Types of putties
Putties are divided into types according to several criteria.
By purpose
Universal
Replace starting and finishing putties. They are easily applied to drywall and dry quickly without shrinkage. They speed up the finishing process because they reduce the number of technological operations. But they have a high cost.
Basic
Designed for initial rough leveling of walls. They are also classified as starting putties. The materials are made from chalk, gypsum and perlite or pumice. They are applied in a thick layer and dry quickly, which speeds up the finishing process.
Basic putties are sold dry . They are diluted in the required amount of clean water strictly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If necessary, the material is reinforced with sections or fiber. This approach is especially relevant in the presence of strong defects near the walls or a weak foundation.
Finish
Designed for surface finishing. They work on already dried starting putty, forming a thin layer of up to 3 mm. After hardening, the putty forms a dense, hard surface without cracks or chips.
Finishing putties are sold in two forms: dry and ready-to-use. The former are diluted in water, similar to the starter ones, and the latter are suitable for use immediately after opening the package.
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Any type of putty in finished form is not suitable for long-term storage. When exposed to open air, they dry out. It is best to dilute the dry mixture in small quantities.
When ready
As already noted, putties are sold dry and ready-made. The first requires dilution with water, and the finished product is suitable for application after opening the package.
By composition
Moisture resistant cement
Created on the basis of cement. Therefore, they have properties such as moisture resistance, immunity to temperature changes, and suitability for interior and exterior wall treatment. They are a good choice for covering surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom and other rooms where there is high humidity and steam formation.
The disadvantage of cement putties is their rough structure. After drying, the layer is difficult to process and sand.
Plaster
Made from gypsum. They are white and flexible, creating a favorable microclimate in the room by creating proper moisture circulation. Available in both starting and finishing versions.
Polymer
This is a modern and popular elastic putty. It is used, perhaps, even more often than gypsum and cement. It is easy to use and durable in use. Polymer materials are divided into the following types:
- Acrylic. They can be starting, finishing or universal. Contains acrylic.
- Polymer-cement. Mainly used for leveling cement-concrete, lime and brick bases. Created on the basis of cement and polymer additives. They have a plastic consistency and can be used both as a starting material for leveling and as a finishing compound for final processing.
- Latex. They are made from styrene, which is a specific type of acrylic-based latex. Excellent for finishing plasterboard, brick, wood, concrete and other types of walls.
Polymer putties are applied in a thin layer. Even a beginner can level the surface.
Packaging forms
Putties are packaged in the following types of containers:
Bag
Dry putty is sold in bags and requires dilution with water. Often packaged in 25 kg packs. Conveniently stored. But it is not intended for storage in damp, poorly ventilated areas. Otherwise, the shelf life will be reduced several times.
Plastic bucket
It is considered the most convenient packaging, since in this case the putty is used carefully and evenly. The tightly sealed building mixture is protected from external negative influences, so it is stored for a long time.
Tight package
It is not recommended to buy putty in a tight bag in large quantities. It is better to correctly calculate the material consumption and buy as much as you need. Otherwise it will spoil.
Moisture-resistant drywall
Moisture-resistant plasterboard is always used as a material for the bathroom, which is endowed with special physical characteristics that allow it to be used in a humid environment. This material is easy to use to create various structural elements. Bathroom partitions made of plasterboard can be easily and quickly constructed without the use of special tools or practical skills. Almost everyone can purchase the required amount of material, build the frame themselves and sew it up with sheets. Plasterboard partitions in the bathroom can have different geometric shapes and functionality. They can hide errors in the design of the room, act as a box for pipes or be niches for storing bath accessories and household chemicals.
Which putty to choose for gypsum boards: review of popular brands
On the construction market there are putties for drywall from the following companies:
Knauf Rotbant
This is a dry gypsum putty containing polymer additives. Packaged in thick paper bags weighing from 20 to 25 kg, or in buckets. Specifications:
- minimum and maximum layer thickness - 0.2 mm and 5 mm;
- the strength of a layer of 1 mm in bending and compression is 1.3 MPa and 4.2 MPa;
- average consumption - from 0.9 to 1.1 kg/sq. m.
