Production of cement-based plaster with vermiculite. Warm plaster: composition and features of use

Putting on a fur coat in winter, we do not forget about a sweater or a vest. Something similar happens to our houses when, instead of the usual finish, heat-insulating plaster is used, from which it is cooler in the house in the heat, and warmer in the cold.

What is thermal insulation plaster

New building materials that perform a specific task are also being developed in the field of building decoration. The main purpose of using heat-insulating plaster is to ensure a thermal conductivity of not more than 0.175 W / m-K at a bulk density of up to 500 kg / m³. If this condition is not met, the material does not insulate heat sufficiently. Ideally, a plaster coating that retains heat should be analogous to classical facade insulation, that is, it should be strong enough, durable, and fireproof. The developers were able to solve the problem by replacing well-conducting heat fillers with low-heat-conducting components. That is, sand and stone chips in gypsum or cement compositions were replaced by:

• expanded vermiculite;
• foamed glass;
• sawdust;
• straw cutting;
• perlite, etc.

As a result, various types of warm plasters have been obtained that meet the specified requirements, which differ according to the area of ​​\u200b\u200buse:

• warm plaster for interior work;
• heat-insulating facade (for outdoor use).

In addition, the compositions were modified, giving additional properties, as a result, heat and sound insulating plaster appeared. This type of finish serves as both an acoustical and thermal insulating screen.

Thermal insulation compounds are used both for rough work (leveling) and for finishing.

Another class of components are modifiers. They are added to increase the lifespan, increase the elasticity of the solution, and prevent cracks during drying. Manufacturers use branded plasticizers when creating mixtures. When making the composition with your own hands, detergents or PVA glue, ready-made modifiers available in hardware stores, microfiber are added to it.

Advantages and disadvantages of warm plasters

In order to reduce heat leakage, various materials are used in construction: mineral wool, polystyrene foam, etc. They are laid on the walls from the outside.

Compared with such protection at home, warm compositions have the following advantages:

• simple application that a beginner can handle;
• the material is highly plastic, they can close hard-to-reach places of structures;
• surface leveling is not required;
• no special fastening is needed; surface wetting is practiced to improve adhesion;
• the use of mesh reinforcement not over the entire area, but at the corners and for repairing cracks;
• a high adhesion rate allows you to apply the compositions even on a metal base;
• the material is microporous, which makes it breathable, contributing to the drying of the walls;
• fire safety of most compositions;
• additional benefit - good sound insulation of the insulated room;
• resistance to biodefeats;
• frost-resistant coating, not afraid of temperature fluctuations;
• environmental friendliness;
• use of waste for the production of plaster composition (reduction of the polluting load on nature);
• does not crack from vibrations and does not change under the influence of UV light;
• thin-layer application provides additional insulation when using mineral wool and other heaters.

Warm compositions have their drawbacks:

• compositions are more expensive than heaters (taking into account cheaper work and reduced costs for related materials, such as mesh, the cost is comparable);
• the increased own weight of the coating with the additional load from the absorbed water requires a strong foundation;
• a protective coating is necessary, since porosity contributes to the rapid absorption of moisture (this minus does not have compositions with foam glass and expanded polystyrene);
• compositions with organic components (sawdust, straw) are limited in use (indoors only);
• the insulation layer is thick, so it dries for a long time;
• some fillers are combustible (polystyrene).

Calculation of the thickness of the layer of warm plaster

To make such a calculation, use SNiP 23-02-2003.

Thermal conductivity of plaster - the ability of the material to conduct heat. If the temperature in the room is higher than the street temperature, then when the heating is turned off, the heat “leaves” outside through the walls (35%) and other structures. The intensity of heat loss depends on the area, the thermal conductivity of the wall material, the temperature difference between street and home, and other parameters. To quantify the thermal conductivity of plaster coatings, λ is used - the coefficient of thermal conductivity of the plaster (as far as it is able to conduct thermal radiation through an area of ​​1 m2, a layer 1 m thick with a difference of 1 ° C). For example, for plaster compositions, the value of the coefficient λ in descending order (W / (m * ° C)) is as follows:

• cement with sand - 0.93;
• cement-lime with sand - 0.87;
• lime with sand - 0.81;
• clay with sand - 0.69;
• gypsum - 0.35;
• clay with sawdust - 0.29;
• gypsum with perlite - 0.23;
• cement with perlite - 0.3.

