About Venetian Plaster

Venetian plaster is produced by combining the technology of today with ancient methods – resulting in a unique yet classic look that withholds the test of time.

Plaster products are widely produced all across the world, however true Venetian plaster is produced exclusively in a small region of Northern Italy. Authentic Venetian plaster producers continue to use the ingredients and processes that were used by their ancestors for centuries.

Venetian plaster is often used to bring a touch of old world into modern day design. Due to the number of companies producing cheap alternatives to true Venetian plaster, it’s important to do your research when selecting a product to use. Inauthentic stucco products do not provide the same characteristics or benefits that real Venetian plaster offers.

How Venetian Plaster is Made

BeriCalce Venetian plaster is produced in Vicenza, a city in Northern Italy. The limestone used in BeriCalce products is dredged from local riverbeds that pile up with stones each year. The process of retrieving these stones has little environmental impact, making the production of these products very sustainable.

Once collected, the limestone is heated in large furnaces in order to produce lime powder. This lime powder is the base of all BeriCalce plasters. Water is introduced to the mixture, then the product is aged in underground silos for up to 12 months. Finally, the lime is mixed with marble, minerals and other aggregates to produce the final Venetian plaster product.

Once the product has been applied the water evaporates, making the plaster harden. Over time the minerals harden back into their original stone state.

Benefits of Venetian Plaster

There are a number of benefits to using authentic Venetian plaster versus the synthetic alternative. The benefits of BeriCalce Venetian plaster products include:

  • Environmentally friendly – biodegradable and non-toxic.
  • Most products are VOC 0 (well below permissible limits)
  • Can achieve a variety of finishes that are not possible with synthetic products.
  • Products do not contain aromatic solvents or agents that cause allergic reactions.
  • Products do not contain added preservatives. The high alkaline PH levels in lime work as a natural preservative.
  • Lime contains antibacterial properties.