Marmorino a Classic Wall Finish
When it comes to finishing interior and exterior surfaces, there are a plethora of options out there to choose from. In terms of modern cement-based plaster, there’s not a lot to talk about. There are different kinds, sure, but it is all, broadly speaking, the same basic product.
And, while you can achieve an impressive array of different looks through various different ways of applying the plaster, you are still limited by the fact that it is all the same plaster. Fortunately, plaster-based finishes have been in use for hundreds—even thousands—of years, and are still in use today.
As you might expect, it can get a little challenging to choose between the different options when you start venturing into the world of traditional plasters. Do you want Moroccan Tadelakt? Venetian Plaster? Italian Intonachino? And, of course, there are far more than we haven’t mentioned.
Knowing what the difference between all these traditional plasters is can be challenging enough, and that’s before you get to decide which is best for your project. We’re going to try and make one of these options a little less confusing by explaining what it is and why you might want it for your next project. So, what is Marmorino Stucco? Read on, and find out!
What is Marmorino Stucco?
Also known as Marmorino Veneziano, this is a type of stucco that is made from crushed marble and lime putty, and is one of several kinds of plaster that features lime as one of its central ingredients. Marmorino has been used as far back as during the Roman Empire but had something of a resurgence during the renaissance, and it is this period—as well as the region (Venice)—where it is most commonly associated with.
Marmorino Stucco is very popular in Italy, as you might expect, although it has seen increasing demand in North America and, to a lesser extent, the rest of the world. It is particularly desirable for luxury bathrooms and other types of wet rooms, though it is also commonly used for feature walls, entrance halls, and generally anywhere where an air of grandeur and luxury is desired.
As you might expect from a plaster that is made using crushed marble, Marmorino Stucco can be applied in such a way that it looks very much like marble itself, though a range of different effects can also be achieved depending on how the plaster is installed. Marmorino can be tinted to further increase the range of looks you can achieve.
Benefits of Marmorino Stucco Over Cement-Based Plaster
One of the primary benefits of Marmorino Stucco over a modern, cement-based plaster is that the stucco itself is the finish. With cement-based plaster, a further finishing layer is required to get an aesthetically pleasing look, such as paint, tiling, or wallpaper. Granted, the process of installing Marmorino is a little more involved than modern cement-based plaster, but once it is installed, there are no further steps to take.
Another advantage is that thanks to the lime in the stucco, Marmorino has a number of desirable qualities that modern plasters lack, such as being breathable and being naturally mold-resistant.
It also has a much lower carbon footprint than cement-based plaster, making it better for the environment. These are qualities that are shared with most lime-based plasters and stuccos, such as the Tadelakt, Venetian Plaster, and Intonachino we mentioned earlier.
Another benefit to Marmorino Stucco is the fact that it is both waterproof and suitable for use in interior exterior settings. Modern cement-based plaster can also be used in this way, but it will need additional treatment to ensure it is waterproof. And, in any case, it does not make for an aesthetically pleasing finish by itself.
Textures
Though one of the more famous uses for Marmorino is for making a marble-like effect that is considerably cheaper and more versatile than the real thing, Marmorino Stucco can be applied in such a way as to achieve a range of textures, from glass-like smoothness to a coarse finish.
Naturally, smoother finishes are preferred in bathrooms and similar situations. But coarser finishes tend to have a warmer feel to them, perhaps due to the fact that they diffuse light more. For this reason, they are often preferred for Marmorino Stucco applications that are used in areas like living rooms.
