Bark beetle plaster service life. Types of facade plaster and tips for choosing it

Decorative plaster of walls for the house “Bark beetle” has not in vain gained popularity among builders. Thanks to its clear textured pattern, an unlimited number of color options, shades, due to the play of light and shadow in the grooves, designers use it not only for plastering building facades, but also for decorating rooms. All types are discussed in more detail later in the article.

Features of the material

Before deciding on plastering work, you should know that “ Bark beetles" come on various bases:

• cement with polymer additives and stabilizers;
• acrylic;
• silicone;
• silicate (liquid glass).

Manufacturers provide a choice of dry or ready-made mixtures in buckets with granule diameters from 1 to 3.5 mm. Cement-based bark beetle can be used not only for facades, but also for decorative works inside buildings. It has a number of advantages that you should pay attention to:

• durable, resistant to mechanical stress;
• frost-resistant;
• not afraid of water, snow, hail;
• inexpensive.

Disadvantage: dust accumulates in the grooves. Because of this, the facade loses its attractiveness. But it can be washed without fear of damaging or washing off the paint.

Due to its small thickness and light weight, it can be applied to any substrate, even polystyrene boards. Let's look at the options and methods of applying this finishing material on the facades of buildings.

The larger the granule size, the greater the amount plaster mixture needed for one square meter.

Decorative finishing of external walls

The plaster mixture is intended for finishing the following surfaces:

• brick;
• stone;
• concrete;
• old plaster.

It is also used for finishing thermal insulation layers made of mineral wool, basalt wool, and polystyrene foam boards over a reinforcing mesh. The only condition for high-quality finishing this is a flat plane. Any depressions and irregularities will not allow decorative grooves to be applied to the surface.

There are some nuances regarding coloring, which will be discussed below.

What is better, painting the entire solution at once or painting a plastered wall with paints?

When planning decorative work, you need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of both methods.

Color can be added directly to the solution only in polymer compositions. White cement-based bark beetle is best painted with water-based or acrylic paints after complete hardening. Theoretically, the first method is better. I plastered it once and forgot about it. But it's not that simple.

If to finish the facade you need to paint 4-5 bags of the mixture at once, then what size dishes are needed and where to get them? Only large construction organizations with the appropriate equipment can afford this. Second problem: how to calculate exact quantity solution? What happens if one bucket is not enough? Guess the exact shade right on construction site impossible. There is a risk of leaving a stain on the facade for many years.

In most cases, plastered walls are painted with water-based paints after hardening. Economically this is justified.

Surface preparation

Preparation of stone, concrete, brick and other surfaces for finishing is mandatory and requires careful execution. To do this, clean it of dust and oil stains, fill the cracks, putty them with cement (for exterior) or gypsum mortar for interior work. Particular attention must be paid to searching for peeling old plaster. Such places must be removed and plastered again. H Surface cleaning can be done:

• manually metal brushes;
• brushes mounted on a drill or grinder;
• sandblasting machine.

If brick, stone, concrete walls, old ones with shells more than 3 cm deep, then a reinforcing mesh is pulled onto the surface. It's being plastered cement mortar, level, putty, prime.

Advice from experienced people:

• If an oil stain appears on the wall and it has not penetrated deeply, then it can be removed with a 3% solution of sulfuric acid. This is an ordinary electrolyte for filling batteries. You can buy it at an auto parts store. When diluting, it is necessary to pour the electrolyte into the water, and not vice versa! If you confuse it, it is possible that sulfuric acid boils and splashes. This operation is best done with glasses;
• A primer for painting is required. If this is not done, overuse of paint is inevitable.

How to remove old plaster?

Advice

Check the quality by lightly tapping the wall with a hammer. If the sound is dull, it means the layer has fallen behind the brick base and will fall off over time. Such areas must be removed and plastered again.

Plaster is removed in two ways:

• manually with a chisel, hammer, scraper, spatula;
• mechanical hammer drill or grinder with a diamond wheel.

In both cases it is necessary to get to the base. The final stage is cleaning with metal brushes manually or with a grinder, removing dust with a wet cloth or vacuum cleaner.

Plaster mixture Bark beetle

Before you start plastering works It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the manufacturers' recommendations for preparing the solution. Pay attention to the lifespan. That is, how long will the solution be plastic and workable. Please note that the recommendations indicate the approximate amount of water per kilogram of solution. Each batch may have some difference in the amount of water in one direction or another. Before starting work, you need to make a small amount of solution, a multiple of a kilogram, and weigh the amount of water.

The mixture must be stirred with a low-speed mixer or drill with a speed controller. After the first stirring, you need to leave it for 5 minutes to stabilize and stir again. Stir the mixture in such portions that you can use it completely.

In most cases, the survival time is about 3 hours. In order not to make a mistake with the amount of mortar and not to make too much, measure how much of it is needed per 1 m2 or how many square meters can be plastered with one bucket.

