The most durable gypsum plaster. Gypsum or cement plaster: classification, finishes and amount of material

You have decided to renovate the house with your own hands, or to carry out the initial finishing in a new building, and do not know which plaster to choose: cement or gypsum?

Before a decision is made, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of modern building mixtures. We will bring to your attention a comparative overview of different types of solutions, and tell you about where and how they can be used. The video in this article will also help to understand this issue.

Mortars: classification

If we talk about building mixtures in general, then they are, first of all, classified by purpose.

These are four main groups:

• Masonry mortars for installation work
• Facing (adhesive) solutions
• Plaster mixes
• Decorative and special plasters (see Decorative plaster in the interior: beautiful, stylish, non-standard)

In terms of their component composition, they can be simple, based on one type of binder, and complex, where there are at least two binders. Thinking about which plaster is better: gypsum or cement, many do not even realize that there are also cement-clay and cement-lime mortars, as well as mixtures based on lime and gypsum (see Types of plasters for interior decoration: choose the right one).

• In large-scale construction, such plasters are most often used. They are made at on-site putty stations, or delivered ready-made from the nearest mortar-concrete unit. In the process of preparing a solution, additives are introduced into it that provide certain characteristics, and the formulations are quite complex.
• It is almost impossible to make such a solution on your own, therefore dry mixtures already balanced in terms of components are produced for private construction. In production, their compositions are modulated with the help of polymer additives, which makes it possible to obtain a material with desired properties. The more complex the composition, the higher the price of the material, and this is quite understandable.
• Factory mixes have an undeniable advantage: just add water, as the instructions say, and you can work. It is convenient to mix a small amount of the solution so that one person can work out it quickly. And also, the use of ready-made mixtures allows you to avoid mistakes in the recipe for each batch, and for those who plaster the walls and ceilings on their own, this is the best option.

• Finishing plasters are divided into two categories: leveling mixtures and mortars with a decorative effect. Each of these categories may differ in composition, depending on the purpose: for facade (see. Facade plaster on foam or foam) or for interior work.

There are options that, due to the presence of silicone, acrylate resins, or polyurethane, are considered universal, and can be used both outside and inside buildings. They are called polymer-cement or gypsum-polymer, or simply - modified, and one of these options you see in the photo above.

Requirements for finishing mixtures

As you can see, there are many recipes for plaster solutions, and to answer the question: "Which is better: cement or gypsum plaster?" - not as easy as it seems. Naturally, the characteristics of the solution are determined by its purpose, but there are requirements that all finishing compositions must meet.

So:

• First of all, it is the appropriate mobility and high adhesion. In addition, it is necessary that the solution retains its volume when it dries. That is, in order to avoid cracking of the screed, the plaster must be non-shrinking.
• The degree of mobility of the solution can vary, depending on the fraction of the filler. For example, machine-applied mixes may be less mobile than hand-plastering solutions.

• Gypsum plasters should be the most mobile; for this, organic plasticizing additives are added to them. Gypsum-based solutions set very quickly, therefore, the time of their hardening must also be regulated. As in the case of mobility, this is achieved by introducing special additives into the composition.
• Decorative plasters are distinguished by the highest plasticity, because such a composition needs not only to be applied and leveled, but also to have time to mechanically process the covering layer before hardening.
• In their production, white and colored Portland cements are used, if they are compounds for exterior decoration, and gypsum, if the plaster is intended for interior work. Lime can be added to both mixtures - for example, if they are intended for plastering walls made of silicate concrete.

In finishing plasters from organic fillers, only sand is used. As for decorative solutions, depending on the effect, they may contain crushed glass or mica, crumbs of marble or granite, crushed limestone, dolomite, as well as artificial and natural pigments.

Application of plasters

Cement-based mortars are the most durable and, when dried, form a stone that is practically impervious to moisture. That is why they are used for plastering facade walls, as well as rooms with a high level of humidity. Purely cement mortars are not very plastic, therefore lime or polymer additives are introduced into them.

