Practical materials are needed for decorating a bathroom. It can be more than just tiles. Venetian plaster in the bathroom looks great. To get a quality finish, it is necessary to properly carry out the work on its application. The rules for using such plaster are described in the article.
History
This method of finishing has existed for a couple of thousand years and arose earlier than its current name. Even the builders of Ancient Rome noticed that the waste of stones in the form of dust and fragments can be used to create a finishing mixture, which, thanks to a special application technique, will be no worse than marble.
The plaster recipe became popular in Venice during the Renaissance, from where the name appeared. Now such a finish is used to decorate not only the interior space, but also the exterior. Moisture-resistant Venetian plaster for the bathroom, with the right finish, can last for many years. A room decorated with such material always looks luxurious.
According to reviews, Venetian plaster in the bathroom looks great, not only if it is purchased. You can do it yourself. This requires stone chips, which may be available in the workshop, where they work with marble and granite. Hydrated lime is sold in hardware stores, and colors are sold in places where paints and plasters are sold. Factory formulations have a seasoned recipe and certain properties, unlike mixtures of our own production.
Features
The main component of this material is marble dust or fine chips. Rarely used dust from onyx, granite, malachite or other natural stones. The binder mass is made on the basis of slaked lime, and the color tones are obtained by adding persistent pigment dyes. With marble dust, a flicker is provided, which experts call the phenomenon of depth of light.
Modern blends contain acrylic components and other polymeric binders. Thanks to them, microcracks are not formed and the service life of the finish is increased. A novelty is silicone Venetian plaster, made for wet conditions and repairing the facades of objects.
Can I use Venetian plaster in the bathroom? Finishing looks great not only in large rooms, but also in small ones. Surfaces seem to radiate light, providing a sense of depth – because of this, the space visually appears higher and larger. Venetian plaster for the bathroom is the best option, since the finish is not afraid of dampness and temperature changes. According to reviews, the room after the repair is transformed dramatically.
But such a surface is afraid of direct contact with water. Shower compartments and walls adjacent to the bath should not be finished with this method. For these areas, it is desirable to choose ceramic tiles similar in color and texture. Areas located in the danger zone can be hidden with transparent glass, and it is recommended to apply reliable sealant to the joints.
Pros and cons
Venetian plaster in the bathroom (the photo conveys the originality of such material) has a number of advantages.
- High aesthetic properties: beautiful surfaces with relief, rich color palette, possibility to tint in 2-3 tones.
- Vapor permeability. Glasses do not fog up and condensate does not accumulate, which ensures a comfortable microclimate.
- Easy maintenance. Do not scrape dirt and mold from the joints between the tiles. Decorative plaster is cleaned with household chemicals.
- High finishing speed. Even with breaks to dry the layers, the work takes 3-7 days.
- Repair can be done by yourself. No need for perfect alignment of the base. Shortcomings in the application of the decorative layer can be attributed to the author's design.
- The cost of materials is much less compared to tiling.
But this finish has a drawback. If the plaster is applied in violation of technology or temperature conditions, thensubsequently, its detachment and shedding is not excluded.
Varieties
There are 3 main types of Venetian plaster:
- Smooth. It contains lime, which is only light in color. It is impossible to work with this material without skills.
- Embossed. There are marble granules in the mixture, resulting in grooves and gouges that form a relief.
- Artistic. With it, a full-fledged drawing is created.
Other species
The following types of material are distinguished according to the composition and characteristics of the application:
- Classic. It contains marble chips, an astringent component, additives that provide strength. This type assumes the usual multi-layer application.
- Marbled plaster. The composition is similar to the previous one. The texture is original thanks to a special technique that imitates the structure of natural stone.
- Textured. It is an imitation of natural stone, wood, leather, fabric.
- Mother-of-pearl. This finish contains reflective particles for excellent optical effects.
- Plaster with marble chips. It is used to highlight certain areas of the interior, helps to place accents.
Features of the composition
Depending on the composition of the plaster is:
- Polymer. The mixture protects against cracks, since after drying a thin flexible film is created that has improved adhesion to the base. The plaster fits perfectlydrywall, primed metal, MDF, concrete. The surface is resistant to temperature changes.
- Limestone. In terms of moisture resistance, it is slightly worse than the polymer type, but it has better vapor permeability. The material is resistant to mold and mildew, as well as frost.
If the composition contains lime and cement, then it is called mineral. And in the presence of quartz chips, the material is called silicate plaster. The binder is acrylic or silicone. Acrylic compositions are more affordable, suitable for independent work.
Colors & Designs
When using the same composition, it is possible to obtain different textures. These include the classic surface, that is, even, smooth. More techniques allow you to create relief plaster. The most popular relief techniques include:
- Carrara. Many (up to 12) layers are applied. Each differs from the previous one by half a tone. The result is an imitation of expensive Carrara marble, which shimmers in different shades. The method is one of the most expensive, it uses many layers of expensive plaster.
- Craquelure. The surface processed in this technique is artificially aged. To create this effect, craquelure varnish is required. It is applied to the last layer of plaster.
- Marseille wax. Emphasizes the depth of the texture, increases the moisture resistance of the coating. Marseille wax is added to the usual composition, application is carried out according to the chosen technique.
- Surface with veins. To do this, apply plaster with bituminous marble chips, tinted soot. Smears need to be applied with a thin instrument, and then rubbed.
