Making changes to the outside of your house can be thrilling and fulfilling. Bark beetle decorative plaster is a common technique for creating a unique and eye-catching facade. This type of plaster gives character and sophistication to any building because of its distinctive textured finish, which resembles the natural patterns in wood created by bark beetles.
Bark beetle plaster application may seem like a difficult undertaking, but with the right equipment and a little knowledge, it can be a doable and entertaining do-it-yourself project. This plaster offers longevity and a beautiful appearance that endures, whether you’re finishing a new construction or renovating an old facade.
We’ll walk you through the process of applying bark beetle plaster yourself in this guide. We’ll give you precise, simple-to-follow instructions for every step of the process, from surface preparation and material selection to application and finishing touches. You will have all the information necessary to give your house a gorgeous, polished finish by the time you finish reading this article.
So gather your materials and get ready to add bark beetle decorative plaster to the outside of your house. It’s possible to create a gorgeous, textured facade that is both aesthetically pleasing and weatherproof with a little work and attention to detail.
- Types and composition
- Advantages and disadvantages of using on a wall
- Tools used (grater, spatula, etc.)
- What is surface preparation for finishing a house with bark beetle
- Application technology for facades and interior work
- Preparing a mixture for plastering walls
- How to make bark beetle plaster with your own hands
- How to properly apply decorative bark beetle to the wall
- Do-it-yourself application of bark beetle to walls – drawing
- Rain streams
- Slanting rain
- Bark beetle
- Horizontal
- Two-color
- Plaster consumption when decorating walls inside the premises – in an apartment and on the facades of houses
- Use in internal and external trim (on the facade)
- How to paint walls in different colors
- Video on the topic
- DIY BARK BEETLE plaster.
- How we apply bark beetle on the facade of the house #bark beetle #how_to_apply #texture #do_it_yourself
- Do-it-yourself decorative plastering of the facade
Types and composition
Make sure you accurately estimate how much material will be needed for finishing before making any purchases.
- marble chips;
- acrylic, silicone, gypsum or silicate components;
- filler in the form of finely ground sand and limestone;
- plasticizers that provide elasticity and strength of the material.
Bark beetle dries fast once applied. The inclusion of small stones in the composition—marble sawdust, different mineral mixtures, acrylic dispersions, etc.—is what gives the surface its texture. h. titanium dioxide.
You can create various surface textures, such as raindrops, tree bark, circular lines, etc., thanks to the mixture’s structure. Bark beetle façade plaster is sold in two varieties: dry mass and ready-mixed. Although it costs more, the second one is easier to use. Special dyes are used to dilute the dry plaster.
The market is filled with various shades of bark beetle. The most popular colors for adding finishing touches to bark beetle facades are coffee, light gray, and beige.
- For concrete foundations, experts recommend a cement-lime mixture.
- Brick walls can be finished with any type.
- For wooden walls, limestone or gypsum material is best. Additionally, a gypsum reinforcing mesh is installed.
Advantages and disadvantages of using on a wall
There are several reasons why the house bark beetle uses it to adorn its facade.
- The house is treated with plaster to protect the surface from external factors (rain, fog, condensation).
- Thanks to the hydrophobic substances contained in the composition, the wall of the building remains almost dry.
- A high-quality bark beetle coating helps to visually hide defects on the wall of the building.
- Bark beetle is perfectly painted, you can even use several shades.
- Resistance to the appearance of various cracks, the effect is achieved due to the addition of polymer substances to the composition.
- If technological aspects are observed, the original appearance of the coating in the interior will last up to 15 years, and facades – up to 7 years.
- The material is considered environmentally friendly. This allows it to be used in a variety of places.
- Bark beetle is easy to care for. The surface can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, sponge, brush, using a detergent.
- Original appearance. The coating after application resembles the active work of a bark beetle on the surface of wood (bark beetle). The name of the plaster was invented in connection with this fact.
- strength and durability;
- resistance to ultraviolet rays;
- relatively low cost;
- resistance to mechanical damage;
- does not let water through and does not absorb it;
- rich color is preserved for a long time;
- allows the walls to "breathe";
- has low thermal conductivity;
- is not afraid of fire;
- does not emit toxic substances when heated;
- resistance to mold and fungi;
- practicality;
- easy application of bark beetle plaster;
- resistance to scratches.
Bark beetle facade plaster is an essential material in construction because it is waterproof, flexible, inflammable, and temperature-tolerant.