• Lime-cement and lime-gypsum mortars are good for plastering wooden surfaces. Polymer-cement compositions are ideal for systematically moisturized structures. So, if you need to make protective plastering of the basement walls, this is the best option.
• Inside the house, such compounds are used only for leveling the walls in the bathrooms. In other rooms, it is recommended to use them only for making a leveling screed for facing with ceramic tiles or natural stone. This is important, because the strength of the base must always be higher than the strength of the coating.

In other cases, gypsum-based solutions are used for interior decoration of residential buildings and apartments, and the interest of readers in them is the highest. For this reason, we will pay more attention to the question of in which situation and which gypsum plaster to choose in order to make alignment at the lowest cost.

Varieties of gypsum compositions

So, you went to a hardware store to purchase the necessary material. Before you a considerable assortment: gypsum plaster - which is better? Let's understand this issue together.

The main criterion for selecting a plaster mix is ​​the quality of the base. Therefore, before you go to buy building mixtures, the condition of the surface to be plastered must be assessed.

• To do this, you first need to clean it up, if it is a repair, or immediately hang it up, if it is a primary finish. This will make it possible to calculate how thick the screed should be, and, accordingly, determine which gypsum plaster is better.

This does not mean products under a certain brand, but the physical and mechanical properties of the mixture, which are declared by this manufacturer. So, the best gypsum plaster is the one that meets a specific task, in which there are two main conditions: the type of surface, and the size of its deviations from the plane.

Plasters for different types of surfaces

When it comes to apartments, then most often the walls in them are either built from large panels, which are made from heavy concrete, or they are masonry made of silicate - less often, red brick.

So:

• In private houses and cottage construction, blocks of lightweight and cellular concrete are often used. They are also used in the construction of multi-storey frame-type buildings. In them, the main load is carried by the frame, and light blocks of a small format are very convenient for the construction of enclosing structures.
• Of course, for the choice of plaster, the design features of buildings do not play any role. But what matters is what kind of filler is used in the production of concrete blocks from which the walls are erected.

• For polystyrene concrete, gas silicate blocks and foam blocks, special plasters are provided (see How to plaster foam blocks according to technology), which provide increased adhesion and vapor permeability of the screed. In principle, for plastering such surfaces, you can use adhesives used for masonry work.
• They are called that: adhesive plasters, and they are always made on the basis of cement. Gypsum-based compositions are used only for plastering, since they are not suitable for masonry and installation work. Due to the large number of pores, which can be both closed and open, cellular concrete intensively allows moisture and air to pass through.
• Perlite is often present in the compositions for their plastering - an organic filler, which, due to its low thermal conductivity, belongs to the category of heat-insulating materials. Perlite granules partially close the pores on the concrete surface, while allowing the walls to "breathe".

In general, lime-cement and lime-gypsum plasters are just ideal for plastering such surfaces. The technology for the production of plastering work on a concrete base with a cellular structure also has its own characteristics, but this is a completely different topic.

For interior decoration of walls made of bricks and heavy concrete, any gypsum plastering compositions are suitable, and not only gypsum ones.

Interior work: why plaster mix is ​​better

Gypsum-based compositions are preferred due to their white color. For interior work, water-dispersion paints are mainly used, but they do not have such a high hiding power, as, for example, oil paints or alkyd enamels.

This means that in order to paint over a dark cement screed, more coats have to be applied, which leads to an overconsumption of material.

• Even when wallpapering, cement plaster can show through a thin light-colored canvas and spoil the entire aesthetics of the finish. For this reason, when leveling walls indoors, cement-based compounds are used only for tiling.

• And one more important nuance. Many readers are interested in: "How long does gypsum plaster dry?" Of course, this depends on the thickness of the layer and the temperature in the room. But in any case, the gypsum screed will dry twice as fast as the cement screed. In the first case, a 1 mm layer hardens in 4-5 hours, in the second case, it will take 8-10 hours.

The answer to the question: "Gypsum plaster: how long does it dry?" - simple enough. In practice, each layer usually takes at least 12 hours to dry. That is, during the day, a layer of plaster is applied, say, 2 mm thick - it dries out overnight, and in the morning you can safely continue working.

