Venetian plaster- What is the differences?

Venetian plaster has been synonymous with a look and feel of marble and originated in Italy- the world’s art capital. But what is the difference between what you see on the shelves at your neighborhood hardware or paint stores?

The purpose of this article is to clarify the misconceptions about Venetian plaster and the huge differences between the acrylic U.S. brands and the authentic Italian produced plasters.

Authentic Italian Venetian plaster is made out of natural material like lime stone and marble. It is mined from the Italian Alps, heated at a high temperature till the stone crumbles. The powdered form is then taken to large vats where water is added and the plaster rests for 6 months to a year. This resting period allows the molucles to line up. Each batch is tested then shipped untinted to each distributor. To add color I use a tint specfically made for the product which will allow for up to 1200 colors and to color match if desired. I have applied and seen true authentic Italian Venetian plaster on walls. The look is beautiful, stunning and smooth to the touch but must be applied over a smooth surface. Any wall defect or imperfection will telegraph through the plaster finish. I usually have the walls smoothed out with a layer of joint compound. The tinted plaster is troweled onto the walls in three layers, each layer needs to be completely smooth. The surface is thouroughly heated by dragging a trowel accross the surface, this process is called burnishing. When applied correctly it looks and feels like glass, even without waxes, that is because of the marble in the plaster. After the plaster is completely dried it can be left as is or a layer of wax can be applied for added durability.

I have also seen many so called Venetian plastered walls that have been applied by paint companies or faux artisans that were manufactuered by Behr(Home Depot), Valspar(Lowes), Modern Masters, or Comdex. The look differs depending on the applicator but for the most part the look tends to be the same- light to medium texture in varying movement with a chaulky lighter color scattered in cross-hatched paterns. While it is somewhat cheaper for the applicator to apply faux venetian plaster, the customer will not be rewarded with any value for the money spent and is usually left with a dust filled house due to the toxic particles caused by the sanding process. While the old saying goes “you pay for what you get” it rings true when you decide to consider price over value. Even though applicators are applying faux Venetian plaster for an average of $6 a sq. ft. it is far from a good deal for the buyer. I have a few Italian plaster finishes that are only $2 a sq. ft. more than what they charge. Why settle for the get by when in the long run the good costs less. I know from experience with faux Venetian plaster doing several samples and finally doing a powder room in my own home. To get the actual look and feel of authentic Italian Venetian plaster I had to apply 5 layers and sand with 4 different grit sandpapers. The shine is good but there is no movement, felt like plastic, and it was necessary to have texture to get any movement in the color. While these products maybe good for the “do it yourselfer” it should not be an acceptable product for the professional applicator or designer.

Here’s a quick chart to show the differences between the paint product and the authentic Italian made versions:

Decorative Finish for August

This month’s finish is called Calcenova. Pronounced cal ce’ nova.

This authentic Italian “Venetian” plaster finish is what most people think of when choosing Venetian plaster in their homes. It is smooth, cool, and hard as rock. Actually it is rock, crushed lime stone mined from the Italian Alps, mixed with marble dust in a puddy form which rests in large containers for six months to a year. When the puddy is ready it goes through testing then is shipped to the U.S. The plaster is then tinted and troweled onto the walls where it dries in a few minutes. After 21 days the wall of marble will calcify back to stone. I have applied this elegant and beautiful finish in every room for many clients. It’s good in many styles where a higher end finish is desired and where hypo-allergenic products are needed. Since the plaster is all natural it is sutable for all environments especially for those with asthma.

It is the most copied look out there. With most paint companies manufacturing their faux version it is obviously the most asked for finish. The difference between Calcenova and what the paint manufacturers are selling is huge. For the most part paint manufacturers know how to do one thing, make paint, and that is what you are applying on the walls when applying their product. But why would you buy a “Venetian” plaster from an PAINT company? Go to the source and get the best Italian made plaster out there. We use SAFRA plasters a well known and respected plaster company based in Verona Italy.

All plasters are non-toxic, non-flammable, and our mineral plasters create a hypo-allergenic environment, resist dust mites, cools a room because in 28 days they calcify back to stone, resist mold and mildew, and regulate indoor humidity. Our lime plasters are mined from the Italian Alps, so in every home we have the pleasure of knowing that we literally leave a piece of Italy on its walls. Custom hand wall finishes created to your design and liking.

When designing your clients environment it is a good idea to search the web for pictures that will inspire the art work that will adorn the walls. Pictures of real walls will always offer the best examples. If you have a vision but can’t find a picture we can work the design out with you and create a sample board to fit your needs.

For more information regarding Faux Real or decorative finishes like Venetian plaster, Italian plaster, stucco, faux finishes, concrete staining or overlays, kitchen cabinet finishes in Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Highland Park, Keller, Fort Worth, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Canada, any where in the United States go to http://fauxrealpainting.com or http://iLUVFauxReal.com.
Faux Real is a decorative finishes company offering faux finishes, concrete acid staining and overlays, authentic Venetian plasters, Italian plasters, plaster, to bring your home into another country, the land of Tuscany to your home everyday. Envision the elegance of your dining room in a luminous wall finish that is as smooth as glass or envision your envision your kitchen looking like an aged wall with hide away grape vines aligning your entry way. It's all up to your imagination. Faux Real also refinishes cabinets, applies finishes on ceilings, modellos or patterns on ceilings, refinishes fireplaces and built in shelves and entertainment centers and can make your columns look like marble or think of Venetian plaster like the Stucco Valentino on your columns. For more information about some of my plasters or information about faux itself go visit my blog. We are based in the ever growing Frisco area and service the DFW area which would include Dallas, Plano, Fort Worth, McKinney, Allen, Richardson, Farmers Branch, Highland Park, Grapevine, The Colony, Carrollton, Little Elm, Prosper, and the rest of Texas. We also will travel. So if you have a new or used home, office, or store front give it that extra punch that your neighbors don't have. Give Faux Real a call at 972-971-FAUX. One more thing about the plasters we use, they are used in all Europe, Germany, France, Italy, Romania, England, United Kindom, Ireland, and Scotland. We are ASID Industry Partners.