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Choosing the Right Plaster Finish for Your Project
A plaster finish is going to add a level of sophistication to your room or rooms that’s nearly impossible to achieve any other way. But a lot of the success of a decorative plastering job depends on choosing the right plaster finish. But how do you do that?
To start with, step back and consider the room itself. What is its primary purpose? For example, if it’s in the pool area then you will need to select a water-resistant plaster and just as important, you will need to be certain you choose the right substrate too because it’s inevitable that some moisture will eventually work its way through the exterior surface.
You will also need to consider how the space will be lit. For example: if you have south-facing windows that flood the space with light you would think that is ideal in just about any circumstance. Right? Not really. The problem is that light streaming in from south-facing windows is going to draw attention to any flaws in the plaster. When it comes to artificial lighting you will need to make sure you choose lights that complement the finish of the plaster.
Maintenance of Plaster Finishes
Plaster finishes are well-known for their durability but no material is completely immune to the passage of time, plasters included. Over time surfaces can get scratched and scuffed. But the extent of the scratching and scuffing will depend in large part on how well you treat the surface. If you have it installed and then just ignore it for the next 20 years it will definitely begin to show wear and tear.
On the other hand, if you take good care of your textured plaster finishes they will hold up remarkably well. Which is why you sometimes hear decorative plaster finishes referred to as ‘lifetime finishes’. The fact is that advances in the formulation of today’s plasters mean these surfaces are now easier to repair than ever before. You can often patch scratches and scrapes today that in the past might have called for a total replaster. If you ever have any questions about the maintenance of your plaster surfaces the team at Licata is always here to help.
More Advantages of Decorative Plaster Finishes
One-of-a-kind designs: With decorative plasters, you can create one-of-a-kind interiors that express your tastes and vision and that complement and inform your decor. The level of individuality you can achieve is far greater than you could ever achieve with paint or even wallpaper.
Timeless aesthetic appeal: The ability to create individualized interiors is an important thing. But the fact is no matter what type of statement you wish to make, your decorative plaster will make its own aesthetic statement that will stand the test of time.
The ability to mask imperfections: Minor imperfections on a painted or wallpapered surface are going to jump out at everyone. That is not the case with decorative plaster surfaces. The textured surface actually swallows up imperfections. Even if they are visible they often seem like a natural part of the surface.
Durability: Decorative plasters from Licata are extremely durable and will resist swelling, cracking and colour fading over time much better than paint or wallpaper. If you are in search of a decorative finish that won’t require a lot of maintenance but will laugh at the passage of time, try decorative plasters.
Ease of application: Decorative plaster finishes from Licata are easy to apply and dry quickly, enabling a fast completion of your project and minimal disruption to your home or business life. The key is to make sure you hire a skilled professional to do that application.
Variety: When it comes to decorative plaster finishes, variety truly is the spice of life. Whatever style, texture, colour or pattern you have in mind can be achieved with decorative plasters, and in a far more satisfying and long-lasting way then you could ever achieve with a painted surface.
Moisture resistance: Some decorative plasters are highly water-resistant which makes them an excellent choice for exterior facades as well as for bathrooms, pool rooms and other areas where there is a lot of moisture in the air.
It’s natural: Licata Venetian plaster typically consists of natural raw materials like marble dust, lime and pigments. As such it is an unexpectedly eco-friendly building material that should appeal to anyone interested in sustainable building, remodeling or renovating techniques.
Low VOCs: Speaking of natural… the natural raw materials that make up Venetian plaster also have lower volatile organic compound (VOC) levels than other finish materials helping to ensure fresh air inside your home or business.
Insulation capabilities: This one surprises a lot of people but it’s absolutely true. Decorative plaster finishes can enhance the thermal insulation ability of a space as well as helping to mitigate the amount of sound that infiltrates from outdoors or from adjoining rooms.
A joint-free, homogenous surface: With decorative plasters, you can create a visually compelling surface that is free of joints. Instead, the eye moves effortlessly up and down and from side to side drinking in the beauty of the texture and undulating colour effects.
Unparalleled elegance: For centuries decorative plaster surfaces were used to create elegant interiors in the palaces of the world, from the Winter Palace to Versailles. Today you can enjoy that same type of unparalleled elegance in your own home with decorative plaster finishes from Licata.