If the irregularities of the base base are such that it is necessary to plaster with a thick layer of 15-20 mm, then it may take at least 3-4 days to dry.

Selection of plaster based on the quality of the base

Gypsum plaster: which is better? Which option to prefer if the walls are relatively flat, and which - if it is a curved brickwork? In this part of the article, we will discuss the principle of selecting a mixture for the quality of the base.

• If the walls or ceiling do not have significant deviations from a single plane, it is enough to putty small cracks and surface cavities, and then apply one layer of plaster with a thin layer.

• According to this principle, plastering of walls in panel houses is carried out, redecoration of old, but still strong plaster is done, as well as preparation for painting of surfaces leveled "dry" - using drywall.
• For such walls, gypsum polymer compositions are usually used that do not require puttying. Due to their high plasticity, they have excellent adhesion, and are suitable for plastering almost all surfaces, even walls made of foam concrete. In any case, you need to familiarize yourself with the manufacturer's instructions, where the purpose of this or that composition, as well as the thickness of the applied layers, are clearly regulated.

• Everything related to masonry, whether brick or block, does not look so optimistic. The walls, built from blocks, are even more or less even. But brickwork rarely can boast of high quality, because, as a rule, everything goes into work: bricks with potholes, chipped corners, cracks.
• Therefore, even if there are no bumps and large grooves in the masonry, there are still many other disadvantages that have to be eliminated during the plastering process. To align such walls, you have to use compounds with different fractions of the filler.

• Starting, or, as they are also called, basic plasters (putties), have a coarser dispersion, and are applied with the first layer on the wall treated with a primer. This layer has the greatest thickness, and is designed to hide the largest defects in the base.
• If the depth of the grooves exceeds 2 cm, and this happens quite often, the alignment can be done in two layers, between which the reinforcing fiberglass mesh is mounted.
• Since the components of the base putties have a rather coarse dispersion, the surface of the screed is grainy, and a finishing compound is used to smooth it. Its ingredients are finely ground, so the dry mix is ​​more like a powder.
• The finishing plaster solution is extremely elastic, and when applied to the starting screed, it fills the smallest pores and cracks in it. Thus, the surface is brought to perfect smoothness.

Finally, we would like to remind that it is better to purchase the mixtures "start" and "finish" from one manufacturer. In this case, you can be sure that their compositions are maximally adapted to each other, and they will not create any problems in their work.

For leveling and finalizing walls, cement or gypsum plasters are most in demand. Both types of material have their own advantages and disadvantages, which must be taken into account before starting finishing work.

In this article, we will consider the features of materials and tell you when it is better to use a gypsum-based solution, and when not to do without a cement-sand mixture.

What to look for when planning finishing:

• base for plastering;
• indoor humidity;
• air temperature;
• deadlines for work;
• experience of finishers;
• cost of materials;
• requirements for the appearance of the finished surface.

All plasters for their intended purpose are divided into two groups:

1. Normal - for leveling surfaces with defects of various nature and size, significant deviations from the plane.
2. Decorative - for finishing the facade or interior walls, ceilings.

Below we will consider the features of conventional leveling compounds.

Properties of gypsum and cement plaster

The characteristics of cement-sand and gypsum plasters are very different. This is primarily due to the astringent base. The conditions of application will be similar - at an air temperature indoors or outdoors from +5 to +25 C. Also, the time of complete drying for solutions is close in value (indoors with an air humidity of no more than 70%).

The table below shows how these types of plasters differ.

Comparison of advantages and disadvantages

Pros of cement plaster:

• the solution can be prepared independently;
• not afraid of moisture, does not absorb water, steam from the air, does not change properties when wet;
• resistant to temperature extremes;
• high adhesion (reliability of adhesion to surfaces), including with natural, artificial stone, concrete, brick, cinder blocks;
• the highest strength of all types of plasters, suitability for finishing places with increased operational load;
• the lowest price among all plasters;
• versatility - suitability for all surfaces, including in rooms with unfavorable conditions.