Bark beetle has disadvantages just like other finishing materials. Applying the bark beetle requires the right air temperature and humidity, and one of them is mechanical instability.
Tools used (grater, spatula, etc.)
- drill mixer;
- plastic float;
- container for preparing the solution;
- spatulas for applying decorative plaster bark beetle.
What is surface preparation for finishing a house with bark beetle
Wall preparation is a difficult and time-consuming procedure. Depending on the surface type and wall condition, there may be multiple stages to the work (wall alignment, insulation, reinforcement).
Application technology for facades and interior work
The application process is essentially the same as with the standard procedure; a spatula can be used to apply the decorative material independently. There are three steps involved in using bark beetle to finish a facade: base preparation, plastering, and painting. All of them are carried out strictly and in the order specified by the instructions.
- First, prepare the base. The wall is cleaned, unevenness is filled with putty. If this procedure is not performed, all minor defects may appear after the work is completed.
- After preparing the solution, immediately begin applying it, because.. the mixture hardens quickly. Bark beetle is applied to the wall using a steel spatula (adjacent ceilings and other surfaces are protected with a special film). The application technology is similar to standard putty.
- At the end of the process, the remaining material on the spatula is thrown into another container (it is not used again for plastering). It is recommended to work in pairs: one person is needed to distribute the mixture on the wall, and the other to level the layer and form a texture.
- After applying the layer, a texture is created on the surface using a plastic grater. The tool is used to grind and roll out large decorative granules in the composition. Experts advise holding the tool at an angle of 60 °, it is also important to ensure that the pattern is the same everywhere.
- Make circular or straight movements with a spatula to form a texture on the surface. Patterns on the wall can be horizontal, vertical, variable, chaotic. To create the "lamb" effect, use this trick: rub the mixture in circular movements. It takes 1-5 days for the mixture to dry completely (depending on the type of material). After this, start painting the walls.
- Apply the bark beetle to the wall at an angle of 40-50 °.
- For painting the facade, it is recommended to use a color that matches the plaster. Drying time of the paint lasts from 6 hours.
- At the final stage, apply a protective acrylic varnish. It can be matte or glossy, various shades are available on the market. Before applying the varnish, let the coating dry (within 24 hours). Often, acrylic varnish with opalescent or metallic shades is used to decorate the walls.
Preparing a mixture for plastering walls
It is important to appropriately prepare the composition in order to extend the decorative plaster’s service life. It is necessary for you to learn how to make bark beetle plaster by hand.
- Most often, about 250 ml of water is required for 1 kg of dry mixture.
- The ingredients can be mixed manually with a spatula, but it is faster and more convenient to prepare the solution with a mixer.
- The prepared mass should not contain lumps and excess moisture, the consistency of the solution should resemble a thick cream.
- If the mixture is too dry, this will increase the consumption of material, in addition, difficulties may arise during application.
- If the plaster is too liquid, then defects may appear on the wall, in addition, it is difficult to form a texture with liquid mixtures.
How to make bark beetle plaster with your own hands
- The mass is prepared in a bucket. First, pour in the liquid, then pour in the decorative material, stirring the composition. The ratio of dry components and water should be 1:3. It may vary among different manufacturers (before mixing, read the instructions on the package).
- To achieve uniform distribution of all the binders, especially large granules that form the texture, the mass must be mixed well.
Depending on the type of mixture and plaster quality, the layer’s drying time may change for different compositions.
- the liquid for diluting the dry mass must be at room temperature;
- a special device is used to create the solution;
- stir the mass until smooth.
How to properly apply decorative bark beetle to the wall
The secret to plastering with bark beetles is to know how to get a good finish.
- Ultraviolet rays should not reach the plaster during application; they also try to avoid drafts so that the created layer can dry evenly.
- There is no point in applying bark beetle to smooth glass or metal surfaces, because.. low adhesive capacity will not allow the mass to stick
- To ensure that the mixture adheres evenly to the base and lasts as long as possible, pre-coat the surface with gypsum or cement materials.
- Recommended layer thickness is 3 mm. The parameter may vary among different manufacturers (depending on the type of graininess and quality of the material).
- At the initial stage of work, the base should be well prepared (remove old paint, stains, dust, mold). In addition, it is important to level the surface (eliminate depressions and bulges).
- To avoid chemical incompatibility, the plaster and primer should be from the same manufacturer.
