Fibrous plaster, stucco and plaster: what’s the difference ?
Plaster, fibrous plaster and stucco have become key elements in the field of interior décor.
Because of their malleability and sturdiness, they lend themselves perfectly to the production of all kinds of decorative elements like cornices, mouldings and ceilings.
Spotlight on the differences between these three materials
Their appearance in architecture
Plaster is the oldest of these three materials.
It appeared in Egyptian architecture, as a binder for the stones used in the pyramids and a support for funerary frescoes.
However, older traces dating from the Neolithic have been discovered in frescoes and murals. The use of plaster later became widespread during the Greco-Roman period.
Frequently used in France to create seals beginning in the 1st century, plaster went on to be combined with other materials to make bricks, moulded decorations, and so on.
A plasterer at work © Jean Cranch
Golden stucco elements
Stucco also made its appearance in Ancient Egypt.
It was used to seal stones and cover the pyramids. The Greeks, Romans and Arabs used it for similar purposes.
Stucco was used in France for the first time in the decorations at the Château de Fontainebleau. Extremely popular during the Baroque architectural era, it reached its pinnacle in the form of wall decorations set against a white background.
Stucco also made its appearance in Ancient Egypt.
Used by decorators after the French Revolution because of its lower cost than stucco, it first appeared in the form of pre-fabricated cornices. These first mouldings created by Mézier gave fibrous plaster its foothold in France in 1850.
Many of the residences of Emperor Napoleon III were decorated with fibrous plaster.
Differences in composition?
Although each has a different composition, there is still one inalterable component: plaster.
Both fibrous plaster and stucco contain plaster. However, they do not combine it with the same materials.
Fibrous plaster is a combination of plaster and plant fibres, that help to boost its sturdiness and durability.
As for stucco, it can be made from plaster but is typically a mix of lime, travertine and white marble powder.
How are fibrous plaster, stucco and plaster used?
As previously mentioned, all three materials are used to manufacture decorative elements. That being said, each of them is employed for specific purposes.
PLASTER
Plaster is primarily used to manufacture ceilings or as a filler.
STUCCO
Stucco is used to make mouldings, textured fillers and sculptures. Frequently used in wall and ceiling coatings, it is the ideal material for imitating marble.
FIBROUS PLASTER
As for fibrous plaster, it is used to make extremely precise ornamental elements like wall friezes, roses, vaulting and columns. Thanks to its multiple possibilities, this material is commonly used in contemporary architectural creations, smooth fibrous plaster ceilings and overhead cladding, to show off the volume of a space.
Three materials, three professions
The appearance of these three materials gave rise to new professions.
PLASTERERS
Plasterers specialize in the use of plaster, fillers and pre-fabricated drywall, as well as the installation of dropped ceilings.
STUCCO MASONS
Stucco masons specialize in working with stucco. They apply stucco fillers to walls and ceilings.
ORNEMENTAL PLASTERERS
Ornamental plastering is an applied art. Ornamental plasters are responsible for manufacturing and installing decorations made of fibrous plaster to beautify an interior space or to restore ancient elements.
These three professions tend to be grouped together into a single trade.
More information
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