When choosing a mixture for outdoor use, you must pay attention to frost resistance. It is usually expressed in the number of freeze-thaw cycles.

Advantages of gypsum plaster:

• plastic;
• gains strength faster than cement, even when applied with the thickest layer - no more than 1 week;
• easy to apply, just to achieve perfect evenness, no experience in finishing work is required;
• has no shrinkage;
• the color is white, does not show through under wallpaper or paint;
• the surface is smoother, experienced craftsmen remove the finishing layer to the level of the putty;
• it is possible to produce volumetric patterns and decorative relief;
• lightweight, there is no need to strengthen the foundation and walls;
• does not need reinforcement (if the layer is up to 50 mm);
• vapor permeability - walls plastered with gypsum mortar “breathe”;
• higher sound and heat insulation properties;
• less material consumption;
• faster repair times;

Let's continue the comparison of finishing materials and consider their weaknesses.

Disadvantages of cement-sand plaster mortars:

• poor adhesion to wood, paint, ceramics; to increase adhesion with these materials, an abrasive primer, notches or a reinforcing mesh are required, but these measures do not always give the required strength;
• take a long time to gain final strength - up to 4 weeks;
• the application process is relatively complex, the solution, under its weight, is prone to sagging; experience with such material is necessary, otherwise it will not be possible to achieve a perfectly flat surface;
• the finished surface is porous, requires grouting, grinding, an additional finishing layer from another material (this does not apply to decorative plasters);
• an accurate calculation of the load on the wall and foundation is necessary, since cement plaster has a high density and significantly makes the walls heavier; it is also undesirable for finishing ceilings;
• shrinks, cracking is possible.

Most of these disadvantages can be corrected by adding modifying additives - plasticizers to the composition.

The addition of lime also improves the properties of the mortar. More information about cement-lime plaster and its properties is described in our article.

The appearance of cracks is prevented by applying in three layers or by puttingty on the plastered surface. If the cement mixture is used for finishing walls and ceilings for painting or wallpapering, then putty is required.

Disadvantages of gypsum plasters:

• are afraid of high humidity, swell and fall off in contact with water;
• low strength;
• relatively high cost;
• mainly ready-made gypsum mixtures are used; experience is required for the independent selection of additives to gypsum and their proportions;
• it is possible to prepare the solution only in small portions due to the fast setting, adding water to the frozen mixture will not restore the desired properties of the plaster, the coating will turn out to be fragile.

Where are applied

Cement plaster is used for:

• interior or exterior work in any premises, even in unheated and damp ones, including basements, utility blocks, garages, entrances, balconies, loggias;
• finishing of facades, plinths, fences, especially those exposed to aggressive mechanical stress;
• filling joints when laying walls from foam or aerated blocks;
• processing of concrete structures in order to improve the thermal insulation properties;
• restorations subject to compatibility with the previous material;
• surface finishes exposed to temperature extremes;
• decoration of walls or ceilings where frequent repairs are impossible.

Gypsum plaster is used for:

• leveling, finishing of interior walls in rooms with normal humidity;
• decoration of ceilings;
• alignment of walls with large differences, application in several layers is permissible;
• surface finishes for which cement is unsuitable - wood, painted, ceramic;
• preparation of walls and ceilings for painting or wallpapering.

Important! Gypsum mortars are not suitable for finishing the facade due to their low moisture resistance. Not recommended without additional waterproofing for bathrooms, showers, kitchens.

You can protect the gypsum from moisture by applying an acrylic primer. And if direct contact with water is possible, then the walls are covered with waterproofing mastic or tiled.

Combination of gypsum and cement

Can gypsum plaster or plaster be applied to cement plaster? Yes, this is a common practice. When finishing, the walls are often taken out with a cement-based composition, and a smooth finishing layer is laid on top with Rotband.

Important conditions: you need to wait until the base is dry, then be sure to apply a primer between different layers.

But applying cement plaster over a gypsum wall is a bad idea.... Gypsum simply will not withstand its weight, and the entire finish will crumble.

