In order to understand how stucco differs by machine application from manual, it is necessary to compare all the main parameters of the application of two technologies, to determine the differences and features of each type of work.
Comparison of work technology
Material. Various mixtures are used in the preparation of the stucco mortar for automated manual feeding and kneading. Special additives are added to the solution for mechanical feeding, which ensure the smooth operation of the mechanisms and prevent the mixture from sticking to the rotating parts of the machine. The method of preparing the mixture itself is also different.
If it was decided to plaster manually, the dry mixes are sent to a container of water and mixed with a mixer, then the mixture settles for 2 hours and mixes again, after which it can be applied.
The difference between machine plaster and manual plaster in this case is only in the method of mixing dry ingredients and water - this process occurs simultaneously with the supply of the solution to the surface. Solids are supplied through one hose, water through another, and mixing takes place in the air until it touches the wall.
Drying time of the plastered surface. For the formation of a surface ready to be treated with a grater, in the case of mechanical application, it takes at least four hours, while in case of manual surface treatment 1.5–2 are sufficient (the terms are valid for gypsum solutions).
This feature of the mechanical application of the mixture allows you to perform a larger amount of work on preliminary alignment of the surface with the rule than with the manual method. Typically, the roles of finishers are distributed in this way: one master applies the solution to the wall from the spray gun, and two or three other finishers are engaged in leveling. Thus, in a short time you can plaster large areas.
The need to install beacons. In both cases, to obtain a high-quality surface, it is necessary to arrange beacons. The installation process of the guides along which the plaster layer is leveled with the rule is the same for both manual application and the mechanical method.
Quality. It is definitely impossible to say that it is better - machine or manual plaster. When using both methods of plastering, the qualification of workers is important, therefore, it is not correct to distinguish the quality of work by the application method. The final alignment of the solution on the surface and its grout, which determines the final quality of work, are performed manually, only the application method differs.
Limitations Using the mechanical method of plastering is impossible in confined spaces, so if it was decided to invite craftsmen with a plastering machine to work in the apartment, remember that you will have to call another team to work in the bathrooms.
In both cases, it is preferable to use solutions based on gypsum for internal work (except for rooms with high humidity), and for external work based on cement and lime. It must be remembered that when mechanically feeding cement-sand mortars, the speed, in comparison with the supply of gypsum-based mixtures, drops almost twice.
Having considered the features of both options, it can be argued that mechanization can significantly increase the speed of surface treatment, but the choice in favor of one or another method should be based on the specifics and scope of work.
Which is cheaper
Pricing for this type of work is formed on the basis of several factors:
- The cost of applying plaster. With the manual method, masters usually request about 300 rubles per square meter. m. of one layer, and with a mechanized one - within 250 rubles per sq.m. It would seem that the difference and, accordingly, the benefits are obvious, but there are limitations. Such rates when using machine plastering are possible when performing large volumes of work (usually from 1500 sq.m.), and the plastering area of the average apartment is much smaller. In addition, it should be borne in mind that the teams of masters involved in machine technology do not level the slopes and do not undertake the plastering of bathrooms. For these works, it will be necessary to hire other finishers who are reluctant to take on such scanty volumes;
- The cost of electricity. Mechanized surface treatment requires connection to electricity and quite substantial costs that are transferred to the customer’s wallet;
- Additional work. The prices of plasterers engaged in manual labor include the preparation of difficult places - for example, the installation of leveling corners, and when applying the mortar mechanically, a separate fee is usually taken for this work;
- The cost of the material. In this case, the finished mixture for the operation of the machine will be 15-20% cheaper than the mixture for manual preparation of the solution.
If we consider the scope of work within one apartment, which usually does not exceed 100 sq.m., the total costs for mechanical and manual labor will be:
- mechanical application of plaster approximately 75 - 80 thousand rubles;
manual application of plaster approximately 65 - 70 thousand rubles.
This calculation allows us to determine that for small volumes it is more profitable to use the manual method, while for plastering volumes of more than 1,500 sq.m., of course, it will be more profitable to invite a team with a plastering machine.
What is better to choose and in which case
The choice of method of plastering walls in an apartment or a country house is affected not only by the final cost of all works and materials, but also the final quality of work and terms. Typically, orders for private work do not exceed a volume of 250 square meters, which is suitable for both the machine method and the manual version.
The speed of work in mechanized application of plaster exceeds the speed of manual application by 2-3 times, but it should be borne in mind that the masters working with the machine most often refuse to process surfaces with a complex configuration and small rooms. For the processing of additional volumes, they will require payment in excess of the standard prices for manual plastering.
With mechanical plastering, to obtain a high-quality result, a base with minimal vertical drops is required, which is not so important with a manual approach.
Mechanization of the process allows to obtain material savings of approximately 20%, which affects the final amount of work, but material savings are noticeable only when using expensive mixtures based on gypsum. Mixtures based on cement and lime cost much less than gypsum analogues, therefore, when using such solutions, the savings will be negligible.
For plastering the bathroom, in any case, you will have to hire craftsmen who use manual labor, but the best option would be to entrust this work to the tilers, who will prepare and finish the surface.
Despite all the differences between the two methods of plastering surfaces, there are times when mechanized or manual plastering can be used. Which is better - choose the customer, based on existing conditions, tasks, volumes and planned deadlines.