Rating of the best plasters for 2020

Today it is difficult to imagine a quality repair without plastering the walls. In principle, you can do without plaster. If we are talking about repairs in a panel house, it is quite possible to use putty there (but even then not in any case), and if we talk about brick houses, then in them without a powerful plaster layer, a high-quality repair simply will not work. Modern types of plaster are designed to carry not only finishing, but also decorative function. Thus, to create a beautiful and reliable home, it is necessary to correctly select the appropriate plaster for repair.

The main purpose of plaster

Its main purpose is known to everyone who has ever faced the problem of correcting irregularities on the walls. House builders are not always able to do the job conscientiously, therefore in domestic buildings there are often walls with pronounced irregularities and roughness, and which may even deviate from the norm in terms of level. It is to eliminate all these problems that plaster mixes are used.

Currently, the modern market is able to offer a huge assortment of plaster, ranging from construction to decorative. In total, there are three main types:

• Standard mixtures - they are used everywhere, they are used to trim surfaces and similar tools require final processing with other materials.
• Special mixtures - they have additional properties. For example, there are such samples that are capable of providing increased sound and heat insulating properties.
• Decorative mixtures - in some cases, they do not even require finishing. With their help, a beautiful surface texture is formed, exclusive reliefs, which can also be painted according to the design idea.

Differences in plaster mixes on the base used

In the composition of any kind of plaster there is a binding base, which attaches the entire mass to the walls, and it is also designed to ensure reliable contact with the bearing surface after drying is complete.

Cement plasters - they are the most popular on the market and combine operational durability, ease of use and cheap price. They can be used for both interior and exterior decoration. This solution, in principle, can be made independently if Portland cement is available.It just needs to be diluted with sand of various fineness, which will play the role of a filler. The advantages of these solutions are called high resistance to adverse weather events, they perfectly tolerate both summer heat and winter frost. Their disadvantages are considered the occurrence of cracks that form after drying (they will have to be repaired with putty). Among other things, cement-based mixtures weakly cling to concrete bases, therefore, when plastering walls in a panel house with such mixtures, you will need to tinker a lot or choose a different composition. An additional disadvantage will be that, as a result of their excessive mass, they can shrink and practically "slide" along the wall. It is better to use a primer to finish the cement plaster.

Gypsum compositions - in them, gypsum acts as a binding base, which, upon contact with water, becomes viscous and has greater adhesion to the surface than cement. Gypsum has a slightly smaller fraction than cement, so this solution can even function as a putty. After applying a similar composition and drying it, the surface becomes very smooth and does not even require finishing sanding. On such a surface, it is possible to immediately stick wallpaper or apply paint, however, it is better to insure yourself and prime it. Gypsum dries extremely quickly (about twice as fast as cement), which significantly saves repair time. The disadvantages of gypsum-based plaster include its poor resistance to moisture. It is simply not recommended to use these solutions in bathrooms and bathrooms, as well as as an external finishing material. However, for indoor living spaces, this will be an excellent option. Still, gypsum is also weakly resistant to mechanical stress and is afraid of strong impacts or cuts.

Lime mortars - they differ in the complexity of application, but, in turn, are considered extremely environmentally friendly. They are used for finishing various types of surfaces (and even wood). Such mixtures have excellent antibacterial properties, which makes them indispensable for finishing rooms with high humidity.

Acrylic plaster used as a decorative option. It lies down quickly and dries quickly. However, it is extremely susceptible to ultraviolet rays, therefore it is necessary to avoid constant exposure of the treated surface to direct sunlight.

Silicate compounds - they are prepared on the basis of liquid glass. Gaseous substances, including steam, are perfectly permeable. After drying, they absolutely do not form cracks, mainly they perform a decorative role.

Silicone plasters - adhere perfectly to different surfaces, providing maximum adhesion. Resistant to aggressive media and substances with acid-base properties. They also play the role of decorative finishing material.

Mineral solutions - are intended for better adhesion to the materials with which the final finishing will be made. Small chips are included in its structure, which helps different materials better adhere to the surface.

Plaster selection options

Each composition has its own texture. First of all, this applies to decorative plasters. So, on the basis of cement plaster, you can make original decoration in the styles of "bark beetle" or "fur coat", and after painting them (walls) will generally look like an exclusive design idea. Thus, if the goal is not to complete the original finish, then there is no need to spend money on expensive compositions.

