Plastering is the term used to describe the material spread over the surface of irregular and coarse

textured wall, column, and ceiling to provide a smooth, hard and leveled finish which can be painted for
good appearance.

In actual ‘Plastering’ is an art, truly recognized for constructing the base. It refers to the construction
done with plaster which includes a layer of plaster on an interior wall or plaster decorative moldings
done on ceilings or walls. The process of creating plasterwork is called ‘Plastering’.

Thickness of Plastering

• Recommended thickness of plastering for brick walls is 12 MM, 15 MM or 20 MM.

• 12 MM thick cement plaster is done where the plain surface of brick masonry is plastered.
• 15 MM cement plaster is required on the rough side of 9” and 4.5” wall.
• 20 MM thick cement plaster is done in two coats in some cases on rough side of wall or
according to the design requirement.
• 18 MM thick cement plaster with neat cement slurry is required for making ‘Dado’ with the
cement concrete flooring.
• Recommended thickness of plastering for RCC surface is 6 MM and 10 MM.
• 6 MM thick cement plaster is done on the RCC surface where it is required.
• 10 MM thick cement plaster is done underside of the RCC ceiling/ roof.

Ratio of Cement and Sand for

‘Plastering’
The ratio of cement and sand for plastering is given below.

• 6 MM thickness of cement plaster and cement mortar 1:3 or 1:4 is recommended for cement
plastering on RCC surfaces, on the RCC walls, Fascia etc. or as directed by the Engineer,
• 6 MM to 10 MM thickness of cement plaster and cement mortar in 1:3 or 1:4 ratios is
recommended for underside of RCC slabs.
• 12 MM thick cement mortar in 1:4 ratios is recommended on the walls where smooth side
exists.
• Either 9 or 4.5 MM thick and 15 MM thick cement plaster in 1:4 ratios is recommended on
the rough side of the walls.
• 20 MM thick cement mortar in 1:3 with two coats is recommended in case of vertical Damp
Proof Course (DPC).
• 6 MM thick cement mortar in 1:3 with a coat of white washing is recommended in case of
bearing plaster on the walls under the slab.
 • 15 MM thick cement mortar in 1:3 is used with 3 MM thick cement rendering on plaster in
case of Dado.

Achieve a good quality in

‘Plastering’
Some precautions for good Plastering are given below:

• Fix all the fittings of electric pipes, water supply pipes, and electric boxes etc. properly as
per drawing /requirement before starting the plaster work.
• Fit all the pipes so deep into the walls that the pipes can get proper thickness of mortar on
them to avoid cracks in plaster surface.
• Make proper bond between the background and the plaster coat. Make surface of the wall
clean, free from all racked mortar and dust etc. with the help of iron brushes.
• Wash and water the surface for 24 hours before the plaster is applied. Fix the reference
mark (BUNDAS) on the walls truly in lines and plumb before starting the plaster. Ensure that
all the edges of openings are round. Check the plaster frequently with straight edges and
plumb bob.
• Do proper curing for at least 15 days to harden the plaster sufficiently and avoid the damage
when watered.
• Mark proper dates on the plastered surface for proper curing .
• Protect all the fittings on the wall.
• Clean any splash of mortar on a finished surface immediately on completion of the work.

According to the designs/drawings there is change in the material on which plaster is to be done
such as brick surface, RCC surface etc.

• Avoid cracks in case of discontinuity of material (different types of material).

• Apply a neat cut through the plaster at the junction to prevent cracking of plaster caused by
discontinuity of backing, changing from concrete to brick work or changing from wall to ceiling.
• Make the cut through the plaster not deeper than 6 mm while the plaster is still green (at the
finishing of plaster) to keep the wall plaster separate from ceiling plaster.

Which are different types of

plastering for construction work?
Which are different types of plastering for construction work?
1. Sand faced plaster:

• The first coat of sand faced cement plaster is done with cement mortar in 1:4 with coarse
sand after curing the plaster for seven days the second coat of cement plaster 1:3 ratio will
be done on the first coat.
• Sponge is used in the second coat and it is applied when the second coat is wet, it is thus
worked that the density of sand grain appear on surface is equal and uniform.
• The surface is kept well watered at least for 15 days.

. Rough Cast Plaster:

• This plaster is a mixture of sand and gravel in specified proportion dashed over a freshly
plastered surface.
• The plaster base consists of two coats, under layer 12 mm thick and top layer 10 mm
thick having the cement mortar ratio 1:3.
• In order to make the base more plastic, about 10% of hydrated lime by volume of cement
shall be added while prepare mortar.

3.Pebbled dash plaster:

• It is similar to rough cast finish except clean pebble of size from 6 mm to 12.5 mm are
dashed against the surface so that there are laid in position by mortar applied already.

4. Smooth cast plaster or plain face plaster:

• This finish is just similar to sand faced finish except fine grained sand is used instead of
coarse sand.
• No sponging is done to expose the sand grain .
• It is normally done on internal walls.

5. De peter Plaster:

• This is just another form of rough cast finish.

• The rendering coat of 12 mm thick is prepared as in case of pebbled dash finish.
• While this coat is wet, pieces of gravel are pressed with hand on the surface.
• Thus it is possible to have beautiful patterns and ornamental designs on the surface by
selecting materials of different colors.

6.Washed stone Grit Plaster:

• This plaster is done in two layers, under layer 12 mm cement plaster in 1: 4 ratio.
• This is furrowing the under layer with scratching tools applying cement slurry on the under
layer at the rate 2 Kg. cement per SQM and on the top layer 1d5 mm cement plaster 1:0.5: 2
( 1 cement : 0.5 coarse sand : 2 stone chipping 10 MM nominal size. ) in panels with groove
 all around as per approved pattern including washing the top layer with brushes and water to
expose the stone chipping .

7. Plastering with terrazzo finish:

1. This plastering is normally 18 mm --------- with Terrazzo finish, rubbed and polished under
layer 12mm thick plaster 1:3 and top of 6 mm thick white, black, chocolate l, gray , yellow or
green marble chips of 3 mm laid in cement marble powder mix 3:1 by weight in proportion
4:7 marble powder mix cement 4 : 7 marble chips .

8.External wall cladding by stone:

1. This plastering is normally done by Dholpur stone.

Cracked Bricks Removed

Thick Brick Wall ( load Bearing)

Simple wall design with wall decals

Wall Cladding Design