Types and Finishes
We stock two basic types of plasters: Italian Grassello lime based, and acrylic modified polymer-based plasters. Lime is the traditional formula used for millennia to create veneers on walls that last hundreds of years particularly in Italy. Lime mortars go back to Roman times, and are recognised for their self-healing properties and durability in zones prevalent to structural movement such as Italy. They were also used in St. Petersburg Russia where it’s a very cold climate. Acrylic plasters have now become very common in our market in many diverse forms. Imported plaster that has the word synthetic applied to it, and generally uses a vinyl binder. We use an acrylic resin since; we do not have the same raw material available here in North America. As a proponent of traditional plastering, our instinct with acrylic plasters, is to be as close to a lime-based plaster as possible in both application and aesthetic quality.
Coloration
Our colour matching is still done the old-fashioned way-by hand. Our staff have years of experience and can match any paint chip provided by the client. This service is reasonable included in the cost of material once we have created a formula. We can provide a one kilo of matched sample at a reasonable cost to make a client sample board.
Texture
We stock a wide variety of grain sizes that can cover a wide spectrum of forms – from ultra smooth to extremely coarse – in both lime and acrylic plasters.
Uses
We stock both interior and few exterior plasters for application on a varied range of substrates from drywall, cement, plywood, MDF, plaster and old painted surfaces.
Prices Competitive
The material cost per square foot is economic and competes with wallpaper and tile.
Durable
These materials are durable and will last as they are reproducing a stone or marble look without the weight or cost. The use of our unique protective coatings makes them both hard-wearing and washable.
Lime Plasters
Marmorino Classic and Marmorino Super Lucido
Lime based Grassello high sheen, and mirror finish respectively. What is usually associated with the term Venetian plaster. Marmorino Classic is translucent and burnishes very easily to a luxurious high sheen. Lucido plaster will create a mirror-like wall or ceiling with colours so rich they scream luxury.
Marmorino Carrara medium and Coarse
These two plasters are the embodiment of Italian traditional plasters brought back into popularity in the 70’s by Carlo Scarpa the Italian architect. They became synonymous with Istria stone, a dense limestone. Marmorino offers a lighter alternative as a veneer and often in Italy on buildings. It’s uses include walls, columns and architectural features. It’s quickly becoming one of the most popular finishing plasters here in North America. It creates a hard honed stone effect with subtle striations and reflective crystalline specks that diffuse the light and has all the typical antiseptic qualities that are characteristic of lime coatings.
Intonachino lime plaster
This is a traditional Italian lime-based plaster for both interiors and exteriors. This stucco is uniformly rough with slight variations in color intensity. It comes in extra fine, fine, medium, and coarse textures, and can produce varied effects. Including Tuscan antique plaster and soft decorative effects can be achieved with this breathable and natural plaster, which has a strong adhesion to the background substrate prepared adequately. Used primarily when simulating a smooth or rough concrete on feature walls, as well as breathable external stucco in mild climatic conditions.
Various other plasters we stock over the last few years, demand has dictated some variations of plaster effects to meet the high-end designer market.
Duetto is a smooth plaster with fine to medium aggregate where less movement is visible yet it retains a honed plaster look and can be colored to any tone. If applied over a coarser grained plaster it will create a smooth finish.
Travertine AKA Roma this plaster has two things going for it, the colored integrated marble grains and the capacity to tear into the surface once set, this happens when a scrapper is pulled across the surface vertically, creating strata like travertine stone. To create veins on the finished plaster, colored liquid wax is applied using an artist’s brush. The coating remains soft enough to put in joint lines during the application by applying pressure using a roller frame. *see the video at plastersource.com.
Calcite is a coarse plaster that is useful when using additives, to such as reflective mica and also other aggregates such as glass and sands.
Vesuvio is a coarse plaster that polishes and can be coated with glazes and Metallics. It’s a double texture, both granular and smooth, makes feature wall stand out from the crowd. The tools used vary from trapezoid plastering trowels to texture trowels and sponges.
