Plaster/ Plaster Molding

Plaster is used to create different decorative elements for interior design. Plaster usually means the material that is used for the interiors of buildings while render usually refers to external use. Stucco is commonly used for plasterwork, and it is used to make flat surfaces more decorative. 

The most common types of plaster are

• Gypsum
• Lime
• Cement

These all work in a similar way. The plaster is a dry powder that is mixed with water to create a stiff paste that is immediately applied to a surface. Plaster can be easy to work with using metal tools and sandpaper and it can also be molded. Molds can be on-site or can be prefabricated at another location and then brought to the site and then put in place with adhesive. However, plaster is not a very strong material and is not suitable to bear weight. When thickly applied, the use of a hidden supporting framework should be used. 

What are some advantages of Plaster and plaster moldings?

Plaster is usually created from lime or gypsum, water, and sand but can also be made with cement. This hardens as it dries and is used for coating walls, ceilings, and partitions. Though the composition of plaster depends on the company, plaster in some form or fashion has been used for around 4,000 years ago. There is even still evidence of plasterwork in the pyramids of Egypt. 

Plaster walls are more fire-resistant than drywall. Drywall tends to burn slowly but lath and plaster walls proved a stronger barrier against fire. A wall with gypsum plaster is considered non-combustible and combined with gypsum plaster bases plaster walls can receive a fire rating of up to two hours for partitions, ceilings, and columns. 

Walls that have been fitted with plaster and lath absorb far more noise than drywall and the difference is very notable. The key lies with the irregular shape between walls and act as acoustical and sound-absorbing elements. Lime plaster is denser than the new gypsum board.  

Plaster can be a far more durable option as opposed to drywall as plaster becomes stronger due to the chemical reaction that takes place when water escapes the plaster mixture. In most cases, plaster is even knock and dent resistant. 

Using plaster on the wall surface has a relatively easy installation process and can even be considered convenient to install as it does not generate dust other than initially when water is added to the dry powder. It takes less time to plaster a wall and does not need to be sanded which can lower labor costs. 

What are some of the disadvantages of using Plaster?

Regarding plaster or drywall, drywall is less expensive than plaster, but the benefits of using plaster over drywall are major including a higher level of fireproofing, sound proofing and insulation. 

Some of the issues with plaster stem from its hardness. Houses settle naturally and when they do, the hard and brittle plaster walls can easily crack causing a fissure. If extreme settling occurs, chucks of plaster can fall off the walls. This can be difficult and expensive to repair. Since plaster is an old practice, its formula and application processes have been greatly refined and there are not really many disadvantages for use other than natural settling of the earth.