When was GYPSUM PLASTER used first?

Plaster, a plastic state material that hardens on drying and use for coating walls, ceilings and partitions. Plastering is one of the most ancient building techniques. Evidence show that prehistoric man plastered their reed sapling shelters with mud, thus developing more durable structures and effective screens against, natural weathering, and climatic changes. More lasting and sighty materials as time passed replaced mud, one of the materials was gypsum plaster. Evolution peoples made them think a plaster that serves beyond weather and climatic changes is needed. Some of the earliest plastering extant is of a quality comparable to that used in modern times.

A number of plasters are used in plastering, among them gypsum plaster offers better advantages, in terms of smooth finish coat, strength, curing time, good insulation, shrinkage crack resistant, light weight and resistant to fire. It is due to the physical property of gypsum plaster, consisting of 66 percent of hemihydrate calcium sulfate plus other two materials added at the factory to control setting time and working qualities. The pyramids of EGYPT contain plaster work executed atleast 4000 years ago that is still hard and durable. The principle tools of the plasterer of that time were in design and purpose like those used today. For their finest work Egyptians used a plaster made from calcinated gypsum, that is identical to POP.

In recent years, peoples interest in solving the situation has increased, especially in cities where noise concentrations are higher because of extremely high traffic and industry development. Problems associated with noise in such environment are constantly increasing and therefore people require somehow protect their buildings or working spaces. For this reason, it is necessary to take care about the selection of materials with improved sound insulation just during the construction of building. The ability of building materials to absorb sound waves usually depends on their stiffness, density and porosity.

In- general gypsum is moisture preserving, but when compared to cement plaster which is commonly used, gypsum plaster can give the same performance of cement plaster. Its advisable to use gypsum plaster ( without any admixtures ) for interior plastering of walls where there are no consistent presence of liquids. A running water body will not affect the gypsum plaster, stagnant water for more than 2 days can spoil the gypsum plaster.

With various investigations and studies conducted it is evident that gypsum plaster can be used as building decorative material. Gypsum plaster is the cheapest acoustic controlling material for our buildings, which can automatically provide a clean, clear and healthy environment in our spaces we live in.

One of the common causes of defects in buildings is the presence of water. Dampness can itself be a defect and it can be the cause of other defects. There is also epidemiological evidence from studies on indoor air quality as noted by the World Health Organization (WHO) to show that people living in damp or mold-ridden buildings are at an increased risk of respiratory disorders (WHO 2009).

One of the best advantages of gypsum plaster, that impress a common man is, the touch and feel factor. One will be mesmerized to see the finish and feel the difference once he/she touches the gypsum plastered surface. The temperature of the surface will be cool enough that one will say, this is AWSOME!