In addition, you should pay attention to the mass of the composition and make sure once again that the walls will withstand it before applying. If it is supposed to be processed with a thick layer of walls made of thin-block ASGs, then you need to choose a lighter solution.

At the same time, you should pay attention to the type of surface where the plaster will be laid. An incorrectly selected composition will not achieve proper adhesion, and after drying, the entire wall may collapse in general. Therefore, when buying a mixture, you should familiarize yourself with the manufacturer's recommendations and with what type of surface he advises to process with this composition.

Before plastering, you need to make all the necessary measurements of wall deviations using plumb lines and levels. You also need to calculate the required volume of solution in advance, but it is better to take it with a margin.

Features of the choice of plaster for the bathroom

Plastering of bathrooms will depend on the material from which the walls are made. The main condition that will be imposed on the mixture is that it must have water-repellent properties, because in the room there will be constant contact of the walls with moisture. Tile is considered an excellent option for finishing such premises. In a relatively dry bathroom or in a well-ventilated shower room, a water-repellent plaster mix can be used for finishing. Nevertheless, despite the fact that it repels moisture well, it is still subject to destruction over time.

In this case, the cement base will become a more versatile tool and the best option for finishing the described premises. It can be produced in various modifications, depending on the wall material:

• For concrete - professionals recommend choosing a cement-lime mortar for such surfaces or the latest polymer-cement plaster with additives and plasticizers that make the mortar more plastic;
• For brick walls - they are quite inert with respect to moisture, which is why it is possible for them to use any of the following compositions: lime, cement, cement-sand;
• For aerated concrete - this material is characterized by increased porosity and has a corrugated surface. Walls made of this material require mandatory alignment. For these purposes, special solutions with reinforcing additions are well suited, and cement samples simply cannot cope with them.

To process the ceiling and water pipes located near it, you will need plaster for wet rooms on a silicone base with special inclusions. Such a building substance is called sanitizing and is characterized by high performance properties.

Features of the selection of plaster for leveling walls

Perfectly flat walls can be achieved not only with drywall, but also with special plaster solutions. The choice of tools will depend on personal preference and will be determined by the material from which the walls are made. For leveling large areas, it is preferable to use a lime or cement base. The following types of plaster can be used to level walls with small cracks and potholes:

• Silicone-based - it consists of mineral inclusions, pigments and silicone resins and can be used in any premises;
• On an acrylic basis - it includes acrylic resins and also mineral components, however, this composition has increased flammability properties, and therefore it is better not to use it in rooms with high temperatures (steam rooms, kitchen workshops, etc.);
• On a silicate basis - the mixture is distinguished by its versatility, it also has a mineral filler, pigments and liquid glass in its structure - all these components provide a high-quality coating;
• On a mineral basis - the most budgetary option, which does not have special advantages, as well as contraindications.

Before pasting the walls with wallpaper, they must be leveled to hide cracks and depressions, fill the seams between masonry, etc. Otherwise, due to the uneven surface, the wallpaper may overlap each other, or, conversely, a gap may form between the joints of two canvases.Among other things, plastering the walls will give them additional thermal insulation properties and will not let cold air into the room, and will not let out warm air.

Often times, plaster can be confused with putty. They, of course, are a little similar in their properties, but there is also a significant difference - the plaster mixture is used to treat surfaces with a high level of curvature and it has more properties of facade plaster, because there is a filler in its structure. Putty, on the other hand, has a smoother structure and is applied over the plastered surface in order to smooth out the granularity of the latter.

At the same time, there is no definite answer to the question of the best plaster for apartment walls. In each particular case, everything will depend on many parameters: wall material (brick or concrete), expected operating conditions (increased humidity, standard temperature regime) and many others. In any case, in order to achieve the highest quality result, no one forbids combining various types of mixtures.

Pros and cons of dry and wet plaster

To make a decision on the use of a particular type of mixture (dry or wet) for finishing, it is necessary to determine the properties of the coating to be treated. Dry plaster is often referred to as drywall, and wet is called leveling the walls with a grout. When using the former, the thickness of the coating must always be adjusted, which is in direct proportion to the level of surface roughness. Each designated species has its positive and negative sides.

