Foam mesh - creating a reinforcing layer. How to plaster penoplex: the main stages of work How to plaster penoplex outside

November 12, 2016
Specialization: facade decoration, interior decoration, construction of summer cottages, garages. The experience of an amateur gardener and gardener. He also has experience in repairing cars and motorcycles. Hobby: playing guitar and much more, for which there is not enough time :)

A few words about the features of penoplex

I must say right away that it is more correct to call penoplex extruded polystyrene foam, since the word "Penoplex" is the name of the company that produces this material. This is reminiscent of the situation with copying machines, which in our country are still called "copiers".

Extruded polystyrene foam, as you might guess, is based on ordinary polystyrene foam, i.e. Styrofoam. Due to the processing of foam in a special thermal method, the material acquires the following qualities:

strength, which is several times higher than the strength of conventional foam;
homogeneous structure and smooth surface;
practically zero moisture absorption;
higher vapor permeability.

On the one hand, the performance of penoplex is much better than that of expanded polystyrene. But, on the other hand, as a result of the same qualities this material has much worse adhesion than foam.

Therefore, the mistake of many beginners is that they try to putty penoplex using the same technology as foam plastic. Moreover, similar recommendations can be found even on some building resources. All this leads to the fact that the glue, which is used as a putty, lags behind the insulation along with the reinforcing mesh.

Hence the question arises whether it is possible to putty penoplex? I must say right away that this material was not originally intended for wet finishing. However, our craftsmen came up with a technology that allows you to achieve a high-quality result, in fact, I'll introduce you to it below.

It makes sense to use penoplex when insulating walls only where its properties, such as strength, are really important. As a rule, these are basement floors or low first floors. In other cases, its use is impractical, since the price of this material is much higher than the cost of expanded polystyrene and mineral mats.

Penoplex filling technology

The process of filling the penoplex can be conditionally divided into several stages:

Preparation of materials

So, before you start filling, you need to prepare the following materials:

glue for expanded polystyrene - you should not save on the mixture, so buy glue from well-known manufacturers, for example, Ceresit CT85 glue is a good option;
adhesive primer;

fiberglass reinforcement mesh;
finishing putty - needed for interior decoration, for example, for painting;
perforated plaster corners.

Keep in mind that all materials must be purchased with a small margin.

Surface preparation

The nuances of the foam filling technology lie precisely in the preparation of the surface. In other words, how high-quality and durable the finish will turn out depends on this stage.

So, the preparation of the surface of extruded polystyrene foam with your own hands is carried out as follows:

fill the gaps between the plates with scraps of insulation or special glue-foam, if, of course, they are available;

then the surface of the insulation must be made rough. To do this, treat the penoplex with a metal brush, a foam grater or a needle roller. Thanks to this, the adhesion of the material surface will be significantly improved;

now the surface of the penoplex should be covered with an adhesive primer using a paint primer. Try to evenly distribute the soil on the surface of the insulation in a thin layer so that there are no drips.
After the first layer has dried, the priming must be repeated;
now you need to prepare the glue and fill in the dowel caps using a narrow spatula;

perforated plaster corners should be glued to all external corners, including slopes. Keep in mind that they need to be leveled.

If the dowel head rises above the surface of the insulation, the fasteners must be deepened by hitting them with a hammer. If this does not work, you need to cut off the dowel head with a mounting knife, and install new fasteners next to it, having previously drilled a hole to the required depth.

These are, in fact, all the nuances of surface preparation.

Reinforcement

The next step is reinforcement, which, in fact, is filling. Penoplex reinforcement instructions look like this:

first of all, prepare the fiberglass mesh - cut into pieces of the required length. Keep in mind that they should be turned into corners and at the same time overlap each other at the joints by 10 centimeters;
now you need to prepare a glue with the consistency of a thick dough;
reinforcement should start from the slopes. To do this, apply the mortar to the slope and iron it with a notched trowel;

then attach the mesh to the surface of the slope and iron with a smooth trowel. As a result, the mesh should be completely covered with adhesive. Try to gently level the surface of the adhesive with a spatula so that it is as even and smooth as possible.
An angle trowel should be used to level the inside corners.
wall reinforcement is performed in the same way;

after the first layer of glue has dried, apply the second layer. To do this, make the solution more liquid (creamy consistency), and apply it in a thin layer with a wide spatula. This procedure is performed like a regular putty.

