Clay -based plaster: advantages and features of application

The use of clay-based plaster, an age-old building material, has become more popular in contemporary architecture because of its distinct benefits and organic appeal. This kind of plaster is renowned for its adaptability in terms of appearance and environmental friendliness. It is mainly composed of clay, water, and sand. It’s a great option for people who want to design stunning, sustainable, and health-conscious homes.

The breathability of clay-based plaster is one of its key benefits. Clay plaster, in contrast to synthetic materials, lets walls "breathe," which helps control interior humidity and enhance air quality. This can make your home more comfortable and less likely to develop mold. Furthermore, the inherent thermal characteristics of clay aid in preserving consistent interior temperatures, thereby promoting energy efficiency.

The aesthetic versatility of plaster made of clay is another enticing feature. It can be applied in a range of textures and finishes, from polished, glossy surfaces to rugged, natural-looking appearances. Any room can gain warmth and character by utilizing the diverse range of earthy tones created by the natural pigments found in clay. Clay plaster can also be easily painted or tinted to achieve the desired color palette for those who want a more customized look.

While applying clay-based plaster is a rewarding process, it does require some skill. Depending on the desired finish, it can be applied manually or with the use of tools. Usually, the plaster is applied in thin layers, letting each coat dry completely before applying the next. In addition to guaranteeing a long-lasting finish, this technique enables imaginative texturing and layering methods. Although it may require a little more time and work than traditional plasters, the outcome is frequently worthwhile, offering a distinctive, handcrafted appearance.

Adding clay-based plaster to your house not only makes it look better, but it also promotes environmentally friendly construction methods. Selecting this natural material helps create a healthier indoor and outdoor environment. Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling an existing one, clay-based plaster provides an elegant, sustainable solution that blends practicality and visual appeal.

Types of clay -based plasters

Globally, clay is a naturally occurring material with a high plastic content. On its foundation, a range of construction mixtures are prepared, in which clay can either be the primary ingredient or act as a plasticizing addition when combined with other minerals.

The final plaster has different properties depending on where the clay came from. On these kinds of clay, construction mixes are created:

• Monomineral – it turns out as a result of the decomposition of one mineral (for example, kaolin, appears when the field spar decay);
• polymineral – occurs when the decomposition of several minerals.

More specifically, the shade of the clay will determine the plaster’s color. Clays such as white, red, yellow, black, and, less frequently, blue are used to create mixtures. Plaster, as far as fillers go, is:

• clay-ledge;
• clay-cement;
• gypsum-clay;
• clay-acrylic.

In the plaster mixture, sand or sawdust can be added as an adoption to the clay. Less frequently, straw, fibers and polymer granules, fibers, crumb of polystyrene foam, and needles can be added to increase the composition’s strength. The material is thin (plasticity 0.17–0.27) and has a heavy fat content (plasticity of more than 0.27) as intended. It is both ordinary (leveling) and decorative.

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Advantages and disadvantages of compositions

Because the initial components of clay plasters are inexpensive, their popularity can be attributed to their low cost. Since they only contain natural ingredients that don’t harm other people or cause allergies, they are environmentally friendly. The following are further benefits of clay plaster:

• optimal thermal conductivity;
• moisture capacity, the ability to create a comfortable microclimate in the house;
• maintainability, easy replacement of the damaged area of ​​the coating;
• strength and durability (subject to compliance with operating rules);
• the possibility of finishing furnaces, chimneys, fireplaces;
• fire safety, non -combustibility;
• lack of insects and pests;
• Stopping – the remains of the plaster can go into business at any time;
• simple application due to high plasticity;
• filling in cracks, holes, creating any texture;
• suitability for most building grounds, including wood.

The benefit of clay plaster’s moisture content is also one of its drawbacks. The reason for this is that excessively damp rooms cause the plastered layer to progressively become saturated with water vapor, changing the material’s functional properties.

Direct contact with water causes the surface to swell and become wet, which reduces the plaster’s strength and shortens its service life. The clay solution, among other things, gets stronger and dries completely in two months—a very long time. An excessively thick layer increases the likelihood of cracking and clicking.