The coefficient λ \u003d 1 means that the heat loss will be 1 W for a wall thickness of 1 m. If this indicator is not 1 m, but 20 cm, then the heat loss will be 1: 0.2 \u003d 5 W. If the temperature difference is not 1°C, but 6°C, then the losses will be higher: 5 x 6 = 30 W.

To determine the thermal resistance, the formula R = d / λ is used, where λ (taken from the table), d is the thickness of the material.

For example, heat resistance (R) for a foam concrete wall with a thickness of d = 51 cm

R=0.51/0.3=1.7 (m2*°K)/W.

From the table for external walls, they take the standard value of their resistance to heat transfer for the desired region. For example, for Moscow it is equal to 3.28 (m2 * K) / W, which means that the calculated resistance of foam concrete in Moscow is not enough for a house wall. And for Sochi (1.79) too.

With thickness d

R=d/ λ or d=R* λ

Using this formula, we calculate d \u003d Ra * λ \u003d 1.58 * 0.23 \u003d 0.363 m or 363 mm. A plaster coating of this thickness does not suit us, so the use of insulation will be optimal.

For Sochi d = (1.79-1.7) * 0.23 = 0.021 m or 21 mm. In this case, for the Sochi region, the thermal conductivity of plaster (gypsum-perlite) is quite sufficient.

Areas of application for warm plaster

Facade walls are not the only place where warm plaster is used for outdoor work. It insulates plinths, floors and ceilings, closes gaps, insulates sewer risers, as well as water supply risers. In addition, they are used as a heater for garages and other auxiliary buildings.

According to the application, the following varieties are produced:

• finishing coatings
• for rough finish.

Varieties of heat-insulating mixtures for plastering

Thermal insulation compounds are classified according to the type of binder: gypsum, cement, etc., as well as the type of insulating filler.

straw based

A material used for a long time is insulating clay plaster with straw cut. Straw in clay coating acts as reinforcement and creates voids.

As a result, the plaster coating can have a large thickness without delamination and cracking. It is applied as a draft layer on the wall along the shingles by hand. The coating is breathable, absorbing excess moisture from the air and returning it when the room is dry. Before applying, the walls are moistened or sprayed with clay mash. The main disadvantage is the long drying time. The main plus is a favorable microclimate, cheapness.

Sawdust based plaster

Sawdust has long been used to insulate homes. They were filled with rubble, ceilings. They were added to clay and lime mixtures for plastering walls. Sawdust retains heat better than wooden beams, since the coefficient of thermal conductivity of sawdust is 0.06 - 0.07 W / (m2 ° C), and wood - 0.18. In terms of heat retention, sawdust is much closer to foam.

Compositions with sawdust can have a different mineral base - clay, gypsum (Armenian plaster: 3 hours of gypsum, 1 hour of sawdust), cement and lime. The main application is indoors. Before mixing the composition, the sawdust is sifted through a sieve with a mesh diameter of 5 mm.

Polystyrene as a filler

A variety of polystyrene - expanded polystyrene - is used for various purposes, for example, as a filler for anti-stress toys, upholstered furniture, pillows for sleeping. The material is ultra-light (up to 98% air), does not absorb water, is not food for microorganisms. It is used in cement screeds for floor insulation (1:4:4 - cement / polystyrene granules / sand), as well as a heat-insulating leveling layer (1:3) laid under the screed.

Plaster mixtures with polystyrene are used for work on facades and indoors. Produced on the basis of cement or cement with lime. Although they do not burn, they can release toxic substances when ignited.

Stucco mixture with the addition of foamed glass

Small glass balls (up to 2 mm), which contain air bubbles that are not afraid of water, are perfect for use as a filler for warm facade plasters. Such compositions are easy to fit, retain heat well, do not get wet.

