Plastering a facade – You have a facade that needs to be plastered and you would like to know how to properly cover the outer wall of the house with plaster? Then you have come to the right place! In the following guidebook article we show you step by step which tools, which materials and which knowledge you should have ready. Then you can already start with the facade cladding.
Re-plaster the facade: That’s the way to do it!
Let us now turn to the finishes that will soon enable you to replaster your façade. However, for plastering the exterior wall of your house, you not only need step-by-step instructions, but you also need to know what materials and tools you need for the job.
That is why we provide a (chronological) list of tools and materials with brief explanations before the actual instructions for plastering the facade. This way you are optimally informed.
Your tool list
- Brush: For cleaning the substructure / masonry before plastering
- Painter’s tassel: Can be used to apply a primer if necessary
- Mortar bucket / large bucket: The plaster is mixed in it
- Drilling machine + drill whisk: Simplifies mixing immensely
- Bricklayer’s trowel: For picking up and distributing plaster from the bucket
- Carpet / board: Used for smoothing the flush-mounted surface
- Sponge board / rubbing board: For smoothing / structuring the finish plaster
Your material list:
- Repair mortar: Used to level out defects, holes and cracks
- Primer: For absorbent subsoil / masonry (sand-lime brick, some field stones, cellular concrete, etc.)
- Plaster mortar: Serves to fix the plaster substructures such as profiles and rails
- Plaster base: This can be fabric and plaster profiles, but also metal grids
- Plaster profile / plaster rail: The plaster profile is usually attached to plaster rails, which are fixed to the substructure / masonry
- Plaster: The base plaster is applied to the plaster base and covers it; the top plaster is applied as a final layer
Instructions for plastering the facade
Now that you know what things you need from the hardware store, from equipment rental or simply from the garage/basement, we can get to work on preparing and carrying out the plastering.
The following steps should show you how to proceed best to get the best result.
Prepare the facade
Use the brush to remove dust, dirt, loose pieces and other impurities from the facade, insulation or masonry. If there are coarse flakes, holes or cracks, use the repair mortar to repair these areas.
If you now find that the outside wall of the house is made of sandstone, sand-lime brick, aerated concrete or another highly absorbent material, apply a primer. It is best to use the painter’s tassel to do this quickly and successfully.
A finish against water is important on the wall, as wet walls not only use thermal energy and thus reduce the energy efficiency of the house, but also favour mould, algae and moss.
Once the substrate has been sufficiently prepared, the plaster profiles and/or plaster rails are ready for the planned application. Plaster profiles should be used especially if you are not sure whether the plaster on the sub-wall will hold on by itself – they serve as plaster base.
For beginners, the plastering rails are also worthwhile in order to keep the thickness of the plaster layer the same and – if necessary at the window and door – to make finishes cleaner.
You can get both aids in the DIY store or in the wholesale trade for building materials. It is best to fix the aids with plaster mortar.
Mix plaster
Recessed plaster is important for the next step – because thanks to this mixture, a basis is created for the upper plaster that will be seen later.
When mixing in plaster, look carefully at the manufacturer’s instructions, which should be on the packaging of the mixture. This is the only way to use the right amount of water and the right amount of complete mixture to cover the house facade you intend to use.
The tools used for this step are mortar bucket and drill whisk.
Apply and smooth facade plaster
Now the trowel is used. Use it to take up the ready-mixed compound and spread it evenly on the wall / substructure. Smooth the facade plaster between two dimensions that you have marked out by rail using the board or the cartouche provided.
You should do this properly, but not too slowly. The base plaster must be applied wet and must also be applied wet to each other. New, wet facade plaster on already dried material can lead to cracks or other damage.
Allow plaster layer to be applied
“Tighten” describes here that the mass you apply will form a bond with the material underneath. This takes time – on average one and a half hours (1.5h). After this time you take the sponge board or the rubbing board and rub the dressed plaster straight off.
Allow to dry
On the day of the first plastering, plan not only the dressing time, i.e. the rest period of 1.5 hours, but also the drying time of the material afterwards. Professionals recommend a drying time of one day per 1 mm thickness. So if you apply 5 mm under plaster, it is best to let it dry for at least 5 days.
Finish facade with upper plaster
After your short break, during which the first plaster was allowed to dry, apply the finishing coat. Proceed in the same way as before: mix the compound according to the manufacturer’s instructions and then use the trowel and the plasterer’s float / board. Note that this layer need not be as thick as the lower layer.
Depending on your preferences, you can buy plaster in different colours and textures in building supplies stores. Mostly you have the choice of these products:
- Roughcast
- Felt Plaster
- Decorative plaster
- Scratch plaster
- Window cleaning
- Grooved plaster
- And some more
Conclusion and facade paint
Plastering the facade is not a task that can be completed in a weekend. Nevertheless, it is not something that inevitably requires professional specialists to carry out.
With the right materials and tools, as well as patience and some buying advice in a specialist store, you will definitely get the job done. Usually there is also someone in your circle of acquaintances or relatives who can help you with advice and support.
If you would like to apply facade paint to the finished surface plaster, directly to the masonry or any other type of facade, then you are welcome to have a look at our information page on proPERLA products. There you will also find further water-repellent, self-cleaning and breathable solutions for walls, roofs and floors in the menu!
