Gypsum plaster has been around for ages in the construction industry but recently it has started gaining a lot of popularity. It provides a cost-effective, fast, durable, and advanced method of plastering your home’s interior walls.
Gypsum is a lightweight white color cementing material that is available in crystalline form in nature. It is processed under controlled conditions in industries to suit the plastering needs of modern homes.
It is readily available in the market in the form of bags consisting the gypsum powder. This powder is then mixed with water in the appropriate quantity to form the plastering paste. This paste is applied over the brick wall and RCC surface to form a smooth surface.
Cost Of Gypsum Plaster
The total cost of gypsum plaster depends on a lot of factors, and at first, it may seem costly to you. But when you compare the overall cost of the traditional cement plaster to the gypsum plaster, you will find it to be actually very cost-effective.
The factors that affect the price of the gypsum plaster are –
Gypsum Plaster Brand – Gypsum plaster is available under various brand names and there is a lot of variation in the price of these different brands.
Quality Of Product – These brands offer different quality of gypsum plaster and the price of the bags of different qualities also vary a lot.
Thickness Of Plaster – Gypsum plaster can be applied in a thickness of 6 mm to 20 mm and this can greatly affect the overall cost of the plaster.
Labor Cost – Labor cost is another big component of the overall cost of the plaster. Although it is comparatively on the lesser side for this plaster.
Water Cost – At many places water is not easily available and it has to be procured at a certain cost, so it also affects the overall plaster cost.
So the overall cost of the gypsum plaster will depend on how you utilize all the factors, but for a general idea, you can consider the total cost of gypsum plaster with all material to be in the range of Rs. 25 to Rs. 40 per square feet.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Gypsum Plaster
The great thing about gypsum plaster is that it offers you a lot of advantages and only a few disadvantages. Let’s discuss the merits and demerits of this plaster in detail.
Advantages
Smooth Finish
One of the biggest advantages that this plaster offers is the final silky smooth finish. When you apply the final coat of the plaster it gives you an amazing white color finish. This helps you to save a lot of bucks in wall putty and finishing costs.
Easy Application
The gypsum plaster is quite easy to apply, and the skilled labor can easily do it. Depending upon the required thickness of the plaster you can use double or triple coats of the plaster.
Less Time Consuming
Applying this plaster on the walls is easy and less time-consuming. After preparing the paste you can apply it quickly over the wall and the final finishing can also be done swiftly with the help of a bar or trowel.
Low Labor Cost
As you can apply this plaster at a quick pace it helps you to save the overall cost incurred on the labor. In gypsum plastering, even two workers can do the job of plastering at a good speed.
No Sand Required
Availability of natural sand is a very big issue in many parts of the country. The best part with this plaster is that it does not require any sand. This not only saves time but also saves you from a lot of hassle.
Fire Resistance
The gypsum plaster is known for its fire resistance ability. Many people use gypsum boards in the main electricity board area of the house because of this quality. As such, this is an extra advantage of using this plaster.
Thermal Insulation
This plaster also has excellent thermal insulation properties. It helps to seal the to and fro heat transfer through the walls of your home. It helps you to save extra bucks spent on energy costs.
Less Finishing Costs
Since this plaster gives you a smooth final finish you do not have to spend a lot of money on the final finishing of the walls. This saves your material costs and also saves a lot of your time.
Readily Available
The material required for this plaster is very easily available in the market. There are many varieties of gypsum available in the market under various brand names. You can choose the best suitable option for yourself.
Light Weight
The gypsum plaster is very lightweight and accordingly, it decreases the overall load of your building. Extra load on your building does not solve any purpose, as such, this is another extra advantage of this plaster.
No Curing
This plaster does not require any kind of pre-curing or post curing. Once it is applied properly on the walls it does not require any kind of post curing or water treatment. It only requires some time to dry off and set properly.
Disadvantages
Lesser Strength
Probably the biggest disadvantage in using this plaster is the final strength that it provides. It is not very sturdy and robust in nature, as such, it is not suggested to be used in places with high traffic.
Retains Dampness
The gypsum has the natural property of retaining water, moisture, and dampness. Accordingly, it should not be used in areas having high moisture content. The plaster can get ruined with continuous exposure to moisture and dampness.
Cant Use Nails
You cannot use the nails on the gypsum plaster walls because they will crack and break on pushing nails. Also, you can face issues in hanging your paintings and other decor items.
Cant Use Everywhere
You cannot use this plaster in all the areas of your home. It is not suitable for areas like the kitchen, bathroom, washing area, and exterior walls. All those places that are exposed to water and moisture are not suitable for this plaster.
Less Setting Time
While applying the gypsum plaster the labor needs to act quickly. This plaster sets rather quickly and once it dries up and sets on the wall, it will not be possible to give it the perfect finish.
Process Of Applying Gypsum Plaster
As we discussed earlier in this article, it is quite an easy task to apply this plaster to the walls. Let us understand the process of application of the gypsum plaster in few simple steps.
- The gypsum powder is available in packed bags that can be bought from the market. The number of bags will depend on the total size of the area to be covered.
- Tear off the bags and take out the powder in a clean dry plastic bucket already filled with water, add the powder to water and not water to the powder, this will help you to mix easily.
- You can use an electronic stirrer for mixing the gypsum powder and water properly. This will ensure to form a consistent paste that can be used for applying on the walls.
- The walls must be cleaned properly before applying this paste, there should not be any dust on the walls. The first coat can be applied to the wall from upward to downwards.
- Ensure to maintain the total thickness of the plaster as per the plan, apply the gypsum plaster to the surface of the wall with firm pressure so that it sets properly.
- The plaster will set and harden pretty quickly, use a trowel and other tools to flatten and smoothen the surface. When the plaster gets hard, rub the surface with a sponge and water to smoothen it.
- The final plastered surface should be protected from exposure to moisture. The finishing and painting work should be started only after the plaster surface dries and set properly.
Cement Plaster vs Gypsum Plaster
The cement plaster has been a traditional and the most preferred choice of most homeowners. But the gypsum plaster is also getting more fame day by day. With less availability of natural sand, many people are on the look for other alternatives.
Let us have a look at the various factors that will help you to choose between cement plaster and gypsum plaster.
| S.No. | Factor | Cement Plaster | Gypsum Plaster |
| 1 | Price | The material costs are comparatively less but overall cost can be equal or even high. | The material costs are on the higher side but it is also very cost effective. |
| 2 | Strength | It offers excellent strength once it sets down properly after curing. | It does not offer a lot of strength to the walls and can break easily. |
| 3 | Thickness | Generally, its thickness can be in the range of 12 mm to 20 mm. | Generally, its thickness can be in the range of 6 mm to 20 mm. |
| 4 | Finish | It provides a very rough finish which has to be covered with multiple coats of wall putty. | It gives an amazing smooth finish which can be used with single putty coat and color. |
| 5 | Time | Cement plaster is comparatively more time consuming. | Gypsum plaster is comparatively less time consuming. |
| 6 | Application | Application process is comparatively tough. | Application process is quite simple and easy. |
| 7 | Labor | Requires more labor as compared to gypsum plaster. | Requires less labor as compared to cement plaster. |
| 8 | Water | A lot of water is required in pre curing, application, and post curing. | Very less water is required and that too only during the application of plaster. |
| 9 | Shrinkage | A lot of shrinkage happens after the application. | Very less to no shrinkage after the application. |
| 10 | Wastage | Comparatively more wastage happens during the application. | Comparatively less wastage happens during the application. |
