What is the Difference Between Traditional and Venetian Plaster?
Plaster is a decorative and protective mortar used to cover walls and ceilings. It is one of the oldest building techniques still in use today. Traditional gypsum plaster has evolved over thousands of years, and it remains a popular design and construction technique to this day.
On the other hand, Venetian plaster is a slightly more modern invention and has been steadily growing in popularity since the grand days of Renaissance Italy (1400s).
The differences between the two types of plasters go beyond their history, so continue reading to learn more about traditional and Venetian plasters.
Traditional Plaster
Traditional or standard plaster has existed since ancient times, with Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) using mud to plaster their homes. Over time, plaster became stronger, more durable and closer in composition to what we call plaster today, with the ancient Egyptians beginning to use gypsum in their plaster mixtures.
The standard gypsum plaster consists of water, sand, and gypsum (a mineral containing calcium sulphate dihydrate). It dries and sets quickly and is easy to apply. Gypsum is an evaporative mineral that is formed by saline water evaporating. Gypsum can be identified as pure selenite in crystal form (hydrous calcium sulphate).
Venetian Plaster
Venetian plaster gained popularity during the Renaissance (1400-1600), especially in Venice, when opulent palaces were being designed and built. It is made of slaked lime putty, marble dust (crushed marble), and added natural pigments for colour.
One of the key ingredients of Venetian plaster is the lime putty, made from natural limestone. Limestone is made up of crushed coral, shells and skeletal remains that have been collected and compressed for thousands of years. As a natural material that is readily available with little effort, limestone has been used in construction for centuries.
The crushed marble (marble dust) is key to adding that luxurious shine that Venetian plaster has become famous for. Venetian plaster is durable, less likely to crack, breathable and easy to maintain.
What Are the Main Differences Between Traditional and Venetian Plaster?
Composition
Traditional plasters consist of gypsum, water and sand. In contrast, Venetian plaster is made of lime putty, marble dust and natural pigments, which are added for colour.
Appearance
Traditional plaster has a matte, smooth finish that can easily be painted over, while Venetian plaster has an opulent, glossy marble-like finish.
Durability
Traditional plaster is durable but can be prone to cracks and wear and tear over time, which is why it is recommended for use indoors.
Venetian plaster is applied in multiple layers, making it more damage-resistant. When Venetian plaster is applied, the lime putty carbonates and reverts to its natural form of limestone, which results in a hard, durable finish.
Cost
Traditional plaster is much more cost-effective than Venetian plaster; however, extra features will incur more costs. Venetian plaster is considered much more expensive than conventional plaster due to its unique materials and complicated and time-consuming application process.
Application Process
Traditional Plaster
Applying traditional plaster is a lot simpler than the application process for Venetian plaster and can be a DIY job.
The process consists of:
- First coat: Apply the first layer of plaster on the wall or ceiling with a trowel. Smooth it out as much as you can.
- Levelling: Smooth the plaster further by using wooden floats and straight edges.
- Setting: Wait for the first coat to dry mostly (but not entirely).
- Roughening: Use a scratching tool to roughen the surface in preparation for the second coat of plaster.
- Second coat: Apply the second coat using a trowel.
- Finishing touches: Once the second coat dries, you can apply coloured paint or textured finishes.
Venetian Plaster
The process for applying Venetian plaster is more complicated and time-consuming than the application process for traditional plaster. It will most likely require an experienced labourer for the best results.
The process consists of:
- Mixing the plaster: Mix the Venetian plaster and the coloured tint together thoroughly.
- First coat: Apply a thin coat of plaster with a trowel or drywall knife. Wait for the first coat to dry before adding the second coat. Use short and long strokes.
- Second coat: Go over the high corners and any missed spots using short, overlapping strokes to cover the whole wall. Let the second coat dry for at least 24 hours.
- Sandpapering: Sandpaper the surface using a circular motion, and then clean it with a moist cloth.
- Apply a top coat: Add a paste wax or a Venetian plaster topcoat to add more shine and protection to the surface.
Maintenance
Traditional plaster is durable but may crack over time and need to be repainted. It is easy to keep clean, maintain and repair and also costs less than repairing Venetian plaster.
Venetian plaster is more scratch-resistant and easy to maintain and clean; you only need to occasionally give it a clean with a damp cloth or towel. However, repairing Venetian plaster is not as straightforward as repairing traditional plaster and is also more costly.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Traditional and Venetian Plaster
Traditional Plaster
The advantages of traditional plaster include:
- Aesthetic appeal: Plaster adds a simple, yet elegant touch to any wall with its smooth and clean finish.
- Durability: Traditional plaster is durable due to its solid surface, and is much stronger than drywall.
- Easy to maintain: They are easy to clean and maintain due to their smooth surface.
- Versatility: Plaster is a versatile material that can be used on walls, ceilings, decorative mouldings and cornices.
- Fire and sound resistant: Its thickness provides better sound resistance and fire-resistant properties. Fire is always looking for oxygen to burn, so having thicker walls to burn through means that there is less oxygen for the fire to be exposed to.
- More cost-effective: Traditional plaster can be more cost-effective than other decorating techniques, as it can be a DIY job.
The disadvantages of traditional plaster include:
- Prone to cracking: Traditional plaster is more prone to cracking over time as it can be brittle due to its harder material.
- More challenging to repair: Having cracks in a plastered wall can sometimes require sections of the wall to be removed and replaced (depending on the severity of the cracks). You will also need to match the replacement plaster with the texture and colour of your existing one.
- Difficult to paint: Plaster walls can have a porous surface, so it can be difficult to paint. You may need to try a couple of layers to get the desired result.
Venetian Plaster
The advantages of Venetian plaster includes:
- Aesthetic appeal: There’s a reason why Venetian plaster has become so popular, especially amongst high-end homes, hotels and restaurants. Venetian plaster resembles marble and natural stone, resulting in an elegant and opulent finish.
- Eco-friendly: Venetian plaster is made from natural materials and doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. It is mould-resistant and has an antibacterial surface.
- Customisable: Venetian plaster can be customised to suit all design preferences with colours, finishes, patterns and textures that can be modified.
- Durable: Venetian plaster is not only moisture resistant but is also non-flammable. It absorbs carbon dioxide from the environment and becomes more solid and stronger over time.
- Easy maintenance: It’s easy to maintain Venetian plaster’s appearance. Rub a damp cloth over it to keep it clean. To touch up its shine, all you need to do is apply a layer of beeswax to it.
- Sustainable: Venetian plaster is made from lime, a renewable resource that can be recycled into limestone if the wall is knocked down or the Venetian plaster is removed.
- Regulates humidity: It regulates humidity and is ideal for use in wetter climates and rooms like kitchens, bathrooms and laundries.
The disadvantages of Venetian plaster include:
- Cost: Venetian plaster is more costly than traditional plaster due to its specialised materials and labour costs.
- Complex application: Venetian plaster can be more challenging to apply and will require the skills of an experienced labourer, which also adds to the overall cost.
At Sydney Cement Rendering, we take pride in being Sydney’s trusted rendering experts and providing our customers with the highest quality rendering services. Contact us at 0402 704 984 or visit our website: https://sydneycementrendering.com/ to find out more about what we offer!