Rotband putty is sold in pink, gray and white. The product has gained popularity due to the following advantages:
- has good adhesive properties;
- just lays on the walls;
- does not crumble;
- has an affordable price;
- refers to environmentally friendly compounds;
- used by both professionals and beginners.
The disadvantages include the inability to use in wet areas.
Knauf Fugen
This is a classic gypsum putty that guarantees success regardless of labor costs. But this is only possible if you follow the instructions unconditionally:
- compliance with temperature and air humidity - no more than +10 degrees and 70-80%;
- pre-treatment of the base with a primer, cleaning and drying is required;
- Only clean tools are used.
Knauf Fugen is not suitable for large-scale projects. To ensure that this putty applies evenly, it is applied in a thin layer of up to 3 mm.
Knauf Fugen is presented in three types:
- Knauf Fugen. Designed for processing the joint edges of plasterboard sheets. Does not crack after drying. Made from gypsum - an environmentally friendly, clean natural material.
- G.F. Designed specifically for continuous puttying of plasterboard sheets, sealing joints and Knauf floor elements. Advantages: high strength and elasticity, uniform and high-quality finished surface. The putty contains gypsum and polymer additives.
- Hydro. Used for processing gypsum board joints and mounting plasterboard boards. Does not crack, gives minimal shrinkage, shows maximum resistance to moisture. The composition contains polymer and hydrophobic additives.
The disadvantages include quick drying in a mixing container, inconvenient sanding, and application only in a thin layer.
Axton
Axton putty is designed to create perfectly smooth surfaces for painting. It is based on gypsum and calcium carbonate, and is intended only for interior work. Presented in dry and ready-made form for basic and final leveling of walls.
Advantages:
- easy application due to the presence of plasticizers and modifiers in the composition;
- high adhesive properties;
- light sanding;
- resistance to the formation of bubbles and cracks on finished substrates;
- fast and uniform drying, which makes it possible to begin the next work within 12 hours.
The layer thickness varies from 0.2 to 2 mm, the average consumption is 1 kg/sq.m. m with a layer thickness of 1 mm. Consumers note that when applied, the composition turns into lumps. But this can be solved by polishing.
ABS
This is a finishing gypsum putty designed for final finishing of all types of surfaces. Fills all cavities on the bases, eliminates heterogeneity of structure and unevenness. It is elastic and provides a perfectly smooth white surface that is resistant to mechanical stress.
The composition hardens within two hours and is consumed in an amount of 1 kg/sq. m with a layer thickness of 1 cm. The product has no flaws or negative reviews.
Bolars
This is a professional mixture for repair and construction work. However, the company produces a wide range of compositions for interior work, dry and wet rooms, basic and final leveling of walls and ceilings.
Bolars putty meets the requirements of GOST ISO 9001-2015 and international ISO 9000. It has the following advantages:
- environmental friendliness - contains white cement and imported polymer additives;
- water resistance, thanks to which the finished coating becomes durable;
- long operating time - is in working condition for at least three hours;
- dries quickly - within a day you can start painting;
- makes it possible to adjust the thickness of the application layer - from 1 to 10 mm, it all depends on the quality of the base.
However, this putty is consumed very quickly: per 1 sq. m will require 1.3 dry mixture, and a bag weighing 25 kg is enough for only 18 square meters. m with a layer thickness of 1 mm.
Vetonit
A popular, modern and environmentally friendly putty manufactured by Weber. The product has many advantages:
- created on the basis of safe components, therefore does not emit toxic substances;
- suitable for use in damp rooms, as it shows a high level of moisture resistance;
- provides a perfectly smooth surface due to its special powder composition;
- intended not only for internal processing, but also for external processing - as evidenced by the snowflake on the packaging;
- It can be stored for a long time in diluted form - about 24 hours.
The manufacturer produces several types of putty: LR, LR+silk, TT, KR. But all of them are suitable for final finishing work and preparing walls for painting.