Bottacino is a mat plaster containing colored marble in the film, discretely adding character and in the classic form of this marble like finish.
Fornaci a semi mat Marmorino introduced recently.
Pietra is a one coat limestone that has an option to add a soft vermiculite creating a mica in brown adding to the effect. If applied on a smooth primer it will achieve a pitted natural stone look.
Tadelakt Powder plaster, a fashion statement for inside showers. Though not in itself waterproof, it can be treated in many ways to achieve the result required to function in a shower. It is available in fine, medium and coarse grains, creating a Moroccan plaster aspect. Applied with a traditional stainless steel Venetian plaster trowel. Showers require correct substrate treatment to ensure a watertight enclosure or floor. We have various options for protection including: Olive oil soap, masonry sealer, urethane flat 2-part sealer Sopra Tutto. And for walls various waxes are available.
Lime Paint traditional coating for interior exterior often used on brick and diluted for washes on interior decoration.
Cream wax Is a protective polishing coating, by beeswax and Marseille soap it both waterproofs, hardens and adds a sheen to the final effect.
Natural Wax is a natural liquid wax making the plasters washable.
Cera Satinata and lustra these two products are liquid waxes that can be colored for veining and glazing plasters.
Cera Stucchi La Veneziana 1000 a wax used for high hand polished sheens on Classic and Lucido plasters easy to polish.
Burnishing Wax a paraffin-based wax for machine as well as hand burnishing creating mirror shines and very washable.
Impregnating invisible water-proofer for waterproofing Tadelakt before applying wax.
Tadelakt olive oil soap Final dressing and polished effect on Tadelakt.
Flat wax can be used to block plaster before the application of Glazes.
Metallic waxes for a metallic sheen.
Additives: Salt and pepper sand, vermiculite, Luci silver mica flake, Glitter silver and gold several sizes, clear glass flake, Mother of pearl flake and sand, black marble grain short fibers and terra cotta powder. Densifier a thickening agent
Texturline paints varnishes and
glazes
Lime paint is a mineral based coating for
interior and exterior use with or without primer depending on the absorbency
and type of substrate. No primer is required on lime-based plaster, as diluting
50% with clean water will suffice. It requires that applicators follow strictly
the data sheet, as it requires humidifying by spraying the surface between each
coat with water.
If applying on brick as joints are
cement mortar, a primer is required, such as lime tolerant Urban lime prime.
The usual method for lime is a brush application, but if correct protection is
worn spraying can be an option. The reason brushes were preferred is that in
the past lime paint was water and lime having no bond, so wetting out the
substrate and working in the lime paint helped to bond, prevent powdering on
the surface. Today by the addition of synthetic binders that problem is in the
past. Also, coloration in the past was complicated the lye (watery deposit on
top of lime paint in the pail) was colored with oxide powders to make a deep
colored glaze and the surface stained. We have overcome this problem creating a
base for dark colours, it just less lime, the binder fixing the paint.
Traditionally lime painting like milk paint was made up by the painter on site
and refreshed on a regular basis. Distemper was an improved version in the
early part of the 19th century to make these finishes last longer,
between repainting them, by adding either animal glue, sizes, white lead, and
zinc, we have come a long way since that epoque in safety and performance.
As Lime paint is a mineral, not a
film forming coating, it wears down gradually. This is often a desirable effect
of natural aged distressing. The curing time of lime paint is longer than
acrylic paint, usualty up to three months to reach its final hardness and water
resistance. In certain cases where water shedding is essential, the use of
Marseille soap diluted with water is used, which not only speeds up curing time
but repels rain and is lightly washable.
Another use of lime paint, more or
less obsolete with all the plaster alternatives available, is using it as a
cheap version of polished Grassello di Calce which is lime putty but has become
syninomus with Venetian plaster once marble flour is added. By applying lime paint,
it can then be polished or burnished to a vey high sheen, but is difficult to
apply without the marble flour.