If the area is large, you will have to use several people. The iron rule of plasterers: one wall must be started and finished without interruption in work.

Advice

When calculating the amount of mixture, rely on the manufacturer’s data, but be sure to add 5-10% in reserve.

Technology of applying facade plaster

There is nothing complicated about the application technology. The marble chips themselves will regulate the thickness of the application. To apply you must have:

• stainless steel grater or spatula;
• plastic grater.

When applying the solution, the metal float should be held at an angle of about 45 degrees. Each master chooses the angle of inclination for himself.

Adviсe:

• the solution should have such a consistency that it does not slide off the grater;
• the solution must be applied without effort;
• do not take breaks until you have covered the entire wall with the mixture;
• From time to time, check the readiness of the mixture for making indentations with a plastic grater from granules.

Drying time for the plaster mixture is at least two days.

Getting different effects

When the decorative plaster mixture begins to dry out, you can begin to apply the design. The marks are applied vertically, horizontally, at an angle or in a circular zigzag motion, trying to achieve a resemblance to the passages of a bark beetle in a tree.

Adviсe:

• if you started doing it vertical stripes from top to bottom, then you cannot change the direction to the opposite from bottom to top;
• the same goes for horizontal, circular and zigzag movements.

You can start drawing only after it dries. It is difficult to determine how much time is needed accurate to the minute. But there is one caveat. When the mixture dries, it decreases in volume, and small granules protrude above the surface. As soon as the grout stops clinging to the entire surface with its sole, you can begin.

"Rain Jets"

This is the simplest one, but effective way drawing a picture on the facade. It is done by vertically sliding a grater from top to bottom. The “length of the jets” is adjusted by the plasterer. Here you need to adhere to strictly vertical movements.

Method "Vertical rain"

The higher the house, the larger the size of the granules.

"Slanting Rain"

These are the same “Rain Jets” only from a certain angle. This effect is more complicated than the previous one because you must strictly adhere to the once chosen angle.

“Slanting Rain” Method

Before you start using this effect, you must first try it on a separate surface to decide whether this method of decoration is suitable for your object or not.

"Bark beetle"

This is the simplest effect, it is not difficult to perform. To do this, you need to move the plastic grater randomly in all directions.

For home use, you should not take a mixture with granules smaller than 3 mm. Granules that are too small will not produce good results. visual effect on top. The grooves will be barely noticeable.

"Horizontal bark beetle"

Although such effects are most suitable for interior work, for implementation design ideas quite appropriate.

When using this effect, the main condition is not to deviate too much from the horizontal.

Two-colored bark beetle

This is a more complex and expensive method of applying plaster in two shades. There are two ways to achieve this effect.

First. Adding color to the solution and preparing the colored base at the first stage. The next step is to paint the protruding surfaces with a different color using a short-nap roller.

The second method is to first paint the entire wall with a long-nap roller. It is necessary to ensure that all recesses (paths of the woodworm) are painted. At the second stage, the protruding surfaces are painted with a short-nap roller.

Thus, the recesses will be one shade, and the overall tone will be different.

For finishing the exterior of a house, “Bark Beetle” fits perfectly. It should be noted that when selecting shades for painting, there is a rule. No more than three colors should be used. In exceptional cases, four. Moreover, the fourth shade should be no more than 5%. It could be window frames, protective strips on the roof.

The foundation must be in harmony with the roof. If you can't pick it up suitable color foundation coincides with the roof, then use contrasting or neutral colors.

His Majesty is neutral gray harmonizes with almost all shades. See how the color scheme was chosen to decorate the walls of a residential building.

Pay attention to the almost complete match of the shades of the foundation with the roof. Painting the walls white and light green.

Selection options decorative solutions so many. After graduation finishing works impregnate the façade with a water-repellent compound. This procedure will protect the walls from the destructive effects of moisture and low temperatures for many years.

Interior decorative finishing of the house

For finishing interior spaces designers are looking for new ideas. “Bark beetle” is a textured plaster, characterized in that it:

• has a unique textured pattern;
• strong, durable;
• Can be repainted with different colors many times.

Great resistance to abrasion, the ability to wash walls from dirt makes its use in rooms with a large number of visitors quite justified. Small pebbles of the same diameter create bizarre, unique grooves.

Decorative stone-like plaster goes well with wood and drywall. Small sections of the wall or a completely plastered room with “Bark Beetle” is practical and modern. The use of matte paints, painting in two colors, creates an imitation of bark different breeds tree. Acrylic or plaster compositions are suitable for decorating a bedroom, bath, children's or living room.

Peculiarities

For interior work, the industry offers ready-made mixtures:

• acrylic;
• silicate;
• silicone;
• polymer cement.

Only polymer-cement compositions are sold in dry form. They must be prepared before use. To do this you need a low speed mixer, a bucket, and water. The main condition for high-quality plaster is a clean and smooth wall. To work, you need a stainless steel float and plastic grout.