Mixtures based on perlite, vermiculite and expanded clay

Upon contact of volcanic lava, frozen on the ground, with water, obsidian hydroxide is formed - porous rounded granules that look like pearls. Because of this, the hydroxide is called perlite. The granules have a high porosity, which reaches 40%, they are able to absorb water 4 times more than they weigh themselves (hygroscopicity is a disadvantage of such mixtures). For plaster composition (external and internal use), expanded perlite is more often used.

The mineral group of hydromicas contains vermiculite, which consists of small exfoliating flakes of a brownish-golden color. Vermiculite swells when heated and fills with air. It is used in light concrete compositions and warm plaster mixes. Has antiseptic properties. Perlite and vermiculite absorb odors and water well, so they need finishing plastering.

Expanded clay granules (crumb) are produced by firing some low-melting grades of clay. During firing, light, poorly heat-conducting granules of various sizes are formed. For warm facade plaster, granules up to 5 mm in diameter are used.

Basic rules for applying warm plaster

To make a really heat-insulating plaster screen, you need to follow certain rules:

1. It is important to prepare the base well.
2. To knead the dry mix (SS), the amount of water is taken following the instructions.
3. In a large container, the entire volume contained in the package is mixed with water, so it is guaranteed that in each serving there will be the necessary proportion of the components.
4. SS is poured into the poured water, trying not to dust. The mixture is stirred for 5 minutes with a mixer at slow speeds (the areas close to the sides and to the bottom are treated). Then give the solution 5 minutes to "ripen" and mix for another 2 - 3 minutes.
5. Work quickly, trying to work out all the solution before the end of the life. A mortar that has begun to set for application to the wall is unsuitable.
6. Work is carried out at temperatures above +5°C, below +30°C. Drafts, direct exposure to sunlight and rain are unacceptable. During facade work, a canopy is made.
7. Before plastering, de-energize sockets and switches.
8. Goggles are used to protect the eyes.
9. Used beacons are removed after application of the solution. You can’t leave them in the wall, as they serve as cold bridges.
10. The use of primers is necessary to ensure adhesion sufficient to hold the strong plaster coating on the wall.
11. The insulation layer should be no thicker than 25 mm. If a greater thickness is required, several layers are applied intermittently to dry. The surface of the overlapped layers is not smoothed for better adhesion.

Making warm plaster with your own hands

The commercially available SSs are not cheap. There is an alternative. Masters prefer to create solutions of warm plaster with their own hands. All components can be purchased almost for free. Clay or lime can be used as a natural plasticizer. Liquid soap is also suitable, which is added at the rate of 2 - 3 tablespoons per 20 liters of the mixture. In the store you can buy a product for hydrophobization (use according to the instructions).

We offer you several recipes for compositions for thermal insulation.

Recipe 1. Mix for facades:

• 1 part - cement from M400;
• 1 part - expanded polystyrene 1 - 3 mm;
• 3 parts perlite;
• 50 g - polypropylene fiber;
• plasticizer (add according to instructions).

Dry components are mixed and water is added so much that the solution has a paste-like consistency and does not drain from the trowel.

Recipe 2. Mix for rooms:

• 1 part - white cement M400;
• 4 parts - filler (vermiculite or perlite);
• 50 g / bucket of cement - PVA glue or factory plasticizer (adhere to the proportion recommended by the manufacturer);
• water.

Recipe 3. Thermal insulation from perlite-sand mixture:

• 1 volume part of cement;
• 1 part sand;
• 4 parts perlite.

Recipe 4. Warm composition with sawdust and paper (for rooms and facades):

• 1 part - cement;
• 2 parts - paper pulp, soaked in porridge;
• 3 parts - sawdust;
• water.

Recipe 5. Lime-sawdust composition:

• 1 part sawdust;
• 10 - 15 parts of dry slaked lime;
• Water.

Lime is a strong biocidal agent, which is not attacked by rodents, mold and fungus. Quicklime cannot be used with sawdust, as a lot of heat is released during mixing. The solution has a short life, so you need to work out quickly. Dry components are mixed, then cement or other binder is added (if desired). Water is added last.

