A lot of people throw around the term “Venetian plaster,” but what does it really mean? 5 things you’ve probably heard about Venetian plaster, and why they are wrong: 1. You’ve heard: “Venetian plaster is a faux finish.” The truth: Authentic Venetian plaster is not a faux finish. In fact, it’s the most authentic veneer wall finish you can have. When natural, lime-based venetian plaster is applied it will eventually return to it’s original state, which is lime and marble, AKA stone. 2. You’ve heard: You can buy Venetian plaster at Lowes or Home Depot. The truth: You will find products labeled “Venetian plaster,” but they are actually composed of acrylic polymers and fillers such as gypsum and/or clay. While these synthetic Venetian plasters made by paint manufacturers may look somewhat similar to the real thing to the untrained eye, it’s been our experience that these synthetics will ultimately fade and become “tired” looking over a relatively short period of time, just like painted walls.

Unlike real Venetian Plaster, synthetic Venetians are more closely related to paint than to stone, so this should come as no surprise. 3. You’ve heard: Venetian plaster can’t be applied in the shower, on exteriors, or on any surface that will get wet. The truth: True Italian Venetian plaster is actually a wonderful choice for surfaces that will get wet. Lime plasters perform extremely well in wet climates by simply allowing any water that is absorbed into the plaster to quickly evaporate and exit the structure. That’s why they’re called Venetian plaster, because they can tolerate rising damp and canal-side applications like in the lagoons of Venice that would cause failure in acrylic and cement plasters. Traditional Moroccan lime plaster Tadelakt has been used in the Hammams (the traditional Moroccan steam baths), and in the riads of Marrakech for centuries. 4. You’ve heard: Anyone can apply Venetian plaster in their home. The truth: Well, it’s true that anyone can apply it.

But applying it well is a different story. While we definitely aren’t saying you’ll be a pro after one day, our new Introduction to Authentic Venetian Plaster is a good place for a beginner to start understanding the do’s and dont’s of Venetian plaster application. Also, consider hiring a skilled contractor to do the job. 5. You’ve heard: Installing Venetian plaster in your home will break the bank. The truth: Unlike paints which must be reapplied over and over, Venetian plaster is a lifetime finish. The material is self-healing, much less likely to crack than cement finishes, and naturally mold-resistant, resulting in beautiful walls that will withstand the test of time. Green building will be a key part of America’s economic future, and authentic Venetian plasters are not only beautiful, they fit perfectly into the future of green building. 6. You’ve heard: Venetian plaster is really shiny. The truth: OK that’s 6 things, not 5. Just consider this as bonus knowledge.

Yes, Venetian plaster can be brought up to a natural high sheen by compressing the material as it dries. The more compression, the higher the sheen. However, natural lime plasters can also be finished to a rustic matte or satin sheen, depending on which material is used and how it is applied. The possible looks and finishes for Venetian plaster are limitless! Got any more questions about Venetian plaster? Feel free to ask and we’ll do our best to shed some light on the subject. Persian Kittens For Sale MinnesotaReady to experience authentic Venetian plaster for yourself? Avis Car Rental Nz Auckland AirportVisit our store and get all the materials you need, or sign up for one of our classes and learn how to plaster like a pro.Craigslist Puppies Sale Toledo Ohio

This entry was posted in lime plaster, Tadelakt, Venetian plaster and tagged authentic Venetian plaster, earth-friendly Venetian plaster, exterior plaster, faux finish, lime Venetian plaster, Venetian plaster, Venetian plaster in the shower, Venetian plaster myths. Is it worth it to paint a porcelain tub, or should I just get a new one? August 27, 2013   Subscribe We're getting our 1960's era home ready to sell for as cheaply as possible. It comes with two porcelain tubs in lovely shades of avocado and beige, and never-been-updated bathrooms...How to Repair Holes in Ceramic Tile Artists acrylic paints similar to those demonstrated in this project are available from art supply stores and online. Patching unwanted holes in glazed tile like this can be a tricky proposition. Here's a solution that may not always be perfect, but will make a big improvement. This is polyester resin, often used to repair car bodies. We'll mix up a small batch by adding some hardener and stirring it thoroughly.

