One of the many decisions you'll have to make while building or remodelling a house is what kind of plaster to put on the walls and ceilings.
In spite of their similar prevalence, gypsum plaster and sand cement plaster each have their own set of benefits and drawbacks for specific applications.
We'll look at the pros and cons of both types of plaster, including price, longevity, simplicity of use, and aesthetic appeal, in this blog post.
This article will help you determine which type of plaster is best for your project based on your individual requirements and aesthetic preferences. To that end, let's dig in and compare gypsum plaster with sand cement plaster.
Plastering with high-quality material ensures that your walls will remain sturdy, attractive, and well-protected for years to come. Explore the many uses and advantages of plastering!
What Are the Advantages of Plastering?
Walls and ceilings can be made to look brand new by applying a layer of plaster. Plastering has a number of functional and aesthetic benefits.
Plastering, for one, is a great way to make walls and ceilings more sturdy and long-lasting. Plaster serves as a barrier that prevents the underlying surface from deterioration due to weathering, abrasion, and other environmental variables. This can make walls and ceilings last longer, lowering the frequency with which they need to be repaired or replaced.
Plastering also has the added benefit of reducing heating and cooling costs for a structure. Plaster's insulating qualities make it useful for controlling the temperature and limiting heat loss, which in turn reduces the need for cooling and heating systems.
This might be very useful in colder climates, where heating costs are higher.
The plastering of a structure can also improve its visual attractiveness. If you want your room to look more put together and professional, make sure your walls and ceiling are nice and smooth. Plaster's ability to take paint or other decorative finishes opens us even more design options.
Adding plaster can also help with the acoustics of a room. Plaster's ability to absorb sound contributes to a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere by lowering ambient noise. Anywhere there is a lot of foot traffic or public activity, there is likely to be a fair amount of background noise.
As compared to other wall and ceiling treatments, plastering can be quite affordable. It may be implemented rapidly and effectively with minimal input of time and resources. Because of this, it's a good choice for individuals trying to save money on a building or remodelling job.
Several positive aspects of plastering make it a good choice. It is widely used in both new construction and rehabilitation because of the benefits it provides in terms of a building's longevity, energy efficiency, aesthetic appeal, acoustics, and affordability.
Plastering aids in surface levelling, and such walls are "finish-friendly," meaning that multiple finishes can be added to them to improve their aesthetic value.
Plastered walls may also contribute to a cleaner environment in your house by reducing the amount of dust they attract and generate.
Plaster can be made from several different substances, the most common of which are cement and gypsum. Determining the optimal material for your house is dependent on weighing its benefits and drawbacks.
From repairs to complete renovations, we offer a range of plastering services to suit your needs.
Which Is the Best Plastering Material: Gypsum or Cement?
Cement Plaster
Plaster created with cement is made by combining sand, cement, and water in a ratio of around 1:4. Plaster's thickness might range from about 12 to 20 millilitres, depending on the surface it's being applied to. Plaster can be made more pest-resistant by including plasticisers into the mixture.
Pros
Cement plaster is ideal since it may be used for both interior and exterior applications.
When it comes to external walls, cement plaster is your best bet due to its moisture resistance, which will preserve the wall from climate changes and environmental contamination.
The versatility of cement plaster as an exterior and interior finish material is one of its many advantages.
Plastering exterior walls with cement with a cement wall plastering machine is your best bet because cement is moisture-resistant and can shield the wall from weather changes and environmental contamination.
Because of its durability, cement plaster is also a popular choice for finishing off the inside of a building. The cement plastering helps the walls, especially the hollow concrete blocks. Furthermore, cement plaster will no longer amplify fractures and will give a firm platform for drilling and keeping it together, both of which are important for the electric fittings and wiring.
Cons
Cement plastering often results in a rough and uneven surface. Thus, an extra step is needed to get a polished result. In order to achieve a sleek appearance, POP is frequently used to coat plastered walls.
Water curing takes about a week and is necessary for cement plastered walls and ceilings. The surface may quickly crack if this procedure is skipped and no strength is added to it. Surfaces can shrink to the point that hairline cracks appear.
After cement plastering, the floor sometimes looks jagged, uneven.
This means an additional procedure will be needed to achieve a flawless end result. Plaster on plaster (POP) is used to give plastered walls a smooth appearance.
Walls and ceilings finished with cement plaster need a week's worth of curing time in water. The floor loses its strength and might easily develop cracks if the approach isn't used.
Gypsum Plaster
It is a ready-to-use plaster that only requires the addition of water to be put to good use. It comes as a fine white powder and has a distinct appearance. Plastering on the walls may be 11 millimetres thick, whereas that on the ceiling is usually only 8 millimetres. Several varieties of gypsum plaster are obtained by heating the material to different temperatures.
Pros
Gypsum plaster, as opposed to cement plaster, can be sanded or finished in any standard manner to get a smooth surface without the need for punning. Therefore, both money and time are conserved. Gypsum plaster can be purchased pre-packaged, whereas cement plaster must be organised by hand. So, it's a lot easier and more convenient to get ready.
