Styrofoam plaster: material features and application technique
The technology of plastering expanded polystyrene is relatively not complicated, everything is simple here, everything must be done in a certain sequence. Indeed, unlike bricks, the adhesion of surfaces is not very good and it needs to be strengthened. Today we will consider how to plaster polystyrene foam correctly. Also on the video in this article and photo you can see the most difficult moments and this will help to do everything yourself and correctly.
The content of the article
Everything about plastering a foam surface
Plastering on extruded polystyrene foam is applied in a certain order and it will be useful to familiarize yourself with the material before starting work.
In order to understand the whole process and to know what materials will be required, it is necessary to understand the stages:
- We prepare the plaster mixture;
- Stucco mesh and its attachment to the treated area;
- Grouting works;
- A layer that will align the surface;
- Primer, as well as the final stage.
If you carefully understand these stages, then we can conclude that the work, although long, is not simple, but it can be safely divided into a couple of days. This is extremely important for people who are just taking their first, timid steps in mastering plastering.
A small amount of training and the hand itself will know what to do, and you will enjoy the process. Everything else, this is an ideal option for saving, because you do not need to invite specialists who will do the job no worse than you, but will take a lot of money for it.
We prepare the plaster base
Plaster for extruded polystyrene foam is applied to a quality prepared surface. To work with polystyrene materials (polystyrene also applies to them), you need to use ready-made mixtures that are specifically designed for such work.
Various manufacturers of dry formulations may have several options. Depending on the company, not only quality will change, but also price. Over the years, Ecomix and Ceresit have performed well. You can buy just such a mixture or opt for a not so expensive option.
Attention: But if you decide to save on this, remember that the quality of the final result directly depends on the material itself. It is also worth considering that in one area you should not use different mixtures, because their color and structure may vary.
So:
- The ideal option is the so-called universal mixture. It can be used as an adhesive material on which foam will be placed, and also as a layer that performs protective functions. There are manufacturers who have in their arsenal of two-type compositions: separately for protection and for installation. When buying material, you need to be careful, study the information on the package, since this composition may not be suitable for you.
- The mixture, which is called universal, is used for installation on the surface of a special crate or other works that are somehow related to plastering.
Attention: To apply 1 m2 of mesh, you will need about four kilograms of mortar, but even more will be needed to level the wall.
- The method of preparation of the mixture should not cause difficulties and this will be instructions on the package.
- To attach such a grid for plastering, it is better to use a composition not of the density indicated on the package, but much less often. When applying the smoothing layer, the consistency should be liquid, practically drain from the tool.
As you can see, with the technology of preparing the mixture for plastering, everything is extremely clear (see How to prepare the mortar for plaster correctly) Now you can get down to business and stick the grid, because it is it that is the main layer in order to apply plaster.
Ground plane
How to plaster polystyrene foam video will show the correct progress of work. And a primer is a must.
Caution: The primer must be applied twice. This is on the wall and also on the finished plane, this is in the case, if the additional coating is applied.
So:
- Beginners or insufficiently experienced masters often skip this stage, but this is in vain. The primer does not take a large amount, does not take too much time, but much more benefits. .
- You can also use antifungal primers, they will help get rid of wetness and mold. We apply the soil with a short pile roller, the foam version is also suitable.
- Work must be done carefully, avoid drips. After that, we wait until the soil is absorbed and dry, after which we boldly proceed to decorative work.
Mount the grid to the wall
Before starting to plaster the main material for insulation (polystyrene), it is necessary to ensure that the mass itself and the leveling mixture have reliable adhesion to the working surface.
- First, apply the solution in a plane using a wide spatula (cm. What wall plaster tool will you need) This will be the basis and will allow the grid to stay on the surface. It is not necessary to apply the first coat strictly in the plane. It will still be aligned. Its thickness should not be less than 5 mm.
Attention: Polyfoam does not have good rolling characteristics, if you apply the plaster immediately, it will crack or completely disappear, and your costs will go "into the pipe". To avoid this, you need to use a plaster grid.
- If the work is carried out with insulation from the outside, then choose a material that is produced specifically for facade work. Such a grid is quite dense, and the higher this indicator is, the better the stucco layer will go.
- But there are also moments of your own - if the material is too dense, then working with corners will cause difficulties. It is better to purchase a grid with a density of 140 - 160 grams per meter squared.
