In some situations it was not unusual for a homeowner to wait several months or even an entire year for the plaster to harden fully before final finish decoration of painting or wall papering could even begin. Similarly, several weeks would go by before the final finish plaster could be applied. Typically it took up to four weeks to pass for the initial “scratch coat” or first coat to take up enough before the brown coat (second coat) could be applied. The unfortunate result of this process is that it took an anguishing long time for the plaster to harden completely. Instead, it goes through a process called “carbonation,” which results in the plaster absorbing carbon dioxide from the surrounding environment. Lime plaster unlike gypsum plaster does not go through a chemical reaction to harden. Up until that time lime plasters consisted of basically slaked lime, water, sand and animal hair. Lime based plaster in fact was quite similar to stucco compositions until the turn of the 18th to 19th century. Historically, interior plastering has evolved around two materials: Lime and gypsum.
Wallpaper is easier to install and much easier to remove when it comes to redecorating.Īll of these features and benefits add up for extra property value when it comes time for a building owner to sell. This affords the occupants a warmer more comfortable home.Ī wall covered with conventional gypsum plaster is one of the easiest to decorate. Conventional gypsum plaster over metal lath adds an additional level of protection.īecause of its monolithic nature, conventional gypsum plaster provides added value in keeping out cold winter drafts.
The monolithic surface of conventional gypsum plaster from floor to ceiling is a very effective barrier to insects, rodents and any other vermin. This is especially important in high traffic environments such as hospital or dormitory corridors or anywhere where pedestrian contact can be an issue. Combining gypsum plaster with gypsum plaster board base can be especially beneficial in apartments, townhouses and condominiums that share common or party walls.Ī conventional gypsum plaster wall provides superior abrasion and wear resistance to that of gypsum veneer or drywall.
As a result it has a greater resistance to the passage of sound. The finished plaster wall is denser than a typical wall finished with drywall. When combined with gypsum plaster board, it also adds lateral stability to the assembly. Gypsum plaster is essentially reconstituted rock and exceptionally hard. When combined with gypsum plaster bases, gypsum plaster can provide assemblies that can achieve fire ratings of up to two hours for partitions, ceilings and column fireproofing. A wall plastered with conventional gypsum plaster is non-combustible.