Recipe 6. Clay with sawdust and straw (for walls):

• 1 hour - clay;
• 2h. - sawdust (or sawdust with straw).

For ceilings and floors, the proportion is 1:10. The solution does not have a shelf life, as water is simply added if necessary.

Video on the preparation and application of warm plaster

Preparatory work

First of all, the wall must be prepared accordingly. The surface is cleaned from the old exfoliated coating, dust-free and coated with a primer. They also neutralize oil stains, remove old wallpaper and paint layers. Decontaminate pockets of mold and decay. Repair cracks and potholes. Shingles are nailed to wooden surfaces, or a mesh is attached. Lighthouses are installed along the plumb line.

Do-it-yourself technology for applying warm plaster

Finish coat

1. The wall is moistened with a spray bottle.
2. The solution is applied in a layer up to 1 cm with a trowel or spatula, pressing the mortar mass against the wall to increase adhesion. This primary layer is not smoothed down. With a large thickness of the coating, a recessed reinforcing mesh is applied to this layer.
3. The second and subsequent main layers (primer) are applied up to 2.5 cm thick. They are leveled (not trying to make them smooth) with a grater.
4. When the total thickness of the coating reaches 4 cm, a second reinforcing mesh is applied. The edges of the mesh sheets are overlapped with an overlap of 10 cm.
5. When filling the entire volume between the beacons, the surface of the upper layer is leveled by the rule.
6. After setting the top layer, the beacons are removed, the remaining grooves are filled with mortar.
7. After the solutions have completely dried, a finishing finish is applied over the rough coating.

Mixture consumption

As a rule, the manufacturer on the packaging reports the average consumption of a centimeter layer of composition per 1 m2. The consumption of the mixture is calculated based on the intended thickness of the plaster coating. The following flow rates correspond to standard volumes:

• for 1m2 with a layer of 2.5 cm you will need 10 - 14 kg;
• the same square 5 cm thick will take 18 - 25 kg.

Reinforcement works

The reinforcing plaster layer is intended for internal strengthening of a coating of great thickness, applying it to the facade insulation, at the junctions of layers with different shrinkage characteristics, as well as in the case of plastering a building until its shrinkage is completed. For example, a reinforcing layer is made where part of the wall is made of gas silicate blocks, and part is made of bricks. This section of the plaster coating must be reinforced without fail. It is carried out with a plastic or fiberglass mesh, which has sufficient strength and is not afraid of the internal alkaline environment of the insulating plaster coating. Reinforcement work is carried out inside the solution. A layer of the mixture is applied on the ceilings and walls, then the grid is laid out and recessed. On the walls of the facade on top of the insulation, the work of reinforcing is slightly different. First, a solution is applied with strokes, then a mesh is attached, and then plastered. They work with spatulas and semi-trowels. When the layer dries, the next one is applied on top of it in the usual way.

Manufacturers and prices

The list of companies and the heat-insulating mixtures they produce is long. Of the most popular:

• Umka UB-21 (Ekotermogroup company) is a warm plaster made of lime, cement, sand and foam glass for the northern regions, which needs finishing. Up to 10 cm is applied with reinforcement. Other warming mixtures are UB-212, UF-2.

• Cement Knauf Grűnband is made with polystyrene foam. Permissible layer - up to 30 mm.
• Unis Teplon has a gypsum-perlite composition that does not require finishing.
• Au Benputz Perlit based on Portland cement with perlite filler. Not without a finishing touch.
• Cement mix Teplolux DeLuxe retains heat with the help of foam glass. Also not final.
• Thermo Um is universal - it is used for facades and rooms. The mixture is hygroscopic.

The prices are different. On average, the price of 1 kg of dry mix is ​​in the range of 11 - 21 rubles.

As practice shows, for the main areas of our country, heat-insulating plaster is not yet a panacea. However, its use allows not only to reduce heat loss, but also to reduce the noise level in the premises. For the southern regions, it is an excellent option for warming houses.

When planning to carry out repair work indoors, you should think through and take into account all the details, because in such work there can be no trifles. Warming the room is one of the most important processes, it should not be ignored. Warm plaster is one of the options for solving this issue.

