Ready-mix plaster and gypsum — price, types and what to check
Cement, ready-mix and gypsum plaster, mesh and bonding agents.
Plaster covers brick and block walls. Beyond site-mixed cement plaster, ready-mix and gypsum plasters give faster, more consistent, paint-ready walls.
The basics
- Internal plaster is 12–15 mm; external plaster 18–20 mm in two coats.
- Gypsum plaster is for internal walls and ceilings only, and can skip a putty coat.
- Ready-mix plaster needs only water — consistent quality, less wastage.
Ready-mix plaster and gypsum types and price ranges in India
| Type | Specification | Best used for | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site-mixed cement plaster | 1:4 / 1:6 | All walls (labour + material) | ₹25–45 |
| Ready-mix cement plaster | 40 kg bag | Internal and external walls | ₹250–420 |
| Gypsum plaster | 25 kg bag | Internal walls and ceilings | ₹300–450 |
| Block-joint mortar | Thin-bed | AAC walls | ₹250–450 |
| Chicken / fibre mesh | Strips | Wall–column joints, chases | ₹8–20 |
| Plaster bonding agent | SBR / acrylic | RCC surfaces | ₹200–450 |
| Waterproof plaster additive | Integral | Rain-facing walls | ₹150–300 |
Quality checks before you accept delivery
- Walls should be damp for cement plaster and dry for gypsum.
- Check with a 2 m straight edge — gaps over 3 mm need correction.
- Tap the wall: a hollow sound means debonded plaster.
- Check corners are straight and edges sharp with a straight edge.
- Look for cracks after curing; hairlines at joints mean missing mesh.
- Check plaster over chases isn't too thin.
Pro tips
- Hack the RCC surface or apply bonding agent before plaster to prevent peeling.
- Fix mesh at every brick–RCC joint and over conduit chases.
- Cure cement plaster for 7 days; gypsum needs none.
- Cut groove lines in external plaster at floor levels to control cracks.
- Fix corner beads on external corners for straight, chip-proof edges.
- Shade external plaster from harsh sun in summer so it dries slowly.
Mistakes to avoid
- Plastering before concealed plumbing has been pressure-tested.
- Gypsum plaster in bathrooms or on exterior walls.
- A single thick coat over 15 mm — it cracks and sags.
- Plastering over dusty or oily RCC.
- Plastering in full sun without curing.
Where you can save
- Gypsum on internal walls can save one putty coat.
- Ready-mix cuts wastage on upper floors where hauling sand is costly.
How much you need
Plaster area is roughly 2.5–3× the built-up area (both wall faces plus ceilings).
Brands to know
Saint-Gobain Gyproc, UltraTech, Birla White, JK, Magicrete, Ramco
Related materials
Waterproofing and chemicalsSmall cost, big protection against leaks and cracks.False ceiling and POPGypsum, POP, PVC and grid ceilings.Paints and puttyPutty, primer, emulsion — and the final colours.Wall panels and wallpaperFluted panels, WPC louvers, PVC boards, wallpaper, acoustics.Insulation and heat reductionXPS, PUF, glass wool, rock wool and reflective barriers.