Client wants plaster but cant afford it
I walked a job with a client who wants to plaster all new walls but was not aware of the cost impact. Upon asking, she wants the sound deadening quality of plaster, so it is the density she is after.
What are the options, not just for keeping sound out, but for the dense quality of plaster. Does sound board do much? Double layer 5/8″ Skim coat gives the look but not much in sound?
Any thoughts?
Replies
How is double 5/8" plus skim coat cheaper than plaster?
I meant either/or. Both is overkill, but still cheaper than a full plaster job.
For the extra cost of using 2x6 plates, and twice the studs, you can build a sound wall like that used in new hotel constuction. 2x4 studs every 8", with every other one offset to the edge of the plates. One side drywall on one set of studs, the other side on the other set, fill cavity with fg batts. Can't help with the density, though.
Just for my curiosity, what's the going rate in your area for full plaster, and for veneer. And what part of the country?
I think you get better performance by using a layer of 5/8" and a layer of 1/2".
Consider too that your millwork costs are going to increase because your door jambs aren't standard width.
Steve
Sounds to me like it would be worth your time and hers to get clear on what it is she really wants in terms of both performance and appearance.
It's tough for builders and clients alike -- between the TV shows and the magazines at the checkout counters, it seems like more and more people are wanting all kinds of things they can't afford. Then they get mad at us for being the ones that tell them the bad news.
If sound control is the more important concern, that technology is well established and not terribly expensive. Plenty of folks here to explain that again.
If it's the look of plaster, well, there's a reason why it's more expensive, and she just needs to get right with that. Sometimes I want all kinds of things I can't afford, too. <G>
There are some veneer systems that look very much like a true 3-coat job, and cost about halfway between drywall and 3-coat. It's still a veneer system, and it still isn't cheap. As for sound control, it won't help a bit.
Even less expensive is a skim-coat, which has been discussed here at length. It won't do a thing for sound control, and doesn't really look like plaster, just less like painted drywall.
With any luck, you may discover that sound, not appearance, is the issue and you can meet her requirements with some sound batts and offset double-framing.
I've used the sound-control techniques described in other discussions here and they work great.
DRC