Venetian plaster is actually a modern term for an ancient wall covering technique. It’s so ancient, in fact, that remnants of Venetian plaster walls have been found in Pompeii (talk about durability!). Venetian plaster enjoyed a resurgence in the 15th century in Venice, which is how it became associated with the Italian city.
1. Natural Venetian Plaster
Today, there is synthetic or acrylic Venetian plaster, which is different from natural Venetian plaster. Natural Venetian plaster has several characteristics:
* It’s made with natural ingredients, such as lime and marble dust. There are no synthetic pigments or chemicals.
* Natural Venetian plaster is odorless.
* It can have a burnished or rough finish – burnished finishes are shiny and glossy, while un-burnished surfaces remain rough and stone-like.
2. Benefits of Natural Venetian Plaster
There are all kinds of reasons to use natural Venetian plaster. Here are some of the benefits of this technique.
* Durability – Natural Venetian plaster is quite durable, particularly if it’s burnished. The un-burnished finish may be subject to chipping and damage as it’s more brittle. But as we learn from Pompeii, this kind of plaster can last a very long time.
* Versatility – Besides being able to add natural pigments to your specific tastes, natural Venetian plaster is also versatile enough to be used for columns, curvy walls, and other structures. It can also be used in areas where a marble look is desired but is not practical to install.
Natural Venetian plaster can also be applied over a variety of surfaces, such as drywall, brick, wood, tile, and cement.
* Mold-resistant – Natural Venetian plaster creates a natural moisture barrier, and is resistant to mildew and mold.
* Insulation – In the winter, natural Venetian plaster is said to keep your home warmer, and in the summer, it may keep things cooler. In addition, natural Venetian plaster has a reputation for acting as a sound barrier.
* Eco-Friendly – Thanks to the above characteristics, natural Venetian plaster is a “green” option.
3. How Is It Applied?
You apply the plaster with a trowel held at an angle of 15 to 30 degrees. The first layer is thin, even to the point that the wall beneath shows through a bit. Sources recommend wiping the trowel frequently in order to prevent dried bits of plaster getting mixed in with a fresh application.
Once the top coat dries (about 4 hours – longer in humid weather), you apply the second coat of plaster. This time, sources suggest you hold the trowel at a shallower angle, about 60 to 90 degrees, so that the trowel is almost flat against the first coat. This second coat needs to dry about 24 hours.
If you are going to burnish the surface, now is the time. To burnish, rub the plaster surface with fine sandpaper (400 to 600 grit) in a circular motion; or use the flat side of the (clean) trowel to get a shinier surface.
The topcoat is applied last and is considered optional. You use a trowel for the topcoat, too – just make sure it’s the right topcoat for your manufacturer’s plaster.
