Choosing Marmorino or Polished Plaster
When choosing a Polished Plaster or "Marmorino finish for your project always research the brand of Polished Plasters and the application company that you are considering to use. Hopefully the information below will help to ensure you are getting the quality material and the highly skilled workmanship you expect.
General Guide to buying Polished Plaster/Marmorino
Marmorino or Polished Plaster can be referred to by many different terms such as Stucco, Lucidato, Venetian Plaster, Marble plaster, Spatulato, Veneziano, Grassello. However, these name differences do not mean that you are getting the same quality material and in fact some are very cheap imitations. Companies give their products various names, sometimes to help sell cheap inferior products at a premium price.
Quality Marmorino or Polished Plaster must be lime based, have a minimum of 40% marble content, Class O fire rated, zero VOC content [prior to colouring] with a proven history of over 5 years to ensure the colour systems are successful. Professional Polished Plaster artisans will select the correct colour and product to suit your environment
Quality Marmorino will be smooth and cold to the touch, have a consistent shine with light colour contrasts (light and shaded effects) giving a sense of depth.
The highest quality Marmorino is not flexible enough to be shown on cardboard samples. Any Polished Plaster samples shown on cardboard are cheaper imitations. Marmorino and quality Polished Plasters are solid finishes and would break if displayed on a flexible substrate.
Only purchase Marmorino or any Lime base Polished Plasters from reputable companies as storage, product age, mixing with cheaper products etc all affect the quality and the finished result.
Avoid products where you do not have the manufactures details and ensure that the material to be used is detailed on a written quotation.
Application
The application of Polished Plaster or Marmorino is a key ingredient to a prestige finish. It takes many years and thousands of square meters for the craftsperson to perfect. The skill of your selected company always needs to be investigated as many companies may have little or no experience.
- Get referrals from past customers. Look for company referrals with references to projects, addresses, dates, and details on materials used. Most companies will be happy to provide this information if the work was done to a high standard.
- If possible visit past projects.
- Images- always find out about image locations and who actually has done the work on that project. Images are copied and appear daily on the Internet by many unscrupulous individuals.
- You need details regarding the applicators experience, training and dates. The worlds leading artisans view craftspeople as apprentices until they have completed over 3000 square meters. In this industry all artisans will continue to develop their skills for decades.
- Professional companies will have public and employers liability insurance.
- Professional companies will help with design and colour selection.
- Always get the application companies addresses and landline numbers to help ensure there actually is an established company. If you have problems making contact ask why?
- Always request a sample board to help decide on colour, texture etc. Small samples will vary from the handcrafted wall finish. A good company will be happy to let you view a sample wall during the early stages of your project. Shades can be lightened and darkened on site very easily by professional Polished Plaster companies.
- Visit the site to ensure you are happy with the colour and textures during the application.
- A professional company will be very passionate about their finishes and normally will welcome involvement from customers.
- These are all hand crafted finishes and all behave very differently to normal materials for decorating so ensure you are clear about the expected end result.
Problems
- Some Polished Plaster colours can disappear or fade very quickly. Companies need a good portfolio of work and proof they use only the best brand of materials.
- Cheap or badly applied Polished Plaster or Marmorino can appear to have a great shine but in many cases this was created with wax. A well applied stucco will be as shinny as required prior to the wax being applied. Wax is for protection not to cover up poor workmanship and inferior plasters.
- If stucco has been over waxed you will be able to rub the shine away with your fingers.
- Substrates can provide problems. A good reputable company will advise you and give written instructions regarding substrates.
- Watch out for beginners offering a standard colour range, professionals can prepare most colours to suit your palette.
- Ask plenty of questions as a professional should know most of the answers.
- One of the biggest problems is the customer not being aware of how the end result should look. Keep in contact with your craftspeople; well crafted finishes will last for many years.