Urban Limewash was created to meet the popular
demand for an effect on interior walls with a cloudy effect. We created a ready
to use, straight from the can limewash, which is not as in past by adding water
to lime paint. The challenges that occur in the old way was if water was not
accurately measured, the tone between batches will vary large surfaces, not
noticeable sometimes for days. We took the added water out of the equation, by
retaining the solids (the wash less water) so that the material left once dry,
is the same thickness as lime paint, but still having and ability to get that
illusive cloudy effect not present with pure lime paint. Lighter colours are
very difficult to create the desired effect. We suggest using two colours that
are close to one another, applying partial coats creating a faux finish to get
a cloudy look.
As this is formulated for interior
only, do not try this effect on exteriors. There are two other challenges we
faced in making a bullet proof easy to use finishing system. Priming is an area
that leads to failure, a finish is only as good as a foundation coat. Our Urban
Limeprime is 100% acrylic and resistant to lime’s alkali nature. It also has
the advantage of being able to take colorants at full strength, where normal
primers only colour to a half tone. Limeprime will apply diluted with water on
bare drywall or pure on painted surfaces and MDF. often used for sample boards.
Sealing the surface after creating
the coloured cloudy effect is a challenge. We know there is nothing worse when
a match to a paint chip darkens when sealed which is often the case. Our lime
sealer which is flat and soft to the touch once dry, is based of natural soap
and does not change the colour. This makes the multiple coats microporous to
air bur not water whose molecules are larger.
Yes, its going to be more
expensive, it’s not just lime as in the lime paint. It’s a formula that works
every time, made by my ex-partner and chemist, also the creator of the Texturline
range of unique decorative finishes. By the way the reliability and quality of
our products have always been her first concern and to your advantage when
compared to our competition.
Metaltech acrylic paint is a
high-quality coating that is an exterior / interior application, that can be
sprayed, rolled or applied by brush. It contains rust inhibiters though not an
anticorrosion coating as such but helps prevent rust spotting. It can bond over
existing painted surfaces, though we recommend sanding glossy oil-based paints.
We overcame the common problem with metallics, which are twofold. Water based
resins such as acrylics which is Metaltech’s foundation will either oxidize
real metal powders’ or in the case of aluminum gas causing a flammable
emission. Our metallic pigment powders are what is called a passivated form,
which can cohabit in water-based paints without those phenomena. As usual
Texturline is ahead of the other brands, who use mica in water-based formulas
to create metal effects. As the case for reducing VOC’s bans oil paints, if we
want to stop global warming. We have had this paint on the market for 20 years
now and sell it worldwide. Another feature is it’s rollable on walls with
little or no roller lines as well as opaque, well pretty close to opaque. There
are no strong smells as emissions are very low. If you have used mica based
metallics many of the colours have transparency when viewed at an angle or when
light is directed say from windows. This is due to mica being a flat platelet
so straight on it looks opaque, at an angle not so good. Bronzing powder and
aluminum powder the particles look like tiny sea sponges with no edges so no
matter at what angle you look at the surface it’s always the same opacity.
What about whites, here we use
an exterior rutile pearl that will not fade under UV exposure. I forgot to
mention no need to put an expensive UV filtered varnish outside on Metaltech,
it does not need a protective clear coating over it on exterior applications.
Why do we use hi tech ideas in
our coatings because we can so why not!
Our colors Metaltech colour cards
contain a wide selection of different metallic shades and always in stock
because our suppliers tint them from 3 bases, not a whole rainbow of pre-tinted
shades and it’s always the one you want that’s out of stock.