Hallway decoration

To create unique interior It is not necessary to plaster the entire room. It is enough to select one or several walls. In order for the room to look aesthetically pleasing, it is necessary to remember that the “Bark Beetle” is not suitable for every style. For a small hallway, you should take into account the following: vertical stripes make the room higher, and horizontal stripes lower.

Advice

When selecting colors, try to use no more than three. The hallway is where guests find themselves. In most cases, it does not shine with large areas and natural light. Therefore, when decorating a hallway, it is recommended to use warm pastel colors: beige, light brown, light orange.

Decorating the hallway in the “Loft” style

This style of room decoration seems primitive, but in terms of the cost of decoration it is one of the most expensive. How bigger room resembles a workshop or utility room, the cooler the design. The texture of the wall with deep grooves is what the Loft lacks.

Bathroom finishing

This plaster mixture is very resistant to wet conditions and its use for bathroom decoration is quite justified. But it should be remembered that the “bark beetle” is not ceramic tiles. The bathroom should have good ventilation. The walls must be completely dry after moistening.

When plastering, consider the base material of the walls: stone, concrete, brick or plasterboard. If the walls are plasterboard, they must first be plastered with cement mortar over a reinforcing mesh. The bathroom has many plumbing fixtures plated with chrome or nickel.. Therefore, Techno style is best suited. Walls covered in two tones using metallic shades will highlight the Techno style in the bathroom.

Bark beetle in the bedroom

In order to do original design For a bedroom, it is enough to plaster one of the bedroom walls in a minimalist style.

Advice

Silicone is the most expensive, but its performance qualities are leveled high price . After drying, the surface becomes shiny and will last for decades.

Chalet style bedroom

To decorate a bedroom in a rustic style, it is enough to decorate one wall with a textured layer. The bark beetle will come in handy in this case.

For rustic style inherent:

The wall made of stone blocks near the fireplace looks interesting, the surface of which is eaten away by a bark beetle.. Local lighting of the surface will cast fancy shadows, emphasizing the relief structure.

In the living room

The living room is the central room in the house. Family gathers here for the holidays and receives guests. This room should be a source of pride for the owners. Smooth, white walls have long been out of fashion. The textured surface of the walls will help add zest to the design of the room.

Pay attention to the use of local lighting to accentuate the plastered wall. The living room should have a festive look, so it is recommended to paint it in two colors. When painting, there are two options: the base color is light or dark. It all depends on taste. The second color should be contrasting to the first.

Examples of small and large rooms

Bark beetle plaster in the corridor also has a right to exist. The corridors in the apartments are not very wide. Sometimes it is difficult for two family members to stretch in a narrow space. There is always a risk of rubbing yourself against the wall. The bark beetle is so strong that repeated touching is of no use to it.

Advice

To keep this small space looking fresh all the time, leave some paint after finishing and touch up worn areas on the walls from time to time.

This type of finishing material is intended for facade finishing. Is a powder light color, may have small inclusions-granules, the size of which will determine the final appearance of the façade finish. The average granule size is 2.5 mm; the “pebbles” of this fraction are most convenient when applying finishing. The result is crisp.

What is it?

Advantages

• Feedstock. Compared to the components included in conventional facade plaster, decorative plaster “Bark Beetle” contains mineral additives and polymer materials, which gives the finish greater viscosity, and, as a result, greater adhesion to the wall surface.
• Environmental friendliness. The raw materials are harmless and do not emit toxins that negatively affect the human body.



• Less weight. It is due to the presence of the same components, and this significantly reduces the load on the walls. In addition, the plaster does not shrink on the walls during the hardening process.



• Good impact resistance and frost resistance. This plaster can be used for exterior decoration walls - it is not afraid of frost (down to –55°C), exposure to ultraviolet radiation, wind and damp weather. In connection with the latter fact, it is also true that walls can be washed even with the use of mild chemicals.



• Excellent vapor permeability. This promotes good ventilation of the walls, the surface “breathes”, therefore, fungal infections do not form on the walls, which, in turn, extends the service life of the building.



• Good colorability. As a rule, plaster is produced white/light, but if desired, the powder can be colored using pigment additives-dyes before preparing the solution, or water-based paint with added coloring agents can be applied over the plaster on the wall. By the way, you can plaster with “Bark beetle” interior walls– the decor will look no less attractive.



• Reasonable price. Compared to other finishing materials in its segment, this plaster is not that expensive. Add to this the budget savings when applying, and the price will drop even more.

Composition, labeling, scope

“Bark beetle” plaster contains a powdery mass mixed with filler (granules) of fine fractions. Based on the fractions of granules, you can determine for which work one or another type of product is more suitable. For example, the K15 marking on the packaging means that the granules have a size of 1.5 mm, and K35 - 3.5 mm.



As a rule, the range of fraction sizes is 0.8–3.5 mm. The finest grains are used mainly for interior decoration. And larger ones (2–3.5 mm) can be used in facade decoration.