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Clay for plaster

The fat content, plasticity, and degree of condensation by external materials are important considerations when selecting clay for plastering. Generally, plastering does not use too thin clay. Not only is it too heavy (plasticity of 0.27) but it also breaks easily over time, making it unsuitable for use. Even though these deposits are rare, material with elevated radioactivity is totally unfit for use in operations.

Fat content and its definition

While a skinny clay has more sand, a fat clay has a larger percentage of silty and clay particles. To avoid errors during plaster preparation, the fatty indicator must be identified in practice. This is carried out as follows:

• From each sample of the material, a ball is rolled with a diameter of about 3 cm;
• They throw each ball from a height of 1 meter so that it hit a rigid base;
• Assess the condition of the ball after the fall: if the clay is fat, it is strongly flattened, skinny – crumbles into pieces.

The clay with a normal (medium) fat content works best for making plaster because the ball did not become overly flattened and nearly did not fall apart. There’s another way to figure out what the fatty indicator is. Similar clay balls are flattened to a height of ½ using your fingers. If the substance is appropriate for plastering, the ball’s edges start to show tiny cracks. They are entirely absent in fat clay and deep in skinny clay.

By rolling balls into strips as long as 20 centimeters and wrapping them around the handle of the gardening tool, you can assess the quantity and size of fractures. A small number of tiny cracks indicates that clay needs to be extracted in order to make plaster. Explain the chosen material’s quality in this manner:

• moisturize the tape water;
• Combine clay with sand in the right proportion;
• Recruit a solution on the trowel;
• turn the tool down to let the solution slide;
• A fat solution will leave a lot of sticking, skinny – will slide without a trace, and only narrow strips will appear from normal.

Getting thin clay

Mineral materials can be classified as being very plastic, somewhat plastic, barely plastic, or not plastic at all. The specific indicator is determined not only by the precise mineral composition but also by the size of the particle fraction present in it; the higher the plasticity, the smaller the particle fraction.

They employ this method to obtain thin clay: the final product is spread out on a level surface with a rampart up to one meter high, moistened, and left for the entire winter. Clay becomes loose after freezing and thawing, making it ideal for decorative uses.

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The composition of clay plaster

Sand and clay or sawdust, minus the sand component, are the usual ingredients of plaster. Additionally, if desired, fibers of flax, needle, dolomite, cellulose, quartz, or other ingredients can be added to the final mixture to enhance the plaster’s thermal insulation qualities.

Clay-sand solution

The simplest kind of solution is to combine sand and clay in a ratio of 1:2 to 1: 5. Sand must be sieved and impurities removed from clay. This is how the work order will look:

• Pour clay with water for a day;
• The liquid is drained, the substance is broken by a construction mixer until its consistency becomes sour cream;
• The sifted sand is filled into the mass in portions, stirring regularly;
• add fillers and water in the right amount;
• The solution is once again beaten with a construction mixer so that it becomes like a fairly thick paste.

The concept of figuring out the plaster’s fat content is used to assess its readiness. Flatten the ball by rolling it. If there are many cracks along the edges, there may be too much sand in the plaster (clay is added). Excess water is added when spreading the ball (a lot of sand and clay will be needed). Plaster is frequently enhanced with the addition of urea, magnetite, calcite, and sodium gluconate.

A solution with sawdust

An alternative form of clay solution substitutes sawdust for sand. Although it is more challenging to work with, when applied to walls, it provides dependable thermal insulation and is far more durable than clay-sand. She will need to exert more effort because the mass loses its elasticity quickly, but once it dries, damage is not a concern.

To prevent the sawdust from removing moisture from the plaster, it is soaked in water before being combined with the other ingredients. Following the same ratios that apply to sand plaster, combine sawdust and clay. The irregularities in the surface mean that this composition is not suitable for finish cladding.

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Instructions for applying plaster

The preparation of the base, the application of the solution, and the decorative surfacing are all included in wall plastering work. The process is run at a temperature between +5 and +30 degrees, with a humidity level of less than 80%.

