A Hybrid Approach to Lime Plaster
Drywall backing speeds the way to a textured, durable, old-world finish
Synopsis: While drywall has replaced plaster as the go-to material for walls and ceilings, it does not replace the look, feel, and durability of hand-applied plaster. Ace McArleton describes his approach to plastering, which involves using drywall as a base (primed with sand and glue) for lime plaster. The article describes the proportions of lime, sand, and water used to achieve a durable plaster that will trowel on easily, and then walks through the process of taping the walls followed by different techniques for using trowels to apply plaster to the field, around trim, and over outside corners.
Traditional plastering is a slow, laborious process, so it’s no wonder that when drywall came on the scene, it quickly replaced plaster as the go-to material for walls and ceilings in American homes.
But while drywall replaced plaster in function, it doesn’t replicate the look, feel, and durability of hand-applied plaster.…
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My first, built in late 1941, and my third and current home, built in 1954, used drywall button board as "lath" and then were covered in smooth plaster on all interior wall and ceiling surfaces.
My second home, built in 1951, used standard drywall with a skim coat applied in a manner that mimicked a randomly textured plaster wall on all interior wall and ceiling surfaces.