Polymer plaster - features of the material and its application
In the construction market, in addition to the usual cement or gypsum plaster, other, more modern materials for wet finishing of facades and interior walls began to appear. Of particular interest among them is decorative polymer stucco, the features of which and methods of application will be discussed below.
The content of the article
Polymer plaster - what is it
Unlike heavy mineral compounds, polymer ones are not used for rough surface leveling. They are applied in a thin layer to pre-prepared walls and are used for decorative finishes.
Types of polymer plaster
The basis for the production of such building mixtures are polymer resins and other synthetic substances. It is impossible to make them yourself at a construction site, like cement-sand plaster, since to ensure plasticity, strength and other mandatory properties, special additives and fillers must be introduced into the composition in certain proportions.
Plaster with a polymer binder can be of different types:
- Acrylic, latex - based on synthetic resins. After its application as a result of water evaporation, the polymerization of the molecules of the substance and its solidification with the formation of a strong, vapor-permeable surface, resistant to moisture;
- Silicone plaster It is made on the basis of an aqueous dispersion of silicone resin and has the properties of both polymer and mineral compositions. This is one of the highest quality, reliable and durable materials with high performance.
- Silicate Plaster based on liquid potassium glass - this is a special composition for finishing surfaces containing lime.
Note. All polymer mixtures can be tinted in volume, as is usually done with water dispersion paints. As a result, the coating is painted over the entire thickness, so minor defects that occur during operation, it is almost invisible.
Types of decorative surface
The type of coating created by polymer plaster depends on its composition and color, but to a greater extent - on the size and configuration of the filler granules included in the mixture. This is quartz sand, ground marble, granite or other natural stone.
Polymer decorative plaster may have uniform granularity (all granules are the same size) or contain a number of larger grains. From this, as well as from the method of application, the type of the finished coating depends.
- A uniformly rough texture (goosebumps) is obtained using fine-grained plaster;
- Relief - when processing a freshly applied composition with a brush, a notched trowel, a relief roller and other tools with which a picture is created on the surface;
- A furrowed-rough texture (bark beetle) is formed when the mixture is leveled with the content of large granules with a spatula or a trowel. Under their pressure, large grains roll over the surface, leaving in the continuous layer of the plaster a depression — grooves.
Note.To create a furrowed texture, the thickness of the applied layer should not exceed the size of large granules. If it is larger, the pebbles will not roll out between the ironer and the base, but simply drown in the mixture.
Scope and properties
The described building mixtures are universal and can be used both for internal and external decoration of drywall, concrete, previously plastered substrates. There is a special polymer plaster for facades (see Exterior decoration of the house with plaster: choose the option) and socles of buildings with enhanced physical and mechanical properties.
The main characteristics of such compounds:
- Strength, impact resistance;
- Plastic;
- Water resistance;
- Vapor permeability;
- Frost resistance;
- Hydrophobicity and moisture resistance;
- Good adhesion to various materials (some types are suitable for finishing wooden and metal surfaces);
- Environmental friendliness.
The mixtures can be supplied in dry form, which are closed with water before use in strict accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. But more often they are sold ready to use in hermetically sealed plastic buckets.
The price of polymer plaster significantly exceeds the cost of mixtures based on mineral binders, but economical consumption and durability offset this difference.
Application technology
The technology of polymer plaster is more like a putty process due to the small thickness of the layer. The composition is applied to an already leveled surface, only minor defects are allowed, the size of which is no more than 2-3 times the diameter of the plaster grains.
The fact is that the presence of large tubercles and depressions on the wall plane cannot be hidden under a thin layer of the mixture, and if applied with a thick layer, the coating can turn out to be uneven in color and pattern, only emphasizing irregularities.
Surface preparation
After making sure that there are no significant defects or eliminating them using conventional plaster, it is necessary to clean the surface of dirt, oil and grease stains that reduce the adhesion of materials. Then comes the primer (see Primer walls and all for that matter), which is designed to bind dust particles, strengthen the surface, even out its absorption and increase the ability to adhere to the polymer mixture.
Type of primer depends on the base material and the type of decorative plaster itself. As a rule, it is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging, and in most cases, compositions of the same brand as the building mixture itself are recommended.
Note. If the instructions for use do not contain instructions for using the primer, then work can be performed bypassing this step. Such plasters have a high degree of adhesion to the surface due to the high content of special additives in them.
Preparing the solution for work
Ready plaster mixes before application are simply thoroughly mixed. Acrylic and silicate plasters can be diluted with water, but its amount should be no more than 10% of the total mass.
The situation is more complicated with dry mixes. They must be prepared in strict accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
Usually, after the first mixing with water, the solution is left to ripen for 10-15 minutes, after which it is mixed again and used. Such a break is necessary in order for the polymer additives included in the mixture to create a full-fledged crystal lattice without defects and gaps.
It is important! Ready-to-use solution can no longer be diluted with water! This will lead to a disruption of the formed ties and a deterioration in the quality of the composition.
Plaster
As already mentioned more than once, the polymer mixture is applied to the walls with a thin layer.This is done with a spatula or a trowel, with which the solution is drawn along the plane in an even layer.
Then, when he grabs slightly and stops sticking to the tool, but has not yet begun to harden, the desired texture is formed on the surface. To do this, use wooden and plastic graters, and in the case of relief plaster - special tools or improvised devices.
Tip. One person can hardly cope with the application and grouting of the plaster, so it is better to work together.
The final grout must not be too tight, since a hydrophobic film forms on the surface of the plaster, which does not recover after mechanical failure.
Observe the temperature and humidity conditions during the work:
- An air temperature below +5 degrees will increase the polymerization period, the surface will dry for a long time with the risk of damage by external factors.
- Temperatures above +25 degrees and direct sunlight falling on the wall will lead to rapid dehydration of the solution, the occurrence of shrink stress and the formation of microcracks.
- High air humidity also reduces the quality of the applied mixture, not allowing it to dry in normal mode.
After finishing work, finished surfaces also need to be protected from temperature surges, high humidity, precipitation and mechanical stress until they dry completely.
Conclusion
Polymer plaster is one of the highest quality and modern materials. It is easy to work with, and the resulting coating has excellent performance characteristics.
The only drawback is the high cost, but it is better to spend money once and forget about the repair for many years than to save and return to it sooner than expected. You will get even more information on this topic from the video in this article.
What viscosity does your putty have?