The inside story: How to plaster a wall

Plaster is one of the most popular choices for walls and ceilings and plaster has been used as a building material for centuries making it one of the oldest building materials still in use today. Plaster is tough, durable and very versatile.
Until recently, most home interiors were done with large thin sheets of gypsum called drywall which was nailed to the wall studs and ceiling joists. It was inexpensive plus easy to install and repair, but while it is durable it can be easily damaged.

Using plaster on walls

Prior to the use of drywall though, homes had plaster interiors. Plastering is still done today but it is a more costly process as it requires a more skilled approach to apply it. Plaster today is applied to walls in three layers

• The base coat
• A thick middle coat of plaster
• The finishing coat

Plaster can be successfully applied to a variety of different surfaces and is also available in ornamental mouldings for more decorative effects. Its versatility means it can also be tinted prior to application and paint, tiles or wallpaper can all be applied very easily over plaster.

Some common problems with plaster walls

Plaster that is applied to wood lath is held in place by the overflow of plaster through the lath. Thee overflows are called keys. Over time, these keys can break down and disintegrate causing cracking. Water damage from leaks or plumbing can discolour it or in some cases cause the salts and minerals to leach to the surface. This is called efflorescence.
Plaster can also suffer damage from the normal stresses of day to day living but fortunately it can be easily repaired in most cases with spackling compound.

For more information on plastering walls

There are several places that you can access information on plastering walls and painting plaster walls but some of the best are www.proplaster.com.au is a great informative site with lots of resources.  You will find all you need at their site and they supply all the necessary tools for a professional job. You can buy from them on line or check their list of distributors for one near you. www.hometips.com is also an excellent site for information on plastering. For decorative plaster, go to www.aussieplasterproducts.com.au . They carry a great range of traditional and decorative plaster features.