Urban Mud a
strange name for a useful coating, its nor exactly a plaster or even a paint
texture, it’s somewhere in the middle. Though it can apply thickly there is no
aggregate in it but cannot be smoothed out. Basically, it’s not dissimilar to a
paper mache with added smooth limestone and glues. So, what’s the purpose, it
creates great rock finishes, which can be carved and shaped even when dry for
days. On application it takes 24 hours to dry staying we for hours. Our US
distributor created a finish line with it by splattering it over a base colour
then flattening it, sometimes blending two colours as it stay open longe enough
to blend.
Urban Metal this
version of metallic paint is a hybrid water immiscible oil base, so the
metallic is brighter as in convention oil base. The coating is exterior /
interior and comes in pre-tinted colour range. Unlike our Metaltech it can only
roll out on texture as smooth surfaces will leave roller lines, however it can
be sprayed. It was conceived as a furniture hand painted system, but can be
used elsewhere as in faux finishes. Put on with a sponge it created multi tone
metallic looks on all surfaces.
Suede Paint this is a
textured paint system applied be roller and brush to create a soft sueded
effect. It can be colored to any colour on our online fan deck or custom
colored to leading paint manufactures paint chips.
Primers / Undercoats / Sealers
Texturline has designed their
primer/undercoats to meet the requirements of the materials that are being used
over them, creating a solid bond.
Sharktooth textured
primer/undercoat
is the product required to bond plasters as well as decorative coatings being
applied over it for optimum performance: For Venetian plaster over painted
surfaces, it is the most economical method of application, lowering the amount
of plaster required to cover the area in a uniform film. The Sharktooth allows
a faster build-up of the plaster layers needed to create these finishes. When
applying plasters over non-porous surfaces, Sharktooth is the product needed
for a good bond. The primer adheres to existing painted surfaces, and is
lime-proof, preventing delaminating. The VOC content is 60g per liter. It has a
shelf life of 3 years and is freeze/ thaw stable. Coverage: for one coat is 250 sq. ft. per 3.78L.
Sizes available: 18.9 L. 5g pail, 3.78L. USG, and 0.946L US QT
Texprime textured primer/sealer is the best product for platers over
new drywall and plaster. The difference is that Texprime seals and blocks
porous substrates. An example would be when drywall is taped and mudded, no
flashing will occur when compressing or polishing plasters over than area. Its
VOC content is 20g per liter. It can be tinted with universal colour up to 8%
by volume. It has all he other properties of Sharktooth, such as bonding to
previously painted surfaces, is but is less opaque. It uses water clean-up for
rollers and brushes. Texprime has a shelf life of 3 years and is freeze/thaw
stable.
A single coat of
primer dries in 4 hours at 20°C. Coverage 1 coat 250ft per 3.78L.
Universal smooth
primer undercoat
suitable for lime based high PH alkali plasters and paints. It has all the
properties of Sharktooth without the granular texture an ideal undercoat for
Lime paint and Limewash as well as our metallic pains and glazes.
Glazes and washes This
subject matter is often misunderstood or mixed up with sealers, which in
flooring circles are called glazes sometimes and has nothing to do with the
case in hand. A glaze is a clear medium, a word describing a clear
liquid gel, that needs added latex or colour to complete it, ready to use. We
have a fair number of glazes, so let’s start with a simple extender for
water-based paints. We actually call this Texturglaze extender and is
used proportionally with paint to do two things. Makes the paint have a longer
wet edge, so it can be easily manipulated on the surface with faux finishes
tools. If I have already lost you, have patience and keep reading. The second effect
is it makes the paint translucent, essential in creating a decorative effects. As
overlapping colours creates a multi toning aspect combining with the colours
underneath, adding by transparency to the finished effect. The final sheen will
depend a few things one of which is what kind of paint is used, flat, low
luster, satin, semi-gloss, when added at 10% to 90% extender, it varies flat
paint stay flat the others drop a sheen or two. At this dilution the wet edge
is longest, as you increase the paint portion that dry time drops. If using the
Glaze Extender as a wash coloring with universal tints. It’s used to age
plasters or create a cloudy effect with a sponge over them or for that matter any
painted base. The final open time or wet edge will vary from 4 hours down to one
hour depending on what was use to colour it and how much. For this we could
write a book as there are so many variations getting it into 1 paragraph is
next to impossible but we tried and hope it informative.
