What is interior wall finishing?
It is a set of works carried out after renovation in a room. Interior finishing includes both rough and final finishes, and in this article, you will learn about the stages of both rough and final finishing in a stone house.
Rough Finishing
Rough wall finishing in a stone house is a set of works performed before the final finishing, i.e., before the clean finish.
This process includes plastering and drywall installation. Below is detailed information about these processes.
Plastering Walls: Types of Materials
Plastering walls is a very important stage of rough wall finishing because it helps create a smooth, and most importantly, solid surface for applying further finishing layers (paint, wallpaper, etc.).
There are three materials available for plastering walls during rough finishing.
- Lime is a mixture that includes sand and lime. Lime and sand are mixed. This material has gained great popularity due to its advantages: excellent vapor permeability, versatility, ease of use, eco-friendliness (harmless to people and the environment), plasticity, safety, and good thermal insulation properties. The disadvantages of lime plaster include low strength, the need for three layers, and slow hardening.
- Cement-based rough plaster contains cement and sand. This plaster is considered the most popular and has several important advantages: low cost, long service life, ecological safety, high adhesion properties, resistance to ultraviolet rays and moisture, high resistance to mechanical loads, and strength. Disadvantages include low plasticity, quick hardening of the material, the heavy weight of the mixture, and possible cracking.
- Gypsum plaster is used for pre-finish processing in heated rooms with normal or low humidity. This material is eco-friendly, porous, has low thermal conductivity, and does not shrink. However, it has some drawbacks, such as low strength and promoting corrosion of the material.
The choice of material depends on the characteristics of the walls and the room as a whole.
Drywall installation: Main types of drywall and installation rules
Drywall is a popular material used during rough wall installation.
Several types of drywall are available on the modern market:
- Standard or basic drywall. This type is light gray and is intended for use in rooms with a relative humidity level of no more than 60%.
- Moisture-resistant drywall has a characteristic green color. It contains special additives that reduce water absorption and prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
- Fire-resistant drywall is pink.
- Arched drywall is thin and flexible, able to bend.
- Acoustic drywall.
Fire and moisture-resistant drywall has high resistance to both moisture and fire. - Laminated drywall.
Drywall Installation Includes 5 Stages
- The first stage is preparing the walls – they must be clean, strong, and dust-free.
- Preparation of drywall sheets. The following tools are needed for cutting the sheets: a roller, sprayer, wet brush, sanding ball, construction syringe, sanding brush, smooth and notched spatulas. You need to cut the sheet to the height of the wall from floor to ceiling, allowing for a 1 cm gap.
Also, think ahead about the placement of hidden electrical wiring and pipes. Check for special holes in the drywall for electrical boxes. - Gluing the sheets. For reliable attachment, follow all the rules for preparing the adhesive mixture.
- Installing the drywall sheets.
- Sealing the seams.
Final Wall Finishing – Finishing Materials
Final wall finishing consists of two stages: plastering and final cladding of the walls.
Plaster is applied exclusively to smooth and strong surfaces for insulation and leveling. There are three types of plaster – it can be made from polymer material, gypsum, or cement.
Final cladding of walls is done using various materials, including wallpaper, panels, tiles, paint, wood, stone, and even textiles.
Here are some options for wall decoration in the house:
- Wallpaper is the most popular option, which has a number of advantages: low cost, ease of application, and a wide variety of textures and colors. You can find various types of wallpaper – paper, photo wallpaper, fleece, and vinyl.
- Liquid wallpaper is a modern material for wall decoration. It is made from cellulose with added decorative elements. These wallpapers require water for dilution.
- Paint. By painting the surfaces, you can create a bright, unique, and original interior. The following types of paints are used for painting walls: latex, acrylic, and chalk paints made on a water-based solution.
- Using decorative plaster is an excellent solution for giving walls the desired color and texture. The main advantages of decorative plaster include high strength and wear resistance, as well as a long service life.
- Ceramic tiles are most often used in kitchens and bathrooms, i.e., in rooms with high humidity. Ceramic tiles are easy to clean (just wipe with a damp cloth and cleaning agents), wear-resistant, durable (they maintain their original appearance for a long time), and come in various designs.
The choice of material depends on individual preferences and the characteristics of the specific room.