It is worth noting that there are cement-gypsum compositions on sale. combining the merits of both types, for example, Prospectors MIXTER / MIXTER. According to the manufacturer, this gypsum-cement plaster is intended for indoor areas with normal to high humidity. It is a moisture-resistant vapor-permeable material, flexible and easy to apply.

Technical characteristics with this mixing turned out to be average between gypsum and cement plaster:

• Consumption with a layer of 10 mm - 10-11 kg / m2
• Water consumption - 0.36-0.42 l / kg
• Setting time - 40 min
• Adhesion to the base - 0.5 MPa
• Layer thickness - up to 60 mm! without using plaster mesh
• Price - 320 rubles for a bag of 30 kg.

In addition to the main components, this mixture contains a light filler and high-quality modifying additives.

Is it possible to independently mix cement and gypsum plaster, to get a plastic, durable and moisture resistant solution? No, it won't work that way. Gypsum and cement have different drying times, and if they are mixed by eye and without adding modifiers, the plaster layer on the wall will crack. It is better not to experiment with such works, so as not to waste time and money.

Let's sum up which one is better

• When choosing one or another type of decoration, consider in which room the work will take place. Materials according to their characteristics should be suitable for the surface to be plastered.
• Pay attention to the technical specifications on the packaging.
• If desired, you can increase the plasticity of the cement or moisture resistance of the gypsum plaster mixture.
• It is better to choose cement mortars for facades and wet rooms. But they require plastering skills. For large volumes of work, it is easier if experienced craftsmen are involved in finishing.
• Gypsum plasters are easier to apply. Their main task is finishing inside the building.
• The cost and planned timing of the renovation will also affect the type of plaster to choose.

As you can see, the choice of plaster depends on the specific purpose. Choose one type of plastering or use both, it is decided in each case individually.

We hope this review was helpful to you. You can leave your comments and feedback in the comments below.

Types of plaster Plastering walls with lime mortar: lime slaking, proportions of the mixture, application

Plastering is the most affordable and versatile way to decorate the interior and exterior walls of a building. The duration of the lining service depends on the quality of the working composition. The most popular are gypsum and cement plasters. Before buying this or that material, you should determine in what conditions these types of solutions are used, how they differ and how to work with them correctly.

Classification

Compositions are divided into groups according to different criteria: by type of finish, by purpose, composition.

Common are used for:

• Alignment of wall surfaces after construction from any materials:, and,.
• For repairing and sealing irregularities and cracks in structures.
• To create a soundproof and fireproof layer.

They are used to create a finishing cladding: they contain mineral chips, pigments and plasticizing additives.

According to the main substance, plasters are:

The main ones are gypsum and cement plasters, lime or clay is mixed with them in different proportions, depending on the place of application.

Which plaster to choose gypsum or cement - it all depends on the place of application and the expected load on the walls.

Cement plasters

The solution frozen on the surface of the wall forms a durable coating that is not afraid of water, overheating, and mechanical shock. Because of these properties, cement finishing materials are used for facades and. The addition of various improvers and plasticizers enhances certain properties, it is possible to obtain a composition with the necessary characteristics for use in different specific conditions:

• In unheated rooms;
• With high humidity;
• With sudden changes in temperature;
• For finishing structures exposed to constant exposure to water or chemical compounds.

Cement materials level the surface, repair potholes and cracks.

Gypsum solutions

Gypsum is a soft binder for the production of indoor plaster. The fact is that the material easily absorbs water and softens when wet. Therefore, gypsum plasters are used only for finishing dry ventilated rooms.

Material advantages:

• Light weight;
• No shrinkage;
• Environmentally friendly plaster without chemical additives;
• It lets in steam, the walls "breathe".

The main disadvantage is the fear of water.

It is believed that it is impossible to drive nails into the plaster of Paris and start various fasteners. This is a misconception: if the base under the finish is solid, for example, brick or concrete, then the fasteners should be inserted into the supporting structure, choosing the appropriate length of dowels, screws and nails.