Attention: Buy the crate that is resistant to alkali, due to the fact that the basis of the plaster is cement.
Mesh fastening is always done from the corner. You should never start from the middle (see How to fix a stucco mesh to a wall).
Sticking process:
- The grid for plastering, intended for mounting in the corners, is a strip whose width is about thirty centimeters. The length of the mesh will depend entirely on the surface to be processed. If these are slopes, then it is worth looking at their length, but if the angle of the building is about a meter;
- After that, we make a small bend in the center of the grid. This is an important condition in order to give a certain rigidity even after pressure is not applied to the mesh;
- After that, we take a spatula, and we apply the plaster composition to them. The layer of the mixture should be thin;
- After the mixture has been applied to the slopes or corners, it is necessary to apply the grid, pressing it with a spatula and smooth it to the sides.
Glue the grid on the plane
Once the work with the corners has been stopped, you can start processing the grid for plaster. It is worth paying attention that it is important to leave parts of the corners not glued, because they are involved during the docking.
- The grid for plastering, which is most often sold in rolls, needs to be cut into separate pieces, the length of which is not more than a meter. Mount individual pieces, because the universal mixture dries quickly enough;
- We cover the prepared surface with the composition, the dimensions of the processed part should be a meter by ninety centimeters. The remaining ten centimeters will be required in order to process the joints. To apply the solution, it is better to use a small tool, about thirty centimeters, and a layer thickness of about three millimeters;
- Then, as in the decoration of the corners, you need to lay the grid to the surface and press it down. By smoothing movements we fix it to the surface. The grid itself is almost completely immersed in the mixture, it can be covered completely, for this, when pressed, we apply it to the spatula;
- In the same way we act with each vertical strip, gradually moving to the side. Do not forget that the grid should be overlapped in order to be able to process joints in the future. The same actions are carried out in the corner regions.
Grid grout
After completing the installation of a special mesh, the resulting layer must necessarily be wiped, this is not discussed. They do this with a simple grater, which can be wooden or plastic and is sold in any construction stores.
- As a grouting cloth, sandpaper is used. Immediately after fixing the mesh, you do not need to proceed to mashing. The working surface must dry thoroughly.
- If the repair is carried out in hot weather, it will take several hours, if it is autumn, when there is high humidity, it is better to leave everything for a day or more.
- There is nothing complicated in the trowel and even a teenager can cope with it. With little effort, observing the movement in a circle, the entire plane is processed. It is better to do it counterclockwise. If wet elements got on the sandpaper, then it is replaced with a new one.
- The next step towards high-quality and reliable insulation of the surface becomes a leveling layer. As a solution, you can use a universal mixture. Do not forget that a layer that evens out should only be applied to a surface that has been pretreated.
Layer Work
The technology of plastering on polystyrene foam may involve the application of several layers.
It has its own characteristics:
- We take in our hands a wide spatula (its size should be more than 35 centimeters), we apply the composition to the surface. We make it a smaller tool;
- With neat, but at the same time confident movements, we proceed to applying the composition to the surface. If the grouting was carried out in compliance with all the rules, then the layer can be three millimeters (this will be quite enough);
- Docking of the layer should shift towards the places where the mesh is joined. In this situation, the seams will be better and not so noticeable.
Work on grouting the leveling layer
A “bicycle” was not invented here, so all work is carried out in compliance with the same principles as during grouting. Always remember that all work should be carried out only after the surface is completely dry. However, keep in mind that you should not wait too long, otherwise you will have to make additional efforts. The best time for grouting is from one to four days.
How to understand that you can stop and not continue to overwrite? There is nothing complicated, just focus on your own vision. If you notice that the layer has become quite smooth and even, then you can start processing the next section.
Final polystyrene work
Decorative plaster is popular, it is this option that is often used for decoration. It must be applied to a surface that has been previously primed with high quality.
How to apply plaster:
- Everything is simple - we again arm ourselves with a spatula and begin. Do not forget to ensure that the applied layer is the same in each area. The thickness will depend on the granularity of the composition: the higher it is, the thicker and denser the layer should be applied;
- After application, we proceed to the formation of a plaster texture.
Facade plaster on polystyrene foam is not difficult to apply. You can’t just rush. Its price will be much lower if everything is done independently. The instruction will help you in this matter.
