Plastering

Plastering

Plastering can be an essential component of any home to construct, or renovate one by turning its rugged walls and ceilings into a clear surface prepared for the use. It gives the final touch that transforms rough walls and ceilings into smooth faultless surfaces ready to be decorated. Neatly plastered interiors not only offer great looking walls but also make the walls structurally more sound and long-lasting. Here at S&E Construction Group, we provide highly skilled plastering, attending to any specific requirements of each individual project in order to achieve a high-quality finish that will stand the test of time.

Benefits of Professional Plastering

There are many advantages to having a professional plastering job compared to doing it for aesthetic purposes only:

Smooth and Seamless Finish: Plastering results in an absolutely smooth surface of the walls and the ceiling of the building; it does not have any bumps, cracks, or imperfections. This provides the perfect canvas for painting, wallpapering, or other decorative finishes, all of which leave a finished and professional, refined look.

Durability: Properly applied plaster adds another level of strength and durability to your walls. It helps protect against damage from everyday wear and tear, including dents, scratches, and moisture, making your walls more resilient over time. Quality plastering, if properly carried out, can last for many decades with low maintenance requirements. Unlike paint or wallpaper, it doesn’t have to be repeatedly made, so in the long term, it comes quite cheaply.

Improved Insulation: It may increase your home’s thermal efficiency. When mixed with insulated plasterboard or other heat insulating materials, the plastering process assists this heat retention, thereby lowering energy costs to keep your indoor temperature comfortable.

Soundproofing: While in itself plaster tends to conduct noise from one room to the other, it can be effectively used with other soundproofing materials. This becomes very useful in houses having many occupants or, generally, where privacy is of utmost concern.

Fire Resistance: Since it is intrinsically fire-resistant, applying it to walls and ceilings can retard fire in the case of a breakout. This adds an extra layer of safety to your home if combined with fire-resistant plasterboards.

Versatility in Design: Such plaster can be molded and textured to manufacture a big variety of decorative finishes—from smooth and modern to intricate and classic. This allows for creating a look that is truly yours and complementary to the style of your home.

Types of Plaster

There will be a few types of plaster available for use, depending on the application or finish required. These are as follows:

Multifinish Plaster.
Smooth Finish: As one would infer, Multifinish plaster is designed to create a smooth, polished surface that’s perfect for decoration. Whether you’re painting or wallpapering, applying another kind of decorative finish, Multifinish provides an ideal base. It is formulated to provide a fine, blemish-free surface, reducing the need for extensive sanding and preparatory work before decorating.
Versatility: Multifinish plaster is suitable for application onto a wide range of surfaces, making it perfect for use in all areas of the home. Whether working with Plasterboard, concrete, or old plaster, multifinish provides you with the assurance of a reliable finish across a variety of substrates.

Traditional Lime Plaster:
Breathability: Lime plaster is extremely breathable, making it just perfect for older or historic buildings where that is important. It allows walls to “breathe,” preventing issues like dampness and mold.
Durability: Lime plaster is very durable and flexible, thus withstanding the factor of cracking for a longer time. It’s eco-friendly, too, as lime is a natural material and renewable.

Gypsum Plaster:
Quick Setting: Gypsum plaster is considerably used in current construction since it provides a quick setting time and smooth finish. It will, therefore, be mainly useful for producing flat, even surfaces on walls and ceilings.
Versatile Application: Gypsum plaster can be directly applied to a variety of substrates, whether brick, block, or concrete, hence making it versatile for different project types.

Cement Plaster:
Strength and Durability: It is very strongly filled, thus giving a hard, resilient surface to the cement plaster that resists badly to impact and weather. It is used on external walls and in areas with high traffic and moisture.
Water Resistance: Since it is water-resistant, this material can be used on both interior and exterior applications, particularly on bathroom interiors, kitchen interiors and basements.

Venetian Plaster:
Decorative Appeal: A Venetian plaster provides a decorated, polished, marble-like finish, it has a sleek look, the finish is often used in high-end interiors where elegance needs to be added.
Customizable: Venetian plaster can be tinted in different colors and applied with various textures, ranging from smooth and glossy to matte and textured, to offer a whole range of custom finishes.

Acrylic Plaster:
Flexible & Crack Resistant: Acrylic plaster is a modern synthetic plaster that offers flexibility and crack resistance, especially for surfaces that are subjected to movements or settlings, such as new builds.
Variation in Finishes: Acrylic plaster can be used for different finishes, from smooth surfaces to textured effects, which makes them very versatile in terms of design preference.

Techniques of Plastering

Different techniques of plastering can be applied according to the desired finish and needs of the job:

Skimming:
Smooth Finish: This is a thin coat of plaster, usually applied over plasterboard or old plaster, that provides an extremely smooth finish to a surface. This is often done to revitalize tired walls or prepare surfaces for painting or wallpapering.
Quick Application: Skimming is a relatively quick process, so it represents good value for money when trying to attain a high-quality finish with very little disruption.

Two-Coat Plastering:
Base and Finish Coats: This is a traditional method of application that consists of two coats. The first layer, usually referred to as the base or scratch coat, gives a textured surface for the second, finer finishing coat to bond to. The use of this technique is hereby warranted when a hard, durable, long-lasting finish on new walls or those requiring major renovation works is desired.
More Strength: The application of two coats gives extra strength and is best used on uneven or problem surfaces.

Textured Plastering:
Decorative Effects: Textured plastering offers a number of different decorative effects that can range from very fine, subtle patterns through to more pronounced designs. It is also extremely popular for adding visual interest to feature walls or ceilings.
Custom Designs: Stippling, combing, and trowel texturing are some of the techniques used to gain custom finishes that not only add character but create a uniqueness in your interior spaces.

Float and Set:
Traditional Float and Set: This method involves the application of a generous layer of undercoat plaster, which is leveled using a float tool. A finish coat is applied over this to provide a smooth and durable surface. It is used on most masonry or brickwork.
Durable Finish: The float and set method lays down a powerful, long-lasting finish perfect for high-traffic areas or surfaces needing extra durability.

Common Applications

Plastering is used on a variety of applications around the home:

Interior Walls: Plastering provides an even, smooth wall ready for painting, wallpapering, or other decorative finishes. It is applied straight onto masonry, plasterboard, or existing plaster.

Ceilings: Plastering on ceilings is equally important, providing a seamless surface that enhances the look of any room. Skimming and textured plastering techniques are applicable on a ceiling in developing effects.

Partitions: Used to finish partition walls and prepare them to blend with the surroundings. It becomes very essential in open-plan spaces or areas with new added walls.

Decorative Features: It creates, in its form, all sorts of decorative features like cornices, coving, or ceiling roses. These can give elegance and sophistication to your home.

Exterior Walls: Though somewhat less common, plastering may even cover exterior walls, usually in the form of cement plaster, to provide a durable, weather-resistant finish.

Professional Plastering Services

This is a job that, even though a few minor plastering jobs can be done as DIY projects, to make the finish impeccable and professional it does take years of experience and expertise. We have a highly skilled team with years of experience at our company in handling all types of plastering work, from simple skimming jobs to complex decorative finishes. We pride ourselves on attention to detail and our commitment to quality in every project.

Conclusion

Plastering is an integral element of lovely, hardened interiors. Whether that means the renovation of an old house or the finishing touches on a new build, professional plastering services ensure that your walls and ceilings are smooth and strong, and ready to be decorated. S&E Construction Group provides a wide range of plastering services from traditional ways of doing things to the latest modern finishes to suit all needs. Trust us to perform at the best level possible in order to increase your home’s beauty and value.