When you tap on a plastered wall with your knuckle, it feels solid. That’s because plaster is, essentially, rock that has been processed and reconstituted and spread on to walls and ceilings. It is incredibly versatile, can be worked, carved, sanded, drilled, cut, textured and added to and still remain incredibly strong.
The most common types of plaster are made from either gypsum, lime or cement. They all start off as dry powders that are mixed with water to create a paste. These pastes Agb99 then set, or cure, into hard rock like surfaces that are remarkably durable. The binding agent in plaster is what holds all the other ingredients together.
Most types of plaster also contain additives to give them specific properties. These can include color, hardeners and plasticizers. Some forms of plaster, such as tadelakt or Venetian plaster, are waterproof and can be used to coat walls and ceilings to protect them from the elements.
Plaster can be used in a variety of ways, from coating entire rooms to creating decorative effects such as faux painting. It can even be molded to simulate wood or stone detailing on more substantial structures.
Traditionally, plaster was used to make impressions of limbs in the process of making orthopedic and prosthetic devices. These impressions were then filled with plaster of Paris to create positive models that could be used to fabricate the final medical device. In recent years, however, these plaster molds have been replaced by digital imaging and 3-D printing technology.
Another area where plaster is widely used is in the construction of false ceilings. During the building of new buildings, it is often used to cover the basic ceiling before adding additional fixtures and features. This can add an element of design that is otherwise difficult to achieve with drywall.
Plaster can also be used to treat contaminated walls and ceilings. It can help to remove any hazardous deposits and leave the surface ready for paint or other finishes. It can be especially useful in areas where there have been coal stores, fertiliser stores or flues that have emitted sulphurous gases. This is because these contaminates tend to stick to the surface and can be very difficult to remove without the need for a lengthy chemical treatment.
There are dozens of different ways to make plaster and each has its own specific qualities. Clay plasters are very common in Europe and Asia and can be extremely durable. Traditional Egyptian gypsum plasters are still intact in the Pyramids after 4,000 years. Most modern builders, however, have switched to drywall. It is much cheaper and easier to install. Nevertheless, some high end houses continue to use plaster. If you are thinking of having plaster installed in your home, be sure to set aside plenty of time for the job as it takes a lot longer to dry than drywall. It is important not to rush the process as mistakes may be irreversible.