Using a putty knife, press the resin into the hole slightly overfilling it. Then just as the material begins to harden while it's somewhat rubbery, trim off the excess with a razor blade. Next use 600 grit sandpaper to sand the filler smooth. Wetting the paper with water makes it work best. Now it's time to try and match the color of the tile. This porcelain touch up kit which is available at most home improvement centers comes with several different colors of paint. The trick here is to mix these different colors together until we come up with one that matches the tile. Apply the paint with a small brush. You can test it on a nearby tile. When you get it the way you want it, then just paint over the patch and let that dry. Give it one final sanding with that very fine sandpaper and you'll have, well, maybe not a perfect match, but something that's a heck of a lot better than what you started with.DEAR TIM: I am really fed up with the constant care that my ceramic tile bathtub and shower surround requires.

I would love to have a single piece of marble on each wall. Since I have not yet won the lottery, do you think the cultured marble products will suffice? Will these synthetic products loose their shine over time? Is it possible for the average person to install cultured marble products? Can you repair pieces that are damaged? Mack T., Liberty, IN DEAR MACK: Let's set the record straight before we go any further. Cultured marble is really not a totally synthetic product. Real natural marble dust is used to make cultured marble. This ground up marble dust accounts for over 75 percent of the volume of a typical cultured marble product. When mixed with a liquid polyester resin, the marble dust forms an attractive and durable bathroom and kitchen product. Real marble can be a nightmare in a bathroom or kitchen environment. It is naturally porous and as such can stain easily. Hair coloring products, chemically reactive shampoos and conditioners, and many colored liquids can cause staining problems with natural marble.

Because the resin coats all of the marble dust particles making them impervious, high quality cultured marble can withstand stains that might otherwise harm natural marble. The cultured marble industry is quite young and very interesting. It got its start in the late 1960's as a "garage" business. Small volume local fabricators sold their products to plumbing and building supply houses. The industry continues to be quite fragmented and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of small companies who produce cultured marble all over the United States. Unfortunately, the quality of the finished product can vary widely from one manufacturer to another. Several years ago, many of the leaders in the industry founded the International Cast Polymer Association. This group has created a certification process that allows consumers to purchase high quality cultured marble, granite, onyx and solid surface products with confidence. If you buy your cultured marble from a certified manufacturer, you should get a product that will maintain its brilliance for many, many years.

Cultured marble can be used to create many bathroom and kitchen products. Sinks with integral tops, bathtubs, whirlpool baths, shower basins, back splashes, wall panels, etc. are all possible. Since it is a molded product, manufacturers can create an infinite amount of designs tinted to any color. The clear finish can be ordered high gloss or satin from many manufacturers. It is possible to repair scratches, chips, and minor blemishes. A certified repair person can re-buff the surface with a special mixed gel-coat compound. Cracks and broken pieces are virtually impossible to repair. It is not possible to apply a complete new clear finish to a cultured marble product once it has left the factory. Installation of cultured marble tub and shower surrounds is really simple. The process goes quickly if the wall surfaces are plumb, square, and flat. The walls behind the cultured marble should be flat white. Colored drywall or gray cement board can show through some light colored marble products.

Dry fit each piece to make sure they are sized correctly. Remove dust from the back of each piece with rubbing alcohol before you apply clear 100 percent clear silicone caulk adhesive. I prefer to start my installations with the piece that goes on the wall I face as I enter the tub or shower. If you install the side wall pieces first, your cuts on the final piece have to be perfect. That can be tough for a beginner. Caulk all seams with a colored 100 percent silicone caulk that will closely match the cultured marble. Cultured marble is easy to care for once installed. Avoid any cleaning product that contains abrasives. Use a squeegee after each shower to quickly remove water drops from walls. If hard water deposits accumulate on shower or bath walls, they can be dissolved easily with vinegar applied from a spray bottle. Apply the vinegar and wait for 45 minutes to an hour. Rinse the softened deposits with clear water and a sponge or cleaning rag. Heavy hard water deposits may require multiple vinegar spray applications.