Exterior plaster on concrete

Buildings can be made to look better and last longer by applying exterior plaster to their concrete surfaces. This final detail offers an additional layer of weather resistance in addition to a tidy, smooth appearance. To obtain a durable, appealing finish, both builders and homeowners must be aware of the advantages and methods of exterior plastering.

The ability of exterior plaster to protect concrete from inclement weather is one of its key benefits. A well-applied plaster coat functions as a barrier, assisting in preventing moisture penetration and consequent damage like cracking or erosion, whether it is caused by rain, snow, or strong sunlight. Along with improving insulation, this protective layer increases a building’s thermal efficiency.

The aesthetic enhancement that plaster provides is another important advantage. Exterior plaster is available in a variety of textures and colors, allowing it to be tailored to any building’s desired style and appearance. Plaster’s versatility makes it a preferred material for many construction projects, allowing for the creation of smooth, modern finishes as well as more traditional, textured appearances.

There are several steps involved in applying exterior plaster, and each is essential to achieving a long-lasting and beautiful finish. The success of the project depends on several factors, including expert application techniques, the correct combination of plaster materials, and adequate surface preparation. To get the best results, it’s critical to adhere to best practices and perhaps seek professional assistance.

In conclusion, external plaster on concrete is a great way to enhance a building’s look and functionality. Plaster is still a popular option for external finishes since it provides weather resistance and a plethora of design options. It can greatly increase the lifespan and aesthetic appeal of concrete structures when applied and maintained carefully.

Concrete exterior plaster is a flexible and long-lasting finish that improves the look and longevity of concrete surfaces. It provides a barrier against environmental factors, stops moisture from penetrating, and lessens surface cracking. This straightforward but efficient solution allows for creative expression while preserving the structural integrity of the concrete because it can be customized with different textures and colors. A practical way to enhance appearance and protect your concrete surfaces for years to come is to apply exterior plaster.

Purpose

Concrete wall exterior plaster is equipped with:

• sanitary and technical parameters, due to which even and smooth wall surfaces are obtained with reduced dust formation, easy cleaning from dirt;
• protective and structural functions that allow providing external walls with the proper level of protection from the harmful effects of moisture and aggressive environments, increased resistance to heat transfer, reduced sound conductivity;
• decorative properties that allow you to give a special texture to the outer facade, provide a bright color of the surface. For this purpose, the amount of fillers and binders varies in the composition, additives and pigments are used.

Pros and cons

The following are some benefits of external plasters:

• The ability to select the optimal plaster mix for high-quality finishing. The range of products of various compositions allows you to choose a material based on the size, type of wall material, and design project plans.
• Creation of a moisture-proof vapor-permeable layer. The plaster breathes without interfering with natural air circulation, so moisture accumulates in the walls. This advantage allows you to create multi-layer coatings.
• The ability to obtain a perfectly smooth and even surface.
• The ability to give relief to the finish.
• Applicability for cladding not only brick or stone masonry.
• The presence of insulated plaster mixes with a coating of mineral wool or foam.
• For laying the plaster mixture, no preparation and leveling of the walls is required. Plastering compounds are used to seal seams, defects in masonry, protruding parts of the reinforcement frame, cracks, depressions, etc. p.
• Working with the mixture is quick and convenient.
• Low cost. Modern finishing materials (tiles, siding) for finishing wall cladding are more expensive than the process of external plastering of the facade.
• Ensuring high fire resistance.
• Durability. This advantage is relevant only when choosing a high-quality plastering material and observing the nuances of the application technology.

Additionally, facade plastering mixtures come with a few drawbacks:

• Knowledge and experience in applying the finishing layer are required to obtain a truly high-quality external coating.
• Multi-stage and labor-intensive execution of facing works. The worker needs to properly dilute or prepare the plaster material, prepare the scaffolding, correctly divide the wall into sections for plastering, and qualitatively level the surface treated with plaster.
• Large amounts of waste due to mistakes, which entails additional costs.
• Work should be done in sunny weather at average air temperatures. Precipitation in the form of snow or rain is undesirable, which can lead to peeling of the plaster due to high air humidity.

Groups of plaster compositions

Plasters fall into three major categories:

1. Classic plaster mixes, which are designed to level surfaces for further finishing (painting, puttying, varnishing). They have high and specific protective properties, for example, when facing block wall material, such as aerated concrete, brick, cinder block. The most common is cement plaster.
2. Decorative plaster products used as a finishing wall finish. With their help, the masonry acquires a finished look. Plaster for decorating facades creates relief or colored surfaces. They are distinguished by a more complex application technology.
3. Specific plasters designed to create a heat-insulating or shielding layer on walls. They provide additional protection from low temperatures, high humidity, noise, etc. p. The compositions are recommended to be applied under decorative plaster.

Types of finishing mixtures

There is a large selection of concrete exterior coatings available on the market. They are classified conventionally into two groups: decorative plaster and cement-sand. Below is a thorough description of each subspecies.

Mineral

Most frequently employed because of their affordability. provided as compositions of dry plaster. prepared on-site at the building site. As stated on the package, they are sufficient to dilute with the necessary amount of water.