Next, we need to discuss VOC
levels. As you may know it’s a problem as states and countries have a mish mash
of rules and how much is permitted in glazes. There is a category in most
places that require regulated content called faux finishing paints and is set
at 350g per liter. Also, there is a sizing regulation which allows exceeding
that number for a 0.946L size. On a store shelf displaying the amount of VOC is
mandatory. Now hers where it gets complicated if not already the case. In the
USA not all states are regulated. The EPA shows faux finishing glazes are 700g
per liter, this extender tested at 850g per liter, but if you add by proportion
paint at zero VOC say 20%. it will lower or level to 700g per liter if that
works in your state as it varies even by county in California, TX and FL
anything goes. Always check in the state
you are in as to local regulations. Canada is one regulation so a bit easier to
run with set at 350g per liter except Qts not regulated.
Because of all this regulation
nightmare Protek brought out a lower VOC at 350g this version called Ez-Glaze
uses the same dilution rates with paint, but with less open times starting at
90 minutes, depending on the variables of ratio paint to glaze. The sheen level
remains the same and the fact it can be used as a wash.
This is the end of the segment
in regard to extenders now we move on to glazes pure and simple colored with
universal colorants.
Prime Glaze this
glaze was created to fill the demand for a water reducible fast drying medium
we sell primary to scenic painters and as a simple flat overlaying coat.
Basic Glaze is a
multi-purpose gelled medium to add colorant and use as an aging tone on
moldings with a satin aspect or diluted with water as a colored tone on some of
our texture plasters. It also comes in concentrated form to be diluted with
water in Midnight black, Raw umber, the most popular as well as several other
shades.
Scumble glaze for woodgraining
a faux finishing technique that applies a colored, transparent glaze over a
base coat to simulate wood grain. The glaze is then manipulated with tools like
rags, sponges, or wood graining combs while still wet to create natural-looking
knots and lines, resulting in a realistic wood effect on various surfaces. It
also sells as a colored glaze to treat existing natural wood cabinetry to
change its colour while retaining the original grain. The aspect in one coat
resembles a satin lacquer, far less expensive than spraying the kitchen
cabinets for example.
Clear coating varnishes We
sell a dead flat urethane varnish called Zero Gloss used extensively on
plasters to add an invisible washable protection. We also have on the Protek
line floor varnishes in low luster, satin and gloss.
If a more durable coating is
required, we sell a Valpaint two-part varnish for acrylic finishes called AR70
in flat and gloss. As well as a plaster sealer called Sopra Tutti ideal
protection for plaster even in showers.
Texturtop synthetic clear
waxes think of these as a trowel applied varnish that is
generally applied over plaster as a blocking coat when using glazes such as Flat
wax or alternatively polishing on smooth plaster to a glossy sheen. Satin
wax is used over metallic plaster which adds a bright sheen, particularly
when multiple patinas or washes are added over them. Finaly burnishing wax to
bring to life mirror finishes, both on lime and acrylic plasters, where lime is
in the essence, instead of waiting several days before using an orbital 400
grit sander, preventing wax build up on the disc.
Texturline range of plasters
Venetian Acrylic Plaster
This was the first acrylic plaster formulated in Canada, that set the standard by which all others followed, created in 1994 and sold world wide. We have never had a complaint regarding its performance causing a failed installation. It can simulate stone and marble, as well as metallic effects, nothing is outside its ability to create unique walls. It is very durable in both commercial and residential settings and the go-to plaster medium for any decorator’s creative ideas, giving unlimited possibilities on surfaces for all projects. Over the years our clients have installed millions of square feet in prestigious hotels, restaurants, casinos, store chain’s identity and beautiful homes. Its versatility comes from the 4 bases to achieve unlimited colour and variable sheen levels up to mirror shine. Deep base blacks and primary colours, pastel base for opaque whites and lighter shaded pastels, mid tone will be a workhorse also allowing both ease of burnishing and translucence, Reflecta is more than a base it’s a new product set to revolutionize walls creating real looking marbles and mirror reflections making the illusion of space on walls.