The structure of drywall includes three layers: directly cardboard, gypsum layer and again cardboard. It can be used not only for trimming wall surfaces, but also for arranging suspended ceilings, as well as window and door slopes and various partitions. Its advantages are as follows:

• Simple installation;
• Good durability;
• The presence of universal qualities;
• Environmental friendliness of the composition.

Its disadvantages include the possible appearance of cracking, lack of resistance to hot steam and moisture, the difficulty of attaching various accessories to its surface.

Wet plaster is often called monolithic, which is due to the fact that upon completion of drying, it leaves a perfectly flat surface (without joints). This processing takes much more time than laying drywall sheets. The craftsman must manually apply the finished mixture to the wall surface and properly level it until it is dry. The pluses of wet plaster include:

• Saves space without "eating" it. It is fixed block by block with a special thickness, which is easy enough to adjust.
• Possesses increased durability (average service life from 15 to 30 years). And with proper care, even more.
• Resistant to mechanical stress, which cannot be said about drywall, with careless handling of which dents easily appear;
• Resistant to moisture - it is simply not afraid of steam and water, which is why it can be used in the kitchen and bathroom.

Competent choice of decorative plaster

Decorative plastering is used as a finishing wall covering. A large assortment of textured and color solutions allows you to choose a certain type of plaster for the desired interior. According to the basic connecting element, it can again be subdivided into:

• Silicate;
• Acrylic;
• Silicone;
• Mineral.

Mineral mortars are prepared on the basis of cement, and special mineral elements, marble chips, etc. are added to their composition. It is produced as a standard dry powder, which must be diluted with water before use. This coating has a high degree of adhesion to the surface, and it can easily be given the color and texture of any material (wood, drywall, plywood, etc.).The advantages of such a coating can be called excellent resistance to mechanical damage, environmental safety, fire resistance and increased strength.

Into the structure silicone mixtures are mixed with resin, which makes the structure of the material more original ("bark beetle", style "lamb"). Due to its elasticity, it is very convenient to work with such a mass. It is highly vapor permeable, moisture resistant, UV protected, self-cleaning and does not collect excess dust. Even if dirt gets on the coating, it can be easily removed with a damp sponge.

Acrylic solutions are made on the basis of acrylic resin. They resist temperature extremes well, are not susceptible to cracking, and are sold immediately ready-made. But it is strictly not recommended to cover the walls that are insulated with mineral wool with this solution.

IN silicate liquid glass is added to the mixture, so the mixture becomes elastic and durable and does not crack over time. And taking care of it is as easy as shelling pears: to remove dust, you can simply wash the wall with any detergent. The mixture itself dries quickly, so professional skills are required to apply it to walls.

Rating of the best plasters for 2020

Cement

2nd place: PLITONIT Т1 +

The structure of this sample contains reinforcing fibers and water-repellent elements. Equally well suited for outdoor and indoor decoration. Excellent performance is observed on various surfaces: brick, concrete, aerated concrete. Does not crack after drying.

Name	Index
Packing, kg	25
Manufacturer	Germany
Price, rubles	290

• Economical consumption of the total mass;
• Large range of thickness;
• Acceptable moisture resistance.

• Manual application is preferred.

1st place: Kreps Master

Not a bad example from a domestic manufacturer. It is produced in the form of a composition of fine sand, plasticizers and cement. It is characterized by a fairly economical consumption of material. After application, it shows excellent adhesion in both dry and damp rooms. Both manual and mechanized application is possible.

Name	Index
Packing, kg	25
Manufacturer	Russia
Price, rubles	350

• Reinforced layer;
• Good adhesion to the surface;
• Easy to apply.

• Dries quickly - poorly corrected.

Gypsum

2nd place: VOLMA Layer

In the base of this composition, a very high-quality type of gypsum is used, to which chemical and mineral inclusions are added. Its main advantage is the resulting glossy surface of the applied layer. It can be used not only on standard substrates (concrete and brick), but also perfectly adheres to plasterboard surfaces. Usually, a putty finish is not even required.

Name	Index
Packing, kg	30
Manufacturer	Russia
Price, rubles	385

• Environmental friendliness;
• Excellent adhesion;
• Clean composition.

• Loss of elasticity half an hour after kneading.

1st place: Knauf Rotband

This mixture is intended exclusively for indoor use (interior decoration) and contains polymer elements and plasticizers in its structure. Perfectly lends itself to leveling, is not afraid of rooms with high humidity (kitchens, bathrooms, toilets). The layer thickness varies from 5 to 50 millimeters.