Volma
Putty on a natural gypsum base with additional chemical and mineral trace elements that are responsible for wear resistance and adhesion. Among the advantages are:
- elasticity and plasticity due to the light and airy composition;
- environmental friendliness and safety;
- no shrinkage;
- presence of thermoregulation properties;
- convenient use and high quality;
- obtaining effective alignment and reliable sealing of seams;
- a sufficient layer of material, the maximum is 6 cm.
Volma Aquastandard putty is suitable for treating drywall for painting. Developed based on Portland cement and reinforced fibers. The latter provide the finished coating with reliability, strength and wear resistance.
Prospectors
For puttingtying drywall, the best finishing putty is Starateli. It is made on the basis of gypsum and polymer additives. Characterized by the following properties:
- plasticity - easy to apply and level, does not flow down or form roughness, fills unevenness and increases the strength of the finished coating;
- high adhesion - quickly and reliably adheres to drywall;
- waterproof - the film is dense and moisture-resistant, without large pores;
- environmental friendliness - does not emit harmful substances during heating and combustion;
- resistance to negative factors - resistant to ultraviolet radiation and chemicals.
After drying, the putty can be easily sanded. The hardening process lasts about 24 hours, then a decorative layer is applied. Consumed in the amount of 1.1 kg per 1 m2.
Ceresit
It is a polymer putty for finishing leveling surfaces and filling small defects on plasterboard walls. Sold in the form of a dry and ready-made mixture. Among the main properties are high adhesion to substrates, plasticity, ease of use, and environmental friendliness.
The manufacturer assures that its products do not require mandatory coloring. Application of paint and wallpapering occurs at the request of the master.
Ceresit putty dries in 72 hours. It is not recommended to begin subsequent work earlier than the specified period. Otherwise, the results will only be disappointing.
Litox
To prepare plasterboard sheets for painting, the manufacturer Litox created the SatenLux MT-60 putty. It is a dry putty mixture based on gypsum with polymer additives. It is easy to apply and spreads in a thin layer with a thickness of 0.2 to 3 mm. It does not dry out in finished form for about 90 minutes, which makes it easy to use.
The mixture is sold in bags and buckets weighing 25 kg. This is quite enough to treat a room of 18-20 square meters. m. The product has a large number of positive reviews. No negative opinions from consumers were found.
Unis
The putty is presented in two versions: gypsum-based finishing and universal “Blik”. They share unique properties, such as ideal adhesion of layers, flexibility to grinding, resistance to shrinkage, and the creation of a flat and smooth surface. Consumption is 1 kg/sq. m with a layer thickness of 1 mm. The viability of the solution is about two hours. In this case, one millimeter of the applied layer dries in about six hours.
They are not suitable for repair work in conditions of high humidity, this is the main disadvantage of the product.
Habez
This is a dry gypsum mixture, which in addition to gypsum contains mineral fillers and special additives. They are designed to increase the strength of the base and the resistance of the finished layer to cracking. The putty is quickly prepared, applied conveniently and evenly, sets and dries quickly.
Khabez putty has the following characteristics:
- consumption kg/sq. m with a layer thickness of 1 mm - 1;
- layer thickness - from 0.2 to 3 mm;
- viability - 60 minutes;
- Drying time: 24 hours.
However, many consumers claim that this putty dissolves when applying primer, and turns into lumps during mixing.
Bergauf
Universal putty on a gypsum basis. Made using a gypsum base, mineral fillers and modifying polymer additives. It is characterized by plasticity, quick application of a layer with a thickness of 0.5 to 15 mm, easy processing, short drying time (no more than 24 hours).
The following advantages have been identified with this putty:
- simple preparation of the solution;
- good pot life about 40 minutes;
- economical consumption, no more than 900 g per 1 sq. m with a layer thickness of 1 mm;
- effective, safe composition;
- convenient packaging.
It is not recommended to prepare the mixture in conditions of high ambient temperature and humidity, or in the presence of a draft. Otherwise, the viability of the solution will be reduced several times.
