In modern construction, wood lath has been replaced by a metal mesh. ![]() The gaps between the strips of wood are then covered by the first coat of plaster, followed by two or three more layers of plaster for a smooth finish. These narrow strips of wood are called wood lath. Traditionally, plastering was done by covering the framing studs with thin strips of wood nailed to the studs horizontally. By the 1940s, however, people began to use drywall, and plaster gradually lost its popularity. Gypsum and water eventually gained popularity across Europe, and this type of plaster became typical of the Middle Ages. The early Indians and Chinese used a mixture of clay and gypsum to plaster over stone or brick walls, creating a smoother surface. People in ancient India and China also practiced plastering. The use of plaster can be traced back to 7500 BC, when lime-based plaster was used in buildings in Jordan. This paste is applied in layers onto narrow strips of wood or metal known as laths and allowed to dry after application. It is used as a coating to either protect or decorate walls. In short, I vote to keep the plaster and don't worry about wall insulation in a mild climate.Plaster is a paste made from cement, sand, water, and minerals. (very comfortable for me,) the radiators heat up in the morning and stay cold the rest of the day as long as the outside temps are +0. With the thermostat set at 65 during the day and going to 55 at 9 p.m. On the other hand, it takes at least 24 hours for the house to lose its heat/cold - change interior air temp - to match the outside temp, even with some windows open. The outside walls are cold to the touch in the winter and cool the rest of the time. So I have thick plaster over wood lath interior walls and thick stucco outer walls in a 1913 house in a very cold climate (Central Minnesota, planting zone 3.) Whatever insulation was ever in the walls is most likely packed down in the bottom of the stud bays. ![]() when the pink stuff isn't fluffy, the trapped air is pushed out and insulation value lost. (Just compare the cost of new drywall to new plaster if nothing else.)Īt a time when my ex-husband was teaching college classes in thermo-dynamics and consulting for a contractor who built super-insulated, passive solar houses that could function without furnaces in cold climates (by way of expert references,) what I retained from some conversations was that the best insulation is dead air. I offer the thought/question for discussion as much as expert responses but with a strong bias toward leaving the plaster intact because drywall is inferior. ![]() This is in response to the suggestion of taking the plaster walls out in order to insulate. My concern on taking the plaster out is that the wood/plaster combo may be providing good sound insulation right now, but that might not be the case.? (The three walls in question are two exterior walls and an interior wall between the kitchen and our bedroom.) We are adding some electrical, but no new plumbing and 2/3 of the wiring to be added will be in the wall that's getting taken down to the studs anyway (which leaves one new outlet each in each of the remaining three walls). We do have cracking as the house settles, but it's an old house and that seems par for the course-doesn't bother us too much. Somewhat astoundingly we are clear for both asbestos and lead paint in these walls so there is no real reason to remove them or leave them on that front.Īre there compelling arguments for getting rid of the plaster? Drywall guy says we will have problems with plaster cracking and should replace it all so that it matches-but then again, he's the drywall guy. The others are in good condition and would only need minor patching. One of the four walls must come down to the studs (removing a chimney) and will then be drywalled. Our house is circa 1915 and these are plaster over wood lathe with a smooth finish. We're remodeling our kitchen, and need to decide whether to go down to the studs or preserve the existing plaster and lathe walls.
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