Important: the size of the fractions affects both the size of the finishing recesses and: for large fractions the material consumption is higher (for comparison: plaster with fractions of 2 mm is consumed at the rate of 2.5 kg/1 m2, while plaster with fractions of 0. 8 mm - only 1.5 kg/1 m2). This should be taken into account when applying material to walls during finishing.

It is worth noting that plaster with smaller granule fractions will cost more due to the complexity of the grain filtration technology.

Price

Prices for decorative plaster“Bark beetles” may vary depending on several factors: the type of mixture (ready-made or dry, gypsum or acrylic), the size of the filler fractions, and the country of origin. Thus, domestic plaster “Bolars” starts from 390 rubles/bag (25 kg), but “Ceresit” or “Crysel” for the same weight will cost 430 - 600 rubles/bag.



The price also takes into account the type of mixture for finishing - internal or external. It is clear that facade finishing requires more durable and quality material, therefore the price for it will be higher - from 550 rubles/bag.



Mesh for plaster reinforcement

Another component of the price of plaster mixture is labor. So, if you just need finishing finishing of the facade, then similar work with preparing and priming the surface, putty, etc. will cost 350 rubles/m2, if you need to cover the façade with fiberglass mesh for reinforcement and insulation, another 150 rubles/m2 will be added. These are average prices, everything will depend on the volume of work and the complexity of its implementation. Therefore, it will be more profitable to acquire some skills in plastering surfaces with your own hands - this way you can save up to 500 rubles / m 2.

Types of plaster and some nuances

"Bark beetle" can be produced on gypsum and acrylic base, the difference between which is in the application technology. If you can still apply gypsum plaster yourself, then it is better to entrust the application of acrylic plaster to specialists - it is more “picky” in composition and it will be difficult for an inexperienced person to work with it.



The second difference is the appearance of the final finish. Gypsum plaster will look simpler on the wall, while acrylic is more attractive.

The third difference is the ability to purchase “completely prepared” mixture in sealed buckets. Acrylic plaster is already completely ready; all you have to do is add the desired color (and here it is important not to overdo it, because different colors have a negative impact on general view wall decoration).



Plaster color options: amount of dye per 1 liter of wax

But gypsum mixture can only be dry - and only in bags. However, its cost is much lower than acrylic, and although you have to prepare the solution yourself, applying the mixture to the walls is much easier.

Application technology

The general principle of operation: the prepared mixture is applied to the walls with a spatula, then the raw solution is rubbed with a plastic spatula. The most important thing here is to apply the mixture evenly over the entire surface from edge to edge. without a break. Since the mixture dries quickly, it should be applied quickly. Pattern decorative finishing will depend on the direction of movement of the plastic spatula and granules in the mixture.

Pattern options:

• “rain” - movement of the spatula up and down;



• “circles” - moving the spatula in a circle



• “crosses” - the spatula moves crosswise.



You can use a spatula and your imagination.



Stage 1. Surface preparation. This includes the department old decoration(if there was one), removing defects, filling up cracks, leveling the walls (sanding), removing dust and covering them with a mixture of primer and sand.

Stage 2. Preparation of the solution. It is important to remember here that water is first poured into the container for mixing the solution and only then the plaster is poured into the water in small portions. The water temperature is room temperature (within 20°C), you need to stir the solution with a construction mixer or a drill with a special attachment.

Important: the mixture must be used immediately; adding water to “re-stir” the hardening solution is unacceptable!



Stage 3. Applying plaster. The mixture is applied with a grater, at an angle of 60° to the application surface, and rubbed over the wall. The plaster should be rubbed with quick, energetic movements until it stops sticking to the grater. After this, using the same grater, you can form a pattern. You should not press too hard on the plaster. If in some place the grooves from the granules are not visible, you can add grains there.



Advice: Before applying the plaster, it is recommended to cover all surfaces that may be accidentally stained with the mixture, and seal the baseboards with masking tape.

After the material begins to thicken (after about a quarter of an hour), you can go over the surface again with a clean grater - here you can apply pressure on the layer, the plaster should no longer stick to the grater.



You can add “color” to the surface by covering the plaster with acrylic varnish - glossy or matte, with the addition of mother-of-pearl or pigments. The coating can be applied only one day after the plaster mixture has dried. It should be remembered that before application you will have to prime the “Bark Beetle” layer with an acrylic primer again, otherwise the coating will “spot”. After re-priming, you can apply the varnish with a rubber spatula. It is noteworthy that after application acrylic varnish The bark beetle plaster mixture does not require additional putty.

It is perhaps difficult to find a more famous decorative plaster than the bark beetle. This method finishing and products of the same name are the most popular nowadays when choosing a façade design option. Finishing called decorative plaster, bark beetle is most often used specifically for exterior finishing, but it can also be found in the interior.