- If the cladding is carried out in a room with high humidity, then to prevent the development of fungus and mold, the base should be treated with an antifungal agent.
- The primer is applied by spray, brush or roller. A high-quality primer not only helps improve adhesion, but also prevents the formation of bacteria.
Applying decorative plaster and knowing what details to consider are skills that every master should possess.
- Temperature. It is recommended to apply the layer to the surface at a temperature of +5…+30°С.
- Humidity should not exceed 80%.
- After preparing the solution, it should be immediately applied to the surface. Otherwise the mixture will harden.
- Silicate or silicone compounds are chosen for painting plaster. Do not apply paint immediately after applying a layer (at least 3 days must pass) To apply paint, use tools such as a brush, roller or spray gun.
Do-it-yourself application of bark beetle to walls – drawing
Employ a variety of textures to adorn a building’s facade. The plaster’s application instructions are listed on the packaging.
Rain streams
The effect of falling drops forms on the wall if you treat the surface from top to bottom and back.
Slanting rain
Distribute the plaster at a specific angle to get this effect.
Bark beetle
This material helps to create a unique, vibrant, and long-lasting surface.
Horizontal
Inside, horizontal bark beetle plaster appears attractive.
Two-color
It’s common practice to paint in two colors, such as pink and red. In order to paint over all of the dents and grooves, the first layer is applied using a roller. Using a flat rubber spatula, apply a lighter tone layer after it has dried. As a result, the facade has a light bark beetle pattern on a dark base.
Plaster consumption when decorating walls inside the premises – in an apartment and on the facades of houses
One m² requires 2.5–3 kg of dry mix. By following the directions on the packaging, more precise calculations can be made (parameters may vary depending on the type of plaster). The size of the grains in the composition has an impact on the material consumption as well.
The facade of your house can be made to look better by applying bark beetle decorative plaster, which has a distinctive textured finish that resembles tree bark. This tutorial will take you step-by-step through the entire do-it-yourself process, from surface preparation to plaster application and professional-grade finish. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced do-it-yourselfer, you’ll find helpful advice and simple directions to help you use this fashionable and long-lasting plaster to makeover your external walls.
Use in internal and external trim (on the facade)
The applications for this material are essentially endless. The mixture adheres well to polystyrene plates, drywall, cement plaster, bricks, and all varieties of moisture-resistant plywood. Sandwich panels can also be finished with this mixture.
The bark beetle is widely used both domestically and internationally. Both indoor and outdoor use are acceptable for universal material. Public and private buildings can be decorated with a decorative mixture. Even with the mixture’s strict tones, the building’s facade is attractive and bright.
The benefits of this contemporary finish are explained by the properties of the material: bark beetle, which is based on silicone and acrylic binders, offers excellent vapor permeability and strong resistance to atmospheric influences.
You can get many interesting shades and textures because of the flawless application, skillful composition selection, and excellent adherence to the facade. Bark beetles are excellent interior decorators for both new construction and historic building restoration.
How to paint walls in different colors
This kind of work is done at the very end. The surface is painted in a variety of tones for different elements.
Step | Description |
1 | Clean the surface |
2 | Apply primer |
3 | Mix the plaster |
4 | Apply plaster with a trowel |
5 | Use a plastic float to create texture |
6 | Let it dry completely |
7 | Paint if desired |
The decorative plaster made from bark beetle can greatly improve the appearance of your house. You can give your external walls a professional finish that gives them character and texture by following the step-by-step instructions. The cleaning and priming of the surface during the preparation stage is essential to guaranteeing a good plaster adhesion that will endure for many years.
Achieving the proper consistency requires careful plaster mixing. Take your time and carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Applying the plaster in small sections will help you work with it more efficiently and get a consistent finish. Bark beetle plaster has a distinctive appearance that can be achieved by using the right tools, such as a plastic float and a stainless steel trowel.
The final details are crucial to achieving the desired effect once the plaster has been applied. You can achieve the realistic, textured appearance of bark beetle plaster on your facade by carefully dragging the float across the surface in different directions. It is also essential to give the finish enough time to dry completely in order to guarantee its longevity.
Applying bark beetle plaster yourself will save you money on labor expenses and provide you the satisfaction of doing the exterior remodeling of your house yourself. You can improve the curb appeal of your property and create a stunning, long-lasting result with perseverance and attention to detail.