DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CEMENT PLASTER AND GYPSUM PLASTER 

Plastering: It is one of the most important procedures in building construction. Plastering gives multiple benefits to the walls and ceilings of a building. Both external and internal plastering is important to provide the required strength and support. Plaster extends durability of ceilings as well as walls of a building.

Plastering also helps in levelling the surfaces of the walls and ceilings which enhance its look and appeal. Our homes could also be less polluted as the plastered walls tend to attract less dust.

For plastering, different materials are used. But the most commonly used plastering materials are cement and gypsum.

 

What Is Gypsum Plaster?

Gypsum plaster is achieved by heating gypsum at low temperatures to drive out water.

 If gypsum is heated at higher temperatures, the resulting product is anhydrous calcium sulphate.

This substance is most commonly used to manufacture drywall and drywall compounds. It is also used as an interior plaster.

What Is Cement Plaster?

The cement plaster consists of one part of cement to four parts of clean, coarse, and angular river sand by volume. (i.e. Ratio 1:4).

These materials are thoroughly mixed in a dry condition before water is added to them by the workers at site.

The mixing of materials is done on a watertight platform and plaster of one cement bag only is prepared at a time so that this quantity of plaster is consumed within 30 minutes after adding water before setting.

S.No.	Cement Plaster	Gypsum Plaster
1.	Cement plaster can be used in both exterior and interior surfaces.	Whereas gypsum plaster can only be used on the ceiling and interior walls it cannot be used in exposed or wet areas like toilet bath kitchen wash area balconies etc.
2.	Cement plaster cannot be applied on smooth surfaces.	Gypsum plaster can be applied on smooth as well as a rough surface.
3.	wastages are high during the application of cement plaster	While during the application of gypsum plaster the wastage is nominal.
4.	Cement plaster is not considered as save from fungus and insects.	Gypsum plaster is an anti-fungus plaster and it does not get affected by any insects.
5.	Cement plaster gives a rough surface.	Whereas gypsum plaster gives a very smooth finish which makes it compatible with paints.
6.	In the case of cement plaster, we need pop punning on the plastered surface to receive paint.	But in the case of gypsum plaster punning is not required we can directly apply the paint.
7.	Cement plaster is not a green building product.	Whereas is gypsum plaster is a green building product.
8.	Nowadays river sand availability is a major problem and rivers and has become costly hence cement plaster is costlier than gypsum plaster.	Gypsum plaster is cheaper as compared to cement plaster.
9.	The application of cement plaster is a time-consuming process, hence increases the project cost.	The application of gypsum plaster is a time-saving process thus decreases the project cost.
10.	In cement plaster minimum 24-hour interval between two quotes of cement plaster.	Setting time of gypsum plaster can be controlled the time between two successive coats are very small.
11.	The density of cement plaster is higher than gypsum plaster; hence the   load on building increases.	The density of gypsum plaster is less as compared to cement plaster gypsum plaster is light in weight.
12.	In case of cement plastered room, space looks smaller and an attractive as it is a dark grey colour.	In the case of gypsum plastered room, space looks large and beautiful as gypsum plaster is pure white in colour.
13.	After cement plaster pop punning is required for better and labelled surface finish.	Gypsum plaster provides a smooth interior finish for sealing walls and it is an ideal background for good quality paints and wallpaper finishes.
14.	The mixture of sand and cement is done on-site in different ratios it is generally done by unskilled labour and hence not likely to be accurate and perfect.	Gypsum plaster is premixed and available in easy to handle bags only addition of water is required resulting in less wastage of time labour and material.
15.	Cement plaster is not a rust inhibitor.	Gypsum plaster is the perfect rust preventive agent and also in inhibits corrosion of electric metal, fitting. Pipes etc.
16.	In the event of fire cement plaster becomes brittle and cracks and loses the bond with the wall.	But in case of fire gypsum plaster acts as a barrier and protect the blockwork and concrete and steel.
17.	In the case of cement plaster pre-curing and post-curing is required.	In the case of gypsum plaster, no curing is required.
18.	Cement plaster can develop shrinkage because it has Low tensile hand fractural and strength.	Gypsum plaster can prevent shrinkage because it has high tensile and flexural strength.

 

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