Composition and characteristics of the bark beetle

Textured bark beetle plaster got its name due to the special grooves that appear after its application. These grooves replicate special patterns that are similar to the trail of bark beetles that they leave in wood. Achieving this effect was possible thanks to the use of various mineral fillers in decorative plaster. The finer the filler, the finer the pattern, and vice versa - the larger the size of the granules, the more grooves will appear.

The standard granule size is 2.5 mm. In this case, the most beautiful texture is obtained, which is suitable for facades. Granules of 2 mm are very common, but grains of 1.5 mm and 3 mm are already rare. In some cases, in order to stand out from competitors, a mixture with mineral chips is produced, the size of which is 0.1 mm or 4 mm. It is believed that the smaller the granules, the more suitable the material is for decorating walls in the interior.

Varieties of decorative bark beetle plaster:

1. Plaster. This material is sold dry and must be diluted with water to create a solution.
2. Acrylic. The material is sold ready-made and will only need to be mixed before application.

Regardless of the type of bark beetle, you will also have to choose among manufacturers. They all create decorative plaster using approximately the same technology, but they always add something of their own to the composition. Different bark beetle compositions from different manufacturers lead to slight differences and features.

A number of manufacturers use polymer components and mineral fillers in their products instead of sand. This allows you to reduce the weight of the finished material with the same volume, and this in turn reduces the load on the walls and other elements of the building that are covered with the mortar.

Positive characteristics

• The low cost of decorative bark beetle plaster is one of its main advantages.
• Ease of application compared to others decorative materials causes increased interest in the bark beetle from those who have never plastered walls.
• It is easily tinted in the mass and painted after application, which allows you to get any desired color.
• Absence from the lineup harmful substances makes the material environmentally friendly.
• Resistance to mechanical stress enables vacuuming finished coating and wash it with a sponge.
• The ability to use when finishing facades without fear of severe frosts and bright sun. Facade decorative bark beetle plaster does not deteriorate when low temperatures and does not fade from ultraviolet radiation.
• The vapor permeability of the material eliminates the possibility of fungus.

Scope of application and subtleties of choice

Knowing what bark beetle is, what its main features and advantages are, it’s time to think about where it can be used, and also how to choose the right material. In fact, the scope of application of decorative bark beetle plaster is very large, because this material can be used to level minor differences in walls.

Bedroom, corridor, hallway, facade country house, interior and exterior walls of the garage, kitchen, etc. - there are many places where bark beetle can be used. It’s just that when decorating interiors you will have to be more careful in choosing the material and the method of applying it, because in this case the decorative properties will come first.

The grooves created can have different directions (top to bottom, left to right or from corner to corner), which will visually change some imperfections in the interior.

The choice of material plays an important role. Most people prefer proven brands, so mineral decorative plaster Ceresite bark beetle is an obvious choice for them. However, even in this case, you will need to choose a brand of material, so knowing the brand is not enough.

But you should start by choosing a dry solution or a ready-to-use material. Ready-made material is more expensive, since you do not need to look for a mixer, add water and knead the solution. Ready-made mixtures are created at the factory, which means they will have a homogeneous structure without lumps. If dry decorative bark beetle plaster is mixed correctly, it will also be of high quality.

Also pay attention to the grain that was mentioned earlier. It is better to look at examples of the texture of bark beetles with granules of different diameters. Only by seeing how different the effects of the grooves are can you understand which granules are right for you personally. Do not forget that the larger the filler fraction, the greater the material consumption will be.

For facade finishing, a solution with granules from 2 mm is ideal. But for decorative finishing in the interior, it is best to use the fine fraction. The smaller it is, the more beautiful the coating will look. It is best to take a grain of 1-1.5 mm. Larger ones will look rough, while smaller ones require certain skills and abilities.

Preparatory work and selection of tools

Before applying decorative plaster, the bark beetle must be prepared work surface. The wall should be prepared in the most ordinary and standard manner. It should be cleaned of old coatings, dust, dirt, grease, rust and mold. Next, the wall is treated with putty to make it as smooth as possible and remove all defects (cracks, chips, depressions). Perfectly smooth and flat surface is not required, because decorative bark beetle plaster creates an uneven texture.

If work is carried out with fine-grained material (granules up to 1 mm), then the walls should be leveled to the maximum, because the solution will be applied thin layer, and will not be able to hide such a defect.

Additional protection in the form antifungal agents is required only if the work is carried out in a room with high level humidity. The wall, which has dried after puttying, is treated with a layer of primer, which improves the adhesive properties of the solution. The color of the primer should be identical to the color of the future coating. Depending on the selected material and factors environment drying will take from 4 to 12 hours.

To work you will need the following tools:

• roller (for priming and painting);
• spatula;
• grater;
• trowel;
• plastic grater;
• bucket;
• drill with mixer attachment;

The last two points are necessary for mixing the solution. Of course, if you purchased a dry mixture and not a ready-made solution. Making decorative bark beetle plaster with your own hands is very simple. To do this, you need to pour the purchased dry mixture into a bucket of water and stir. The required volume of water is always indicated by the manufacturer.