This completes the process of roughing the extruded polystyrene foam. It should be noted that this technology allows you to achieve a fairly smooth and even surface, but far from ideal.

Therefore, reinforced foam on the facades must be covered with decorative plaster. The latter hides the defects of the putty, and also gives the surface a certain texture, which makes the facade more attractive.

Finishing putty

Finally, we will consider how to putty penoplex indoors for painting, since it is not always possible to use decorative for interior decoration.

Internal insulation leads to the formation of condensation between the insulation and the walls. Therefore, it is necessary to resort to it only in extreme cases, for example, if you need to insulate a wall in an unheated entrance. Internal wall insulation in the apartment itself may be necessary if you do not have permission to change the facade decoration or the wall is adjacent to an unheated elevator shaft.

I must say that many novice home craftsmen are interested in the forums - is it possible to putty on a penoplex covered with a layer of glue. This procedure is quite acceptable, since the glue goes well with any type of putty. The only thing is that in the process of finishing filling, the following technology must be observed:

after the second layer of glue has dried, it is imperative to apply a primer as described above, i.e. in two layers;
then a thin layer of finishing putty should be applied to the primed surface. Please note that the layer thickness should not exceed 3 mm, otherwise the coating may crack.

The putty is applied with a wide spatula according to the standard pattern. You can read more about the filling technique from other articles on our portal dedicated to this topic;

after the putty hardens, it must be treated with a mesh with a fine abrasive - P150. At this stage, all flaws should be removed in order to obtain a perfectly smooth surface;

if the surface was not even enough, it must be primed again, having previously cleaned it from dust, and covered with a second layer of finishing putty. At the end of the work, it is necessary to grind again with a fine abrasive.

If the insulation is carried out in an unheated room, for example, in the entrance, the penoplex should be putty with a universal mixture for indoor and outdoor work.

Output

Penoplex, as we found out, can be quite successfully putty. The main thing is to properly prepare the surface of the insulation. For the rest, the work resembles the process of filling ordinary polystyrene foam.

Additionally, you can watch the video in this article to visually familiarize yourself with the process of filling the penoplex. If any of your questions on this topic remain unanswered, write them in the comments, and I will definitely answer you.

November 12, 2016

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For facade insulation, polystyrene, polystyrene foam or polyurethane are often used. These synthetic materials perform well their functions, but they need to be protected from external adverse factors.

It can be wind, rain, snow and hail. To create a protective barrier and at the same time give the structure an attractive appearance, the facade plaster is used on the foam.

Hardware stores offer several types of plaster mixes that are suitable for working with penoplex. It can be:

Mineral. The composition includes Portland cement and various polymer additives. They make the mixture more plastic than, for example, conventional sand and cement, so the mortar is easier to apply. Such plaster resists atmospheric precipitation well and is not affected by fungi and mold.
Silicate. Excellent. It allows moisture to pass through the room, but does not absorb water from the atmosphere. Has anti-static properties. Manufacturers assure that such compositions can be used for both exterior and interior wall decoration.
Acrylic. This option is perfect if the plane can deform or be located where there is constantly high humidity. Both the liquid solution and the solidified layer are elastic. The plastered surface repels atmospheric moisture, perfectly resists ultraviolet radiation, therefore it remains attractive for a long time.

If the owner of the house does not know which option to stay on, then you need to pay attention to the service life of the plastered surface. Acrylic compounds are considered centenarians. Their service life can exceed 20-25 years. But this is taking into account the fact that all the work was carried out correctly. Then there are silicate and mineral ones.