Unlike cement-based materials, gypsum plaster does not expand or contract with time, thus, it never needs to be reapplied once it has shrunk. Plaster gypsum is obtained from gypsum rock and then dried into a powder. The fact that gypsum plaster may be recycled and used again and again is the greatest advantage.
Time is saved since it dries quickly; painting can begin 72 hours after plastering is finished.
The low thermal conductivity of walls plastered with a Plaster Machine is a huge plus, as it means that your home will stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Your walls and ceilings will be safe from damage caused by fire and mould for a very long period because of this material's high resistance to both.
Cons
Only interior walls may be plastered with gypsum, which is the material's most important downside. It's not water resistant, therefore it won't hold up in damp environments like bathrooms, basements, balconies, or kitchens.
When the plastering and painting are finished, it's important to be careful when working with gypsum plaster. Because of its unusually soft nature, gypsum plaster often breaks or expands when holes are drilled into it to install electrical outlets, wall mounts, wiring, etc.
So… Which one’s better?
Although each has its advantages and disadvantages, cement plaster is far and away the superior option for exterior walls. Gypsum plaster is frequently used because it dries quickly, requires little preparation, and is simple to level.
Other than its affordability, gypsum plaster has a lot going for it. Because it doesn't need water to cure, you can save both time and money compared to cement plaster. Water may not be readily available, or it may be prohibitively expensive, depending on the site of building.
Gypsum plaster is very quick to dry, so finishing touches like painting can be applied right away. You won't need to spend extra time and money on sanding and smoothing the surfaces of gypsum-plastered walls because they already have a good finish.
Developers also like gypsum for interior plastering because of its low cost.
Plaster made with cement requires a precise proportion of sand to cement; otherwise, the finished product will have an undesirable graininess. Plaster made from gypsum requires only a bit of water to be mixed in.
Because it can be repurposed and recycled, gypsum plaster is another eco-friendly building material.
Cement-plastered walls might sometimes develop fractures or shrinkage after a few months, while gypsum plaster will not show any signs of flaws for much longer. That doesn't make it any more sturdy than concrete, though.
Compared to other options, gypsum plaster appears to be the superior choice. In terms of longevity, however, cement plaster is superior.
When to Use Gypsum Plaster
The smooth and consistent appearance of gypsum plaster makes it a popular material for use on interior walls and ceilings. Use it on concrete, brick, or even lightweight blocks; it's a versatile substance.
Gypsum plaster is simple to apply with a trowel and results in a flat, even surface that needs little in the way of sanding or other finishing touches. Hence, it's a great option for individuals who want their walls and ceilings to look smooth and professional.
Gypsum plaster's fire resistance is an additional benefit.
Calcium sulphate, the mineral used to make gypsum plaster, includes water molecules that are released when the material is heated. Buildings that prioritise fire safety will benefit from these water molecules' ability to regulate temperature and stop the spread of flames.
One such eco-friendly material is gypsum plaster. It is chemical- and pollution-free because it is crafted from inorganic minerals. Gypsum plaster is also an effective insulator, meaning it can help you save money on your heating and cooling bills.
When it comes to finishing the walls and ceilings of a home or business, gypsum plaster is hard to beat. It has high insulating capabilities, doesn't burn easily, and leaves a smooth and uniform finish.
This alternative is both environmentally safe and long-lasting. The best plaster to use on a given project can only be determined after careful consideration of those requirements and discussion with a qualified contractor.
When to Use Sand Cement Plaster
When it comes to exterior walls and surfaces, sand cement plaster is a cost-effective and long-lasting solution. Composed of sand, cement, and water, this material may be spread to a variety of thicknesses and used to create anything from a smooth surface to a textured one. Plaster made of sand and cement is widely used for interior finishes in homes, businesses, and factories.
Among the many benefits of sand cement plaster is its resilience in the face of weather extremes. Because of its durability and low care requirements, it is frequently used for exterior walls and flooring.
When compared to gypsum plaster, the price of sand cement plaster is much lower. It may be implemented rapidly and effectively with minimal input of time and resources. Because of this, it's a great option for folks who are short on cash or who need their work done quickly.
The adaptability of sand cement plaster is another of its benefits. It's adaptable to a wide range of substrates, from concrete and brick to lightweight blocks, and can be applied in a number of different thicknesses to get a wide variety of looks. Because of this, it is frequently chosen by those who are striving for a particular style or appearance.
The outside walls and surfaces of homes and businesses are well served by sand cement plaster. It is sturdy, cost-effective, and adaptable, and can tolerate environmental variables. As the needs of each project are unique, it is essential to talk to a skilled contractor about which sort of plaster will work best.
Conclusion
Plastering the walls and ceilings of a home requires careful consideration when it is being built or remodelled.
Both gypsum plaster and sand cement plaster have their advantages and disadvantages, such as cost, durability, ease of use, and visual appeal.
Walls and ceilings that have been plastered are more durable, last longer, require less energy to heat and cool, and look better as a result.
