The History of Plastering

Copyright (c) 2008 Able Skills

Man has been using plaster in different forms for hundreds of years. In fact, there is evidence that even primitive man used plaster made from mud in order to hold together their dwellings made from sticks. As technology has progressed the types of materials used for plastering have significantly advanced and are now stronger and more flexible to cope with modern day demands.

Ancient Cultures and Plastering

Perhaps one of the earliest and most impressive uses of plaster that resembles what is used in modern construction can be found in Egypt. Over 400 years ago the Egyptians used a form of plaster similar to today's plaster of Paris in the construction of their pyramids. They even applied the plaster to reeds, in much the same way as modern plastering involves the use of laths.

In ancient Greek culture plaster was made from a white lime stucco. Amazingly, the use of this plaster dates back to 500 BC and it was often used when crafting buildings of marble.

Plaster Comes to England

Some of the earliest representations of plaster in England can be found in the large mansions and houses dating back to the time of Henry VIII. During this time, it was used for ornamentation and was often coloured. Over time, plaster became more commonly used in small buildings and then in homes and cottages as well.

Before World War II, most houses were plastered using a method that invlolved nailing hundreds of meters of lath, wooden strips, to all the areas of the house that were to be plastered including walls and the ceilings. Once the lath was in place, it was then covered with a coarse layer of plaster. This first layer is referred to as the scratch coat. When the scratch coat was applied, the wet plaster squeezed through the gaps in the lath, securing it to the walls and ceiling. Several days later, when the first layer was dry, a second coat called the brown coat was then applied to make all the surfaces relatively flat. The brown coat had to then dry for several days as well. When this coats had completely dried then final layer, a skim coat, was applied. The skim coat is a thin layer of white plaster that produces a smooth, finished surface.

So, the next time you think about taking a few plastering courses, remember the long and proud history of this fine craft!