The length of service will also depend on the invoice. Perfectly smooth surfaces lose their original attractiveness much faster. But rough and textured, much less amenable to deformation.

Inventory

If the owner of the house decided to apply the facade plaster on penoplex with his own hands, then he will need to purchase the following materials and tools:

Mix for plastering.
but for outdoor work. It is better to choose with a density of 140-160 g / m2.
The spatula is wide and narrow. The first is for applying the mortar to the wall, the second is for laying the mixture on a wide spatula.
Trowel with a hard blade.
Roller.
Tools for creating textures. It can be a hard sponge or a special roller. The texture can be created with a spatula.

If everything is clear with the tools, then how to calculate the required amount of mixture for plastering. Professionals recommend using the following data:

4 kg per square meter when fixing the reinforcing mesh
6 kg for finishing and texture creation.

Step-by-step instruction

The plaster packaging indicates in which temperature range you can work. Do not ignore it, otherwise the layer will not turn out to be as strong as the manufacturer predicts.
Be sure to use a reinforcing mesh. If it is not there, the plaster will simply fall off after a short period of time.
You need to buy a mixture for plaster from one manufacturer for the entire facade and preferably with a small margin.
Manufacturers also indicate the time of complete drying. The recommended time frames should be adhered to.
And don't forget about the primer.

Expanded polystyrene boards can, perhaps, be considered the most optimal insulation option for external walls. Judge for yourself: it is not blown by the wind, it is not afraid of rodents, it practically does not absorb moisture. And yet, it has sufficient rigidity to plaster the walls lined with it.

How to plaster the penoplex outside, and what is the essence of this technology? You will learn about this from the video in this article, which is a visual application to its theoretical part.

Advantages and characteristics of penoplex

The main advantage of Penoplex Wall insulation, which you see in the photo below, is a low thermal conductivity coefficient, which does not exceed 0.03 W / M * 0С. Moreover, its compressive strength is 0.20 kgf / cm2, and its density is not less than 25 kg / m3.

So:

Low vapor permeability, with which only materials based on foamed polyethylene (penofol, izolon) can be compared, makes it possible to omit such a technological operation as the installation of vapor barrier films in the insulating "pie". Since Penoplex does not corrode, its service life is at least half a century.

The structure of the plates is homogeneous, with evenly distributed pores, which greatly increases the strength of the material. But at the same time, it can be easily cut with a clerical knife, which makes it possible for any owner to insulate the house with his own hands.
It is due to the high density that the wall polystyrene foam does not change its geometric parameters over time, and it can be used as a base for plaster. Its resistance to moisture allows the installation of panels on the facade in any weather.

Penoplex sheets have a standard size of 1200 * 600 mm. Moreover, the thickness can vary within 30-100 mm, which determines its price. It is sold in packs, in which the number of plates depends on their thickness. The package contains 14 plates with a thickness of 30 mm, and it costs 4900-5000 rubles.

What is needed for plastering on insulation

For the installation of penoplex, some devices are needed, for plaster - others. Therefore, in order to plaster walls on insulation, a fairly large list is being typed. Consider what is included.

Tools and supplies

To measure and control planes, you need a tape measure; metal square; plumb line; two-meter bubble, and water levels. To prepare surfaces, use a steel brush, a brush, which is also useful for applying a primer, as well as masking tape and polyethylene, which are used to close window blocks and doors.

You will need:

Rotary hammer or drill with drills and a "mixer" nozzle, you will need both for drilling holes in the walls and for mixing glue and plaster mixture. A hammer in the form of a pick is used both in the preparation process and for driving dowels into the holes.