- Veneto. This is a simple technique. Gives a smooth or textured surface.
- Trevignano. The polymer mixture is applied using a special technology. This creates the effect of a marble wall, imitation of the surface of the rock.
- Marbello. The texture is like velvet with glossy veins. Looks expensive and harmonious in a classic style.
- Encausto. When working with this technique, a dark matte surface similar to granite is obtained. The effect is enhanced by a final wax coating.
- Palmier. The technique involves imitation of marble, granite, malachite, onyx. The surface is voluminous, airy.
- Imperiale. The composition contains a golden pigment that sparkles and shimmers when exposed to light. Black plaster with a golden sheen looks stylish.
- Wet silk. The effect of stretched expensive fabric, silk is created. It is advisable to choose a composition with large fibers, as it looks nobler.
If you apply wax at the end, you get a glossy surface. Actual colors are shades that imitate the surface of natural stone. Beige and white plaster is in demand, as well as blue, green, aquamarine, gray, brown. To create an accent color, a purple, bright green mixture, fuchsia-colored plaster is used.
Preparation
Such plasterpresented in the form of several thin translucent layers of the mixture, so an even and smooth base is required for their application. If the partitions in the bathroom have an old coating, then it is dismantled, the walls are leveled and sanitizing plaster is applied. The leveling base protects the decorative coating from wall moisture, provides waterproofing and prevents cracking of expensive marble finishes.
If you do not want to remove the old tile, then the room must be finished with moisture-resistant drywall, using a frame fastening method. The disadvantage of this method is the loss of area, which is not very suitable for small rooms. The prepared walls are puttied, and then a deep penetration primer is applied and left for 12 hours. Then a layer of covering primer is applied, tinted in the color of the Venetian mixture. According to reviews, Venetian plaster in the bathroom looks attractive. The main thing is that each stage of the repair is carried out with high quality.
Application rules
Venetian plaster in the bathroom is applied in several stages, in layers, which provides a radiant pattern that imitates a stone wall. The minimum number of layers is three, but experts can use more, showing excellent results. The procedure for applying Venetian plaster in the bathroom is as follows:
- The first coat is applied with a rectangular trowel using short, rounded strokes. It is important that the layer is 1 mm thick, it must cover the entire wall or ceiling. Then the base dries, which takes severalhours. The dried surface is polished with a steel spatula or fine sandpaper and cleaned of dust.
- The second layer is applied with asymmetrical, torn, short strokes and rubbed at an angle with a special spatula. Surpluses are eliminated. The surface layer is also pressed into the lower one. Thanks to precise movements, veins are obtained, providing the effect of monolithic marble. Experts call this technique a “butterfly.”
The mixture dries quickly, the walls need to be treated in small areas. Applying the mixture to 1 sq. m takes about an hour. The more stages of work, the deeper and more unusual the drawing will be. Craftsmen perform exclusive paintings, but only artists can do this work.
Whatever the amount of Venetian plaster in the bathroom, in the end, a wax coating is applied. With it, a gloss is provided that enhances the shine and inner glow. Wax is considered to protect plaster from moisture and mechanical damage.
The plaster can have a matte or glossy surface, mother-of-pearl or with a gilded sheen. For this, different types of wax are used. It can be applied no earlier than a week after applying the last layer. The plaster is processed with a special glove, and then the surface is polished using a grinder with a pile nozzle. Due to the very thick layer of wax, dark spots appear, so it must be applied in a moderate layer of the same thickness.
Care Tips
Poreviews, Venetian plaster in the bathroom looks great. But to maintain its appearance requires proper care:
- Complete curing of the decor takes about a month. Only then will the finish have increased resistance to moisture. In transitional times, it is necessary to protect the walls from water. To protect expensive repairs, the bathroom needs to be equipped with forced ventilation.
- Walls can be wiped with a damp sponge. They can also be washed with mild detergents. Do not use harsh chemical solvents, scouring pads or abrasive powders.
- Photos of the bathroom and photos of Venetian plaster posted in this publication fully convey the beauty of such a finish. It has no joints, it does not peel off, does not crumble and does not deform during operation. In case of damage, it will be possible to quickly restore.
- Plastering is hard work. This process requires a lot of skills and knowledge. So that the money is not wasted, it is advisable to turn to professionals. Probably, after watching the work of the craftsmen, you will be able to learn how to carry out repairs yourself.
According to reviews, Venetian plaster in the bathroom is used in various ways. Often they cover the upper part of the room with it so that drops of water do not spoil such a finish. A combination of materials is also allowed, which looks very beautiful.
What style is used?
Venetian stucco bathroom design looks luxurious. This finish is original and unusual. On practice,such plaster fits perfectly into any interior, as it is universal:
- In a classic interior, the material creates a rich atmosphere.
- Retro will also be attractive, as the plaster emphasizes style features, which is provided by the craquelure (aging) effect.
- Recreate the Renaissance with the help of baroque and empire style. But to embody the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, you need to invite a professional who will perform plaster work with a special method.
- Even if the room is decorated in a modern style, Venetian plaster in the bathroom and toilet will still look appropriate in it. Reviews indicate that it is better to choose light colors for this.
Finish looks great in offices, imitating light marble. Venetian plaster in the bathroom (photo confirms this) allows you to make the room original. You can ensure a long period of operation if you resort to the services of professional craftsmen and experienced designers.