Molding: Molding may not be easy.decor element: it is able to smooth or emphasize corners, hide room flaws, pipes and wires, create a different spatial sensation, breaking symmetry, emphasize a certain style, finally, just deliver aesthetic pleasure: instead of bare, boring walls, it is much more pleasant to look at intricate patterns ... Unfortunately, Today, stucco - a rarity, although it looks respectable and original. Partly it happened because the embossed moldings made of stone, clay or gypsum - the work is single-piece and mostly manual, and therefore long and laborious.
Materials
The most popular types of stucco: gypsum, polyurethane foam and economical polystyrene foam. Products from the made foam polyurethane easy, rigid, strong and durable. Polyurethane is much lighter than gypsum, does not yellow over time, does not form chips, does not crack, practically does not react to moisture and does not lose the clarity of the pattern. Plastics (polystyrene and polyurethane), unlike gypsum, can be used in climates with sudden changes in temperature and humidity; they retain their shape, require minimal maintenance during operation. Processed polyurethane provides slight linear strain with temperature. In fact, gypsum stucco - today is rather a story. Experts compare plaster and plastic, like wooden abacus and calculator: what is cheaper, more popular and more efficient today? Gypsum requires serious, expensive repairs and special conditions of installation and operation. Yes, and small, subtle details of the plaster stucco decoration are not subject to. Polyurethane decorations are universal and so environmentally friendly that they can be used everywhere - both outside and inside the building: in children's rooms and bedrooms, in the bathroom, on thin, fragile wall partitions and furniture ... Do not be confused by the synthetic origin of the material. It is absolutely safe, because it is from it that various medical supplies, bandages and even implants are made. Polyurethane does not deform at high temperatures, which allows it to be used when decorating lighting devices, electric fireplaces, etc. The decor of high-quality polyurethane foam is resistant to mechanical stress: a blow with a ball or bicycle wheel will not damage the product (provided that the elements are correctly fixed) - this is important if there are children in the house. Due to its closed-porous structure, stucco molding made of polyurethane foam does not absorb moisture and does not crack, is not exposed to insects or fungi. But polyurethane stucco is in different categories. At first glance, everything is simple: the mixture of components is poured into special forms, pre-lubricated with anti-adhesive composition. After pouring, the mass foams, expands and hardens, completely occupying the internal space of the mold. As a rule, the exposure time in the form - 12-15 minutes. However, the quality of the finished product depends on the observance of the rules of production technology, primarily the formulation of the mixture and the geometric parameters of the forms. In this regard, you can find a more dense or lighter products, products with a clear or blurred pattern, etc. The density of polyurethane stucco is one of the indicators of its high quality. If you save on its production, then the material will be lighter, more porous and, therefore, more "capricious" in installation. So, when joining low-quality polyurethane parts, a “jumping” uneven pattern on a molded product (for example, a cornice), a loose fit of elements, which over time will shrink (due to excessive porosity), and the seams can become loose. The decor of polyurethane foam and polystyrene allows you to decorate the house at any stage of construction and even after its completion. Dimensional elements of these materials, unlike gypsum, are light, so the additional load of the decor on the walls and ceilings is out of the question. Yes, and they are installed easily, quickly and "clean." One of the unsurpassed advantages of high-quality plastic stucco decoration today is the ability to create almost any pattern. It is very valuable along with the durability, simplicity and versatility of the material. Decorating with stucco made of polyurethane can significantly save time and money compared to products made from gypsum, clay, natural stone. In addition, many forms of these natural materials are not available, and polyurethane opens up previously impossible opportunities for designers.
