If you’re planning to gut a bathroom or kitchen for a complete remodeling project, replacing the plaster with drywall may make sense. If this is true for your home, the best way to preserve them is to regularly inspect them and have any cracks repaired as soon as you notice them. Plaster walls are a big part of many older homes’ charm and historical character. ![]() The Bottom LineĪs long as your plaster is in good condition, it may make sense to leave it alone. Repairing or replacing damaged plaster is often more labor-intensive than installing new drywall. Homeowners are sometimes disappointed when achieving an exact match is not always possible.Ĭost. If the plaster in adjacent rooms is uneven, sagging, or needs repairs, those defects will be even more pronounced once a kitchen or bathroom remodel is completed. Matching new sections of plaster with older sections during remodeling projects is costly and time-consuming. The lath or wire-mesh backing may also need to be replaced. Damaged areas must be cut and scraped out without damaging the rest of the wall or ceiling. Severely damaged plaster can be difficult to repair. If the settling is substantial or takes place over a long time, chunks of plaster can fall off the underlying lath framework. Old plaster, which is hard and brittle, can start to crack as a house naturally settles. Some of the disadvantages of plaster include:ĭamage from Settling. There can be disadvantages to keeping plaster rather than replacing it with modern drywall. If you have plaster walls, a professional design team will take a careful look before making recommendations on how to proceed. Removing and replacing plaster is labor-intensive, messy, and can drive up the price of a remodeling project. Removing the original plaster in a historic building can decrease property value.Ĭost. There is a noticeable artistry in plaster that was expertly applied by a skilled craftsman. Plaster is fire resistant and can provide increased sound insulation in older homes. Plaster is a strong material, and historic homes are a testament to its durability. If your plaster is in good condition, there are several advantages to preserving it:ĭurability. Reasons for a full or partial gut could include water damage, extensive structural repairs, redoing tilework in kitchens or bathrooms, or moving walls to alter a floor plan. A contractor can cut selective holes and channels in plaster walls to swap out plumbing and electrical wiring, then fill the holes with plaster or a combination of drywall and plaster. When remodeling a home with plaster walls, a total gut job may not be required to refresh tired finishes or upgrade plumbing and electrical systems. In an older home with plaster walls, it’s often more cost-effective and attractive to keep the plaster rather than replace it. Plaster walls are more costly than drywall when building a new home. ![]() Once dry, it is sanded and painted to complete the desired look.īecause skilled craftsmen apply plaster, it is a higher quality, more expensive material. Expert installers apply the mix in layers on previously placed plasterboard or lath, then wait for it to dry and bond to the surface. Plaster is traditionally a combination of cement, sand, and water. ![]() If you have a home built before the 1950s, some of the walls and ceilings are likely made of plaster. Many homeowners are caught between the use of plaster and drywall when remodeling an older home. ![]() Pros and Cons of Preserving Plaster Walls During a Bathroom or Kitchen Remodel During the 1950s, pressed gypsum or drywall became the standard for finishing interiors since it was less costly to install. Homes built before the 1950s likely have some lath and plaster walls unless they were renovated sometime after the 1950s. The original building materials can significantly impact any remodeling project and must be carefully considered before any work begins.įrom the 1700s until the 1940s, lath and plaster were the material of choice used for finishing interior walls and ceilings. Whether it’s leaky plumbing, old wiring, water damage, or mold, almost every project contains hidden issues that aren’t discovered until demolition is underway. Remodeling a kitchen or bathroom in an older home comes with many rewards and challenges.
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