For fixing the thermal insulation boards, not ordinary dowel-nails are used, and the dowel-fungi, which are also called dish-shaped. They have a wide flat head that does not allow the fasteners to "sink" into the thickness of the plate. You should take fasteners with a diameter of 10 mm, but the length of the dowel is selected depending on the thickness of the insulation. Since it should exceed the length of the material to be strengthened by 30 mm in length, then for an insulation 50 mm thick, an 80 mm long dowel is needed. They are sold in packs of 1000 pieces, although the price is per piece (8-10 rubles). To tighten the dowel cores, you must have a screwdriver or a corresponding drill bit.
Plates are cut either with a knife with a blade of at least 250 mm, or a fine-toothed universal hacksaw. It is also necessary to have in your arsenal two types of scissors: for metal, for cutting a basement profile, and simple ones, for cutting a fiberglass mesh.

Note! Mesh with a mesh of 4 * 4 or 5 * 5 mm is used to reinforce the screed, which will become the basis for the finishing layer. It is sold in rolls of 50m, and, depending on the width, costs between 1900-2500 rubles. When buying a mesh, you need to pay attention that the label says: "front", since there are also painting and plastering options that are not suitable for the facade.

The list of consumables should complete the plinth profile, which in this case plays the role of a starting bar, and serves as a support for the first row of insulation. To connect its ends, special docking elements are needed. In order for the mesh to adhere to door and window openings of high quality, an adjoining profile is used.

To protect the corners of the house from mechanical damage, plaster corners with a mesh are needed, and for leveling the profiles along the plane - plastic expansion joints. Since the penoplex is attached not only with dowels, but also set on glue, accordingly, you will have to buy glue for insulation, and a water-dispersion primer that will strengthen the base base.
But for mounting the mesh, you need not glue, but glue putty... For the best adhesion of the finishing layer of plaster, with the reinforcing layer, it is necessary to use a primer - a primer, which should be selected for the type of solution that will be applied to it. By the way, about the decorative layer: most often, so-called warm plasters are used for this purpose.

And they call them that because they contain materials as a filler that are raw materials for the manufacture of insulation. These are beads of foamed glass, perlite, vermiculite - and the same polystyrene, only granular. Such plaster itself is a heat-insulating material, and thereby improves the heat technology of the facade as a whole.

As for the tools for applying mixtures, you will need the usual arsenal of plasterers: a set of spatulas, including a notched one, through which glue is applied to the plates; straight and corner trowels; graters made of stainless steel and plastic; as well as an aluminum rule, a roller, and a sanding block (see Tool for plastering walls: what you need to work).

Tools that are considered general construction are available in almost every home, and what is not, you will have to buy or borrow. But with regard to consumables, you can not bother, but purchase a warm plastering system from the manufacturer. In this case, you will be offered a kit that contains everything - from mounting profiles to dry plaster mix.

Plastering process

So, let's figure out how facade plastering is performed on penoplex. As always, work begins with defining the geometry of the facade and preparing the surface of the walls. Those who do not believe that it takes time to do this are greatly mistaken.

Where the foundation is not properly prepared, problems begin in the first place:

In order for the expanded polystyrene plates to adhere well to the walls, there should be no dust, no slugs of masonry mortar, no remnants of old plaster on their surface. Any stains: mastics, rust, mold are also removed. But the surface should be not only clean, but also flat.
This is very important, since on walls with bumps and depressions, too large joints between the thermal insulation boards will turn out. So, if there is a curved brick wall at the base, then it should be leveled with cement plaster, allowed to dry, and only then proceed with the installation of the plates.

Everyone who has decided to insulate the house with penoplex will face the question: what to do next? How and how to process the surface of the insulation, so that it is beautiful, reliable and durable. not produced every year.

The answer is as simple as the question: the surface of the penoplex needs to be plastered. This type of coating is simple to perform and closes the insulation from the outside from atmospheric influences. The plastering technique in no way depends on what types of foam were used to insulate the walls.

Plastering technology

Consider the stages of plastering:

The choice of plaster. The main condition for choosing a plaster will be its specialization for application to polystyrene surfaces.

Note: all mixtures and substances (starting, finishing, decorative, adhesives, primers, paints) should be from one manufacturer, and it is better to choose universal plaster. She can also glue a sheet of penoplex to the wall, and make a protective coating on top of the insulation.

