Why a Plaster Ceiling? – Types of Plaster Products, Advantages and Applications

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A false ceiling is the quintessential home cosmetic. It hides the ugly (but necessary) infrastructure on ceilings. It also provides an easily-workable framework for future renovation projects.

And a plaster ceiling is perfect as a false ceiling (more specifically, a plasterboard ceiling). Used in home interiors, plaster demonstrates many advantages and is very versatile.

Also, mixing plaster with other materials also produces a variety of products that are great for other applications; acoustics plaster for soundproofing, lime plaster (moisture resistance), decorative stucco plaster (aesthetics) and concrete plaster (for binding with concrete elements and exteriors).

[Follow this link for an information overload of everything plaster]

But we’re interested in making good plaster ceilings, so let’s take a look at gypsum plaster.

Gypsum Plaster

Gypsum plaster (CaSO4, or calcium sulphate) is lightweight, fire-resistant, soundproof, and semi-insulating. These properties make it suitable for many home design applications.

Gypsum plaster is also safe for health, making it ideal in interiors where people live. This is important as certain materials such as example is asbestos plaster are known carcinogens.

So if you're the owner of an older building, it's best that you find out if asbestos is present. And if it is, get it replaced as soon as possible!

How is Gypsum Plaster different from Plaster of Paris?

Essentially not too different. Compared to gypsum, Plaster of Paris has a lower water content and is more brittle. However, this allows Plaster of Paris to hold its shape better when moulded and therefore better for making decorative items.

Design & image courtesy of Ease Deco Sdn Bhd, a renovation contractor in Johor Bahru.

Advantages of a Plaster Ceiling

          1 . Easily Workable and Lightweight

Ease of workability and lightness are plaster’s biggest advantages. Today, plasterboard ceilings are more popular than traditional plastering due to ease, cost and speed of installation, at a slight cost to aesthetic appeal.

Its ease of workability also makes future installations and post-renovation work easier. For example, pulling in new cables into your home (through the false ceiling) to make it cable TV/internet ready).

The material’s ease of workability also lends it versatility in creating decorative designs that would otherwise be difficult with other materials (see “How is Gypsum Plaster different from Plaster of Paris?” above). This can be a simple recess for more dramatic lighting, or even a more elaborate Baroque-esque designs, statues and carvings.

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              2 .   Soundproofing

Soundproofing is privacy. For one, it prevents unwanted noises permeating through walls and ceilings. You don't want to end up sharing your private life with your immediate neighbours now, do you?

Interior designers and builders use acoustics plasters to soundproof homes. Acoustics plasters consist of a plaster and fibre/aggregate (e.g. mineral wool or blow-glass) mix that form a sound-absorbing matrix.

            3 .   High Fire Resistance

Plaster is resistant to heat and fire. When plaster comes into contact with extreme heat, water contained in it absorbs the heat and vaporises, dispersing the heat energy away from the plaster (i.e. dehydration process - think sweating).

< Don’t Wait for a Fire to Ruin Your Life )-: Contact a Reliable Contractor in Johor Bahru today and Fireproof Your Home with a well-built Plaster Ceiling and Wall. >

Also, since most of the heat from a fire source moves upward, it makes a lot of sense to fireproof the ceiling.

Experimental fire resistant plasters like plaster and polyurethane mix are also available. Not having your ceiling and walls combust into a fiery fireball is definitely a good thing. 

             4 .   Thermal Insulation

Heat efficiency is key to building an energy efficient home, and walls made from composites of thermal resistant materials with plaster on the interior’s side.

While plaster isn't the best insulator available, it's clean look and cool touch makes it an excellent finish for interior walls. It still has an R-value of 0.45. Common bricks have an R-value of 0.20 (where R-value referring thermal insulation efficiency).

            5 .   Aesthetic Quality

Last but not least, people love the aesthetic qualities of plaster ceiling design that when done right looks absolutely seamless with no visible joints or gaps. 

Smooth surfaces also take up paint evenly, making the painted surfaces (if washable paint was used) to be easy to clean. Plaster also does not react strongly with alkali (common paint base).

Plaster also look great regardless of lighting. Natural lighting in particular (due to its uncontrolled nature) could throw shadows around an interior space carelessly, thus looking out of place. Its effects are even more glaring if the lights are reflecting off a surface that’s uneven and/or irregular.

Design & image courtesy of Ease Deco Sdn Bhd

Disadvantages of Plaster

1.        1 . Susceptible to Water Damage

Though plaster is fairly durable and will take moderate knocks, regular plaster cannot be exposed to high levels of moisture. This also means that it’s unsuitable to be used outdoors.

            2 .  Relatively Expensive

Compared to cement and cement lime plasters, plaster is relatively expensive and laborious to work with. 

 

Installation

The installation of plasterboard and traditional plaster are described briefly below:

      Step 1:

      Plasterboard: A frame (e.g. aluminium) is built into the ceiling.

      Traditional plaster ceiling: A wire mesh lath placed on top of a waterproof membrane to hold the plaster mixture is used instead.

*Note: Ample ceiling height is necessary when installing false ceilings to allow for proper installation of ceiling fans, lights, etc.

Step 2:

Plasterboard: Plasterboard is loaded into the frame.

Traditional plaster ceiling: Plaster mix (checked for consistency) is spread evenly into the wire mesh lath and allowed to cure for 48 hours.

*Note: Ensure that materials are safe and remind your contractor or interior designer to avoid using hazardous materials such as asbestos in their construction;

     Step 3:

      Plasterboard & Traditional: Gaps where the plaster, ceiling and wall meet are then sealed. A finishing layer of paint is applied. Bright colours such as white are often picked as dark colours will make a room look smaller.

 

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Interested in more interior design related reading?

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