A History of Plastering
Able Skills
Copyright (c) 2008 Able Skills
Lots of people have looked at the work of a plaster and wondered where is plastering came from. Plastering is actually is one of the oldest building trades and was developed from a need to fill the gaps that existed between logs and timber during the construction of houses . Today, plaster can still be used for the same purposes, but has a number of other 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. This new use for plaster also acted as the first form of insulation because plaster slowed the loss of heat more than traditional timber at the time.
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 still used widely today as both a construction material and a decoration for 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.
About the Author
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