How and what to plaster aerated concrete: requirements for

In modern construction, both in private and in industrial, aerated concrete is used quite actively as molded blocks. Such a building material is nothing but an artificial stone of a cellular type, over the entire surface of which specific pores are located, the diameter of each of which is approximately 1-3 mm.

Such popularity of the porous material is due to the fact that aerated concrete combines such important qualities as:

• Low weight;
• Low heat conductivity;
• Ease of processing.

One of the most striking and significant features of aerated concrete is high vapor permeability. However, only a competent choice of material for plastering and the proper production of finishing work will allow this property to work for the benefit, i.e. from the inside out. For this reason, you should familiarize yourself not only with the rules for choosing a finishing material, but also learn how to plaster aerated concrete correctly.

How to choose a mixture for finishing

In addition to the previously noted advantages of a building material such as aerated concrete, blocks of this type also have disadvantages:

• Low resistance to moisture;
• Unpresentable appearance.

But these problems can be solved without difficulty, the main thing is to choose the right plaster mix.

Requirements for plaster

To be sure that the purchased plaster mixture for aerated concrete will create a high-quality finish, you should make sure in advance that the product you choose provides:

• High strength in compression processes;
• Excellent adhesive performance;
• Resistance to fluctuations in temperature;
• Water repellent performance;
• Vapor permeability;
• Resistance to frost.

All these, as well as other qualities necessary for high-quality finishing of surfaces from aerated concrete blocks, are possessed by specialized plaster mixes for aerated concrete and other materials of cellular type. (See also the article Aerated concrete facing: how to do.)

Note! The answer to the question of whether it is possible to plaster aerated concrete with cement mortar will be negative first of all because the water from the solution will immediately be absorbed into the walls, which will lead to further cracking.

And also think about whether it is worth to abandon the beneficial properties of vapor permeability of walls using a familiar and inexpensive solution. In this situation, it is better to prefer silicone-type plaster.

Features selection of finishing materials

The price of materials designed to work with aerated concrete surfaces, will be slightly higher than the cost of conventional finishing mixtures. But you should not try to save on such a product, because such attempts can lead not only to the deterioration of the appearance of the finish itself, but also to the loss of the functionality of the building.

Such defects may be:

1. Violation of indoor air microcirculation;
2. Increased moisture level;
3. The occurrence of cracks;
4. Peeling of material from porous surface.

Note! Materials intended for work with cellular surfaces have an appropriate marking, which indicates that they can be used to coat aerated concrete walls.

Features of the finishing works

The usual practice for building construction is the erection of walls and the finishing of the building outside during the building season, and the finishing inside is done in winter. But in the case of cellular blocks, such a scheme does not fit.

Note! In the case of aerated concrete, it is possible to begin plastering the facade only after all the wet finishing processes inside the building have been completed, such as pouring screeds, plastering and puttying the surfaces, or rather, after the main part of the moisture has been removed by drying the coating.

Understanding the reason for such a requirement can be only if we consider the physical characteristics of these processes.

As a result of the production of wet finishing works, a large amount of moisture accumulates in the room, which can be removed through ventilation and walls. In case there is a negative temperature outside, these same vapors will condense just between the facade decoration layer and the aerated concrete wall. The process of freezing the accumulated moisture will lead to the fact that the facade finish will crack and peel off. (See also the article Putty for concrete: how to do.)

Wall decoration inside the building

Instructions for interior decoration of cellular blocks is as follows:

1. Surface preparation. Removal of dirt from the walls;

Council If necessary, you can use a soap solution and a damp cloth.

1. Correction of the defect of the seams between the piece materials with the help of insulation or foam;
2. The joints are puttied with the use of specialized putty;
3. After the construction material has dried, the wall surface is primed;
4. Next, plaster is applied to the surface, which is carefully leveled, and after drying it is smoothed.

Facade finish

The following step-by-step instruction can answer the question of how to plaster aerated concrete with your own hands:

1. The primer of the facade with the use of specialized means for aerated concrete;
2. Fixing the reinforcing mesh on the surface with screws;

Council An alkali resistant fiberglass mesh should be used.

1. Application of specialized porous plaster on the surface with high vapor permeability;
2. Paint the facade with paint with decent vapor permeability;
3. After operating such a surface for 1-1.5 years in order to prolong its service life, the facade should be covered with a layer of water-repellent agent.

Note! If you need to drill a hole in the wall of aerated concrete, you can use a method such as diamond drilling holes in concrete. Well, if you decide to cut through, for example, another doorway in the wall, then you should use such a method as cutting reinforced concrete with diamond circles.

Finally

If you, producing finishing, give preference to high-quality materials intended for application to aerated concrete, and competently perform all the work, you will certainly end up with not only a reliable, but also a warm house.

And to learn even more about how and what to plaster walls of cellular material will tell you the video in this article.