Gypsum plaster is becoming a well known material in today’s time. From homeowners to builders, gypsum plaster in India is gaining recognition because of its fantastic features making it a good investment. Gone were the days when people used to apply traditional plastering on the internal walls, like cement plaster. With time, it has been realized that traditional plaster has a lot of disadvantages which can be combated using the best gypsum plaster. But, that doesn’t mean gypsum is spotless. It also carries a few disadvantages, and this blog delves deeper into understanding its pros and cons to a greater extent.
Advantages of Gypsum Plaster
- Can be easily sourced
Gypsum is a mineral which is sourced and processed to convert into gypsum plaster. Gypsum rock is heated at high temperatures, mixed with additives, and allowed to be set. And therefore, it can be easily sourced because they are factory-made. Also, the mixture of gypsum plaster in India is available in the form of ready mix plaster, which is easy to apply by mixing the water. Moreover, there are many gypsum plaster manufacturers and suppliers who deal with different quality gypsum, available both at online and offline stores.
- Very lightweight
Gypsum is hardened during the process of making. This makes it a very porous material, which varies depending on how hardened gypsum is. Thus, porosity gives it a lightweight. This quality is helpful because it won’t add extra weight to the construction. Porosity also makes gypsum plaster sound-absorbing and gives it a smooth surface.
- Less setting time
During the process of making gypsum plaster, it is heated up, evaporating all the water. Due to this chemical process, gypsum plaster is likely to dry quickly once applied. It has a very quick setting time as compared to traditional plaster. It dries up within 3 days, quicker than cement plaster, which takes 21 days. This feature allows the painter to paint as soon as plaster is done, saving construction time.
- No water curing
Because gypsum plaster has an exceptional quality of drying up quickly, it does not need water curing. With that said, after applying gypsum plaster, it requires little attention and care. This makes it very useful to save resources like water and time. Therefore, people suggest applying gypsum plaster as it saves construction time and is good to go with, even with little maintenance.
- Smooth finishing
Gypsum plaster is a material with low density and porosity. This porosity is helpful in giving it a smooth finish. Even with gypsum plaster one coat, one can see the smooth and glossy finish. Even on bumpy and uneven walls, they manage to maintain an even tone.
- Sustainable
Another reason why gypsum plaster is the best choice? The reason for the growing popularity of gypsum plaster is because it contributes to sustainability. Gypsum plaster is known for leaving a little residue behind. Also, as it needs no water curing, it saves resources like water, which is again sustainable.
- Fire resistant
Gypsum plaster one coat comes with safety. When gypsum comes in contact with fire, it reduces the spread of flame because it contains crystallized water which evaporates. Because of this, they don’t easily heat up, keeping the wall cool. This also impacts less dependency on heating and cooling devices, saving energy.
Disadvantages of Gypsum Plaster
The disadvantages of gypsum plaster may not overpower the advantages it carries. However, there are a few of them:
- Less water resistance
Gypsum plaster, as already mentioned, is highly porous. This feature helps gypsum plaster to absorb water and moisture in the atmosphere. Due to this, gypsum plaster is not well suited to apply in wet areas like the bathroom or washroom. Because of these properties, it is also possible that plaster breaks easily, and thus they aren’t always ideal.
- Ideal only for interior use
Gypsum plaster can’t be used for exterior purposes because when it comes in contact with water, its durability is affected. Therefore, it is not ideal for exterior use because of moisture and water in the air. Since it’s not waterproof, there are chances that the exterior wall may get damaged and might affect the interior wall too. Hence, gypsum plaster has very limited exterior use.
To sum up,
Gypsum plaster is a wonderful option which is ideal for interior use or making decorative items. Today, there are numerous gypsum manufacturers and suppliers who are dealing with Indian gypsum plaster, imported gypsum plaster and many other varieties to it. Each of these varieties shares different properties; please read our blogs to know more. Before buying gypsum plaster, ensure its application, cost and the dealer you are buying from, as they impact the quality of gypsum.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- What is gypsum plaster used for?
Gypsum plaster is commonly used for interior decorations, sculpting, creating a protective coating at ceiling and wall.
- What is the difference between gypsum plaster and normal plaster?
Gypsum plaster have more advantages than a normal plaster. It gives a smooth surface, is easy to apply, have less setting time and needs no water curing. This feature is lacking in normal or traditional plaster.
- Is gypsum plaster and putty the same?
No, they aren’t the same. A putty is a fine powder mixture that is applied as a base for paint. They fill the pores in the wall and make it smooth. Whereas, gypsum plaster not only smooths the wall but also works as a protective coating.
- Is gypsum plaster water resistant?
No, gypsum plaster is not water resistant. When it comes in contact with water or moisture, it absorbs them making the plaster weak.
- What is the disadvantage of gypsum plastering?
The main disadvantage of gypsum plaster is that they aren’t water resistant. Because of this, they can’t be applied to places that come in frequent contact with water. They are also limited to interior use which does not make them ideal as it should.
- How to apply gypsum plaster?
Firstly prepare the surface by applying a bonding agent to get rid of cracks and pores. After that, create the mixture of plaster by adding the water. By using the necessary equipment, apply a layer of plaster on the wall.