#Best nails for plaster walls professional#

Hardwall plaster: Another plaster used as an undercoat, it is best used for masonry backgrounds in sound condition.

Carlite plaster: Also used as a finishing coat and suitable for a wide range of substructures, this type of plaster takes longer to set than Thistle.

Thistle plaster: This brand name from British Gypsum but has become shorthand for a finish coat and can be used on plasterboard, or as part of a two-coat system.

However, it tends to be more popular as it doesn't rely on an absorbent surface and has amazing sticking ability.

Bonding plaster: This is similar to browning plaster and is used before a final coat is applied.

It is ideal for use on absorbent surfaces such as bricks. Browning plaster: This is used as an undercoat, designed to be applied to the wall before a finish coat (skim coat).Types of Gypsum Plaster ExplainedĪlong with all the different materials that go into making the various types of plaster explored above, you will also notice, when shopping around for gypsum-based plaster, a number of terms relating to how they should be used. It can be applied in a number of ways to product a variety of effects, from matt to glossy and even to look like natural stone or polished marble. (Image credit: The Watermark Collection) Marmorino PlasterĪnother lime-based plaster, Marmorino is made from lime putty, primarily slaked lime, and ground marble. Tadelakt is the ideal choice for wet rooms and shower rooms, being waterproof, durable and easy to clean.

Thanks to a renewed interest in traditional and natural types of plaster in recent years, clay plaster is currently seen as very on trend in all kinds of property - old and new alike.Ĭlay plaster uses natural clay as the primary binding element before being combined with aggregates and natural fibres.Īlthough it is a great option, resulting in a beautiful matt finish that can be left unpainted (often they come coloured), clay plaster is not suitable for areas that will regularly be exposed to water such as showers or behind sinks.Ĭlay plasters to start from around £15 per 25kg bag. The fact that cement plaster is not as breathable or flexible as lime make it unsuitable for period homes.Ī 25kg bag of cement to make up plaster costs from £6. For this reason a gypsum plaster will commonly be applied on top. Its quick setting times and lower cost make it a popular option, but it is important to note that it is harder to achieve a smooth surface with cement plaster than with gypsum. Unlike lime and gypsum plaster, cement plaster is made from sand, cement and water - usually mixed up on site. (Image credit: Simon Maxwell) Cement Plaster Lime plaster is the ideal choice for anyone renovating a period property - it is breathable, flexible and eco-friendly. The materials required for each layer also vary. It is hard to put an exact cost on lime plaster as it comes in so many different guises, including pre-mixed and one-coat formulas. Gypsum plasters cost from around £8 per 25kg bag.

#Best nails for plaster walls professional#

However, it is ideal for creating a smooth finish in modern homes and extensions, it is easy to find professional plasterers who are skilled at using it and it dries far quicker than lime. It is less flexible than lime and nowhere near as breathable which can make it unsuitable for period renovation projects. Gypsum plaster, on the other hand, is now the most commonly used type of plaster. It is made with partially or completely dehydrated gypsum and is often combined with hardeners. Lime plaster is also flexible so can cope well with movement in buildings - plus, it has a beautiful soft appearance that does justice to the character of older properties. It has been used for thousands of years and, unlike many modern cement plasters, is breathable.įor this reason, it is highly suitable for period properties where it can help prevent damp issues and condensation. Lime plaster is made up of a mixture of lime, sand and water, often with added fibres such as animal hair to strengthen the mix and to ensure a good bind with the walls.