On the other hand, replacing the plaster work with drywall is a cheaper option, but you do lose the perks of having plaster walls. Regardless of which option you choose, consult your budget and a qualified contractor before making any final decisions.
We at Irvine Construction have years of experience replacing and repairing lath and plaster walls. Contact us today to discuss your project. Damaged plaster walls? Leave a Reply Click here to cancel reply. Name required. Mail will not be published required. Leave this field empty. I'm interested in Home Renovation. Repairing your lath and plaster walls is less messy, easier to install, and will keep your home correct for the period, which for owners of historical or older homes can be an essential selling point.
For many owners of older homes, these imperfections are correct to the period of the house and an alluring look. This is especially true of certain home styles like Craftsman, Tudor, and Victorian houses. Drywall is a rigid material, and many older style homes have graceful arches or curves around bay or bow windows. Lath and plaster is much easier to create custom curves and arches in walls and ceilings. It's always greener and cheaper to retain and repair existing elements rather than demoing walls and replacing them with sheetrock.
While there are many benefits to lath and plaster construction, like it's ambiance, craftsmanship, character, and insulating and acoustical traits, there are reasons why it fell out of favor. Drywall is faster to apply and often a less expensive option.
If you want a clean, modern look, drywall is a perfectly flat surface that offers clean straight lines. Here are a few other things to consider when working with lath and plaster.
When they do, old plaster, which is hard and brittle, can often crack. If the settling is substantial or takes place over a long period, chunks of plaster can fall off of the underlying lath framework. When plaster does crack or crumble due to a shifting foundation, it can be tricky to repair.
Damaged plaster must be cut and scraped out without damaging the rest of the wall. If the damage is severe, the lath or wire-mesh backing may need replacement as well. In fact, in many older homes, the insulation can be crumpled newspaper. Back in the 's many lath and plaster homes added blown-in insulation. But often, plaster obstructions and wood blocks within the stud space didn't allow for even distribution so entire portions of walls may not be properly insulated.
It can also increase the incidence of mold. While a plaster wall takes less time to finish and produces less mess, it requires a skilled craftsman to achieve the best results. Workers trained in the art of lath and plaster application often charge more for their time because they possess a special skill. It really depends on what you want, and your home. For older homes with existing plaster walls, it's often a good choice to repair damaged existing lath and plaster walls.
This is especially true with historic homes. Not only that, you need to find a certified contractor who can install this type correctly to avoid any potential issues. And if lead or asbestos, or worse, both, is detected, replacing it is recommended if encapsulation is not possible. And if there are any cracks or missing sections and you see some chalking or dust on those areas, immediate encapsulation or replacement is needed.
Asbestos and lead dust are very dangerous and can cause all sorts of illnesses that can be fatal to anyone who gets exposed to them. Before doing the replacement, you must remove plaster on the walls of your home first.
This is to either to check if the existing lath framework is still in good condition to support the panels that are going to be installed, or to get rid of the lath and plaster completely and make way for a new wall. A tear down of lath and plaster is not as simple as using a hammer to smash everything and removing.
You need to be methodical about it due to the safety risks involved, ranging from lead and asbestos exposure to having plaster come crashing over your head, and so much more. That is why anyone who will be involved in its removal must always follow basic safety measures and preparations, such as:. This task is guaranteed to be messy, so it will help a lot if garbage cans are present in the workspace to make cleanup a lot easier, as well as a dumpster that will hold all the dust and debris generated.
Once all the safety measures are in place and the prep works are completed, that is the only time to start removing the plaster on the walls. Again, it must be methodically done; it normally follows these steps:. If you prefer installing the panels over the existing lath, it is only possible if the lath framework is still in good condition and shows no signs of rot that is common to wood laths.
Be sure to inspect the wall after the plaster has been removed; many homeowners used to leave stuff inside the wall either as mementos or in belief that placing certain objects inside the walls can protect them from harm. Unfortunately, you may also be in for nasty surprises, as animals can burrow inside and become trapped; finding bones of animals in there is quite common.
Lath removal must be done carefully and while still wearing protective gear, as the wood used is very brittle due to its very dry state and will easily break apart, and its splinters can cause injuries.
While the process of removing lath strips is a lot more straightforward than removing plaster, it is still a very time-consuming and messy work. Dust and debris may likely settle behind the laths, and these may also contain traces of lead and asbestos. Only the studs will remain, as this will be reused for the installation of drywall, acting as the base for the drywall panels. Homeowners like you may have a hard time deciding whether to remove the laths or not when replacing it with drywall.
But before you decide, here are some things you need to know:. Whichever way you choose, the installation process is essentially the same. Here is how it is done, with or without the old laths present:. While DIY work is possible when it comes to plaster removal and installation of drywall, it should only be done by those who are already versed when it comes to construction work.
Otherwise, you need to call the pros to do the work for you. You may be wondering how much it will cost you to remove plaster and hang new panels in its place, and this section will aid you in coming up with a budget for this project.
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