The Cost and Volume of Eco-Engineered Plaster with Ligra

The previous case study highlighted the benefits of Ligra for improving a room's comfort and energy efficiency. Now, we'll dive into the numbers behind the project, providing a concrete example of how to plan your own renovation and calculate the materials and costs involved.

This guide is designed for the DIYer who wants to understand the volume and metric calculations, ensuring a smooth and budget-friendly project.

Project Parameters: A Study Renovation

To make the calculations clear, let’s revisit Mark’s study renovation. He needs to replaster a single, solid brick wall to improve its thermal and acoustic properties.

• Wall Dimensions: A standard wall measuring 4 meters wide and 2.5 meters high.

• Target Plaster Thickness: 5 cm (0.05 meters) of a lightweight plaster mix.

Step 1: Volume Calculation

First, we calculate the total volume of plaster required for the wall.

• Wall Area: Area=Width×Height=4m×2.5m=10m2

• Total Plaster Volume: Volume=Area×Thickness=10m2×0.05m=0.5m3

Next, we determine the volume of each component for our custom mix. A common mix for creating a lightweight, insulated plaster is a 1:1 ratio by volume of Ligra to a standard plaster base (sand and cement). This ratio offers a good balance of thermal properties and structural integrity for non-load-bearing walls.

• Volume of Ligra: 0.5m3×0.5=0.25m3

• Volume of Plaster Base: 0.5m3×0.5=0.25m3

Step 2: Cost Breakdown

Now that we have the required volumes, we can break down the material costs. Prices are estimates based on market averages and may vary by location.

Cost Comparison with Traditional Methods

To put the cost into perspective, let's compare the per-square-meter cost of our custom Ligra-plaster with a traditional insulated wall.

• Ligra-Infused Plaster: WallAreaTotalMaterialsCost=10m2$162.50=≈$16.25/m2

• Traditional Internal Wall Insulation: Traditional methods (e.g., insulated plasterboard) can cost $40 to $80 per square meter, including materials and labor for a finished wall. While our DIY calculation doesn't include labor, the material costs alone show a significant saving.

Conclusion

The calculations confirm that using an eco-engineered material like Ligra is not only an effective solution for thermal, sound, and moisture issues but also a highly cost-effective one for a DIY project. By simply substituting a portion of a traditional plaster mix with Ligra, Mark was able to achieve a professionally insulated wall for a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.

This case study demonstrates the value of planning and using the right materials. While this is a practical example, always consult a professional or a product's specific guidelines before undertaking a large-scale project.