The basic elements of plastering are Portland cement, fine aggregates, water, and texture. This article will cover the components of cement plastering and how they work to create a beautiful finish. The process is simple and straightforward, and the steps involved in completing a plaster project are easy to understand. Go through this plasterers page to get the best service.

Portland cement

Portland cement plaster is a versatile building material. Its durability and toughness make it a good choice for a variety of applications. This versatile material has many advantages over other plastering materials. Among the many benefits of this material is its ability to achieve a wide range of aesthetic effects. It also offers unlimited design options.

Fine aggregates

Crushed stone is an important component in cement plaster and plastering. Crushed stone is a replacement for river sand in many applications. Depending on the application, crushed stone can be used to make an attractive and durable finish. However, the material should be admixed with appropriate admixtures to meet the requirements of plastering.

Water

The proportion of water in cement plaster and plastering is important for its workability and consistency. The proportion of water should be at least 1:4 of cement and sand by volume. The best way to calculate the correct proportion of water is by using the Dry Loose Bulk Density method. This method is more accurate because it takes into account variation in Loose Bulk Density. The proportion of water is then calculated by adding water by weight. However, the ratio does not take into account the bulkage of sand. Therefore, the correction for bulkage must be applied to the ratio.

Textured finish

A textured finish is a type of finish that is made up of several layers. Usually, this finish consists of three coats. The first coat is called the scratch coat and the second coat is known as the fine or brown coat. The final coat, which is called the finishing coat, is applied to create a smooth and leveled surface. A textured finish is usually made of cement and fine or coarse aggregate mixed in a ratio of one to three.

Fire resistance

Cement plaster and plastering assemblies must meet the requirements for fire resistance, STC rating, and classification. For both types, the plaster must be tested in accordance with ASTM E413 and ASTM E119. For reference, the following publications are cited as part of this specification:

Cost

The cost of cement plaster and plastering depends on the type and complexity of the project. The process of plastering a high-rise building requires a higher amount of work than plastering a lower-rise building. It also involves the use of scaffolding to reach high surfaces.