Typing required quantity water room temperature, add the dry mixture to it. Constantly pouring dry solution into the bucket, stir it using a drill with a mixer attachment. Then the resulting mixture settles for 10-15 minutes and is mixed again.

Periodic stirring of the mixture will be required during operation. This will prevent the formation of lumps and drying out of the solution. It is believed that one batch is suitable for 1-3 hours from the moment of preparation, depending on the manufacturer and brand of material.

The most optimal solution is to apply the solution to cement-sand plaster. However, you can also work with the following surfaces:

1. Concrete
2. Brick
3. Stone
4. Drywall

Simple and clear application technology

Decorative bark beetle plaster should be applied to a dry and prepared surface. A metal trowel is used for application. Using a spatula, scoop the solution onto a trowel and then spread it evenly over the wall. The tool is held with both hands at an angle to the wall and drawn from bottom to top. This makes it possible to cover large areas very quickly with the solution.

The thickness of the applied layer must correspond to the grain size of the filler. If you try to make the layer thinner, then all the granules will be visible on the surface, and the result will be a rough structure. If the layer is too thick, then the decorative bark beetle plaster will not be able to manifest itself. The fact is that the notorious grooves are created precisely because the grater touches the filler granules, causing them to move from place. As they move, they create grooves. If the layer of solution is too thick, then all the granules will be lost in it, and the grater will not be able to “stir” them.

It is advisable to cover the entire wall at once before it dries. After applying the solution, half an hour passes before it dries. It is after this time that the most favorable moment comes for the appearance of decorative bark beetle plaster on the surface. The solution has not yet dried and you can work with it, but it is no longer wet, so it will not come off.

If you do not have time to treat the entire intended area, then you should stick a strip masking tape to the place you manage to reach. Next, apply the solution up to and onto the tape. Then this tape will be torn off along with the solution on it, and you can continue working from the smooth edge.

Immediately after applying the solution and before forming patterns, another procedure should be performed. We are talking about grouting using a trowel. You just need to run a trowel along the wall under pressure, removing excess decorative bark beetle plaster. Moreover, the solution is removed without granules and, in fact, it is not needed, since it does not help form patterns. This solution is removed from the trowel with a spatula and removed separately from the bulk of the material. You should walk over the entire surface and collect all excess solution from it. You can learn more about this technique and much more from the video below.

After the application of decorative bark beetle plaster is completed, it’s time to start forming patterns. If you doubt whether it’s too early, just run your hand along the wall, it shouldn’t stick.

Options for possible patterns

When giving the coating texture, a plastic grater is used. It picks up the granules in the solution, causing them to move and create different patterns. To do this, you just need to move the grater along the wall and that’s it. However, despite its apparent simplicity, this is a decisive stage, because it is this stage that should create beauty on the wall.

• "Rain" is the most popular option of all. To do this, you need to make vertical wires with a plastic grater, but sometimes they do diagonal ones. In the second case, you will need to mark the wall so that the pattern is beautiful.
• To create the “lamb” effect, circular movements with a small amplitude are used. The chaotic grooves that appear as a result of this method resemble lamb's wool. By the way, decorative bark beetle plaster in some regions is called lamb.
• The “carpet” effect is manifested by alternating vertical and horizontal rubbing. The resulting cross-shaped texture, if it is not very large, resembles a carpet.
• "Crosses" are a type of "carpet". Their difference from the previous method is that grouting is carried out diagonally in two perpendicular directions.

If you have a rich imagination, you can always come up with your own method and create a unique texture.

Final painting

Although decorative bark beetle plaster can be tinted in bulk, it is much preferable to paint the finished coating to obtain the desired color. Painting has a number of advantages over bulk tinting:

1. You don’t need to immediately choose a color and spend money on it. You can put off painting for a week and slowly think about the color scheme.
2. You always know what color you will get. If you use toners, you can make a mistake with the tint due to the large mass of the solution. The paint is immediately visible, as is its shade. It will not change after application.
3. You can level the coating with sandpaper and then paint. In this case, traces of such a procedure will be invisible.
4. The grooves themselves and the protruding part of the coating may have different shades through the use of two different colors while painting.

Painting of decorative bark beetle plaster is carried out one day after completion of all work. During this time, the solution will dry completely, and the wall can be painted without fear. Some experts recommend waiting 3 days. However, before this, it is recommended to go over the wall with sandpaper to remove all the small protrusions that appeared after working with a plastic float. After such sanding, dust will settle on the walls, which should be removed with a damp cloth, and only then the wall can be painted. This can be done more conveniently and quickly using a roller.