Peculiarities

Many residents of apartments and private houses hear about warm plaster for the first time, so you should understand in more detail what it is, for what purposes it is used and what its varieties are.

All building materials have certain thermal insulation properties. Using ordinary plaster, you can only slightly insulate the room. To achieve stronger insulation, use warm plaster.

When applying warm plaster to the surface, the wall turns out to be more even, while its thermal insulation increases.

The use of this material in construction and in the performance of repair work began not so long ago, so few people know about the composition and properties of warm plaster.

With its help you can:

• level the wall
• decorate the surface
• ensure the temperature for a comfortable stay.

In addition, this material has a soundproof function.

Thermal insulation materials have a porous, fibrous or cellular structure, which is filled with air, gas or vacuum. When applied to the surface, a kind of “fur coat” is created.

Since ancient times, natural materials have been used to insulate walls. For this, straw, sawdust and clay were used. Coating the walls with a mixture of these materials, diluted with water, they achieved their insulation. Perhaps this technique is still used somewhere in the villages because of its cheapness and ease of use.

Modern technologies do not stand still, and today a large number of materials are produced that are used to insulate walls. The basis for warm plaster are various fillers and a binder, as well as other additional ingredients.

The filler for warm plaster can consist of different materials. Consider their description and characteristics:

1. The filler may contain polystyrene foam. This material has a high level of thermal insulation, besides it is inexpensive. In addition to the undoubted advantages, polystyrene foam has a drawback - it is able to ignite quickly, and toxic substances are released during the combustion of the material.
2. The cheapest, and also the most environmentally friendly material can be called sawdust. They are often used in the self-production of the material, although sawdust does not have high heat-shielding properties.
3. Perlite. When processing perlite with high temperature, a material with a porous structure is obtained. Perlite has good resistance to temperature extremes, it is easy to work with this material. It also has resistance to harmful microorganisms.
4. material made from mica vermiculite. It is very durable, has a high level of hygroscopicity, has biological safety and fire safety.
5. Foam glass. For its production, quartz sand is taken. This material is recommended for use in rooms with high humidity, which is undoubtedly its advantage. Its thermal insulation properties are lower than those described above.

Gypsum or cement is used to bind these materials. The use of cement in the work allows you to achieve a more durable surface. The mortar with cement has a gray color, from the side it will be noticeable. In order to get rid of the gray tint on the surface, it can be covered with gypsum putty.

Instead of cement, you can take gypsum. Usually it is used only indoors.

Specifications

You should figure out where warm plaster is used, how easily it is applied to the surface indoors.

So, this material is applicable for:

• for leveling walls and creating additional thermal insulation;
• filling voids, insulation of water pipes, sewers;
• insulation of slopes of windows and doors - such an insulating surface will prevent the ingress of cold air and drafts;
• often heat-saving putty is applied when insulating a ceiling or floor.

Thermal insulation putty has a lot of advantages:

1. First of all, it should be noted that it is easy to work with this material, plus you can immediately solve the issue of both insulation and surface finish.
2. The material has excellent properties, has high adhesion to many surfaces.
3. When working with warm putty, it is often possible to do without priming the surface.
4. When applying the solution to the surface during operation, no seams or so-called "cold bridges" remain on it.
5. Using modern plasters, you can not be afraid that over time the material can be damaged by insects or eaten by rodents, moreover, pathogenic bacteria will not divorce in it.

If the composition consists of gypsum, perlite and vermiculite, it is not recommended to use it for internal insulation of rooms with high humidity, since these materials are highly hygroscopic.

Before starting work, it is necessary to prepare the walls. The surface should be cleaned from the previous layer and remove hooks, nails and other small parts that may interfere with work. Next, the walls should be primed and left for a couple of days to dry completely, and only then carry out work on the insulation of the premises.

Given all the advantages of the material and its disadvantages, we can say that the use of warm plaster indoors is fully justified. It is used in combination with other heaters, but it should be applied in places where it is really needed.

