Fresco Secco Plaster Calculator

The lime plaster, pigment and water for a fresco secco panel, from the area, the coat thickness and the pigment load.

Panel length mm

The panel or wall being plastered.

Panel height mm

Number of plaster coats

A panel on board usually takes two or three coats, a wall three or more with a scratch coat beneath.

Thickness of each coat mm

Lime plaster is applied at 3 to 8 millimetres per coat.

Density of the mixed plaster kg per litre

Mixed lime plaster is roughly 1.6 to 1.8 kilograms per litre. Use the figure from the product data sheet if it gives one.

Dry powder yield of the mix kg of powder per litre of plaster

Dry powder makes about 1.2 to 1.4 kilograms per litre of mixed plaster, because the mix is largely water.

Pigment as a percentage of the plaster weight %

Five to fifteen percent gives a strong colour in lime. Above fifteen the set and the strength can suffer.

Density of the dry pigment kg per litre

Earth pigments are roughly 1.5 to 2 kilograms per litre. A light organic pigment is lower.

Mixing and application waste %

Plaster lost in the bucket, on the board and on the floor.

Bag size of dry plaster kg

Lime plaster is usually sold in 25 kilogram bags or in tubs of putty.

Price per bag

Optional. Used for the plaster cost.

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Free calculator by Handcraft worked examples and methodology No account, nothing stored.