All homes have walls, but most of the time we don’t think about how those walls are built, or what they might contain. We worry about what’s behind the walls but rarely do we think about the surface of our walls beyond their color. But for many, the material covering their wall has a profound impact on their daily life.
In the past, wall building focused on a few key areas, namely soundproofing, warmth, and staying dry. They offer protection from weather and the elements and provide privacy. Originally they simply served a purpose, but over time they’ve evolved into art pieces and began to serve many more functions.
The modern wall
Compared to the walls of the past, the technology and skills at our disposal today are revolutionary. The materials and tools we have access to make wall-building much faster and safer. One material, in particular, has made a dramatic change over the years, namely plaster.
Plaster, unlike other wall coverings, takes a significant amount of skill to apply properly. It takes a large range of tools, and depending on the intentions for the wall could take days or weeks to complete. It comes in several different materials and is often used to create elaborate, intricate designs.
For the modern home, plaster is just as valuable as it was in the past. Older homes were finished exclusively with plaster, so many homes that still stand today have that older plaster. Today the plaster is made differently, but still serves many of the same uses.
The evolution
Plaster began as the only wall covering but now competes with drywall in modern homes. Each has its uses and drawbacks, but plaster has undergone a more dramatic transformation and still takes a large amount of skill to apply.
The multi-step process of applying plaster to the lath, forming a base, the second bonding coat, and the final decorative coat is largely the same, but the way we apply it and the tools we use are critical. The bonds the plaster form can be shaped and molded to fit the homeowner’s designs, making it unique.
Unlike drywall or older plaster, modern plaster is a work of art that is unique to each home. Each one has their style, and many homeowners find much more longevity in plaster than drywall. As the years have gone by, the compounds used in each have changed becoming easier to apply and mix.
Now, plaster continues to evolve as our tools multiply. The first days of wall-building were focused on shelter and little else, but today we have the tools to create works of art that provide warmth and comfort in any building. At Twin City Blueboard we’re proud to be part of that revolution, and we know that you’ll be thrilled with any plaster wall you invest in.
If you want to learn more about plaster walls, check out our other blogs and contact us today!