• In order to prepare a solution, take 1 kg of the mixture and 0.5 liters of water. The composition is not recommended to do in large portions as it dries very quickly. To mix, take a construction mixer and stir until the mixture looks like sour cream.
• When mixing a dry mixture with water, pour the liquid little by little, stirring constantly. When using a moisture-resistant composition, it is enough to take 200 liters of water per 1 kg of the mixture. Before starting work, the solution is left for a few minutes to soak.
• When applying putty, they take a trowel with a rule. The layer should not be made thick, it should not exceed 5 cm. When applying the material to the ceiling, the layer size should be reduced to 3 cm. By applying putty on the walls, you can immediately level the surface and remove minor defects.

• After covering the entire surface, wait until the wall is dry. This may take a little over an hour. After that, it is cut using the rule. To check, you can take the building level. At this stage, possible shortcomings such as depressions, irregularities and roughness are eliminated.
• If after applying one coat the walls remain uneven, they are left to dry and then another layer is applied again. When applying more than one layer after complete drying of the surface, it is primed and sewn up with a reinforcing mesh.
• At the final stage, glossing or glazing is done. To do this, the surface is moistened with water and cleaned with a sponge grater. When cement or gypsum milk appears, the wall is rubbed with a soft wide spatula. You can leave the wall in this form, it no longer transmits heat, but more often it is painted with facade paint, sewn up with siding, or any other decorative work is used.

High-temperature putty is an easy-to-use material that is used for interior work. When choosing this material, it should be borne in mind that the mixtures are quite expensive, and for work you often have to buy several packages.

To avoid additional waste, you can use a putty prepared by yourself. Homemade solutions are absolutely not inferior in quality to store options.

As part of the putty of our own production:

• one part sand;
• one part of cement;
• four parts perlite / vermiculite;
• the required amount of water to make the mixture creamy.

When making a solution with expanded polystyrene, vermiculite and perlite, the ratio should be 1: 4, that is, if 0.5 kg of sand and cement are taken, 2 cubes of perlite and about 500-600 liters of water should be added.

Sometimes PVA glue is added to this composition, but it is not used in large quantities - it is enough to take 2% of the total amount of water. When adding glue to the solution, it must first be diluted. Instead of glue, you can take a plasticizer, for example, polyplast.

For self-preparation of putty, you will have to experiment a little in proportions. It is not recommended to knead a lot of solution at once, it is better to make small portions. When applied to the wall, it will immediately become clear how correctly the proportion was chosen and whether the material is convenient for use.

If perlite or vermiculite is used for cooking, a large amount of liquid must be added. If there is not enough water, the solution will immediately harden and will be unsuitable for work.

For interior work, it is better to knead masonry mortars on gypsum.

Manufacturers

One of the most popular companies that produce putties is the company Knauf. This name is known to many and deserves to pay attention to the products of this company. The composition of this plaster contains cement with polystyrene, as well as special additives.

When applying the solution to the surface, a strong structural layer is formed. After it dries, you can use textured paints, which will decorate the surface. Apply a layer of plaster from 10 to 30 mm, you can work by hand or by machine. Supplied in packs of 25 kg. When applying a minimum layer of 10 mm per 1 sq. m need to take about 12 kg.

When using this putty indoors, it should be borne in mind that it contains polystyrene, which has a high degree of flammability. Knauf putties are used both outside and inside the premises.

When choosing a quality material for indoor work, you should pay attention to thermal insulation plaster "Umka". Russian manufacturers were able to make a dry mix that has excellent characteristics. The composition was developed taking into account the harsh climate.

After applying the solution to the surface, finishing work is usually carried out. The dry mix is ​​packaged in packs of 7 kg. When applying a minimum layer of 10 mm, take 4 kg of the mixture per 1 sq. m.

Dry mix is ​​also used for indoor wall insulation. "Bear". A layer of this mixture of 2 cm in its thermal conductivity will be equal to brickwork of 50 cm. Before applying the Bear mixture to the wall, the surface is leveled and primed. They produce a mixture for indoor wall insulation in bags weighing 14 kg.

Other most popular dry mix companies include:

• Unis;
• Paladium;
• ThermoUm.

