Wall Plastering: Optimal Ratios and Techniques

Read on to know about plastering ratios (cement-to-sand) for different walls.

In order to strengthen and increase the durability of irregular and coarsely textured brick walls, beams, roofs, columns, concrete walls, and ceilings, as well as to give a smooth, firm, and levelled finish surface that can be painted for aesthetic appeal, the process of plastering is used.

Used for protection from the environment, a smooth surface, good finishing, and good looks, and to increase the strength of the brick wall, plastering is a thin layer of cement mortar adhesive substance applied over the brick wall.

Plastering ratios (cement-to-sand) for external, interior, and ceiling walls are typically based on the smoothness and roughness of brick and concrete surfaces.

 

Types of plastering 

According to the adhesive material

  • Lime plastering: A type of plastering where lime is utilised as an adhesive or mortar binding substance.
  • Cement plastering: Plastering in which mortar is bound together with cement as an adhesive.
  • Clay plastering: Plastering in which mortar is bound together with clay as an adhesive.
  • Gypsum plastering: This type of plastering involves the use of gypsum as a mortar adhesive or binding agent.

 

According to the type of wall

Source: Pinterest

  1. External wall plastering: External wall plastering refers to the application of plaster to the rough or outer face of brick and concrete walls.
  2. Internal wall plastering: Internal wall plastering refers to the application of plaster to the inner face or plane face of brickwork and concrete walls.
  3. Concrete wall plastering: Concrete wall plastering is the process of applying plaster to concrete structures like columns and beams.
  4. Roof or ceiling plastering: Plastering of the roof or ceiling’s bottom face is referred to as roof or ceiling plastering.

 

Conditions for good plaster

  1. It should follow this background and continue to follow it across all climate changes.
  2. It needs to be affordable and practical.
  3. It needs to be robust and tough.
  4. It ought to be practicable to use in all kinds of weather.
  5. It should successfully monitor the entry or outflow of moisture from the surfaces.
  6. It should be highly workable.

 

Plastering ratio: Cement sand ratio

Source: Pinterest

The recommended cement-to-sand mixture for plastering and plastering depends on the type of plastering work. The percentage of cement and sand used for plastering brick walls varies depending on the type of work being done and whether the plastering will have a rough or smooth surface.

Formula for estimating cost of plastering cement per sq. metre

The volume can be calculated easily using the formula (1*1.6/1 + x)/0.347;

where 0.0347m3 is the volume of one bag of cement and x represents the ratio of sand to cement.

Recommended cement and sand mix ratio for plastering

  1. For the plastering of exterior walls vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and for repair work, a cement-to-sand ratio of one to three is employed. This ratio can be used for waterproofing and binding, however, it is not advised for general use at building sites.
  2. Cement and sand are mixed in a ratio of one to four when plastering external brick walls and ceilings.
  3. When fine sand is not available, a 1:5 mix ratio of cement and sand is utilised for internal brick wall plastering.
  4. When fine sand is available, inside wall plastering is done using a cement-to-sand mixture of 1:6. 

 

FAQs

What is the plastering mixing ratio?

One part of cement and four parts of sand are present in a plaster mix with a 1:4 ratio. It is one of the crucial aspects in estimating the quantities since the amount of cement and sand changes as the mix ratio increases.

What is standard plaster?

It is typically utilised in drywall partitions, ceilings, and walls. The board itself is made up of a gypsum layer sandwiched between two sheets of paper. This board, which is renowned for its adaptability and toughness, can be painted or covered with other materials like a multi-finish plaster.

What is the minimum plaster thickness?

In comparison to the internal plaster, the external plaster is manufactured with a richer proportion of cement mortar. Usually, two layers are used. The first layer is between 10 and 12.5 mm thick, while the last layer is 6 mm thick.

 

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