What is putty? Renovation or construction of a house involves the need for a putty coat. It is thanks to it that the wall looks attractive and is properly smoothed. What exactly is putty? What types can we distinguish? What does it apply to? The answers to these questions can be found in the following article, which we cordially invite all interested readers to read.
Putty coat – what is it?
If we decided to define putty, we could come to the conclusion that it is a building material that is a modern replacement for traditional plaster. It is characterized by the fact that it creates a smooth surface, thanks to which the application of wall paint is much less problematic, and dust settles to a much lesser extent due to porosity. Due to the fact that we can distinguish several types of putty (which we mention later in the article), it will be perfect both during renovation and during the construction of a new house.
One of the basic components of the mixture is gypsum, which is not only binding, but also filling. It is worth mentioning that the composition also includes other materials, which include chalk and dolomite, as a consequence of which finishing works can be carried out precisely and without much haste. In order to adapt to customer preferences, manufacturers offer both ready-made putty in the form of a paste, as well as dry mixes that we have to mix on our own. Each of these materials is different from each other, which can be evidenced by different properties, as well as different prices.
What types of putty can we distinguish?
In practice, we can distinguish several types of plaster, due to the varied composition. Before you ever decide to buy a specific product, it is worth finding out what differences exist between the various types of plaster. One of the most popular is gypsum plaster. Its binding material can be gypsum of natural or synthetic origin. The latter version is available as a dry mix.
What does this mean in practice? It is necessary to mix the substance with the right amount of water. All information regarding the proportions can be found on the packaging. It is worth mentioning that the plaster with natural gypsum is characterized by a high level of whiteness, which means that it is ready for direct use. Unfortunately, it is less durable than synthetic gypsum, and the setting time is slightly longer. Despite the fact that gypsum plaster is used very often, we must not forget that it has a rather negative effect on metals. Their corrosion may turn out to be much faster, which is certainly not a favorable phenomenon.
Lime plaster is also quite famous, the composition of which is mainly based on lime. This type of substance is characterized primarily by its white color and above-average air permeability. However, we must not forget that the thickness of the layer should not exceed 5 mm, therefore, in the case of very uneven walls, this solution is not very desirable. Lime plaster does not cause corrosion, all because it is water vapor permeable. This substance can be applied in a very easy way, which should not be a problem even for complete amateurs.
There is also a cement plaster, which stands out among the others with incredible durability, as well as high resistance to external factors, which is why it is a material that is often used outdoors. The binder is cement. It is true that in this case the smoothing of the surface is not as perfect as in previous materials, however, there is no need to grind it, which is certainly a great advantage. Cement plaster can be applied manually or by machine – depending on individual preferences. The last material is a polymer plaster, which is just gaining popularity. It is an increasingly popular plaster, due to its resistance to moisture and heat. Compared to other coatings, this one is very flexible, consequently cracking due to slight movements is a very rare phenomenon.
Putty coat – what is it used for?
Some people are certainly wondering what the use of putty can be. This is one of the most common solutions for living rooms as well as for bedrooms. Gypsum plaster is distinguished by the fact that it sticks to almost any substrate. Each house also has rooms with higher humidity. In such cases, the lime type will be a hit. However, this material should be abandoned if we plan to decorate the wall with ceramic tiles – the coating will probably not be able to cope with the weight. Are you looking for a way to align the exterior walls of a building? Consider both lime and cement screed. Both compounds perfectly cope with various weather conditions, which is why it is a solution worthy of our attention.