Preparation of the base

Plastering requires careful preparation of the work surface. The old coating (wallpaper, paints), discarded items, dust, dirt, spells, and foci are removed. Spots of fat are removed using a solvent. Similar to brickwork seams, cracks extend, deepen, and expand, with the largest flaws being covered in cement mortar.

Roughing up the base will help the plaster adhere better. You can attach fiberglass nets with dowels and nail battles, tiny cloves, brick, and concrete to wooden walls. If porous walls aren’t primed, the liquid in the solution will be rapidly absorbed by them. Two hours are spent drying the surface after applying the soil.

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Tools and materials

The following instruments and equipment will be needed to prepare the plastering and solution:

• a bucket for kneading the plaster;
• shovel for loading components;
• measured container;
• sieve for sifting sand;
• rule and level;
• grater or half at the same time;
• spatulas of different sizes;
• Construction mixer.

Application of plaster

They immediately start applying the plaster after mixing it. The first layer of material is applied after the surface is sprayed with water. Typically, it is thrown onto the wall with their hands, spread out with a spatula or bucket, and then unevenly polished with a grater. This layer can be between one and two and a half to three centimeters thick. If it is thicker than that, then preliminary reinforcement is a must.

In the event that a second plaster layer is to be applied, the first is leveled superficially. Give him a few days or even weeks to dry. Beacons and levels receive the second layer, and the plaster is slightly mixed with cement. If you intend to paint or apply wallpaper paste, they align the mass and remove even small flaws by rubbing it with a construction grater.

The finish is shielded from the effects of moisture so that it can last for a long time. This is accomplished by applying a thin coat of whitewashing, latex, or another water-repellent paint to the plaster.

Decorative clay plaster

Clay is frequently used for finishing and creative endeavors. Since it’s plastic, you can make any shape or scene you want. Following application, the walls are painted with a variety of stencils, stamps, and curling rollers to blend in colored sections.

Advantages	Features of Application
Eco-friendly	Use on clean, dry surfaces
Regulates humidity	Apply in thin, even layers
Durable and long-lasting	Mix thoroughly before use
Good insulation	Allow each layer to dry before adding next
Natural aesthetic	Can be painted or left natural

For both modern and traditional buildings, clay-based plaster is a popular option due to its many advantages. Its natural composition minimizes the carbon footprint associated with construction and lessens the need for synthetic materials, making it an environmentally friendly option. Furthermore, clay plaster is non-toxic, guaranteeing occupants a healthier indoor environment.

The breathability of clay-based plaster is one of its best qualities. It lets walls "breathe," which keeps mold and mildew from growing and helps control indoor humidity levels. This feature makes the living area cozier and the indoor air quality better. Moreover, clay plaster’s thermal qualities contribute to energy efficiency by assisting in the maintenance of a constant interior temperature.

Applying clay-based plaster doesn’t have to be difficult, especially now that pre-mixed options are readily available to make the preparatory step easier. Because of its adaptability, it can be applied to a range of surfaces, including brick and wood, to produce a finish that is both long-lasting and visually beautiful. Clay plaster’s distinct textures and organic hues also give any space a certain charm that improves the overall interior design.

All things considered, selecting clay-based plaster is not only a practical choice for building and home owners, but it is also a sustainable one. It’s a great substitute for traditional plastering materials because of its many health, aesthetic, and ecological advantages. If you are building a new building or remodeling an existing one, clay-based plaster is something you should think about for your project.

A natural and environmentally friendly substitute for wall finishes, clay-based plaster has many advantages, including superior breathability, humidity control, and a distinctive aesthetic appeal. It fits well in both traditional and modern homes, is simple to work with, and allows for a wide range of textures and colors. Application is a simple procedure that works on a variety of surfaces and usually calls for a base coat and a finish coat. Whether you’re going for a sleek, modern finish or a rustic appearance, clay plaster offers a sustainable and adaptable way to improve interior spaces.

Video on the topic

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