Gypsum is a common ingredient in cement.
Gypsum (hydrated calcium sulfate) is a rock-forming mineral that is created by saline water. This mineral is usually white, colorless or gray and is commonly turned into building materials such as plaster, wall boards and cement. A disadvantage to using gypsum as a building material is that it's susceptible to mold over time. As a result, builders have been trying to find alternative building materials to combat this problem.
Glass-Fiber Reinforced Concrete
This material is a good one to use when trying to replace certain decorative elements on a building that have been deteriorated either by time or by mold. It shrinks very little while drying so it can easily be cast in a mold that's taken from the damaged piece of masonry. Glass-fiber reinforced concrete is lightweight and weather resistant. A disadvantage to this kind of concrete is that it cannot be used as a load-bearing material.
Natural Lime Plaster/Marmorino
Lime plaster is a mixture of lime, sand and a binding material such as straw. Marmorino is produced the same way, but replacing the sand with marble. Both are good for interior and exterior walls in either historic or modern buildings. These materials have good light-reflecting properties and are anti-allergenic. When working with these materials, they must be applied to a stable backing such as brick or plasterboard or else they're prone to cracking. These plasters can also take anywhere from a few days to six months to fully harden depending on the backing material.
Natural Clay Plaster
This environmentally friendly building material is made of rocks and minerals that are mixed with sand and water. Depending on the desired effect, clay plaster can be left rough or smooth and have either a matte or polished surface. Clay plaster takes color well and is both 100-percent natural and breathable. In terms of paint, fixtures and fittings, clay plaster is much the same as gypsum, but is easier to apply. As this material is moisture absorbent, water can get into the finish and cause the plaster to swell. A constant flow of water over clay plaster can also cause it to erode.
Precast Concrete
This kind of concrete is able to bear a load and can be used to form or repair ornamental structures since it doesn't shrink much while drying. As a material, it expands and contracts in much the same way that stone does under different temperatures. It is more moisture absorbent than stone, so in order to ensure that it doesn't suffer from water damage, a water-resistant coating of some sort should be applied.
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