Energy-saving technologies in the construction or renovation of houses are becoming increasingly popular. One way to reduce the cost of running a building is to warm plaster with high heat-saving properties.

Types and features of warm plaster

In fact, warm plaster is almost no different from ordinary plaster, with the exception of heat-saving additives. It can be perlite, vermiculite, expanded polystyrene and other components in crushed form. Their low density reduces the mass of supporting structures, which reduces the load on the foundation and ultimately reduces its cost.

• Cement, due to its versatility, are used both for interior decoration and facade insulation.
• Gypsum is mainly used for interiors due to its natural composition and high environmental friendliness.

It is also worth noting that even such plaster cannot replace conventional wall insulation, but in the complex, the heat-retaining performance of the house increases significantly. As a rule, heat-insulating plaster also has sound insulation qualities, which improves its consumer qualities.

Features of the use of warm plaster

Due to its composition, warm plasters are highly hygroscopic and are usually used as interior plasters. The solution can be used in rooms with normal and medium humidity. The basic rule for facade plasters is protection against direct exposure to precipitation and vapor permeability of walls and / or finishing layers applied on top of the plaster.

Buy warm plaster you can in our online store arh-group with delivery in Moscow or the Moscow region.

A good owner, when planning the construction or renovation of his house, must think through everything to the smallest detail. In a series of issues to be resolved, insulation is always one of the most important - comfortable conditions for people should be created in the house, and decoration - everyone wants to live in an aesthetic environment. Practice shows that very often these problems intersect, and a number of technological operations are aimed at simultaneously solving both sides of the issue.

One of the materials that meet such a complex concept of “insulation + finishing” is warm plaster for interior work. By applying it to the walls, the master levels them and, with the correct thermal engineering calculation, at the same time gives them the required degree of thermal insulation.

This publication will be structured as follows:

• Anyone who has experience in building and finishing works can immediately calculate the required thickness of the application of warm plaster to ensure effective thermal insulation, and then the amount of material that will be required for these purposes. To do this, at the beginning of the article there are two convenient calculators.
• For beginners, it is recommended that you first familiarize yourself with the theory: the purpose and composition of warm plasters of various types, with the principles for carrying out the necessary calculations, with a brief overview of popular brands. After that, it will be easy to return to calculators, and already competently make calculations.

Calculators for calculating warm plaster

Calculator for calculating the required thickness of a warm plaster layer

The meaning of the calculation is that the enclosing structure (including, in fact, the main wall itself and layers of insulation) must have a total heat transfer resistance not lower than that established by regulatory documents (SNiP) for a given region in accordance with its climatic features.

warm plaster

• The value of the normalized value of the heat transfer resistance (R) can be taken from the diagram below:

• Main wall options. To be finished with warm plaster, include the material of its manufacture and thickness in millimeters.
• Warm plaster is extremely rarely used as the main insulation, and more often becomes an addition to the main layer. It is necessary to enter the parameters of this layer: the thickness and type of insulation material.

During repair work, some owners think about wall insulation. This can be done both outside and indoors with the help of mineral wool or foam. It is usually expensive, and it takes up most of the volume. It is easy and unusual to insulate walls with warm plaster. So two tasks are solved at once - thermal insulation is carried out and walls are decorated.

Warm plaster is a special leveling composition with the addition of heat-insulating materials. Perlite or vermiculite is added to ordinary gypsum or cement. Sometimes expanded polystyrene or other "warm" bulk components are added to the plaster. A gypsum-based mixture is only suitable for interior finishing work, and cement mortar can be safely used for facade decoration.

In the construction market, most of the assortment is occupied by perlite plaster. It is the most practical and inexpensive compared to other similar mixtures. It consists of expanded perlite, which at first glance looks like fine gravel or gray sand. It is recommended to use such plaster indoors. It is also allowed to finish the facade of the building, but you need to remember the high hygroscopicity of the material.

Insulating plaster is produced by a few manufacturers, so when buying, you need to pay attention to the description of the mixture. Not all have thermal insulation properties. Some are also positioned as soundproof and environmentally friendly.

