BRADFORD's
Premier Plastering Service
Seriously Smooth Plasterers
Premier Plastering Service
Seriously Smooth Plasterers
GENERAL PLASTERING
There are lots of different reasons why you might need to call in a plasterer. Sometimes it's for repairing minor damage, for example a cracked ceiling or a scratch on your wall. Maybe it's something you could try to fix yourself, but the chances are you'll end up with a visible patch that doesn't really look any better than the original problem. Or perhaps you've just built a new extension that has walls and ceiling in need of finishing. You might be renovating an old house or a period property and need to replace ageing crumbling plasterwork. Whatever the reason you need a plasterer, Plastering Bradford has the team with the necessary skills and experience to get your job done professionally for a price you'll love. Whether your plastering project is just a small downstairs loo or a large new housing estate, we will provide you with the best possible service from start to finish. We are happy to accept all interior plastering projects whatever the nature or complexity (and for exterior rendering work see here). Whatever the job, we treat all of our customers with the same high level of professionalism and careful dedication to detail. And don't worry if you're not exactly sure of the type of plastering work you require, our team are always happy to give advice and make suggestions on how you can transform the walls and ceilings in your home. It may be a lot easier than you think to get rid of your old plaster and replace it with a smooth perfect finish. Likewise, if you've been putting off having plastering work done because of the possible cost, why not contact us for a free quote? We think you'll be very happy at what we can offer you. We always strive to be competitive and totally fair with our pricing, and we will do our best to match or beat any other like-for-like quotes you may already have. We're confident that we have best plastering service for the best prices. When you choose Plastering Bradford you'll know that the best of everything has been used in your work. The finished quality of plastering depends upon how good the preparation was, the products that were used, and how well they were applied. All of our team are highly skilled plasterers and we use only the best materials at all stages in the process. Your work will be finished to the highest possible standard, and for the best price around. Call Plastering Bradford on the phone number above, or contact us through the form on this website. All our quotes are completely free and there is no obligation to buy. A Handy Guide to Plaster Types Cement Plaster This has traditionally been the most commonly used type of plaster to be applied to both interior and exterior walls. It is usually based on a mixture of Portland Cement, fine aggregates and water. It provides a good strong surface, and often has a top layer of gypsum plaster applied over it when used on internal walls to smooth out any roughness. Cement plaster has many useful qualities, for example, it initially inhibits the spread of fire well, an important consideration in any building. However, unlike gypsum plaster it can become brittle under prolonged exposure and loose it's bond with the wall. It is not as easy to mix and prepare as other plasters and requires a long process of curing to prevent the development of cracks during drying. Another downside is that cement plasters are weak in tension and have very little ability to flex making them prone to shrinkage and cracking. They are also not ideal for kitchens and bathrooms as they are not totally permeable to water and can lead to the formation of condensation and moulds. Gypsum Plaster Gypsum has a long history as a building material and is widely used as a component in many types of interior plaster mixes used today. It has several benefits including the ability to be worked quickly and easily, its tough and hard-wearing, and is also extremely durable. Gypsum itself is a naturally occurring chalk-like mineral found in layers of some sedimentary rocks. It is composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate and is formed by the evaporation and replenishment of waters containing calcium and sulfates. After it has been quarried it can be dehydrated and ground down into a fine powder. When this powder is mixed with water it becomes pliable until it hardens and provides a good smooth surface to cover brick, block, or concrete walls. Because it contains approximately 20 percent chemically bound water by volume and is non-combustible, gypsum plaster offers excellent fire protection in your home. It also has low thermal conductivity, and this helps to save money on fuel bills. Unlike cement plaster, very little heat is produced during the reaction stage with water, so there is very little shrinkage or cracking during the drying process. Gypsum plaster also has good acoustic insulation properties (useful if you have noisy neighbours), and is moisture controlling and resistant to impact damage. It is vapour free and therefore does not release harmful chemicals during drying. The smooth finish of gypsum plaster makes it an ideal choice for clean, smooth, modern interiors. Walls can be aligned perfectly level with a flat blemish-free finish. Corners are sharp right angles making a bold elegant statement. Lime Plaster Before the growth of the cement industry in the nineteenth century, most buildings had walls coated in lime based plasters. Lime is an extremely versatile plastering material that was used as far back as the Roman period, examples can be seen from a villa in Bradford on Avon museum in Wiltshire. Traditionally, quicklime from lime pits was mixed with horsehair and other binders before being applied in layers onto a surface. Lime plasters were gradually superseded by the introduction of cement plasters, but now they are gaining in popularity again as the benefits are becoming better and more widely understood. There are several