The plasterer would have used a similar ratio of ingredients and applied it roughly 3/8″ thick. The fibers (horse hair, wood pulp, straw) in the scratch and brown coats gave the plaster more flexibility even after it was totally dry. The third layer, the brown coat, is applied in much the same way. The plasterer would have applied a thick layer and scratched it with tools to create a rough surface for the next layer to adhere to. Once dry, these keys hold the plaster to the wall with incredible durability. It was applied on top of the lath and forced through the gaps to create “key”. It is a rough mix of lime or gypsum, sand, fibers (horse hair, straw, wood pulp) and water. The second layer is called the scratch coat. They are nailed horizontally to the studs leaving a ¼” gap between each strip. The first layer is wood lath, which are long, narrow, thin strips of wood. Plaster walls typically have four layers. Anatomy of a Plaster Wall: Lath, Scratch, Brown, Skim WWII really prompted the shift from plaster to drywall thanks to labor and supply shortages, so it’s often considered the transitional time period. Interestingly enough, plaster walls are now growing in popularity and have been experiencing a resurgence in the past few years. Drywall was invented in 1916, and by the 1950’s it was the primary building material due to its ease of installation and lower cost. Plaster remained the most common construction material until the mid 20th century. It dates back to ancient times and can even be found in the pyramids in Egypt. Plastering has been the method of choice when constructing walls for centuries. What follows is the product of all that I’ve learned about plaster walls since we moved in. Thankfully our walls are in good shape and only needed minor touchups. So, true to form, I read everything I could about how they’re constructed, how to care for them, and what to do when they need repairs. There were definite signs, but I didn’t pay attention because I didn’t really have a category for them. Growing up, I always lived in houses constructed with drywall, so I actually didn’t realize we had plaster walls until someone else commented on them. ![]() Thanks for supporting our Little House in Progress. ![]() This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
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