Mosaic plaster: types of compositions and features of use

Mosaic plaster is an exquisite and original finishing material, known from the times of Byzantium, where it decorated religious and cultural buildings. Then the material was unfairly forgotten, and only in the 18th century was revived again. This happened thanks to M. Lomonosov, who discovered the mosaic panel technique. Currently, mosaic plaster is a versatile, affordable and beautiful material that has a huge number of fans and enjoys great consumer demand.

Mosaic plaster is a combined composition of acrylic copolymers and filler of stone chips, which are used as granite, marble, quartz,lapis lazuli and malachite. A wide range of colors is achieved by adding dyes to the material. The size of the stone crumb varies from 0.8 to 3 mm in diameter and depends on the type of stone and the purpose of the plaster.

The material has high performance and decorative characteristics, which are due to the following indisputable advantages:

• Versatility. Plaster can be used both for exterior and for interior work.

• Water resistant. The material reliably protects the walls from moisture penetration. This ensures the impossibility of the appearance of fungus, mold and pathogens.

• High resistance to aggressive environmental conditions. Plaster tolerates temperature surges, ultraviolet radiation and the effects of heavy precipitation. This allows the material to be used in any climatic zones.

• Good heat and sound insulation characteristics.The facade, decorated with mosaic plaster, will help reduce heat loss in the cold period and significantly save on heating.
• A wide range of models, represented by a wide variety of textures and shades, makes it possible to implement the most courageous design solutions.

• Good breathability. Plastered walls are well ventilated. This eliminates the accumulation of moisture and the appearance of fungus, as well as significantly extends the life of the structure.

• High strength and elasticity. The material has excellent resistance to abrasion, deformation and mechanical loads. The mosaic surface is stable and durable.
• Easy application and easy maintenance. The material is suitable for application both manually and by machine. Installation will not cause difficulties even for people who do not have experience with wall cladding.

The disadvantages of mosaic plaster can be attributed to the high cost of the material, due to the presence in the composition of expensive natural components. For example, the average price of one kilogram of Ceresit plaster is 120 rubles.The most expensive are frost and moisture resistant species with high adhesion and intended for outdoor use.

Another disadvantage is the restriction of plaster on the surface, consisting of mineral and glass wool. There is also poor maintainability of raw materials. If a certain part of the wall is damaged, it will be difficult to fix the problem using a point repair: the new and old surfaces will be different, and it is quite difficult to achieve their complete similarity.

Among the disadvantages is the need to apply special primer mixtures on the surface of the metal. Otherwise they will be susceptible to chemical corrosion and rust through a mosaic surface.

The possibility of using the material on all types of surfaces provides a variety of options for its use. The resistance of plaster to ultraviolet rays and water allows you to finish the facades of residential and public buildings. There is no risk of losing the original appearance.The mosaic surface maintains the brightness of colors and perfect form throughout its entire life cycle.

Mosaic plaster is harmoniously combined with any style direction., which is very valuable when decorating the interior. It looks very interesting combination of several colors and textures. This technique emphasizes the geometry of space and significantly revives the interior.

Mosaic plaster is available in a huge range. The models differ in the following features:

• The particle size of stone chips. The material can be fine-grained, the particle diameter is 0.8 mm, fine-grained - with particles from 0.9 to 1.2 mm, medium-grained - 1.2-1.5 mm and coarse-grained - with fragments with a diameter of 3 mm.

• By type of material plaster can be granite, marble, quartz, malachite and lazurite. The method of coloring the mixture depends on the material of manufacture. Some breeds are resistant natural color and do not need tint. Others in order to get bright saturated colors need additional coloring.

• Type of binder. Acrylic compositions have high elasticity and are represented by ready-made mixtures that do not require additional dilution. Mineral compounds contain cement, gypsum or limestone components and are characterized by high strength of the formed coating and relatively low cost. The disadvantage of this type is the restriction on use: only cement mixes are suitable for exterior work, and gypsum and limestone should be used only indoors. Silicate compounds contain potash glass. The downside is too fast hardening, so this type is recommended for people who have certain skills in finishing work.Silicone compounds are made on the basis of silicone resins and are suitable only for interior decoration.

• By place of use Mosaic plaster can be of three types: decorative solutions for interior decoration, facade materials and mixtures for finishing the basement.

The following recommendations will help to speed up the finishing work and not make a mistake when choosing the right model:

• When purchasing material, you must ensure that all bags are released in the same batch. If it is not possible to purchase models of the same series, and the compositions are made on different days, it is recommended to thoroughly mix all the material in one container. This will level the differences in color and make the composition uniform.

• It should be borne in mind that not all types of material are suitable for use in residential premises. The plaster, made on the basis of quartz particles, is categorically not suitable for interior decoration: the stone has a natural radiation background and can be dangerous for residents.

• When finishing the facades, it is recommended to use mixtures with natural shades: the dust on such surfaces is almost not noticeable. The coarse-grained composition allows for finishing without first removing small defects.

• Outside work with plaster should be carried out at an air temperature of not less than five degrees and a relative humidity of no more than 80%.

• Before applying the plaster surface of the wall must be primed. This significantly increases adhesion and contributes to the uniform distribution of the solution.

• The use of models of different grain sizes will give the facade a visual volume and make the structure solid and presentable. When choosing a wall covering for residential premises, it is necessary to take into account the fact that mosaic plaster belongs to “cold” coatings, therefore it is better to use it in non-residential spaces such as a bathroom, a veranda or a corridor.

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