The choice of the grid. After you have decided on the choice of the plaster mixture, you need to purchase a reinforcing mesh. It must be resistant to alkalis (since the predominant amount of plasters is cement) and have a high density. But here is a double-edged sword: the stiffer the mesh, the better it will reinforce the plaster, but it will be more difficult to fit it in the corners.
Fastening the mesh. The plaster mixture is prepared strictly according to the manufacturer's recommendation.
The mesh begins to be fastened from the corners, door and window slopes with 30-centimeter strips, which are first bent in the middle, and then with a fold line they are applied to the already plastered (2-3 mm thick) edge and smoothed with a spatula to the sides. The ends of the mesh are not glued.

When all corners and slopes are reinforced and lightly plastered, they begin to fasten the mesh to the wall in strips no wider than one meter, since the plaster solution dries very quickly.
As well as when reinforcing corners, first apply a layer of mixture up to 3 mm thick on the wall, then press the mesh a little with a spatula into the layer of plaster, and cover it with a solution on top.
The joints are overlapped. At the end of the strip, the mesh is not attached, leaving for connection with the next run.

Grouting the mesh. The mesh is fixed. The plaster surface is dry. This takes from several hours to one day, depending on the temperature and humidity. Now it must be rubbed in a circular motion with a plastic float with an emery cloth.
Wall alignment. Universal plaster is used. With a wide spatula, on which the mixture is applied, the mortar is applied with a layer of about 3 mm to the wall. It is not difficult, the main thing is that the joints of the leveling layer do not coincide with the joints of the mesh.

This work is performed a day later, but no later than 4 days after leveling. The technique is the same as for grouting the mesh, but more responsible, since after it there will be only a thin finishing layer.
Surface priming.This type of work will have nuances depending on what type of finishing is planned. If the finishing layer is paint, then it will be necessary to prime with such a liquid, after which the surface will be smooth and not have smudges.
If the decorative layer is plaster (such as bark beetle or other design), then the primer must have quartz grains. It is on this component that the durability of the decor will depend.

Finishing (decorative) plaster.If all the previous stages of work are performed with high quality, then applying the finishing layer will not be difficult.
Finishing begins with the application of a layer of plaster with a spatula (the larger the size of the mineral grain in the mixture, the thicker the layer can be applied). Then the pattern is made. To do this, use a large-porous sponge, a special spatula or a special grater, depending on what pattern you want to get.
Once the finish coat has dried, it can be painted over or treated with a transparent preservative.

Penoplex is one of the best modern types of material for insulating plinths, facades and interior walls. It has good strength, high heat-insulating ability, which is additionally improved by foam-based plaster. Despite the tangible cost, it is difficult to find a more efficient way to insulate buildings of internal premises.

Penoplex features

Synthetic foam products from polystyrene have been made for a long time, for more than 70 years. Penoplex differs from traditional boards by its production technology, which uses extrusion. Blowing agents are initially added to the polymer to ensure an even distribution of cavities throughout the mass. As a result, after extrusion, a structure with closed microscopic cells is formed, the size of which does not exceed 0.2 mm.

The main qualities of the slabs are as follows:

low density;
light weight;
well-pronounced ability to retain heat;
minimal tendency to absorb moisture.

With all its advantages, the material requires increased attention due to its high flammability and poor vapor permeability. Penoplex must be used correctly, taking into account the obligation to ensure good ventilation of the walls and the need for especially strict adherence to fire safety rules. To protect against external influences, plaster is applied to the penoplex.

Why plaster

Plastering is a necessary part of finishing work, which allows you to safely invest in thermal insulation without fear of its destruction in the future.

External plaster protects the facade from wind, precipitation that can damage the material. The inner plaster layer on extruded expanded polystyrene can serve as an additional decorative finish.

Penoplex is a durable polymer, nevertheless, under strong local mechanical loads, dents can form on it, due to which cracking on the sheets is not excluded. If the coating is plastered, its impact resistance will increase, and an additional layer of protection of the synthetic board from the action of UV rays will appear.

