What is Venetian Plaster – and How to Use It in Your Home?
One way to augment the appearance of your home’s interior is by using plaster to line the walls. For many centuries, plaster has been used to create a unique look that many homeowners have enjoyed. Venetian plaster is among the best and most beautiful. Understanding what is Venetian plaster and how it is used in the home can help you create a more pleasing atmosphere.
What is Venetian Plaster?
Venetian plaster is a combination of plaster mixed with layers of marble dust, lime, and other natural materials. The mixture is then burnished to bring out a smooth, reflective surface that resembles marble, but with a high sheen. Because of its inherent beauty, Venetian plaster is becoming more popular as it brings out the look of surfaces.
This type of plaster dates back roughly 2,000 years. And today, part of the resurgence in this and other types of plaster is that they use natural materials. Plus, they can be applied across different surfaces to bring out the natural beauty of your home.
How to Use Venetian Plaster?
The primary purpose of Venetian plaster is to create a distinctive interior finish that can be applied to interior surfaces and across different materials. Such surfaces include walls, arches, and columns where it was commonly used by the Ancient Greeks and Romans. But what makes it special is that it can be applied across different materials such as the following:
- Brick
- Drywall
- Stone
- Wood
You can apply plaster to walls, ceilings, vent hoods, fireplaces, and more. Plus, because it resists moisture, Venetian plaster can be used in the bathroom and on outdoor surfaces as well. But remember to use a proper sealant to ensure that the plaster holds up over time in humid environments.
Venetian plaster offers many different shades, but the most common are earth tones such as brown, beige, and taupe. All-white is common, but it can show trowel marks and other tiny imperfections to a greater degree compared to darker colors. Because the coloring can be added to the mixture, you can choose the color that you desire.
Advantages & Disadvantages
To know what is Venetian plaster means focusing on its pros and cons. The good news is that Venetian plaster offers plenty of advantages for homeowners:
- Long Lasting
- Low Maintenance
- Scuff Resistant
- Easy to Clean
If sections of the plaster become damaged, you can touch them up with relative ease. However, with all the advantages, there is one potential downside.
You must hire a skilled artisan to apply Venetian plaster. Because the work requires an experienced hand which applies several layers of the plaster to the surface, followed by buffing to bring out its shine, this can be expensive depending on the artisan you hire.
Now that you know what is Venetian plaster, its advantages, and commonly used colors, you can have it applied to the interior or exterior of your home. This allows you to add a new layer of protection along with making your home look more beautiful and elegant.
Email or call Tilo Martin Painting for more information 310-230-0202.
