When coming up with the external or internal appearance of a room, an integral task is to develop finishes for the prepared surfaces. Among the possible decoration options, one of the most refined, respectable and festive is stucco, which can create a noble atmosphere and emphasize the delicate taste of the owner of this interior.
Associated with the golden era of Antiquity , with Rome during the Middle Ages , when human genius reached absolute perfection in many areas of culture and art, and when the so-called standard of beauty, a kind of classic form and image, began to take shape, today stucco decoration evokes truly enthusiastic emotions. Bas-reliefs and moldings , vignettes and panels , columns and pilasters , rosettes and pylons are not a complete set of decorations that occupy their rightful place in modern architecture and interior design.
So how do you choose the most suitable option? Let's consider the purchase selection criteria in more detail. The production of decorative stucco today is a complex technological process, tailored to every taste and wallet size. So, we can say that the first selection criterion is the material from which the stucco element is actually made. More specifically, its wear resistance , natural origin , ease of installation of the structure and, of course, price range . Among such materials one can highlight cement or fiberglass, architectural concrete or latex, etc. But still, the first place in popularity is occupied by stucco molding made of gypsum (or alabaster) and polyurethane. Moreover, each of them has both its advantages and disadvantages.
Gypsum
Gypsum decor has a wide range of possibilities when decorating a room. It can be used both for decorating facades and for interior decoration. This is a natural , living and absolutely environmentally friendly way of decoration, which allows it to be used even where newborn children and people with a tendency to allergic diseases are located. Gypsum is porous and breathable, has the ability to accumulate moisture when humidity is high and release it when there is a lack of humidity.
It is also a very βplasticβ material, because... can be embodied in the most daring and complex ideas of the author, which is not subject to other materials. An important advantage of gypsum is its absolute fire safety and durability , which has been proven historically: most ancient buildings retain their elegant appearance today. Among the disadvantages of gypsum stucco molding, one can highlight a slightly higher cost compared to, say, polyurethane stucco molding, and the impressive weight of the structures, which can create certain difficulties during installation.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane, as a material for the manufacture of stucco decoration, is a relatively recent invention, but already occupies a fairly strong position in the market of modern materials. A big advantage when choosing this option will be its wide availability and comparative cheapness . In addition, polyurethane does not attract dust and does not absorb odors , and does not deteriorate from fungi . The unique ratio of thermal conductivity, elasticity and other consumer qualities makes it a leader among similar materials for the manufacture of stucco.
It has a relatively light weight of products , which is an advantage when installing such stucco molding indoors. However, this may also have a downside to the coin, because Unskilled work by a specialist installing stucco may result in an uneven pattern and loose fit of parts of the product. Also, the disadvantage of polyurethane is its synthetic origin, graininess, which often does not allow the pattern to be clear. But, nevertheless, this is a worthy analogue of plaster moldings, accessible to almost everyone .
Orac Decor polyurethane products are behind the scenes the standard among stucco decor manufacturers. With the most extensive range of stucco designs, Orac has been held in high esteem among world-renowned interior designers for over half a century.
So, it can be noted that choosing the most suitable stucco decoration is a labor-intensive process, which in the end can turn into an interesting adventure. The only thing left to do is to arm yourself with the right knowledge so that the stucco molding of your dreams takes its rightful place in the room.