Mineral mixtures can be used to finish walls composed of various materials, such as block products, stone, and brick. Even wooden surfaces can be plastered after first receiving a rough coat of paint. You will need high-grade Portland cement and filler for self-preparation; these are chosen based on the final specifications. compositions that are popular and combine cement with sand or lime aggregate.

• low price;
• high strength qualities, adhesion, vapor permeability, frost resistance;
• low water absorption.

The drawbacks consist of:

• lack of color variety;
• low elasticity, which over time leads to cracking during shrinkage of load-bearing walls.

Acrylic

Only smooth surfaces are used for applying acrylic mixtures. The facing layer’s minimum thickness is adequate because of its high elasticity. The completed coating resists wear. Ideal for adding polystyrene and polyurethane foam insulation to vapor-tight buildings.

On the other hand, the compositions have low vapor permeability, flammability, and high cost. Over time, the external aesthetics of the facade diminish due to the rapid accumulation of dust and dirt on plaster.

Silicone

The highest operational parameters and increased elasticity of this type of plaster make the materials easy to work with. When decorating gas silicate and foamed walls, which are very sitting in the first year of operation but need protection from rain and snow, plaster compositions can maintain integrity with large shrinks of the house, allowing you to create an outer layer of superior quality.

Characteristics of silicone plaster surfaces:

• repulses dust;
• quickly washed;
• For a long time retains color;
• Suitable for finishing basement, buildings near the sea due to high water resistance and resistance to sea salt.

Silicate

As an astringent, silicata compounds are composed of liquid potassium glass. Stone chips, sand, pigments, water, and modifying additives are the filler materials. What sets it apart is:

• high moisture and wind protection;
• durability;
• high quality of decorative finishing;
• good adhesion to concrete, silicate, aerated concrete;
• fire resistance;
• vapor permeability;
• variety of shades of the palette;
• possibility of finishing with silicate paints.

The price is the only drawback.

Selection criteria

1. Durability. Acrylic plaster has the highest durability indicator. Such a coating serves up to 25 years. Silicate and silicone – 20 years, and external cement – 10 years. Silicone and acrylic plaster exhibit the highest resistance to atmospheric influences. Mineral and silicate mixtures require the inclusion of antifungal and antiseptic additives in their compositions.
2. Texture. Smooth and even surfaces often crack due to high internal stresses. Rough walls are more durable, allow you to mask defects of the outer surface.
3. Color. The durability of the color finish depends on the uniformity of the distribution of the paint or pigment in the outer layer, the antistatic properties of the plaster, the ability to repel dust, and resistance to UV rays. The most durable in this regard is silicone plaster.

Table of external plaster operating parameters for facade decoration

Finishing technology

Depending on the kind of surface being plastered, plastering can involve subtle differences in technique. The primary stages of technology:

1. Surface preparation. Old finishing materials are removed, large cracks and potholes are sealed with cement plaster, bulges more than 1 cm thick are cut off, concrete is cleaned of dust, the facade is divided into equal working areas.
2. Mixing. Purchased mixtures are prepared, according to the instructions, by diluting with water to a sticky consistency that adheres well to the wall.
3. Finishing work. The surface is pre-primed. When plastering with cement-sand mixtures, the wall is moistened with water. For work, a trowel, spatula and other available tools are used. If the layer thickness is over 2 cm, it is recommended to use special meshes for plastering.
4. Grouting. During intermediate grouting, excess mortar is cut off. Waste can be used when mixing the next portion of the mixture. Finished walls are rubbed with plastic or wooden trowels.

Examples of manufacturers

Top-ranked mixes in popularity:

1. German mixtures Caparol, Ceresit, Knauf are known for their high quality and medium price range. Produced in Eastern European countries, the CIS without loss of performance characteristics.
2. Polish products Atlas, German mixtures Kreisel, Austrian materials Baumit, Ukrainian plaster compositions Polimin are distinguished by reliability, quality. Used for external and internal cladding of any surfaces.
3. Russian Bolaris, Volma, Osnovit and Kazakh Synergy compounds are characterized by mediocre performance. Occupy the lowest price segment.

Enhancing the look and longevity of your building is a useful and efficient way to apply exterior plaster to concrete surfaces. It offers a barrier that keeps moisture, weathering, and other outside elements away from the concrete. You can guarantee an attractive, long-lasting finish by selecting the appropriate plaster type and applying it according to instructions.

The versatility of exterior plaster in terms of design is one of its main advantages. Whether you want a smooth, modern finish or a more traditional, rustic appearance, you can achieve the desired look for your building with the wide range of textures and colors available. Because of its adaptability, exterior plaster is a preferred material for both residential and commercial buildings.

External plaster adds to the building’s structural integrity in addition to its aesthetic benefits. It prolongs the life of the structure by assisting in filling in any cracks or other imperfections in the concrete. Plastered surfaces can last for many years with regular maintenance, such as cleaning and touch-ups now and then.

All things considered, external plaster is an aesthetically pleasing and reasonably priced way to preserve and enhance concrete surfaces. You can update the exterior of your building and reap the rewards of a long-lasting, weather-resistant finish by investing in high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship.

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