Laying natural stone is, firstly, a considerable financial investment and, secondly, a great deal of work involved in preparing the surface and installing the material. Fortunately, there is a way to avoid this while achieving a deceptively similar effect. We are talking about decorative plaster.

Travertine plaster has been an absolute hit in recent years. Contrary to appearances, applying it is not difficult. It only requires proper preparation and patience. Here are the step-by-step instructions.

Prepare the surface

The wall on which travertine plaster is to be applied must be properly prepared. First, it must be cleaned of all dirt and dust. Second, it should be smoothed by filling dents and deep scratches. Third, it must be covered with a suitable primer. This may be, for example, a special undercoat prepared for applying decorative plaster.

Apply the plaster

Travertine plaster from J.P.Cover is available as a ready-made dry mixture. All you need to do is mix it with water in the appropriate proportions, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. It is best to mix it mechanically by attaching a mixer to a drill. This will quickly produce the desired material structure and bind all the ingredients together.

Apply the travertine plaster to the wall using a trowel. To achieve the desired aesthetic effect, namely the structure of natural stone, apply the first coat thinly and smooth it so that there are no thickened areas. After 12 hours, apply another coat, this time scratching patterns into the wet plaster using the edge of the trowel held at a 90-degree angle. Gently smooth the finished pattern and leave it for another 12 hours to dry.

Protect the structure with varnish

When the travertine plaster has dried, it is recommended to protect and strengthen it by applying a special varnish for decorative plasters. This can be done with a roller or brush.

Paint the plaster

The final finish of the wall is achieved by giving the plaster the desired colour. For this purpose, use a suitably selected varnish with colouring pigment. For the best aesthetic effect, spread it with a roller and then rub it into the texture with a sponge, following the direction of the indentations. Use a second sponge to remove any excess varnish and prevent runs from forming.

The process of applying travertine plaster is not quick and requires a great deal of patience. It is certainly worth putting the effort into this type of wall finish, however. The final effect will delight you and give a living room, bedroom or hallway an extraordinary expressiveness.

Source: J.P. Cover building chemicals manufacturer

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