I have heard that plastering is known as a “dying art”. How and Why did the plastering trade get to be in such a bad situation?
Knowing some of the history of the trade will help explain this. From the early 1800’s through the 1960’s, “full coat” plaster was put on the walls and ceilings by plasterers (note: full coat plaster is three coats of plaster about 3/8″ – 3/4″ thick, spread over wood lath or rock lath board). They were a very skilled group, doing outside stucco work, inside smooth and textured finishes, and fancy ornamental work. They pretty much controlled the building market, as everything revolved around the plastering being done. Once it was completed, painting, trim work, flooring, tile, etc., came behind it. Even the banks traditionally made their final pay out on the building project after the plastering was completed. It took six months to a year to have the house done in plaster (Keep in mind that at that time there was only oil based paint, so they had to wait until the plaster cured and dried out completely. Less refined materials were used at that time – and they were also put on much thick