advantages to using lime plasters over cement ones. The primary benefit is the ability of lime plaster to let a building 'breathe'. Before modern double-glazing and uPVC was introduced, many houses were constructed with the assumption that the draughts flowing through the wooden frames of windows and doors would keep air constantly circulating throughout the building. This perpetual movement of air helps to prevent the build-up of internal moisture and damp, therefore stopping the development of moulds and mildew. Lime mortars assist in this process by being vapour permeable, allowing moisture to filter out and evaporate through the walls. When a non-breathable cement plaster is used in an old property, it seals in the internal moisture causing damp air to accumulate, especially if the building also has tightly sealed modern windows and doors. This trapped moisture can eventually lead to serious structural issues in a building, and may cost a great deal of money to put right if it is not corrected early enough. Lime plasters have the added advantage of being extremely flexible and elastic, and will easily expand and contract under pressures such as heat and moisture. This means they will not shrink or crack like cement plasters, and they require no expansion joints. Lime also has properties as a natural fungicide thanks to it's high pH value. Mould and fungus struggle to grow on lime plaster, making it an extremely healthy choice, especially for older properties. Generally, the production of lime plasters have a very low carbon footprint. It is possible to manufacture these products on a small scale without the need for large and damaging industry. All other materials involved in the process of making the plaster can also be fully reused with no leftover waste. There are however, one or two disadvantages to using lime plasters. They are trickier to apply than other types of plaster, and many plasterers today don’t have the necessary skills required to work them effectively. They also take much longer to dry than more modern products, and these factors unfortunately make lime plasters more expensive to use than gypsum or cement. However, in recent years several companies have developed improved versions of traditional lime plasters with the addition of plastic polymers intended to make the mix easier to work with. This is creating an increase in the popularity of lime plaster with a subsequent drop in costs. Plastering Bradford use the following lime plasters; Breathaplasta, Hydrated Lime Type S and N, Miracle Morta-Lok and Masons Hydrated Lime. Stucco Stucco is a specific form of plaster used mainly to achieve decorative effects. Although it is used on both internal and external walls, the term is usually applied only to external forms in the UK. It is composed of aggregates, a binder, and water, and when applied wet it can be moulded into shapes before hardening to a dense solid. It is therefore ideal as a sculptural and artistic material for items such as internal cornices and mouldings, as well as a decorative and protective coating for exterior walls. Stucco was extremely popular during the Regency period where it was used to disguise less-than-perfect exterior brickwork and create the false appearance of finely jointed stonework. A good example of this is Carlton House Terrance in London. Originally made from lime plasters, stucco could become brittle and liable to cracking after a long period of time. These days it is now generally made with Portland cement to provide increased strength and durability. For the differences between plaster and stucco, have a look at this excellent article . Natural Clay Plaster These type of plasters use natural clay from the earth as the binding material for a mix of aggregates and fibre. Clay plasters give a beautiful, organic and earthy feel to a room and despite being made entirely of natural products, they are extremely tough and durable. Clay is used as a plaster all over the world, and it can be simply dug out of the ground and applied to a wall. But to make life easier here in the UK there are many pre-prepared clay mixes available on the market, making it a great alternative to more environmentally damaging plaster products. Clay plasters are incredibly ecologically friendly because the materials are easily sourced and require little industry to produce. They also require minimal processing and contain no synthetic ingredients. There are no chemical reactions taking place when clay sets and so it can be easily moulded into a variety of different shapes and patterns. This allows for a variety of creativity and expression when it is applied and can be used by both amateurs and professional plasterers. Unfired clay plasters are ideal in bathrooms and kitchens as they will absorb moisture in the air, releasing it again slowly when the air becomes dryer. Clay is also vapour free, meaning there are no toxic chemicals to worry about either. The Future of Plastering As the needs and styles of our modern buildings change with time, so too the technology of the plastering industry is continually advancing. In recent years a variety of new and exciting products have been created to make plasters more durable, efficient, and easier to apply. These products often combine the best of traditional materials with the latest scientific develpments, such as polymers and acrylics, to produce new plasters that look amazing without costing the earth. Plastering Bradford have extensive experience in using all of these products and are happy to advise on their suitability for your particular project. |
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Have you been putting off getting those cracks and dents repaired? Don't delay your plastering project because of concerns about costs. Give us a call now, we think you'll be motivated by our great prices! Chat to our friendly and knowledgeable team and let's see how we can help you. Choose the best, choose Plastering Bradford! |
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