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Venetian Plaster

During the Renaissance, in Venice, Italy, the builders tried to simulate the look of marble without the weight. The city of Venice was sinking and the traditional look of marble on the public buildings of Europe was impossible. To do this the builders combined aged slaked lime with marble dust. This technique became known throughout the world as Venetian plaster or stucco veneciano in Italian. The various Italian plaster finishes using Venetian plaster can simulate marble, and other faux wall finishes.

The traditional Venetian plaster consists of lime putty, 40% marble flour or dust, and aged slaked lime. The premium Venetian plasters from Europe are aged in underground vats. This causes the plaster to hydrate thoroughly but also causes it to absorb trace elements from the surrounding rock. Our premixed Venetian plaster is among the premium European products offered.

Venetian plaster finishes are more durable than a painted surface and it’s creativity is only limited by the application of the artist. Before the production of acrylic compounds, Venetian plaster could only be applied over plaster or masonry walls because the substrate had to be porous for the plaster to bond.

Modern technology has brought about new acrylic resin putties that, when combined with the Venetian plaster of today, can be added to the plaster that will allow it to be applied to primed dry wall. The higher the acrylic content the easier it will go on and the fewer coats it will require. A higher acrylic content means more open time.

Venetian plaster cannot be applied over a high sheen. Most important of all, Venetian plaster cannot be used to cover imperfections. As the plaster is burnished it will magnify the imperfections. Sheetrock should be finished to a level 5 then primed with a good matte primer.

The plaster hardens over a few days as it absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Some Venetian plasters without acrylic resins may need to be waxed in order to seal them. True Venetian plaster will dry and cure as hard as stone. This means it will be durable.

Waxes can be used as a decorative element as well as a protective coat. There are acrylic, resin waxes that come in many colors. They can be troweled on, brushed on, or applied with a polish rag.

Venetian plasters hold all the chromatic and aesthetic emotions which have been handed on by the master decorators of the Serenissima Republic of Venice. The results are stunning and virtually unlimited in design, depth, and sheen. The unique design of Venetian Plaster can be used virtually anywhere that plaster can be used. When sealed it is durable enough for kitchens, bathrooms and high traffic areas and can be cleaned with soap and water. It can used internally or externally and will resist mold, rain and frost.

Coverage for Veneciano is 250 to 300 square feet per gallon. There are a minimum of two coats for each technique.
Composition:  White, tintable, premixed Venetian plaster paste containing finely ground marble, slaked lime which has been aged twelve months minimum, acrylic polymers, rheological additives, and mildewicidal and fungicidal admixtures.
Performance: Class A: surface burning characteristics not exceeding Flame Spread = 0 and Smoke Density = 0 when tested according to ASTM E84.

FAUXFILLED DREAMS VENETIAN PLASTER - MARMORINO

Coverage for marmorino Venetian plaster is 35 - 60 square feet per gallon. There are a minimum of two coats for each technique.
Composition: White, tntable, premixed Venetian plaster paste containing finely ground marble, slaked lime which has been aged twelve months minimum, silica sand, acrylic polymers, rheological additives, and mildewicidal and fungicidal admixtures.
Performance: Class A: surface burning characteristics not exceeding Flame Spread = 0 and Smoke Density = 0 when tested according to ASTM E84.