The disadvantage is that it is demanding on the surface. It must be cleaned and dried. Even a small contaminated area will cause poor adhesion of the material to the base.
Satentech
Paste putty for finishing plasterboard walls. It has good adhesiveness and contains special elements to ensure the base has good moisture resistance. Thanks to the specific properties of microparticles, a perfectly smooth surface is created. No cons found.
The finished solution is active for about 60 minutes, dries in two hours, and consumes 1 kg per square meter. m with a layer thickness of 1 mm. Upon contact with soil and moisture, it becomes unusable.
Tex
This is a latex putty developed on a latex base with modifier additives, filler components, and pure distilled water. A unique feature is the content of antiseptic substances that protect the base from the appearance of mold, dampness, and peeling of the decorative layer. After application, the putty forms a durable and elastic layer.
Tex products are characterized by the following properties:
- 500 g per 1 sq. is consumed. m;
- ready for the next treatment within a day;
- does not contain toxic substances;
- easy to apply and adheres well to substrates;
- does not form lumps;
- sold in a variety of colors, so it can replace a decorative coating;
- prevents the next layer from drying out and cracking.
The putty does not tolerate long-term storage at sub-zero temperatures.
Shitrock
A universal putty that quickly gained popularity. Consists of pyrophyllite, attapulgite, ethylene-vinyl-acetate polymer, talc, limestone and dolomite. It is in the set of components that the uniqueness of the material lies. Putty comes to the market in large plastic buckets that are easy to clean.
It is a finished product, has an oily consistency, and is suitable for dilution with water in small quantities. It is easily leveled, shows minor differences in layers, is excellently sanded, and has a long service life. The only drawback is the high price.
Pufas
Gypsum putty for filling cracks and leveling uneven surfaces. It adheres well to the surface after application, exhibits excellent resistance to shrinkage and deformation, is environmentally friendly, easy to use, capable of forming a smooth, uniform surface, and is economically used.
The manufacturer offers several types of such material. Therefore, before purchasing, it is important to study its technical characteristics and purpose. Consumers claim that any mixture guarantees the quality and durability of the resulting coating.
Application of primer
For better adhesion of the putty to the plasterboard surface, it is necessary to apply a primer. It is applied only to a dry and clean base, so all dirt and dust must be removed before preparatory work. You can use a vacuum cleaner and a slightly damp cloth.
The primer composition should be prepared according to the instructions, poured into a container and applied to the surface using a roller or brush.
There are two types of primer for treating drywall – for dry and wet rooms. If the treatment is carried out in the bathroom and kitchen, then you need to prime the drywall before painting using a product for rooms with high humidity. It is important that the primer contains antibacterial substances that will protect against the development of mold and fungi.
The following reasons for using a primer composition can be identified:
- Improves adhesion of materials.
- When removing wallpaper, a primer will allow you to do this without harming the gypsum board. If you glue wallpaper directly onto sheets of drywall, you won’t be able to replace them without damaging the material.
- The paint will be absorbed much less, making it possible to apply paints and varnishes to the surface evenly without causing stains.
Materials for reinforcing seams and corners
Lack of proper sealing of gaps between sheets of drywall is the main reason for premature damage to the finishing coating, gradual destruction of the base material, and deterioration of its appearance. Therefore, sealing joints in preparation for painting is the main stage of finishing work, requiring special materials and tools.
Construction reinforced fiberglass tape
Made from non-woven fabric, it is a construction bandage and allows you to seal the joints of gypsum board sheets. Prevents cracks and seam fraying. It is used when the putty layer has already been formed and is covered with putty.
Mesh for seams (serpyanka)
Sold in various versions: each model has its own cell sizes, width and length. Sometimes such tape does not have an adhesive base, so it is covered with a layer of plaster. It is considered a good and convenient option for finishing joints and corners.
Paper perforated tape
This is a cheap and fairly durable material for sealing joints on gypsum boards. Perforated paper is cut into strips of the required length, and then poured with boiling water. At the same time, each joint of the plasterboard sheets is treated with putty. After a few hours, the joints are sanded, the tapes are treated with PVA glue and placed in the desired area. After the glue has completely dried, the paper tape for the joints and the sheets look like one whole.
