The method I’ve seen most often is blowing cellulose insulation into a hole punched into the plaster wall. But my efforts didn’t seem to make either house more energy-efficient. In the house that had an attic, I insulated the floor there. Two of the houses I have owned had plaster walls, and I tried to seal gaps where the walls met the floors and the roof, to reduce air intrusion. I don’t subscribe to this I’m just sharing. These walls were designed to breathe, meaning that they provide more than enough ventilation to prevent growth of mold. Some old-house experts have told me over the years that thick plaster walls and the wood lath underneath are thicker than most drywall. I assume that is not part of your overall plan, however. Many homeowners do this as part of remodeling projects, since the walls have to be ripped into anyway. The opinions expressed are his own.It is possible to insulate lath and plaster walls. Email your questions to him at Here’s How.
James Dulley is a mechanical engineer, an avid Do-It-Yourselfer and a nationally syndicated columnist with. When the plaster is completely dry, it can be sanded smooth. You can try out your skills with a trowel. These adhere much better to the existing plaster wall than premixed vinyl joint compounds. There are several types of new plaster compounds available that have quick set times. This application moisture is why standard drywall cannot be used with plaster.ĭon’t worry about repairing a plaster wall if your kids do crack or nick a wall. Without this special water-resistant coating, the moisture in the plaster would damage the inner gypsum core. These special panels for plaster are often called “blueboards” because they have a special water-resistant paper coating with a bluish color. If you have already put up the drywall, it is too late to select plaster. The gypsum lath panels used for plaster veneer walls are different from standard drywall panels. You will have to decide whether you want plaster or drywall before any wall finishing has begun. A thin 1/16-inch layer of plaster is applied over this, creating the smooth, hard finished surface. Large 4-by-8 gypsum-based lath panels are nailed to the studs for the plaster base.
Unlike older wall plastering methods that required wood lath or small gypsum lath pieces common in the 1950s, plaster veneer is basically a one-step process. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. I tried once and it ended up looking like a poorly iced layer cake. I have a lot of building experience, but I would not try it again myself. You can do some of the work, but an experienced skilled plasterer will have to apply the plaster. Keep in mind that plastering, even with the newer veneer systems, is not a typically do-it-yourself project like drywalling. You can use stronger enzyme solutions and scrape more vigorously to remove the old adhesive. Once cured, plaster is resistant to short-term water exposure.Īlso, if you plan to wallpaper, or should I say change wallpaper or paint in the future, it is easy to strip old wallpaper off plaster without damaging the wall surface. It can be washed without the possibility of water damage as with drywall. It nicks less easily than drywall, so it maintains its beauty even with children around. The superior hardness and strength of plaster is a great plus. With drywall, paint often appears different over the joint compound than over the drywall. They also take paint uniformly - a real plus when you use a semi-gloss paint that accentuates imperfections. Plaster walls look better with a flatter, more even surface. The advantages of plaster are many, especially for your long-term dream home.
It covers the entire wall with no joints. Plaster, on the other hand, is somewhat similar to cement in that, when it is mixed with water, a chemical reaction causes it to form a strong, hard surface. It is nailed or screwed in place and the joints are finished so that they are supposedly hidden.