A heat-insulating coating made of foam sheets has joints, which are usually sealed with polyurethane foam. To form a perfectly flat surface, to protect the seams from aging, plaster should be applied on top of the sheets and seams.

Required tools and materials

In order for the matter to argue easily and quickly, you need to think over everything in advance, collect the necessary materials, aids, tools.

There are different brands of plaster mixes, priming agents that have a similar basic composition, which does not exclude the presence of small features in the nature of impurities. For wall decoration, the room as a whole, it is advisable to stock up on a sufficient amount of material from one manufacturer. This will exclude the possibility of incompatibility of the mixtures, they will ideally combine with each other in work.

Advice! Prepare tools for mixing the plaster mixture in advance. There are many options: from the usual long wooden spatula or spatula to a drill with a special attachment. Find a good, comfortable spatula with an ergonomic handle that makes it easy to move around the plane.

To improve the adhesion of the penoplex to the pasty mass of plaster, the surface is treated with a metal brush or a needle roller. Roughness will improve adhesion, ensure reliable adhesion of the composition to the insulation.

Finishing outside corners requires special perforated corners and levels to ensure correct installation. It is imperative to buy a reinforcing mesh, without which all work becomes meaningless. In some places, you will need glue to fix it. Study the composition, recommendations for use in advance. To grout the surface, you need to purchase a plastic float with sandpaper. The final finishing is convenient to carry out with a roller with a small dense pile.

Types of mixtures

Strength is required from foam plaster for the facade; it should not change under the influence of precipitation. There are compositions for universal and narrowly targeted purposes. When choosing, one should take into account all possible types of loads on the coating.

Multifunctional tools

The universal composition can be used at several stages of finishing work. With such plaster, you can fix the penoplex to the wall, then fix the reinforcing mesh on the outside on the sheets. The universal mixture can be used not only for plastering, but also for priming surfaces. The product costs a little more than formulations of a strictly directed action. The higher price is compensated by the possibility of multifunctional use.

Mineral remedies

A cement mixture is popular with craftsmen, which includes sand and a small amount of polymer filler, which improves the fixing of the material on the surface. Such plaster is often called mineral because of the predominant amount of inorganic components. It is necessary to prepare the mixture in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturers, which often contain instructions on the need to add PVA glue to the mass. If the introduction of additional components is not stipulated in the accompanying documents, there is no need to do it yourself. Some plasters contain gypsum and stabilizers. Such mixtures are very plastic, they stick to the penoplex more slowly.

If there are not enough funds for the purchase of finished plaster, you can make the compositions yourself from two components:

cement and lime;
clay and lime;
clay and cement;
clay and gypsum.

This is not the best solution, especially since the type of clay is fundamental to the quality of the plaster. With the right clay, good quality cement, and hydrated lime, the mixture can be quite successful. Mineral compositions can be used to plaster the facade insulation outside and putty on the foam inside the room.

Acrylic

Mixtures based on acrylic polymers are intended primarily for finishing areas located in areas of high humidity, high mechanical stress. The cost of polymer plasters is higher than that of mineral compounds, but their high resistance to external influences justifies the difference in price. Acrylic plasters are highly elastic, which makes them easier to work with.

Silicate

A successful combination of properties is demonstrated by silicate plasters, which do not contain polymer additives, therefore, do not electrify. Silicates pass steam well, do not degrade under the influence of atmospheric moisture, do not undergo microbiological destruction. This is the most acceptable mixture that can be used to plaster both external and internal walls. It is enough to competently process the surfaces once and you can have no problems for many years. The silicate material is environmentally friendly, does not contain harmful impurities, and guarantees the cleanliness of the adjacent air space.

Famous manufacturers

Products from different manufacturers are presented on the domestic market of plastering materials. The most common are the following three trademarks:

"Ceresit";
Ecomix;
"Stolit".