Material selection

What is the difference between gypsum plaster and cement plaster probably became clear from the field of application and the composition of the solutions - these are different materials. To determine which mixture is necessary for use in a particular room, we will conduct a comparative analysis:

Application

1. Before finishing
2. The cement mortar is covered with a trowel, then leveled. They also work with plaster. Both types of mortar can be applied manually or mechanically.
3. The cement maintains its consistency during application and distribution, the gypsum must be produced quickly before the material sets.
4. When working with both types of mixtures, it is necessary to maintain a positive temperature in the premises - from + 5 ° C. The same rule applies to outdoor work.

Output

The main difference between gypsum plaster and cement plaster is the area of ​​application. Gypsum is intended for interior finishing for finishing, cement - for exterior or rough interior cladding.

Question: which plaster is better - gypsum or cement - is relevant when carrying out major and repair construction work. These binders are a popular base for ready-to-use mixtures for leveling, facing and preparation before decorative finishing of surfaces. Each material has its merits and demerits, choosing the right one is not easy. The main guidelines are: price, operating conditions, ease of installation and terms of its implementation.

Being versatile, cement-sand plaster is well suited for both outdoor and indoor use. It is not afraid of dampness and temperature changes and is often used for leveling walls, slopes and other surfaces (up to unheated and basements), finishing in high humidity conditions, processing concrete structures in order to increase thermal insulation properties. This is an ideal option for masonry mortar when erecting buildings from aerated concrete or foam block. Distinctive features of the cement mixture are high adhesion, durability and strength, it should be chosen when conducting capital construction or for restoration on an old surface (subject to compatibility of materials). This point is important: cement does not adhere well to plastic, wood or painted surfaces.

Significant limitations of use include a complex application process and a long drying time. The work is carried out in several stages: spraying, throwing, rubbing and sanding. It is difficult to obtain a perfectly flat surface using cement plaster, not everyone has the necessary skills, while such problems do not arise with gypsum. It dries for a long time - up to 3 weeks, even if a thin layer is applied. The resulting surface is porous and poorly suited for subsequent decorative finishing (dark, needs filling and sanding). In general, cement mixtures do not differ in decorativeness, with the exception of types with special additives.

Gypsum-based plasters are more plastic and do not have shrinkage, as a result, it is an ideal option for leveling internal walls. They dry much faster, additional filling is not necessary, their structure is quite smooth even without it. The main color of gypsum plaster is white, it does not show through under wallpaper or paint. At the same time, it easily comes into contact with coloring pigments, it can be chosen as an independent decorative finish, moreover, it takes the desired shape, including volumetric patterns. Low weight allows you to apply gypsum mixtures without the risk of overloading structures, and only poor water resistance does not allow them to be called universal. Under the influence of moisture, gypsum is destroyed, so this plaster is not used for outdoor work.

Comparative overview of benefits

The advantages of cement-based mortars include:

• Strength and durability. They are best suited for restoration and exterior finishing work and withstand mechanical and other external influences well.
• High quality adhesion to aerated concrete, smooth surfaces of natural or artificial stone, previously plastered walls. This is an ideal plaster for foam blocks (both masonry and finishing), its consumption on porous material is minimal.
• Low cost, cement types of plasters are 1.5–2 times cheaper than gypsum ones. This applies to both ready-made building mixtures and those mixed on their own.
• Moisture resistance is the main advantage of cement mortars. It is this property that allows them to be used as plaster for slopes, cladding of bathrooms, toilets and kitchens. Gypsum in the same conditions is permissible only with the subsequent protection of the surface with tiles. Also, this ability allows the use of cement compositions for outdoor work.

The advantages of gypsum plaster are:

• Fast and easy installation. They dry twice as fast as cement-based, at the same layer thickness, and are easy to process.
• Lack of shrinkage processes. When cured, the risk of cracking is minimal compared to cement plasters.
• Plasticity: the solution easily takes a certain shape or is distributed along the wall with the desired layer thickness.
• Environmental friendliness and vapor permeability. It is a "breathable" plaster, safe for humans and favorable for the indoor microclimate.
• Sound and heat insulation ability. The porous and lightweight structure retains heat better than others and prevents the penetration and propagation of noise.