On average, the thermal conductivity of plaster is not very high compared to the same foam or mineral wool. And sometimes they showed, indicated on the package, turn out to be quite low. This suggests that the characteristic of the "warmth" of a particular type of plaster was added unreasonably. In any case, you should not count on significant warming of the room due to warm plaster.

Warm plaster is in the middle price category, so it is not available to everyone. But there is a simple way out of this situation - do-it-yourself warm plaster is not so difficult to prepare. To prepare the mixture, you need to take one part of gypsum or cement, 1 part of sand and 4 parts of perlite. Everything is filled with water in the amount necessary for the solution is akin to sour cream. This is an approximate recipe for making warm plaster. In each case, a different ratio of ingredients is selected, additional components are added.

If the thermal insulation properties of the walls are satisfactory, but you want to bring them to the ideal value, warm plaster is a good option. To seriously insulate a cold room, it will not be enough.

Technology and application rules

You can apply warm plaster on the walls yourself. The technology is quite affordable and not very complicated. Consider all the stages of work using the example of a gypsum-based mixture for interior decoration.

1. Surface preparation.

The temperature in the repaired premises should not be lower than +5° and higher than +30°С, humidity - no more than 75-80%. To begin with, the surface of the walls must be cleaned of old wallpaper, paint, peeling off plaster. Large holes and irregularities should be covered. Then a primer is applied to clean walls for better adhesion of materials. The room is left until completely dry.

1. Lighthouses.

When the walls are completely dry, you can proceed to the next step. To achieve perfect evenness of the walls, it is better to use a system of lighthouses. They are exposed around the perimeter, fastened with a solution. The installation scheme is standard, as for any repair work.

1. Solution preparation.

Warm plaster is prepared at the rate of 1 kg of powder per 0.5 l of water. For waterproof plasters, the amount of water is significantly reduced (up to 0.2 l). To avoid clumping, it is better to mix with a special mixer or in a mixer. To achieve uniformity of the mass, mixing should be carried out twice with an interval of 5 minutes. You should not prepare a lot of solution at once, it can dry out quickly.

1. Wall application.

The finished solution must be immediately applied to the walls with a spatula and evenly stretched over the surface. The thickness of the layer depends on the condition of the surface, but cannot exceed 5 cm. A very thick coating is applied in several passes. The minimum layer must be at least 5 mm. If necessary, the surface is cut along the beacons, all irregularities and bumps are removed.

1. Gloss.

At the final stage, the surface can be glossed. You need to start it no earlier than a couple of hours after applying the plaster. Walls are rubbed with a special sponge dipped in water. The escaping liquid is carefully leveled with a spatula.

If there is no special desire to mess around with warm plaster, you can resort to the services of professionals. They will quickly and efficiently carry out all the work.

Insulation of walls with bulk plaster

An alternative to expensive warm plaster is bulk plaster on the wall, which, thanks to a thick layer, creates additional thermal insulation. And most importantly, it allows you to create a unique design pattern without resorting to complex techniques and materials.

Volumetric decorative plaster is not repair work, but rather decorating the wall with the help of patterned molding. In this way, you can create any image or mask an extra element on the surface. For example, from an awkward bulky column in the middle of a room, you can create a beautiful tree.

Thanks to this type of plaster, you can interestingly decorate the room by applying imagination. If there are no ideas, then special stencils are on sale for creating paintings on the wall. Playing with light and irregularities will give the room a special charm.

The method of applying bulk plaster is very simple:

• initially, the walls are prepared, cleaned and primed;
• then a stencil (stencils) is attached to the wall according to the instructions;
• then comes the direct application of the pattern on the stencil;
• the stencil is immediately removed, and the pattern dries until completely hardened;
• The last step is to paint the picture.

If standard bulk plaster kits seem banal and boring, you can order an exclusive work from an experienced craftsman.

Elastic plaster for facades is another type of bulk material. With its help, you can create large-scale paintings or abstractions on the outside of the building. At the same time, it is very durable and moisture resistant, and also creates additional thermal insulation for the entire structure.

It is possible to insulate an apartment, office or any other room not only with unaesthetic sheet insulation, but also with such beautiful and unusual materials as warm and voluminous plaster.