I know the process of applying plaster rather than screwing up and mudding some drywall is much more labor intensive, but it is more appropriate for the house, more traditional, and has a better looking end result. The house still has the look of a ceiling that matches the rest of the walls, and it didn't cost an arm and a leg to achieve that look. The thing is, regardless of the approach, to really do the project right took about the same amount of materials and labor. The quote they received for the work they had done in plaster was actually slightly lower than the quote they received for drywall. Doug and Gretchen pursued several quotes from different contractors who all suggested to do the job a different way. To do this project correctly the old ceiling had to be demo'd, you couldn't just put a layer up over the old one and call is a day. Ok, this is all fine and good, but I know some of you are wondering about the cost? There is a common misconception that doing something like this takes a significant amount more money than just having someone do the room with drywall, but it is just that, a misconception. After a very messy period of demolition (any way you cut it, plaster demo is a mess), and dust covering many surfaces of their home, they had a guest bedroom ceiling that was just waiting for its new ceiling. I have to say, though was a bit sad to see the original plaster go, it was exciting to me that they were taking the extra steps to retain plaster. The plaster had sagged way too far and had been patched too many times to be saved, so the crew opted to remove the existing plaster.
The first step in their project was the massive and messy demolition. This was a difficult prospect on its own, but through diligence, and even after a few contractors even tried to talk them out of using plaster, they were able to find a group who would do the work they wanted them to do. It's a subtle thing but you can often tell when you walk into a room if the ceiling is plaster or drywall.Īrmed with this knowledge, Doug and Gretchen began searching for a contractor that would come in and actually apply plaster. Beyond the practical nature, a plaster ceiling with its very minor imperfections and undulations will fit with the house and will look more appropriate. The whole room will remain quieter, any noise from the attic, like rain on the roof, won't transfer through as easily, and the room will retain more of its heat, as it's like an extra small layer of insulation. The plaster will be thicker, stronger, and more substantial, which will result in greater noise and temperature insulation. Plaster on lath, especially on the ceiling against an attic, affords many major benefits. I know this may sound odd, but my justification is simple, so hear me out. At the very least, if the ceiling couldn't be saved in its original form, I would try to hire a plaster team to come in either do blue board with plaster skim, or even better, replace it with actual plaster. After looking at it I wasn't sure if what was there could be saved, but I told him that I would try my best to keep the plaster. But it was still plaster, which hadn't been ripped out in favor of a drywall replacement.ĭoug started talking to me about what I would do to fix their ceiling issues. Their ceiling was obviously not the smooth and pristine ceiling that most likely adorned the house when it was built, but a ceiling that had been patched repeatedly after water damage or whatever else may have occurred.
It was wavy, cracking, sagging, and seemed to make the whole room feel off balance and wonky. When Doug and Gretchen first had us over to take a look at their place, one of the first things I noticed was their guest bedroom ceiling. As far as I'm concerned, this is how most should treat an old home, even if their goals aren't for period accurate restoration and decor. Instead, they are attempting to preserve and protect the original features of the home while incorporating their more modern aesthetic tastes through decor and color choices. Unlike many with similar tastes, they aren't eager to rip out all of the old items to make way for the large "open concept living" that has swept the country in recent years. That being said, they appreciate the history and quality of the elements that make an old house a home. their design style is more contemporary and modern than their house's age would let on.
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