There are imported products and mixtures of other domestic companies, the characteristics of which are always indicated in the attached instructions.

Means "Ceresit" are presented in a large assortment, including all types of plaster: silicate, silicone, acrylic, cement. The products have good performance characteristics, are easy to use due to their elasticity, and are durable.

Ecomix plasters can be used for exterior work or interior walls of premises. The compositions are characterized by environmental safety, resistance to moisture. Facade finishing works using plaster from this company should be carried out in the warm season, at temperatures of at least +7 ° C. Mixtures can also be used to eliminate defects: chips, cracks, deformations on old surfaces, covered with plaster for a long time.

The assortment of the Stolit company is represented by compositions based on cement, to which stabilizers and modifiers have been added. Due to this, the plaster has high temperature resistance, does not react to high and negative temperatures, and adheres well to the penoplex.

Solution preparation

Recommendations for the preparation of commercially available mixes are contained on the packaging and accompanying documents. When buying, you can get additional advice about the features of the funds, the specifics of their preparation.

When making plaster yourself, you should remember the main points. Components taken in accordance with a specific recipe must be sieved and mixed well. It is advisable to check the stickiness of the mass before starting work. If the plaster sticks strongly to the trowel, it will be difficult to apply. In this case, increase the amount of filler. If the mixture does not stick at all, the amount of astringent should be increased. Using the method of samples, you should select the average fat content of the mixture, because with excessive viscosity, the plaster layer may crack after drying. An insufficiently sticky mixture is not very convenient to work with, it forms a layer with low strength.

Installation of reinforcing mesh

Before applying a layer of plaster, Penoplex must be reinforced with special nets. Polymeric cellular fabrics with a density of at least 140 g / m2 and not more than 160 g / m2 are best suited for reinforcement. The general rule is that the smaller the cells, the better the reinforcing properties. A high-quality mesh with suitable characteristics helps to level and strengthen the surface of the foam.

Note! If the use of cement-based plaster is planned, the mesh must be inert to an alkaline environment.

Reinforcement must start from the corners. To do this, cut strips from the mesh, the width of which should not be more than 35 cm, and the length is determined by the length of the corner. The strip is folded in half lengthwise, the composition is applied to the penoplex for fixing and the mesh is pressed against it.

In a similar way, the entire wall is reinforced. First, a layer of a fixing mixture (plaster) is laid, then the mesh is pressed against it, smoothed and made sure that it is fixed. The reinforcing fabric should be overlapped, because areas not covered with a polymer mesh will stand out noticeably against the general background. On top of the cellular coating, a thin layer of the fixing mixture is applied, which ensures its snug fit, strong fixation.

Grouting and leveling

A quality wall finish cannot be rushed. The reinforcement layer must be completely dry before starting the next stage of work. For final drying in winter, knocking may be needed, in summer 4 to 6 hours are enough. When the coating is completely dry before it can be plastered, the surface must be trowelled thoroughly.

This physically demanding job is done with an emery-coated plastic float. Grouting is carried out in a circular motion over the entire area until the surface becomes evenly rough.

Cover decoration

After grouting, the plastering of the foam is easy and relatively quick. To decorate the coating, you can use a sponge with large pores or a special float.

There are ready-made decorative plaster compositions that create an unusual texture for the outer surface.

Bark beetle plaster, in addition to the usual basic components, contains white powder and small stones with a diameter of up to 2.5 mm. With certain skills, the master can make different patterns from the same mixture, directing the movements of the spatula in a certain way. Thus, the work of the plasterer turns into the work of the decorator.

If the mixture contains larger pebbles, up to 4 mm in size, the relief is completely different. Granules are crumbs made from natural raw materials: granite, marble. Pebble plaster gives the facade an unusual, beautiful look, provides shine in the rays of sunlight. On sale there are white cement plaster mixes with addition of large granules of quartz, dolomite, marble. For some unknown reason, she was called a lamb. Perhaps, to someone, the view of the facade reminded the wool of sheep.