At Ayres plastering, we recently completed a meticulous plastering and restoration project in a historic bedroom located in Bollington, near Rainow, Prestbury, Macclesfield, Adlington, Poynton, and Pott Shrigley. This project required a blend of traditional plastering techniques and modern restoration practices to preserve the character of the property while ensuring the highest level of craftsmanship.
first task involved removing the old plaster on the external window wall and chimney breast. During this process, the original pinning stones came away with the old plaster. We carefully reused these stones, which are essential for bulking out the reveals and reducing shrinkage in the new plaster. Reusing the original pinning stones helped maintain the historic integrity of the wall while providing a solid foundation for the new plaster.
To prepare these surfaces for the new lime plaster, we began by wetting down the walls to control suction and ensure proper adhesion of the base coat. We then applied the first base coat, a lime plaster mixed with aggregates up to 4mm in size to provide the necessary build and strength. After applying the base coat, we used a float to compact the plaster, which consolidates the wall and helps prevent shrinkage.
Once the plaster was compacted, we applied the diamond scratch technique. This technique involves using a piece of lath to create a cross-hatched pattern at a 45-degree angle. The diamond scratch provides a sufficient key for the floating coat, which is used to further build out the wall’s thickness and straighten the surface in preparation for the smooth top coat.
The internal wall of the bedroom was mostly intact, but the plaster had blown in areas where it covered timber. We removed the damaged plaster and applied hardwall gypsum plaster over expanded metal lath, ensuring a robust and durable finish. This method was particularly effective in managing the high suction background without the need for primers, allowing flexibility for any future transition to lime plaster.
The ceiling was significantly damaged by a previous leak. We repaired the ceiling and overboarded it with new plasterboard, ensuring a stable and smooth surface ready for a fresh finish.
For the alcoves on either side of the chimney breast, we employed traditional lime plastering techniques. We began by slaking quicklime on-site, creating a lime putty that we mixed with play pit sand. This custom mix served several purposes: it acted as a barrier to manage shrinkage, filled out the surface, and helped straighten the walls. Applying the hot lime putty while fresh ensured a strong bond and a durable base layer.
Once the base coat was applied, we used the figure-of-eight devil float technique to create a scratch pattern that would provide a sufficient key for the finer top coat. This technique involves moving the devil float in a figure-of-eight motion, which creates a consistent key for the next layer of plaster. We applied this technique not only to the alcoves but also to the chimney breast and window wall, ensuring a uniform surface ready for the top coat.
To achieve a high-quality finish consistent with the rest of the room, we skimmed the prepared surfaces with a premixed top coat from Chalk Down Lime. This top coat is renowned for its consistency, workability, and compatibility with historic lime plaster systems. Applying the top coat over the figure-of-eight keyed surface ensured a smooth, polished finish that perfectly complemented the traditional methods used in the earlier plastering stages.
The Chalk Down Lime top coat provided a refined, polished finish while maintaining the essential breathability and flexibility required for historic buildings. This final layer was carefully applied to ensure durability and aesthetic harmony throughout the restored room.
An important detail in this project was the scribing of plasterboard to follow the shape of the exposed timber purlin. This technique ensured that the plasterboard fit perfectly against the irregularities of the timber, maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the room and achieving a sharp, clean finish.
We took extensive measures to protect the property during the restoration process. This included laying plastic carpet protection followed by heavy gauge Corex floor protection. To further safeguard the room's features, we cut down plywood sheets to protect all timber surfaces and a set of wardrobes. The timber purlin was also carefully covered with plastic during plastering and then uncovered while the plaster was still wet, leaving a precise and neat edge without compromising the wood.
Our expertise in lime plastering and restoration makes us the ideal choice for projects in Bollington, Rainow, Prestbury, Macclesfield, Adlington, Poynton, Pott Shrigley, and the surrounding areas. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail, commitment to quality, and deep understanding of traditional plastering techniques. Whether you're restoring a historic property or seeking a top-quality plastering job, we're here to deliver exceptional results.
View the project on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/C-x9qVmMw7l/?igsh=MW1jbnliZnM0NG9naA==