Experienced craftsmen prefer to paint the entire wall, and after a while do another painting with a different shade. The second layer is applied carefully so that it does not go into the grooves, but remains on the surface. In this case, the coating will be two-color. Sometimes, at the very end, the wall is additionally coated with matte varnish to emphasize the decorative characteristics of the coating and make the decorative bark beetle plaster more wear-resistant.

Hello Sergey,

If the choice of plaster is still relevant for you, and savings are not the only criterion, I would like to suggest you use material from a German company STO AG direct from the manufacturer.

To begin with, I would like to clarify which type of plaster best suits your needs.

Organic plasters are supplied ready for application in buckets. They have good elasticity, which makes them particularly resistant to microcracks during building shrinkage.

Organic plaster Stolit additionally reinforced with fiber fibers, which makes the ratio of strength and elasticity of the material optimal. Stolit does not require additional finishing coating, as it has good water-repellent properties. Available in a wide range of colors and shades. This allows you to save financial and time costs.

Price Stolit R(bark beetle) 2 mm(caliber) white per m2 excluding object discount 426.60 rubles.

It is recommended to apply an adhesive primer before applying plaster. Sto-Putzgrund.
Its cost in white form 52.72 rubles per m2 excluding object discount. When applying “bark beetle” in color, the primer must be tinted in the same color in order to achieve a uniform coating in the outer plane and grooves.

Inorganic plaster supplied dry in bags. Prepared on site before direct application. Inorganic plasters have the highest vapor permeability and are non-flammable. Inorganic plasters require an additional finishing paint coating. Compared to organic ones, they have a cost advantage.

Cost of inorganic plaster Sto-Strukturputz R 2.0 per m2 163.20 rubles excluding object discount.

It is recommended to use an adhesive coating first StoPrep Miral. Cost per m2 in white version 49, 39 rubles excluding object discount. The soil is tinted. When using a color finish, it is recommended to use a primer that is the same color as the finish.

In order to prevent overhead errors, and to take into account any subtleties, we are ready for free Arrange for a technologist to visit your site. Exactly at the site of the object The technologist will be able to offer the optimal solution for you.
If necessary, we are ready to arrange delivery.

The cost of products is indicated without discounts and tinting.
Taking into account the current promotion for all specified positions 15% discount guaranteed. Based on the scale of your property, I can offer additional particularly favorable conditions.

You will tell people the real price and real consumption... those willing to work in STO will immediately decrease sharply... when the plant is built, then we can talk about mass sales, today STO materials are still too expensive!

Paper or non-woven wallpaper, textured plaster for walls is becoming increasingly popular, which can bring to life the most daring design solutions. One of the most popular types of decorative plasters is bark beetle.

In fact, bark beetle is the case when, instead of unpleasant associations, there is genuine curiosity about the possibilities of this finishing material as the main design element in the interior of residential premises.

It's hard to believe that a woodworm can inspire someone to innovate, but that's exactly what happened with decorative plaster. The bizarre patterns of the borer beetle on a cut of wood prompted manufacturers to create a new species textured plaster for walls called - Bark beetle.

Decorative plaster was given to us by the West, concerned about competition, and in domestic construction it has taken root since the late 90s as a universal finishing coating for facades, walls and ceilings of interior spaces.

Small pebbles in the plaster mixture are the secret of a unique decorative effect. Such inclusions are usually: fine marble chips, synthetic acrylic dispersions, mineral binder, titanium dioxide.

The rest, literally, is in the hands of the one who will be on the wall: the originality of the decor created with a steel trowel and a wooden (plastic) grater will depend on the ease and ingenuity of his movements.

The granulated fraction will do its job, leaving on the plastic layer, without repetitions or coincidences, an intricate pattern in the form of circles, streams of rain, or tree bark. However, bark beetle is not the only type of decorative plaster. Venetian or Danish plaster, flocks, will help to significantly diversify the design of rooms. structural plaster“Fur coat”, “Lamb”, etc.

Structural bark beetle plaster, stretching into a layer up to 3 mm thick, fits perfectly on concrete, brick, plasterboard, polystyrene boards, sandwich panels, but prefers base plaster based on gypsum or cement.

And it interacts very poorly with metal or wooden surface, smooth glass or plastic.

The whole secret of the technology is revealed on the product packaging: follow the instructions - and everything will work out.

However, it is also worth taking care of the optimum temperature for plastering work: from +5 to +30 °C, with humidity up to 80%.

Types of decorative plaster Bark beetle

Manufacturers offer the construction market three types of this coating, differing in physical properties, thickness of application and ability to withstand external factors:

• for interior work,
• for facade work,
• universal purpose.

According to the level of preparation for use they produce:

• plaster – semi-finished product, in the form of a suspension; painted and packaged in buckets;
• dry mixture white With mineral granules, packed in bags containing instructions on how to make decorative bark beetle plaster.

Tint ready-made plaster quite difficult.

For this purpose, special machines are used, and desired shade selected on the computer.

