Plastering as Art

Copyright (c) 2008 Able Skills

It may seem to the average layman that there is little actual art to the craft of plastering. This is understandable, as it often looks as if the plastering contractor simply spreads some plaster on a trowel and then proceeds to slop it up on the wall. What many people do not realize, however, is that a good plasterer spends time analyzing everything before starting the job. From which tool to spread the plaster with to what plaster to use, the plasterer analyzes the situation and makes the choices that are best for the job. Choosing the right tools is not all it takes, however, to complete a great plastering project.

Getting the Pattern Right

As the contractor begins spreading the plaster he or she needs to take the time to create the correct pattern. While it may not seem to be difficult to an observer, every plasterer knows that this is the most time consuming part of the job. If you are trying to acheive a horizontal pattern with your plaster great care is needed as one vertical movement could result in having to start that section of wall again.

Controlling the Amount of Plaster

Another part of the art of plastering is knowing how much plaster to use. The trick is to apply enough plaster to get the design right without using too much plaster. If too much plaster is used, then the process of drying can cause cracks and other unsightly problems can occur. It's important to use the right amount of plaster to stop the patteren appering washed out. The plaster also needs to consider the long-term goal of the project. If the area is going to be painted, for example, the plasterer needs to be certain the paint will be able to spread over each centimeter of the plaster. If too much of a top ridge exists, it will be difficult for the painter to get to that area with the paint, which can create a very splotchy looking paint job.

Aside from knowing what plaster to use and how to apply it, the final aspect of the art of plastering is to know how to make certain designs. Next time you are looking at a plaster wall with a design, consider how the design was made. An entire wall can be looked at as one giant blank canvas with plaster being used as the paint. Or, if you are interested in learning the art for yourself, consider taking a few plastering courses so you can experiment on your own canvas.