Plaster mortar or cement mortar: which should you choose? -HPMC/PVA

HPMC chemical powder is one of our best-selling products, offering low price and high quality. It can be used as a thickener and water-retaining agent in building mortar. Shijiazhuang Cellulose Co., Ltd., a cellulose manufacturer from China, can provide you with ample supply.

Plaster mortar and cement mortar are two mainstream wall plastering materials. Which one to choose depends mainly on your construction environment, quality requirements, and budget. To help you quickly grasp the core differences, I will compare them from several key dimensions.

1. Construction Performance and Efficiency

Plastered Gypsum Mortar: Easier to apply. It has strong adhesion, firmly adhering to various substrates and is less prone to hollowing and detachment. It also dries quickly, significantly shortening the construction period. Its lightweight nature allows for a larger area to be covered with a single mix, reducing labor intensity for the same plaster thickness.

Cement Mortar: Requires higher application standards. Traditional processes may require roughening the surface to increase adhesion. It dries and cures slowly, resulting in a relatively longer construction period and greater susceptibility to environmental factors.

2. Material Characteristics and Final Quality

Plastered Gypsum Mortar: More stable quality. Its extremely low shrinkage rate effectively prevents wall cracking and hollowing. The finished wall surface is smooth and fine, providing a good base for subsequent decoration (such as painting or wallpapering), and sometimes saving on decorative materials. It also has a certain ability to regulate air humidity.

Cement Mortar: Prone to quality defects. It has a higher shrinkage rate, making it prone to cracking and hollowing. The smoothness and fineness of the wall surface are generally inferior to that of plastered mortar. It basically lacks the function of regulating humidity.

 3. Applicable Scenarios and Environments

Plastering Gypsum Mortar: Primarily used in dry indoor areas. Particularly suitable for interior wall plastering and leveling in living rooms, bedrooms, studies, etc. It is a Class A fire-resistant material.

Cement Mortar: Suitable for damp environments and exterior walls. Due to its good water resistance, it is the traditional first choice for damp areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, as well as exterior wall plastering.

4. Cost and Environmental Friendliness

Plastering Gypsum Mortar: May have a more advantageous overall cost. Although the purchase price per bag is usually higher, its high construction efficiency, low material consumption, fewer quality defects, and lower rework rate may result in a lower overall project cost. It is an environmentally friendly material with low production energy consumption.

Cement Mortar: Low material cost. The low price of raw materials is its traditional advantage. The overall cost needs to consider potential repair costs later.