Metal corner corners
A good choice for creating neat corners. The profile is made of steel, PVC, aluminum. Using special scissors, adjust the size of the corners, after which a putty mixture is prepared. The solution is distributed over the surface, the profile is placed and unevenness is corrected. Afterwards, the dried layer is sanded.
What tools and materials will be needed for all stages of work?
To putty drywall for painting, you will need the following materials and tools:
- putty;
- set of spatulas;
- paint roller or brush;
- serpyanka or any other previously listed material for decorating corners and joints;
- sandpaper, block or sanding mesh;
- deep penetration primer, you can choose Ceresit ST 17 - it is universal and colorless, and does not turn yellow after drying.
You can choose any primer manufacturer. The main thing is that its technical characteristics are suitable for drywall and do not turn yellow after drying.
Prepare the walls
Properly prepare cut seams: jointing
Joining is only needed to join the end side of the sheet with the open gypsum part. Use a sharp knife to make a chamfer at an angle of 45 degrees. 9 or 12 mm are retreated from the joint, and an incision is made at an angle. The finished surface is cleaned with sandpaper.
There is no need to unstitch factory joints.
Cleaning
Before processing the seams, remove all dirt and dust from the drywall using a dry, clean rag or soft brush. The protruding paper burrs are trimmed with a knife, and the screws are tightened so that they are slightly recessed into the drywall.
The easiest and most convenient way to clean drywall is to use a vacuum cleaner. After treatment, you should thoroughly wash the floor so that small debris does not stick to construction mixtures and surfaces.
Primer
Prepare the primer solution according to the manufacturer's instructions. The mixture is passed along cracks, seams, corners and places where screws are deepened. Leave until completely dry. If necessary, make another layer.
The procedure for finishing gypsum boards with your own hands: step-by-step instructions
Prepare a mixture for sealing seams, screws and corners
Prepare the putty in small quantities so that after finishing the work the container is empty. The process is carried out step by step according to the instructions printed on the packaging.
Seal joints and screws
All seams are sealed with reinforcing self-adhesive tape or sickle tape and covered with putty.
Particular attention is paid to self-tapping screws.
Following the sealing technology, the recesses are aligned with the total area of the drywall sheets.
Form corners (external and internal)
External corners are formed with a plastic or metal corner. The profile is applied to the wall and fixed with a construction stapler. Then apply a layer of putty and level it with a narrow spatula, correct unevenness and leave to dry. Afterwards, the dry corner is treated with sandpaper.
To form internal corners, use a building level. Lead it at an angle of 30 degrees. Then sizing is performed with reinforced tape. Putty work is carried out in the following stages.
During the process, they try to prevent displacement of the perforated elements. Otherwise, the finished version will have crooked corners and sloppy painting.
Prepare putty for basic work on the area
At this stage, prepare a sufficient amount of putty mixture. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
First layer
The putty is applied in a thin layer, leveled, and left to dry. If the first application of putty was not enough, then primer is applied to the walls again, and after some time it is puttied.
Finishing layer
After the first layer has completely dried, putty is applied again. Attention is paid to irregularities. They try to ensure that the main layer does not protrude beyond the previously designed corners.
Grinding
Processing with sandpaper removes unevenness, roughness and protrusions. The material can be replaced with a special attachment for power tools: it’s convenient and quick. After finishing the work, clean the room from dust and begin painting.
The need for puttying
Drywall must be puttied for the following reasons:
- It is extremely rare to encounter situations where finishing work can be done with one sheet of drywall. And if this is so, then unaesthetic joints cannot be avoided.
- The seams must not only be puttied, but also reinforced, otherwise cracks will appear along the contact line of the sheets.
- When installing plasterboard structures, metal fasteners are used. The screw caps are recessed into the material, thereby forming holes. To achieve a smooth surface, you cannot do without puttying these artificially created defects. In addition, if metal products are not hidden under a protective layer, they will rust.