Due to the listed properties, gypsum mixtures do not need reinforcement (with the exception of layers of 50 mm or more), do not flow down from vertical walls and keep the given shape well. Their use significantly reduces the repair time; construction skills are not required for the work. Reviews testify in favor of gypsum in terms of cost savings, due to its minimal consumption. Yielding in strength and moisture resistance to cement-sand compositions, they win in decorativeness and ease of application. But it is possible to unambiguously choose which one is needed: gypsum or cement plaster, only when all external factors are taken into account.

Characteristics and properties

An important parameter is the consumption of material, cement mixtures are cheaper, but they are also required in a larger volume. When leveling significant surface deviations, it is advisable to calculate the thickness of the layer, in some cases it is more advisable to choose drywall. In particular, gypsum plasters are not suitable for creating layers of more than 50 mm (they are applied in several stages and dry for a long time), and cement plasters, in addition to a complex and time-consuming application, will make the wall heavier. To determine which mixture is better, all working properties and operating conditions should be taken into account. The main parameters of the binders are given below.

Summing up, it can be noted that cement mix plasters are more suitable for outdoor work and cladding of rooms with high humidity, and gypsum - for interior decoration. But we should not forget about the exceptions: there are many formulations with modifying additives on the building materials market. They can speed up the drying time of cement mortars and enhance their plasticity, insulating properties and decorative effect.

In turn, dry gypsum mixtures are on sale for preparing the walls in the bathroom (for example, Rotband), with their help, repairs in the sanitary zone are carried out in a matter of days. It is not worth giving an unequivocal preference to any one material; before purchasing, its characteristics and conditions of use are carefully studied.

For some, renovation is a big adventure. And at times there are people who are trying in every possible way to avoid it or delay the time of the onset of change. And as soon as the process is launched, various questions begin to meet on the way, which need to be answered. The most common one is which one is better. After all, without it, walls, floors and ceilings cannot be repaired. Today we will be looking for the perfect mixture in terms of quality and price.

Plaster or not plaster

Before wallpapering or simple need alignment. This is especially necessary if there are large cracks or chips. Here, many people face the question, which plaster is better: gypsum or cement? Let's look at the first view first.

It is worth mentioning right away that this type of mixture is used for plastering small sections of walls. This is due to the fact that it quickly freezes. If you are not afraid of this fact, then experts advise preparing a solution in a small amount, using This process is as follows:

1. The required amount of water is poured into the selected container.
2. The dry mixture is added.
3. Mix thoroughly until all lumps are completely dissolved.

1. The prepared solution is sprayed onto the wall with a spatula.
2. We distribute it evenly along the wall.

If you know which gypsum plaster is best for you, then you should use some recommendations:

1. Before each new mixing of the solution, the residues from the container must be removed and thoroughly rinsed. The solidified particles will have a detrimental effect on the mixing quality of the mixture.
2. Prepare the solution according to the instructions given on each package.
3. Find the right tools for your plaster mix. You should have two spatulas prepared: a short one and a long one.
4. If you are going to plaster the walls with such a mixture, then make sure that they are not painted with oil paint. If it is not possible to clean the surface from it, then it is imperative to apply notches along the entire wall. They will serve as an ideal adhesion between the plaster and the surface.
5. If you want to achieve a perfectly flat wall, then after applying the plaster, spray it with water from a spray bottle. After this procedure, carefully polish the surface with a long, preferably stainless steel.

Manufacturers and prices

If you have focused your attention on plaster, then you can safely go to the store. And here the eyes start to run up from the variety of manufacturers. Among them you can find the following brands:

• Henkel;
• Knauf;
• Ivsil;
• Unis.

Among the well-known foreign brands, you can also find domestic manufacturers. For example:

• Volma;
• Bolars;
• "Foundation";
• Glims.

It is worth mentioning the price of plaster. It comes from the following parameters:

• the purpose of the mixture;
• composition;
• conditions of use.

Interested in which gypsum plaster is better: "Knauf" or "Volma"? It is difficult to give a definite answer. This is due to the fact that:

• Knauf has a wide range of components and quality additives, although the price will be high;
• Volma has the same properties as its German competitor, only at a lower cost.

