is recommended to apply acrylic plaster on top of the reinforcing mesh on insulation boards.

In addition, when plastering a wooden building, you will need to ensure the presence of a special mesh with large cells or a shingle frame. Cement mortars are universal - suitable for all types of walls, including cold and damp basements. If installation is intended on the surface of the insulation, a reinforcing mesh is first laid.

All plasters are divided into 2 types:

• thick-layer – silicate and cement mortars;
• thin-layer – these include acrylic and silicone containing mixtures.

The use of the latter type of solution requires careful preparation of working substrates - cleaning, leveling.

The ready-made mixture is more convenient to transport and use (there is no need to calculate the ratio of parts of the composition and water, or mix the solution), but it is more expensive than dry mixtures. In addition, this form is not possible for all types of plaster.

Finishing with plaster can be an expensive pleasure, so always take into account the material consumption per 1 square meter. m. This will help not only to get an idea of ​​the total cost of the mixture, but also to correctly calculate its required volume.

In general, consumption consists of factors such as the type of filler and binder, as well as the type and evenness of the working base.

On average, for different types of plaster the consumption is as follows:

• acrylic-based compositions – 1.5-3 kg/m2;
• silicone compounds – 2.5-3.9 kg/m2;
• mineral plasters – 2.5-4 kg/m2.

Having calculated the volume of material required for work, add another 5% to it. These are the so-called working losses. In the absence of such an increase, you risk finding yourself in a situation where there is not enough mixture and you have to buy more, selecting the desired shade. In this case, construction will be suspended.

When choosing a material, not only its functional but also its aesthetic characteristics are important. It is logical that users want the color to last as long as possible.

The durability of the color coating is determined by several factors:

• paint is applied over the plaster or color pigments are dissolved in the composition (the second option is preferable);
• antistatic properties of plaster, which determine the degree of surface contamination;
• resistance of color pigment to precipitation and UV rays.

The best result, based on the parameters discussed above, is demonstrated by silicone plaster. It does not attract dust, does not fade and is also characterized by a rich color palette. It is slightly inferior to silicate plaster, which cannot boast of such a variety of shades. Acrylic solution is subject to fading, in addition, it quickly becomes dirty. The worst indicators of color durability are demonstrated by mineral and cement coatings, which require almost annual painting.

Features of preparing the base material

A house may have walls made of various materials. Each of the materials sets its own conditions and also requires a certain finishing technology. Read more about how to prepare the base for working with decorative plaster.

When working with any base, remember to reinforce the corners. You can use a special corner for this.

Insulation

Penoplex, expanded polystyrene and mineral wool have a surface that should be “dressed in a corset” before finishing. For this purpose, an adhesive reinforcing layer with fiberglass mesh is used. The adhesive composition is applied to the surface of the insulation with a layer of 5-6mm. The layer is “combed” with the serrated edge of the trowel. A mesh is placed over the glue, pressed and secured with thin short sticks in the corners. The mesh sections are overlapped (10 cm). At the corners of the house, the mesh is applied in 2 layers or special profiles are used. Having buried the mesh into the layer with a spatula, smooth its surface with a plastic trowel. After the glue has dried, you need to apply a primer that is chemically suitable for the composition of the finishing layer.

For finishing in this case, silicone, silicate or mineral (cement) compounds are often used, less often acrylic plaster is used, since it does not “breathe” well. It is important that the materials of the insulation, “casing”, primer and solution are combined with the parameters of thermal expansion and have approximately the same hygroscopicity and thermal conductivity. Then the finishing layer will not crack.

Types of facade plaster and their features

Exterior work on the facade of the house is carried out using the following types of building and decorative mixtures:

• Mineral compositions. They are based on cement, sand and additional polymer substances, which are used to improve the performance characteristics of the solution. The main advantages are high strength, reasonable cost, high vapor permeability, and environmental friendliness. The disadvantages include insufficient resistance to deformation; under their influence, the coating cracks.
• Acrylic plaster mixtures. Based on acrylic resin and synthetic binders. The advantages of this façade material include good resistance to temperature changes, elasticity, protection from fungi and mold, vapor permeability, and resistance to UV radiation. We also note a large selection of texture solutions - bark beetle, mosaic, pebble. The disadvantage is that it gets dirty quickly and therefore requires constant maintenance during operation.
• Silicate-silicone plaster. The material combines the advantages of silicone and silicate compounds and is characterized by high elasticity, vapor permeability, low water absorption and resistance to fungi. The solution is recommended for use as a finishing coating for thermal insulation systems for facades with mineral wool and polystyrene foam boards. The plaster material should be applied to walls made of brick or concrete using a stainless steel float, which is positioned at an angle of 60 degrees. The texture of the coating is formed with a plastic grater, which is held parallel to the surface being treated.
• Silicone-based decorative plasters have maximum durability, high strength and resistance to mechanical stress - the facade of the house is protected from cracks. In addition, the coating has self-cleaning properties - it repels dirt and dust, has elasticity and good vapor permeability properties. The main disadvantage is the high cost.

Workplace and necessary tools

Do-it-yourself decorative plaster of the facade has a number of features that should be taken into account when preparing the workplace. First of all, this involves large volumes of work at height. In order to plaster the upper part of the facade of the house, ladders are not suitable. We need reliable scaffolding. They must be of sufficient width and length to allow:

• in one pass to continuously cover the required area,
• conveniently place fixtures, tools, containers for solution,
• work together.

It is also necessary to ensure a water supply to the place where dry mixtures are diluted. When working mechanically, a special place must be allocated for washing the hose. It is also necessary to provide for the ability to quickly protect the working surface from sudden rain. The workplace and the surface to be treated should be protected from the sun's rays.

To protect the skin of your hands and eyes when working, you need to use protective equipment. You need gloves, a respirator and goggles. It is advisable to have a container of clean water and a clean towel nearby so that you can immediately wash your eyes if the solution gets in contact.

Large areas of facade work can be processed manually or mechanically, for example, for a fur coat you can use a barrel organ or a plaster gun. To decorate the facade of a house with your own hands, you may need a variety of tools, auxiliary materials and devices. Basic tools and accessories:

• plastic or metal spatulas;
• trowels,
• brushes,
• rollers,
• level,
• devices for applying texture - stamps, matrices with textured elements, crumpled polyethylene, stencils, etc.,
• containers,
• masking tape,
• mixer,
• sandpaper.

Facade plastering technology

Façade finishing
The solution is prepared in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations indicated on the packaging. If you are using a cement composition, then it must be diluted with water to the consistency of thick sour cream.

The finishing of the façade with plaster is carried out in three stages. The first is spraying. Using a ladle or trowel, pour the mortar onto the wall. Experienced plasterers add a little PVA glue to the cement plaster. This will add strength and improve grip. At this stage, do not strive for evenness; the mixture should lie on the wall in lumps. The layer of solution should be no more than five centimeters.

The second stage is applying the base layer. It is necessary to dilute the cement mortar to the consistency of liquid sour cream. Then also spray the second layer with a ladle or trowel. Then, using the beacons (if you use them, if not, then “by eye”), using zigzag movements from floor to ceiling, remove the excess and at the same time fill the resulting voids.

We plaster the walls according to the lighthouses

The distance between the profiles fixed to the wall should be 10 - 15 cm less than the length of the rule . To ensure that the outer profile slats are installed evenly, they are leveled. You can stretch threads between the profiles and install internal beacons along them.

Profiles and internal beacon between them

The cement-sand mortar is thrown onto the walls between the beacons manually and then leveled along the wall with a rule that is pressed tightly against the beacons. As a rule, according to the rule, the plastered surface has grooves and depressions that must be rubbed with a trowel or a special construction float. To make the work progress faster, a floor polisher is usually used.

Detailed video instructions telling how to plaster facade walls using beacons

Advantages of gypsum-based plaster mixture

Answering the question “is it possible to work with gypsum plaster outdoors?”, we confidently declare that finishing with this material is a real godsend for a novice craftsman. When working with such a mixture, you don’t have to worry about any mistakes made, because all the shortcomings are subsequently eliminated. The explanation is simple: the plaster mixture is easy to work with and can be easily ground off with a sharp spatula blade.

Modern gypsum-based plaster material ensures ideal evenness of the wall surface; additional application of starting and finishing material is not required.

The main advantages of this finishing material are:

• environmental cleanliness ensured by the natural origin of the main raw material (gypsum);
• absence of toxic components that emit specific odors;
• high rates of vapor and gas permeability;
• complete absence of such a phenomenon as shrinkage.