About Decorative Plaster Finishes
We provide a full line of decorative plaster and paint options capable of creating a compelling atmosphere that transcends the limitations of the space. Polished plaster, Travertino Romano and other decorative plaster finishes can be left as-is or finished with a high-quality water-based paint like our Klondike or Mavericks.
Venetian plaster is made of lime putty and marble dust and is tintable to your preferred colour. It is capable of producing the textured surface of your choice, but most often used to create the faux polished marble finish that appeals to so many.
Decorative plaster finishes extend the possibilities of the interior decor and provide a timeless backdrop to your furniture and accessory choices. Set the mood or activate your interior design concept with breathtaking decorative wall finishes by Licata.
Masters of Plaster and Paint Decorative Finishes
Licata is the product of thousands of years of tradition and expresses all that is best in both the practical and decorative building arts of Italy. We specialise in decorative wall finishes using a variety of traditional and contemporary materials and processes including Venetian plaster and a variety of paints that stand alongside the very best the industry produces.
Whatever type of decorative finish your imagination, or the imagination of your interior designer or painting contractor can conceive, Licata products can produce it. Licata is more than an industrial concern, we are a team of artists and artisans dedicated to advancing the decorative building arts and making them available to the widest possible audience.
DecoratIve Painted Finishes
A painted decorative finish, also commonly referred to as a “faux finish”, is capable of producing a variety of effects, including natural stone or a distressed look that gives an interior a timeless quality. These decorative finishes can be applied to walls and ceilings. Licata produces an array of decorative paints including:
- Klondike – Klondike is a versatile, elegant water-based paint characterised by unique colours.
- Mavericks – Also a water-based paint, Mavericks can create luminescent colour effects and is easy to apply.
- Imperium – This ecological decorative paint can be used to mimic the appearance of precious metals to create luxurious finishes in homes, offices and hotels.
- Meteore – This versatile and dense decorative coating is perfect for creating rich contemporary effects, including dazzling pearlescent shades.
With decorative faux finishes you have the ability to let your imagination loose with multidimensional finishes, sophisticated metallic effects, antique, weathered looks and much, much more.
The Case for Plaster Finishes
Lime plasters have a history dating back to the time of the Caesars. They remain an in-demand material due to their durability, flexibility and the stunning results they can produce. A plaster finish can be subtle or overt, bold or nuanced, thoroughly modern or as classical as the Pantheon.
Licata plaster finishes fit neatly into a tradition that is nearly as old as Western civilisation itself and are produced with the same care and thoughtfulness displayed by our ancient predecessors. In a world where we are being constantly urged to accept the artificial decorative plaster finishes are a timeless reminder that craft never goes out of style.
With Licata plaster finishes you have the ability to choose the colour, degree of texture and lustre (or lack thereof) of the finished product. Elegant Georgian townhouses, ultra-minimalist modern homes and every style in between can benefit from the application of a decorative plaster finish, whether in the bathroom, kitchen, living room or elsewhere.
When you choose Licata plaster renders you choose:
Durability – When properly mixed and applied by professionals a decorative plaster finish is actually stronger and more durable than drywall (plasterboard). As water escapes a chain reaction occurs that strengthens the plaster, making it less susceptible to damage from dings and knocks.
Ease of application – The process of installing a decorative plaster finish is relatively simple compared to other types of wall finish. Simple, but not necessarily easy. It takes the skilled hand of an experienced plasterer to apply the material in a way that will lend itself to long term viability. If you wish, Licata can recommend a contractor who will not let you down.
A quieter, safer house – As we have seen decorative plasters by Licata provide a host of benefits. But 2 of the least discussed are noise abatement and fire deterrence. A decorative plaster wall absorbs sound in a way less substantial finishes cannot. Decorative plaster finishes by Licata also provide a bulwark against fire and will help contain any blaze, as opposed to helping it spread like some materials can.
Click the links below to learn more about our various decorative finishes. Or call Licata on 020 8894 3372 to talk to a member of our team.
Quality Products you can trust
Licata Building Solutions is a leading Italian supplier of building materials, products and solutions for facades and interior surfaces. We have four depots and showrooms in the UK, all stocking our extensive product range.