Dry plaster is sold. Packed in bags of 25 and 50 kg. The cost of one package can be up to 400 rubles. Let's summarize all of the above. Need to work on a small surface? Gypsum plaster is selected. Which is better? See for yourself depending on your financial capabilities and location of alignment. All of the above manufacturers will answer your main question, which gypsum plaster is best for walls. They all have approximately the same composition. The only difference will be in price and brand.

Gypsum versus cement

It is worth considering another representative of dry mixes. These include cement mortar. It is widely used for interior and exterior wall decoration. But there is one huge disadvantage in use. It is not recommended for use when decorating residential premises. Therefore, in this case, if you are faced with the question of which plaster is better than gypsum or cement, then the first option is preferred. Although the second contender has a number of advantages:

1. Increased strength.
2. Long service life.
3. The finished coating becomes perfectly even.
4. Can be used for finishing wet rooms.

It is worth noting that the surface can crack only if you did not prepare the solution according to the instructions. And it is worth remembering that the surface must dry on its own without using a building hair dryer.

In hardware stores, you can find it with various fillers. Most often, this role is played by sand of different fractions.

Cement mix manufacturers

Modern technologies have made great strides forward. Any mixture can be found in the store, and not prepared on your own from scrap materials. You know which gypsum plaster is better, but here is the rating of the most popular manufacturers of cement mixtures:

1. Knauf. The dry mix can be found in packaged bags ranging from 5 to 30 kg. The cost does not exceed 450 rubles per package. You can choose plaster with additives that are suitable for finishing both residential and external walls.
2. Bergauf. Available in 25 kg bags. The cost of one package is about 270 rubles. Most often used for indoor use.
3. "Foundations". Available in bags of 25 and 30 kg. It differs from all previous types in light weight and economical consumption. The price for one bag is about 195 rubles.
4. Volma Aquaplast. The dry mixture is packaged in 25 kg bags. The cost of one package is 220-230 rubles. The composition contains not only cement, but also mineral components.

Still, gypsum plaster is suitable for interior decoration. Which is better - you know. And now you know the brands of cement mixtures.

Still, if you are faced with a choice, then you can read the advice of experts:

• - plastic;
• cement mortar will provide the surface with strength;
• the gypsum mixture will dry faster, and no finishing will be needed;
• and, of course, plaster mortar is not suitable for facades.

The third is not superfluous

You know a lot about gypsum and cement mixes. Each of them deserves attention. What do you think is the best plaster - gypsum or lime? We will try to answer this question. To begin with, it is worth considering the merits and demerits of the mixture. Let's start with the unpleasant moments:

1. After drying, the wall may still be uneven.
2. Dries up for a long time. This takes about two days.
3. The plaster is not solid. If you drive a nail into the treated wall, the lime layer can crumble.

Along with all the disadvantages, there are also advantages:

1. Cheapness and availability.
2. The finished solution does not dry for a long time, so you have the opportunity to dilute it for future use.
3. Trowelling lime plaster is easy and simple (compared to cement).
4. You can use the mixture to grind concrete, wood or brick.

But not only the walls need high-quality plastering.

Ceiling mix

To answer the question of which gypsum plaster is best for the ceiling, it is worth learning some professional tricks:

1. This mix is ​​ideal for tops with a height drop of less than 5 cm.
2. The plaster mix can be used to seal the joints between slabs.
3. Before applying the gypsum plaster, be sure to prime the ceiling and wait until it dries.

It is worth paying attention to two well-known manufacturers of this category of goods:

1. The Knauf-Rotband brand remains the unchanged leader. Available in paper bags of 30 kg. The cost of one package is about 370 rubles.
2. Competition for German quality can only be made by our domestic manufacturer, namely, Prospectors. The mixture is packed in bags of 30 kg. The cost is about 300 rubles.

Now you know which gypsum plaster is better not only for walls, but also for ceilings. Among the entire assortment presented, you can choose a high-quality mixture that is right for you.