So it’s better to immediately choose the desired color of plaster. Dry bark beetle plaster (according to the experience of specialists) uses less, and there are no problems with tinting - covering painting is used.

Surfaces plastered with bark beetle can be easily painted with silicate or silicone paints, but without unnecessary haste (not earlier than 3 days after drying).

A layer of paint is applied with a brush, fur roller or spray gun and gives the coating additional strength.

This type of plaster goes especially well with artificial stone, tiles, vinyl wallpaper.

Specifications

Characteristics with a layer thickness of 2.5-3 mm

According to the composition of the components for the construction market, Bark Beetle is produced based on:

1. acrylic - polymer binder.
2. potassium silicate - liquid glass.
3. cement and lime.

The first kind acrylic plaster, due to its excellent adhesion, it is able to withstand moisture in rooms with high humidity- showers, swimming pools, jacuzzi; It has an elastic surface, low vapor permeability, looks more impressive on the wall, but requires an application technique that is accessible, to a greater extent, to a professional.

Second type, silicate plaster with a high level of vapor permeability due to water-repellent additives; has excellent protective properties, durable, available in a variety of colors and shades.

Third kind, mineral plaster - a mixture of cement with the addition of quartz chips, characterized by frost resistance, fire safety and properties most in demand for finishing facades.

Why choose this type of plaster for finishing?

Advantages of plaster:

• reduces the load on the walls;
• has mechanical strength;
• easy to apply;
• dries quickly;
• has a wide color palette;
• moisture resistant;
• resistant to aggressive environments;
• frost-resistant (resistance range from -55 to +60 °C);
• vapor permeable;
• provides an elastic layer, which is important when shrinking buildings;
• does not require finishing;
• environmentally friendly;
• durable.

Vulnerabilities:

• In the event of an unexpected stop in work, the layer quickly sets;
• the layer application process is very sensitive to temperature conditions and sunlight;
• it is important that the water and tinted material used in the work are of the same quality and from the same batch;
• painting is carried out after the final drying of the layer.

How to choose

When choosing bark beetle plaster, look at the packaging. It indicates average consumption for this brand, which is important for calculating the purchase volume.

Typically, consumption depends on the size of the granules and the thickness of the layer. Always add 5-10% of the mixture to the reserve.

The consumption also depends on the manufacturer (if you suddenly use two different brands material), and on the amount of water and the quality of the prepared surface.

If a 25-kilogram bag of decorative bark beetle plaster costs from 600 to 3,300 rubles, then the cost of finishing 1 m² of wall is from 500 to 800, depending on the type of work and reinforcement.

Approximate prices for decorative bark beetle plaster

Manufacturers

The best selling brands are: Ceresit, Dufa, Baumit. Durability, quality, and aesthetics of the surface determine their advantage when chosen by the buyer.

German investment projects are the basis for the recognition of domestic manufacturers “Bergauf” and “Bolars” in the construction market, which supply more than 20 regions of Russia and the CIS countries with their products. The products of these brands comply with the State Standard of the Russian Federation and international technical requirements.

In addition to them, decorative bark beetle plaster is produced Russian companies“Osnovit”, “Vetonit”, “Atlas”, Volma”, “Hercules”, “Caparol”.

The UNIS group of companies is the successor to the leading enterprises of Soviet industry producing hundreds of product ranges of dry mixtures. UNIS has hygiene certificates, which allows it to make supplies for the construction of children's and medical institutions.

Despite the large number of domestic manufacturers, it is still better to give preference to foreign brands.

Consumer opinions and reviews

“... I took it for testing, for finishing a fireplace, with a grain of 2.5 mm. Despite the fact that it was my first time working, two years have already passed without incident. The plaster was easy to apply, but without gloves it scratches the skin.

The drawing was done on a whim, first creating a sample. The impression is good, and the price is quite reasonable. It’s bad that during use dust accumulates in the rough surface...”

Zelentsov Sergey, 41 years old, crane operator

“...My son and I were making walls in the hallway. Previously, there was washable wallpaper, which our Barsik shamelessly tore up. New finish he didn't win. It took a little more than the amount indicated on the package. Probably because we are not specialists and did this kind of work for the first time. But I liked it..."

Anisimov V.M., 62 years old, pensioner

“...They entrusted the plastering to the builders. We made walls in the corridor and on the loggia. It turned out great, but there is no warmth or comfort in this plaster... It is more suitable for a southern house with stone floors and an abundance of sunny colors. But, it’s worth admitting, even after three years the walls are in perfect condition...”

Baeva Tatyana, 34 years old, manager

“...We used bark beetle plaster for interior decoration country house. We took silicate, domestic. They hired guest workers, but construction workers in the past.

The decorative effect is, of course, impressive. And I was pleased with the color of the plaster. But the mood was spoiled by a crack that appeared 4 months later. The craftsmen said that this was due to glue from another company, which we used to putty the bolts. Who knew about this..."

Gizzatullin Kamil, 45 years old, dealer