A History of Plaster

IMany people have looked at the work of plasterers and wondered where plastering came from. Plasterwork actually is one of the oldest construction trades and was developed from a need to pack the gaps that were embodied by logs and timber during the construction of houses. Today, plaster can still be used for the same purposes, but has a number of other creative uses as well.

Exploring Primitive Plaster
At first, it was believed that primitive plaster was made from a combination of tree sap, dirt, and twigs. Eventually someone found out that combining Lime, sand, and horse hair created a much superior plaster, however, and that combination has been used ever since - although there are other combinations that are used by contractors for certain types of projects.

The Changing Role of Plaster
As our ability to create better construction materials grew, the role of plaster in buildings changed as well. It was no longer needed to act as a sealant against weather, but it saw a lot of use in wood lathe walls, which are walls built with thin strips of wood called lathes. The plaster was applied to these walls to provide both strength and uniformity to the inside walls of homes. The new use for plaster also increased the insulation values. slowing the loss of heat compared to traditional timber construction.

Getting Decorative with Plaster
Again the role of plaster saw a change when insulation and sheetrock replaced the inner walls of most homes. Instead of being a necessary element to maintain structure in the home, plaster became much more about decoration and style. Plaster is widely used today in construction and for decorative purposes around the home. Plaster is an adaptable material and can be used for many different purposes from filling cracks in brickwork to strengthening a wall of plasterboard.

If you want to learn more about plaster and its applications, the best step is to take some plastering courses taught by those that have experience with the job. After all, who better to teach you everything you would like to know about plaster than someone who has taken the time to get licensed to contract for the very job of plastering? In addition, after taking a few courses, you just might be surprised by the amazing things you can do with plaster.

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