Installation Features
In the information age, everything around us changes.very fast, including styles. Fortunately, the quality of polymer stucco correspond to the spirit of the times. The fashion is leaving, the person is changing, the interior of the room is “boring” - in this case, it is easy to dismantle the light decor (maximum damage is a trace of glue on the wall surface) and replace it with another style element. Stucco molding from lightweight materials does not need special conditions for installation. It is undemanding and convenient, as already mentioned, it can decorate a house in both northern and southern latitudes. The main restrictions on air temperature, humidity and others depend more likely on the characteristics of the adhesive used. Nevertheless, for durable and high-quality installation, experts recommend that you follow some simple rules. In particular, it is impossible to mount the product on a wet, damp and contaminated surface. To fix the parts on the wall, use "mounting" glue or sealant, and between the elements are connected by a completely different, "connecting" glue. If the product is heavy, then in addition to glue it is recommended to “plant” another several screws. The joints and fasteners are usually hidden with the help of leveling putty (most often on the basis of PVA), but a special putty glue is most preferable for this kind of installation. Closing and spatula seams, it also provides reliable sealing, as well as protects the moldings from cracking at the joints. Installation of flexible elements (moldings, cornices, arches and others) requires the mandatory use of glue and screws (or nails). Note that the bend radius depends on the width of the product: the wider the element, the less it is able to bend. Decorative products from polyurethane are easily sawn, which is especially important for precise joining of elements. But remember, only their upper layer is protected by a special primer, so when joining sections in wet rooms it is important to avoid water from entering the unprotected surface. After fixing the elements, all cuts, joints, fastener parts (heads of screws, nails, etc.) must be primed and painted. It is known that plastic is only a decorative architectural material, therefore such elements from it, as, for example, columns, in an interior cannot bear any mechanical load. But since these parts are most often made hollow, they can be used to decorate a bearing metal or reinforced concrete core. If during operation or installation the decor was somehow mechanically damaged, for example, scratched, it is easy to repair. It is enough to clean the spoiled area with a small sandpaper, cover it with a new primer and paint it. But more complex damages, such as the divergence of the joints of cornices and moldings during shrinkage of a new building or installation violations, require a more serious approach before replacing the affected link. In such a situation, it is necessary to remove the remnants of the old glue (as well as the mounting one - from the wall, and the connecting one - from the adjacent elements) and fill the voids with a new one. Then the joints between the links are puttyed and painted. In order to make the decor look aesthetically pleasing, during the initial installation and during the restoration process, it is necessary to immediately remove excess glue from the elements with a damp cloth. Painting of a decor can be made in 24 hours after drying of filling, glue and thorough fixing of a product on a surface. For painting elements of the exterior of the house, experts recommend using paints with elastic additives and special sealants for exterior work.
Color, shape, texture
Many ordinary people believe that stucco andmodern interior is incompatible concepts. In addition, there is a stereotype that the stucco decoration must be white. Initially, indeed, foam polystyrene and polyurethane blanks of light shades (beige, cream, white) are produced, and dyes are not added during the manufacturing process. To give the ideal whiteness and density, imitating real gypsum, a film-based primer is most often applied to the product from the front side at high temperature and under pressure. But both expanded polystyrene and polyurethane can be colored to taste. Modern technologies make it possible to produce various elements of all kinds of decorative moldings, and the widest range of paints and coatings makes it possible to imitate the texture of any material: wood, leather, stone, fabric, etc. After gilding, patination, the same polyurethane will look like copper, gold, nickel or chrome, it can be given an aged, worn look. Imitations of glass, ceramics and many other materials are also possible. For example, such a popular country style today cannot be imagined without ceiling wooden beams, but due to its weight, natural wood cannot always be used in apartments and houses. Why produce an extra one on the ceiling or plasterboard, if they have a light alternative made of plastic that perfectly imitates a wooden texture? At the same time, 1 m of a polyurethane beam (log) weighs just over 1 kg, moreover, pipes, cables, etc. can be hidden in its cavity. Thus, it is easy for a designer to combine current stucco collections with any interior items. In addition, the material itself is universal for decoration inside and outside the building, easy to install, and, as many experts say, it is difficult to find anything better in this direction today.
Sculpted design
The peculiarity of the stucco relief decor isthe possibility of its use in any part of the interior and exterior of the house. With a stucco molding you can frame arches, window and doorways, mirrors and paintings, decorate walls, ceilings, and furniture. But with lush stucco decorations it is easy to overload the premises, create disharmony. So, it is worthwhile to use stucco molding, it is advisable to first create an interior project and have a clear idea of the future room. For the sake of whole perception, friezes are better to close or naturally complete, for example, with an opening. The molded elements of the decor should be in harmony with the walls, floor, and furniture. So it makes sense to coordinate all the decorations in the form of stucco with a professional decorator, whose task is to create a single comfortable space. But also independently engage in stucco decoration - quite fascinating, of course, with a certain taste and ability to create luxurious harmony. Questionnaire Irina Sazhina, designer of the architectural and construction company "Olympstroy" Molded decor helps to set the right mood for the house at the very beginning of the decoration. For each room I try to choose cornices and moldings that have differences in ornaments, profiles, proportions, but in the same style. This allows you to more subtly develop the main artistic theme inherent in the whole house. In the living room, for example, I can enhance the “sound” of the style to the front, solemn note. In the bedroom to muffle, make soft, intimate. In the corridors create a sense of dynamics, movement. All this improves mood, creates a change of impressions, and in general has a positive effect on the quality of life of the landlord. I love and appreciate the Gaudi Decor collection for the opportunity to work with the best artistic samples of elements, for the enormous decorative possibilities of products. They allow you to successfully solve various spatial problems. Moldings, pilasters, columns, zone the space, make it lively and comfortable. With the help of corner borders, moldings and rosettes, you can harmonize the narrow, elongated space of ceilings, if present. The vertical lines of the decor give a sense of height to the walls. As a designer, I am often asked questions about the quality of the stucco decoration made of polyurethane, about its installation. But this product has passed the test of quality over time. Indeed, it is assembled and docked as a constructor. Its installation is simple and depends only on the worker and the quality of the adhesive. If the glue is not saved, and the installer is a tidy and conscientious person, then there will be no problems.