- When carrying out construction work, cost is often the key parameter. As a result, consumers prioritize price when purchasing drywall, and such products are not always perfectly flat. Moreover, defects are not always noticeable to the eye, although even a slight curvature will not allow for high-quality painting of the product.
- Even if you purchase the best quality drywall, the material can still be scratched or deformed during transportation or installation. If the defects are not repaired, you cannot count on high-quality painting.
- Drywall is most often painted with water-soluble paints. At the same time, cardboard absorbs moisture well, and gypsum is prone to swelling. A deformed surface is not suitable for painting. Therefore, drywall first needs to be made moisture resistant.
- An unpleasant property of drywall for a builder is the uneven absorption and drying of paint. Priming and puttying allows you to create an intermediate surface, the presence of which will eliminate this drawback from the coating.
- Drywall, although uneven, absorbs liquids very well. Unprepared material will absorb much more paint compared to a putty surface.
Conclusions:
- If the main criterion for repair work is quality, pre-treatment of drywall cannot be abandoned. If there is any doubt about the quality of drywall, it needs to be puttied. If you want to save expensive paint, pre-applied putty is a wise decision.
- If the quality of the plasterboard sheets is not in doubt, and no harm was caused to the material during transportation, you can do without puttying the entire surface. But even in this case, you will need to seal the seams and fasteners.
How to putty gypsum board using a roller
The roller will be a good choice for a beginner - because working with such a tool is simple and convenient. However, many experts consider this option of applying putty to be inappropriate. But if you prepare the right solution and follow some rules, you can achieve ideal results.
What you will need: tools and materials
To putty gypsum board sheets, you will need a regular roller without long pile or pattern, as well as containers, primer, putty, and reinforced elements for decorating corners.
Preparing the mixture for working with a roller
The mixture is prepared the same as for puttying plasterboard with a trowel. Many people advise making the solution a little liquid: it is easier to apply. Prepare it immediately before starting work.
Alignment
The first step is to glue the seams of the sheets and remove all kinds of surface defects. When the putty has dried, apply a layer of primer.
Then take a roller with a pile length of no more than 3 mm, dip it into the ready-made solution and roll it over the surface. The process is reminiscent of simply painting walls. Leave to dry.
The putty layer should not be less than 1 mm. Otherwise, after drying, the primer and auxiliary elements will remain noticeable.
Grinding
Everything is the same here. The surface is treated with sandpaper or a special attachment for a power tool.
How necessary is this process?
As already noted, puttying drywall allows, first of all, to achieve a perfectly flat surface of the walls and ceiling . But here the question may arise: is it possible to paint drywall without putty?
It’s possible, but the result may not live up to expectations. After all, putty is needed not only to eliminate unevenness. The need for this process is also related to the properties of the material itself:
- Drywall absorbs moisture well, so when painting there is a risk of swelling of the gypsum and deformation of the sheet, since almost all types of paints used for interior decoration are water-based.
- The material dries unevenly, which may result in the formation of stains on the plasterboard surface.
- Due to the ability of drywall to absorb moisture, paint consumption increases, so to obtain the required texture and uniform shade, you will need to apply more layers than on a surface that does not absorb paint.
Thus, before you finally settle on this dubious option, you should think carefully - is such savings necessary?
How to putty a ceiling: 3 tips
There are several life hacks on the topic of puttying the ceiling with your own hands:
- A fugenfüller will help save time and effort on processing seams. It is a tough and durable putty that is an excellent substitute for adhesive tape.
- The usual construction rule will replace a wide spatula and speed up the work process. But it should be constantly soaked in water so that no lumps remain on the surface. It’s simple - the mixture is usually applied with a small spatula, and then the ceiling is treated with this tool, trying to move quickly and maintain a layer of 1-2 mm.
- To make the ceiling ideal, it is better to use high-quality lighting. Regular spotlights will do.
Denis Mosin
Master finisher. 17 years of experience. Decorative plaster expert
Ask a Question
To dry layers quickly, it is better to leave doors and windows open. Experts say that ventilation does not spoil the primer and putty.
