Finding Your Perfect Plaster Finish

Plaster finishes are everywhere right now. I get it, as some customers said, once they’ve seen that layered depth in person, regular paint just doesn’t cut it anymore. What’s interesting is that a few also mentioned how the word “plaster” used to feel intimidating, like something technical, reserved for the PROs. And yet, people have been using it for over 5,000 years, not to say when everything was DIY. So it’s a lot more approachable than it sounds! 

We have an option for almost everyone, so let me walk you through our lineup. But before we get into the products, do you know what plaster is, really? Simply put, plaster is a mineral mixed with sand and water into a thick paste that hardens once it’s applied. Some plasters are made with gypsum, others with lime or cement. That difference in mineral is what gives each type its own personality.

Now, within lime plasters, there’s another thing worth knowing the difference between real slaked lime versus synthetic or acrylic stuff marketed as “lime.” Real slaked lime goes through a traditional process that actually carbonates as it cures. That’s what gives it the breathability and depth over time. The synthetic versions might look similar going on, but they don’t carbonate the same way, so they just don’t hold up or age the same over the long run. 

Venetian Glaze, the versatile but easy Diva

 

If you’ve never worked with plaster before, and especially if you plan to DIY, I would suggest Venetian Glaze, made from authentic Italian slaked lime. Used undiluted and applied with a trowel in sweeping motions, it builds that rich, plaster-like movement everyone loves right now. It works on interior drywall with a coat of Romabio MicroGrip Primer first, it’s easy to use and has less steps involved. It’s a beautiful finish for one or two walls without fully committing to plaster. We wrote about Venetian Glaze in this post, so if this sounds like your project, go check it out.

Elevate with Italian Slaked Lime Plasters

The traditional Italian Slaked-lime Plasters are ideal for multiple rooms that require subtle beauty in transition. Our Italian Slaked-lime Plasters all come from the Dolomite river beds in Italy, and the main difference between the products is the grain size is made with ultra-fine marble powder, which gives it a mirror-like gloss. Use coarser marble grains for a satin finish with a natural stone texture. The coarsest of the group is Travertino. The combination of sand and natural stone aggregate lends it a heavier, veined look with a matte finish. I’d say it reproduces the look of natural stone most faithfully of the three.

After receiving many inquiries about versatility, we developed several finish/sheen options for Marmorino (it turned out to be the most versatile of the three). Marmorino GF’s flat sheen and medium grain is something you could look at for smooth to semi-smooth finishes. However, if you want more texture, Marmorino GM uses a heavier, but still gentle grain. Marmorino Flat delivers a rustic, subtle look, and Marmorino Satin can go anywhere from soft to formal and glossy depending on the technique. 

Unico Plaster System, best when you need a workhorse finish

Kitchens, bathrooms, showers, stairwells, or high-traffic floors are a special case, as all those demand serious durability and waterproofing. Most decorative plasters are gorgeous on a wall but were never meant to be walked on or soaked every single day. Plus, even the finishes that claim to handle moisture usually depend on a sealer that wears away over time. 

Unico Plaster products are  waterproof through every step of the system, from the primer to the topcoat, and that means there is no single fragile layer standing between your shower and disaster. A little flex we implanted in the formula also makes it move along with the tiny natural shifts in a floor or wall, thus keeping its surface intact. Just know that this one is only for professional use, so it’s a job for your contractor who can take the finish anywhere from matte to high gloss in a custom-tinted color.

So, which one’s right for you?

The surface itself can make the decision for you, because drywall leans toward Venetian Glaze or Italian Slaked-lime Plasters for kitchen hoods, we’d recommend Marmorino Flat or Marmorino Satin. For bathrooms, floors, kitchen islands and other high-traffic areas use the Unico Plaster System. 

The last thing to consider is finding the right PRO for the job. We have a network of experienced Romabio PROs ready to help, or if you already have a painter or contractor in mind, we’re happy to help train them on our products and application techniques.

Check out our Hire a PRO guide post to get familiar with the process we created to help you find Romabio PROs in your area.

And of course, happy plastering!