When placed strategically, it can also improve a room's acoustics by acting as a sound absorber and reducing background noise. Plastering walls and ceilings is a cheap and efficient way to improve their appearance without spending too much time or money.
Walls and ceilings made of cement plaster require a week-long curing period during which water is poured over them. Gypsum plaster, obtained from gypsum rock and then dried into a powder, is a ready-to-use plaster that only requires the addition of water to be put to good use.
It's more convenient to get ready in the morning if you buy it already packaged and organised by hand. In contrast to cement-based materials, gypsum plaster does not expand or contract with time and can be used multiple times.
Although cement plaster is the best choice for exterior walls, gypsum plaster is more popular for interior walls due to its low thermal conductivity, low cost, and fast drying time.
The environmental friendliness and recyclability of gypsum are additional selling points. Water will damage it, so exercise caution when handling it. Gypsum plaster is a common material for interior walls and ceilings because it is durable and non-toxic to the environment. It can be easily applied with a trowel and produces a smooth, even surface that requires little in the way of sanding or other finishing touches. Because it contains water molecules, which regulate temperature and prevent the spread of flames, gypsum plaster is also fire resistant.
Content Summary
- One of the many decisions you'll have to make while building or remodelling a house is what kind of plaster to put on the walls and ceilings.
- In spite of their similar prevalence, gypsum plaster and sand cement plaster each have their own set of benefits and drawbacks for specific applications.
- As compared to other wall and ceiling treatments, plastering can be quite affordable.
- There are several positive aspects of plastering that make it a good choice.
- Determining the optimal material for your house is dependent on weighing its benefits and drawbacks.
- The versatility of cement plaster as an exterior and interior finish material is one of its many advantages.
- Plastering exterior walls with cement with a cement wall plastering machine is your best bet because cement is moisture-resistant and can shield the wall from weather changes and environmental contamination.
- After cement plastering, the floor sometimes takes on a jagged, uneven look.
- Plaster on plaster (POP) is used to give plastered walls a smooth appearance.
- Walls and ceilings finished with cement plaster need a week's worth of curing time in water.
- Several varieties of gypsum plaster are obtained by heating the material to different temperatures.
- Unlike cement-based materials, gypsum plaster does not expand or contract with time, thus it never needs to be reapplied once it has shrunk.
- The low thermal conductivity of walls plastered with a Plaster Machine is a huge plus, as it means that your home will stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
- Only interior walls may be plastered with gypsum, which is the material's most important downside.
- When the plastering and painting are finished, it's important to be careful when working with gypsum plaster.
- Although each has its advantages and disadvantages, cement plaster is far and away the superior option for exterior walls.
- Because it doesn't need water to cure, you can save both time and money compared to cement plaster.
- Developers also like gypsum for interior plastering because of its low cost.
- Plaster made from gypsum requires only a bit of water to be mixed in.
- When compared to other options, gypsum plaster appears to be the superior choice.
- In terms of longevity, however, cement plaster is superior.
- The smooth and consistent appearance of gypsum plaster makes it a popular material for use on interior walls and ceilings.
- Use it on concrete, brick, or even lightweight blocks; it's a versatile substance.
- Gypsum plaster's fire resistance is an additional benefit.
- One such eco-friendly material is gypsum plaster.
- When it comes to finishing the walls and ceilings of a home or business, gypsum plaster is hard to beat.
- This alternative is both environmentally safe and long-lasting.
- The best plaster to use on a given project can only be determined after careful consideration of those requirements and discussion with a qualified contractor.
- When it comes to exterior walls and surfaces, sand cement plaster is a cost-effective and long-lasting solution.
- Plaster made of sand and cement is widely used for interior finishes in homes, businesses, and factories.
- Because of its durability and low care requirements, it is frequently used for exterior walls and flooring.
- When compared to gypsum plaster, the price of sand cement plaster is much lower.
- The adaptability of sand cement plaster is another of its benefits.
- The outside walls and surfaces of homes and businesses are well served by sand cement plaster.
- It is sturdy, cost-effective, and adaptable, and can tolerate environmental variables.
- As the needs of each project are unique, it is essential to talk to a skilled contractor about which sort of plaster will work best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Exterior walls are best plastered with cement plaster due to its resistance to moisture, which helps to shield the wall from the effects of climate change and pollution. In addition, cement plaster's durability makes it a great option for both exterior and interior applications.
In order to achieve a professional-looking sheen, you'll need to apply at least two coats. After the second coat has dried, check for obvious grooves and indents; if there are any, trowel on a third.
Plastering work often has issues like blistering, cracking, efflorescence, flaking, peeling, popping, softness, and uneven surfaces. As soon as these plastering flaws are spotted, they must be fixed.
Ventilation, temperature, and humidity levels must all be taken into account to guarantee productive work environments. Plaster should be applied in temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit) and relative humidities that correspond to normal drying conditions.
Preventative measures include selecting appropriate materials, following standard construction procedures, and properly preparing and cleaning the wall surface. Plasterwork is less likely to delaminate when the wall surface is clean and properly prepared for the application of the plaster.