Name	Index
Packing, kg	30
Manufacturer	Germany
Price, rubles	480

• Fire resistance and vapor permeability;
• Versatility;
• Increased plasticity.

• High price.

Synthetic

2nd place: Mapei Nivoplan

This material is truly versatile, since, having an affordable cost, it has excellent adhesion and increased elasticity. With the help of this material, it is possible not only to produce new finishes, but also to carry out restoration work. Also works well on both ceilings and vertical surfaces.

Name	Index
Packing, kg	25
Manufacturer	Italy
Price, rubles	440

• Multifunctional;
• Elastic;
• Well suited for laying tiles.

• Has poor contact with plaster substrates.

1st place: Caparol Streichputz

This plaster is designed to create high quality, weatherproof and thin-layer coatings. The synthetic resins included in the composition make it possible to obtain a solution of the desired consistency, literally adding water "by eye". On the treated surface, it is possible to apply mosaics or applications. Cracking is practically absent.

Name	Index
Packing, kg	16
Manufacturer	Germany
Price, rubles	3330

• Ecological cleanliness;
• Strength;
• Large scope of application.

• Small packing volume;
• Overpriced price tag.

Mineral (limestone)

2nd place: Weber Vetonit TT40

A fairly inexpensive and high-quality sample of universal plaster, suitable for both interior and exterior finishing work. It is applied exclusively by hand. Due to its plasticity, this composition allows you to sculpt decorative texture and stucco molding. Can be used even at 0 degrees.

Name	Index
Packing, kg	25
Manufacturer	Finland
Price, rubles	420

• Reduced temperature requirements;
• The ability to adjust the consistency;
• Economical spending.

• Not identified (for its segment).

1st place: Ceresit CT 24 Light

A very light lime-cement mixture characterized by excellent moisture resistance. Its main advantage is very low consumption, which is 20-25% lower than that of analogues. It can be used to finish uneven walls made of silicate bricks or to restore porous concrete. Has excellent adhesion.

Name	Index
Packing, kg	20
Manufacturer	Scandinavia
Price, rubles	360

• Increased moisture resistance;
• Possesses versatility;
• Perfectly corrects unevenness.

• Manual application only.

Acrylic

2nd place: Perel Acrilico "Bark beetle"

This mixture is the cheapest you can find on the market. Despite this, it provides a durable textured acrylic layer. Works well with concrete and plaster substrates. It has excellent performance in terms of frost resistance.

Name	Index
Packing, kg	18
Manufacturer	Russia (under license from Italy)
Price, rubles	1300

• Cheapness;
• Cold resistance.

• Not found.

1st place: TICIANA DELUXE Alexandria

An extremely expensive acrylic-based plaster, can be applied both outside and inside. Subject to tinting. Resistant to any impact - from weather to mechanical. Easy to clean without the use of special cleaning agents, thanks to its special composition.

Name	Index
Packing, kg	13
Manufacturer	Italy
Price, rubles	6300

• Easy to clean;
• Universal;
• There is a possibility of tinting.

• Very high price.

Polymer (silicone and silicate)

2nd place: UNIS LR White Pearl

This mixture is supplied immediately ready-made. Amenable to tinting, which can be done by adding special pigments. Great for bringing a variety of exclusive design ideas to life. Has an economical consumption - about a kilogram per square meter with a layer thickness of 1 mm.

Name	Index
Packing, kg	25
Manufacturer	Russia (under license)
Price, rubles	600

• It is a design material;
• Has the possibility of tinting;
• Can be used for finishing.

• Not suitable for exterior decoration;
• Afraid of low temperatures.

1st place: Bergauf Bau Interier

One of the most expensive plasters in the entire world market. Can be applied to any surface other than metal and wood. Has the maximum level of adhesion to the surface and dries literally "on the fly". The composition is declared by the manufacturer as absolutely environmentally friendly - it is completely free of formaldehydes.

Name	Index
Packing, kg	25
Manufacturer	Russia (under license)
Price, rubles	340

• 100% environmental friendliness;
• Improved adhesion;
• Work with almost any surface.

• Not installed.

Instead of an epilogue

Professionals advise purchasing plaster exclusively in specialized retail chains. Delivery of special solutions from abroad will hardly be economically feasible. At the same time, professional skills are required to work with certain solutions.