Carolina Sandstone
This is our version of a Marmorino Carrara in an acrylic version making it an easy foolproof application. The grain is medium in size, and the aspect when finished is a stone effect resembling a weathered limestone. When used in combination with stonewash pigments as a wash, creating a soft toning that appears natural. Cracking of the plaster can be achieved using a hair dryer, in combination with the old-world plaster look creating a antique Italian Tuscan look on new walls.
Texturstone
This completes our trio of acrylic wall finishes that resemble lime plaster, and like any selection we finish with a flourish. The ‘loft’ look is back in demand, cement and concrete finishes as well as micro-cement are in with a vengeance. Texturstone is flexible and is an easy solution with minimum stress on drywall, no need to reinforce the wall. The grain is a medium size and is Texturstone is washable, no need to seal it. It accepts washes and glazes with about 10% retention colour, therefore ideal for a patina or washed surface. The plaster has a natural flexibility that makes it ideal as a set coat under lime plasters saving a day on installation, as it can be recoated the same day. Its colour range is vast with our ‘Color Is’ fan deck digitally or printed. This is the better way to apply lime plaster without failure when application time is of the essence. It is available in white or neutral semi opaque base which accepts pearl and metal mica powders as well as metallic flakes. It is an interior / exterior plaster, yes even in our northern climate. It has high adhesion over non absorbent surfaces and also is used on drywall in combination with our textured primers. It can be rolled or trowelled or a combination of both.
Other speciality coatings
Moiré metallic silk plaster
This popular easy to use acrylic plaster has reflective shades of gold, pearl or silver in the background and a silky suede overlay in an all-in-one application. There are gold, pearl, and an accent pearl base. This is described as a bi-tone all in one finish. Once colored to a colour off the colors card, it will dry showing a gold or pearl underlay, with the principal colour on top. That’s not all the coating is durable and washable, suitable for commercial and residential settings in bathrooms and kitchens, as well as any other surface in the home or office. We can provide fan decks and colour cards of over 200 colours options. I these hard economic times a simple finish at less than 50cts a sq ft material applied by your choice of roller, brush, blade or trowel is a great option.
Urban Tuscan clay
We recently introduced Urban Tuscan clay plaster a clay lime and acrylic easy to apply wall finish. This line comes complete with a primer that can be coloured, the Tuscan clay in three sizes 4-gallon, 1 gallon and quart and a sealer that applies with a sponge easily. Very environmentally friendly with little or no smell. It is very easy and fast application all in one day in smaller areas. Suitable for commercial and residential areas in unlimited color range from ant paint colour selector. There is no need to spend money on a training course as its at the DIY level straight out of the can. One, prime with a roller to a companion tone of undercoat. Two, apply the first coat with a roller and brush allow to dry 1 hour spread the second coat with an 8-inch putty knife until smooth then lightly massage the surface after cleaning the knife holding it flat on the surface. Once dry after 1 hour apply the sealer by charging it by rubbing on the surface of the gelled sealer. It does not need much on the dampened sponge. Rub the sponge over the dry paster in two passes, remove any swirl marks left by the sponge. Allow to dry 2 hours for the final result which is low lustre to flat.
Calce Veneziano Acrylic Plaster
This is the first lime based acrylic plaster formulated in Canada. While having all the ease of application and rapid recoating times it retains the aspect of a fine Marmorino. The usual bi-toning of lime plaster is present as well as the soft toning that makes lime plasters so desirable. As with all acrylics it has good bonding qualities and can receive any of the waxes in the first section after brnishing.