Among all the existing varieties of decorative plaster, the most luxurious and beautiful is precisely the Venetian one, which is distinguished by the effect of a marble surface. Compared to real marble finishes, this is a budget option. In the interior, Venetian plaster delicately emphasizes the style and richness of the room. But it is extremely difficult to achieve an ideal result without certain work skills and time-honed professional skills.
Venetian plaster in the interior
The appearance of such plaster is very rich, so it will not look appropriate in every interior. Due to its beauty and durability, it is often used in the decoration of various public buildings, hotels, business centers, cafes and restaurants. Venetian marbled stucco looks great in chic large halls with good lighting.
Often it is applied in private houses and apartments. It is perfect for the interior in the style of classic, empire, baroque, vintage. Most often, the Venetian is used for arrangingrooms in the spirit of the Middle Ages. It can also be used for a modern style, but it is very important to choose the right color here. So, for example, for a high-tech style, Venetian marbled stucco in matte or white pastel colors is ideal.
Basically, the surface of the walls in fairly spacious rooms is lined with Venetian and then supplemented with original frescoes, panels or paintings. But finishing with Venetian plaster can also be done in small rooms. So, for example, with the help of light shades and the effect of translucency of such material, you can make the room visually larger.
Modern compositions of this plaster are resistant to high humidity and temperature changes, they do not form mold, and they are quite easy to clean. Thanks to all these features, Venetian plaster has found wide application in bathrooms and kitchens.
Dignity
Applying Venetian plaster has a number of undeniable advantages:
- Possibility of obtaining the effect of a monolithic marble surface.
- Moisture resistant. By using wax as a finishing layer, the surface of the marble plaster becomes water resistant.
- Durability. Decorative Venetian plaster is able to hold out on the surface for 10 years or more. During this period of time, it will not lose its luster, color and beautiful original appearance.
- Strength. Such a surfaceable to withstand temperature extremes from -50 °С to +50 °С.
- Eco-friendly. The classic mineral composition is hypoallergenic. This finish is completely non-toxic, it can be safely used even in children's rooms and medical facilities.
- No specific odors.
- Fire safety.
- Easy care. Such a surface can be easily and quickly washed from dirt not only with soapy water, but also with plain water. Solvents are not recommended.
- Texture and color variety.
Flaws
Despite its many advantages, this material also has its drawbacks. But they are associated, as a rule, not with operational properties, but with the features of applying this finish. It requires a perfectly flat wall surface and a highly skilled plasterer. The application of Venetian plaster is a rather delicate and painstaking process, which requires not only the appropriate skill, but also a lot of time, since this work takes several times longer than manipulations with ordinary plaster. In addition, it is worth noting the rather high price of such a finish in comparison with other materials.
Composition
The basis of Venetian plaster is small particles of natural stone (dust, flour, crumbs). For these purposes are used: granite, marble, limestone, quartz, onyx, malachite and other types. It depends on what effect is required,depends on the composition of the material. Stone dust is kneaded with a binder (slaked lime and water emulsion) to the density of sour cream and applied to the surface of the walls. In addition to these components, the composition of the "Venetian" may include inorganic and organic pigments necessary to protect the coating from such negative external influences as, for example, UV rays.
In addition to the plaster itself, there is another layer made of natural beeswax. It serves to protect against moisture and dust. In addition, the wax soaks through the entire Venetian plaster, giving it rich color and extra shine.
Plaster mixtures can be purchased either ready-made or done independently. The second method is only suitable for qualified craftsmen, since it is very difficult to choose the correct proportions of the components so that the coating is both durable and ductile.
Types of Venetian plaster
For interior decoration, several types of plaster are used, which, depending on the composition of the mixture, have a different effect. The main ones are:
- Veneto;
- Trevignano;
- Marbello;
- Encausto.
Let's consider them in more detail.
Veneto
The most common, simple, economical and affordable option. This Venetian decorative plaster is easy to apply, easy to clean, resistant to external influences. With its help, you can create an imitation of matte polished marble. The coating has a high wear resistance, so oftenused in public areas with high traffic.
Trevignano
Imitates a marble mirror surface, similar to travertine rock, illuminated from within. The main advantage of such Venetian plaster is the presence of a large number of multi-colored layers, which provide the effect of a glossy translucent coating. The material is well suited for finishing luxurious baroque living rooms, as well as for vintage interiors.
Marbello
Imitates rough marble with a velvety surface. With the help of lighting, it is possible to achieve a different perception of the color of the finish. The composition contains copolymer additives that provide high moisture-proof properties of the composition, due to which this material is often used for wall decoration in the bathroom.
Encausto
This type of Venetian plaster imitates granite. The surface is semi-matte or matte, with inclusions that look like polished granite granules.
What do you need to prepare for work?
You can master the technology of wall decoration with a Venetian on your own. To do this, you need to purchase some materials and tools that will be used for the following work:
- Preparing the surface of the walls for finishing.
- For applying plaster.
- Surface decoration.
Tools
For work you will need:
- drill with a special nozzle-mixer to mix the solution and add color;
- plastic buckets or other containers for plaster;
- measuring cups for additives, colors and other components;
- steel graters for leveling and grinding mortar;
- spatulas;
- Venetian plaster trowel or roller;
- level, tape measure, metal ruler;
- fine grater;
- masking tape.
- rags.
Applying technology
Before starting work, the work surface must be carefully prepared: there must be no recesses, tubercles, cracks on the walls. The base for applying Venetian plaster must be perfectly flat and always vertical, without any level deviations.
The surface of the wall is divided into sections of approximately 0.5-1.0 square meters. m. The material is applied in small portions, as it sets quickly. The distribution of the plaster occurs according to the “from dry to wet” method, in other words, a fresh portion of the composition is applied with a transition to the already laid one.
So, the application of classic Venetian plaster is carried out as follows:
- 1st layer - base. It is he who is the main tone of the future decoration. It is applied in an even thin continuous layer. Excess material is carefully removed with a spatula. Drying of the first layer occurs within 6-8 hours.
- 2nd coat gives a glossy effect. It is applied in short strokes, on which the future texture will depend.surfaces. Moreover, the more chaotic the strokes, the more interesting the appearance of the wall. At the end of the application of the plaster, it is smoothed with a trowel and left to dry. The work must be done quickly enough, since the composition seizes very quickly. Delayed leveling can lead to further cracking. Remember that tools for applying Venetian plaster must be kept clean at all times. They should not have dried pieces of mortar, otherwise scratches will remain on the surface.
- 3rd layer adds visual effect. In order to have beautiful veins on the marble surface, you can use compositions of different colors. The solution is applied with wavy strokes.
- It is possible to apply more layers. In addition to the first, they all serve to create the desired effect, pattern or pattern. It is rather difficult to perform such a delicate work on your own, but the craftsmen are able to create real masterpieces in 8-9 layers, each of which makes the surface more spectacular and beautiful.
- After complete drying of the applied Venetian plaster, the walls are polished with a fine-grained float, corrected. All existing flaws are eliminated.
About a week after applying the plaster, the final stage is performed - waxing the finished surface. Application is carried out with a sponge, woolen glove or rubber spatula. Then the surface is polished with a soft cloth.
