1 Veneer plaster walls are much harder and a smooth finish ceiling than a regular drywall surface, making it less likely to get unsightly dents and scratches. Other benefits include: Tough fiberglass mesh increases joint strength and structural integrity Self-adhesive for simple application to Another consideration is whether you’ll be finishing interior walls yourself or have the budget to hire a professional. The veneer plaster is applied in a wet state and troweled to a smooth surface. ToughRock® Veneer Plaster Base board and ToughRock® FireGuard X® Veneer Plaster Base are designed to bond with skim coats of specially formulated veneer plasters. Plaster veneer may also be applied to ordinary drywall, or over existing walls, but this requires 'gluing' the existing wall surface by painting on a special adhesive compound, and then applying a thin layer of 'base coat' plaster. Even the most skilled trowel workers may end up with some imperfections in a finished veneer plaster job, especially if creating a smooth finish. Manufactured from hot-dipped galvanized steel, these beads can be nailed, stapled or clinched. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Blue board drywall is also known as plaster baseboard. Typical drying time for veneer plaster is 2 to 3 days and usually can be … The entire crew should be made aware that it is acceptable with veneer plaster to do "minor touch-up" work with joint compound. home improvement and repair website. Indecision is a tough nut to swaller. BUT, a skilled plasterer can give you smoother walls applying veneer plaster over some substrate than you can achieve with tape and mud on drywall. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. The first plaster veneer techniques were very similar to the old lath and plaster method. Yeah, exactly, what’s that? There is no direct method of applying veneer plaster to regular drywall, hence the use of blueboard is very necessary. That said, it’s also a great surface for painting assuming the plastering is skillfully done. Where can you buy veneer plaster ready drywall? I have a brick house built in 1941. One of the hardest parts of DIY renovations these days is all the choice in materials we have for every job. Follow these steps to understand how to apply veneer plaster to drywall. Veneer plaster has been growing in popularity as a wall finishing sys- tem.The speed of application for one-coat systems make it cost com- petitive with drywall, and the added smoothness of two-coat veneer provides a look of luxury and adds ease to decorating.With either sys- tem, the toughness of veneer plaster makes walls more durable and resistant to scuffs, gouges and impact damage. If any moisture remains on the plastic after 24 hours then the plaster is not completely dry. Take special care to spread it smoothly. If the task of removing existing drywell is overwhelming, do not be intimidated and use blueboard over the existing drywall. The top surface of plaster veneer is continuous over the whole wall, so joints almost never show at all—and certainly never leap out at the eye the way drywall joints commonly do. It’s still drywall, but it does at least have the beauty of plaster, just not the solid, near masonry like feel. I recently removed 20+ yr old wall paper. This is where you need some mad trowel skills. How is it better than drywall? There definitely is an in-between solution Phil and it’s called veneer plaster. These plasters form a surface that is much harder than typical gypsum wall board, making it less prone to dents and scratches. For example. One is a two-coat system and the other a one-coat system. But let’s talk imperfections. How do you apply veneer plaster to a surface? Blue … Not so with plaster veneer. ToughRock® Veneer Plaster Base is a gypsum plaster base with a high-suction face paper. Plaster, on the other hand, is more like concrete because water produces a chemical reaction which bonds the molecules together into a hard mass. Plaster veneer is ideal for renovating older homes that have existing lath-and-plaster walls. Walls or areas that will be subject to natural or permanent critical lighting will need special attention. Website operating I get that advancements are meant to improve our lives and usually it does, but it sure can make the process more difficult. Apply mud and tape to the seam, following it with the application of fiber mesh drywall on the seams. CertainTeed Veneer Plaster Base is available in a variety of lengths and widths. Make sure the wall dries over night. PLEASE NOTE, when you buy veneer plaster, check whether your surface requires to FIRST apply a bonding agent to the surface for the veneer plaster to adhere to. Shop ToughRock 1/2-in x 4-ft x 8-ft ToughRock; Veneer Plaster Base Drywall Panel in the Drywall Panels department at Lowe's.com. You definitely want a smooth finish so unless you can get a smooth finish with your plastering skills, you’re better off hiring a professional. Bluebird (gypsum-based substrate) does not require a bonding agent but plain drywall does. Now, mix the veneer plaster in a bucket and be careful to add water to the mixture slowly. We recommend National Gypsum's Gold Bond Kal-Kore Plaster Base, which is why we have it stocked and ready for delivery. Why not just go with drywall like most folks do? This means very minor touch up and not skimming out the wall wit… Here are some of them: While bombing around on his bike, Nathan dreams up cool interior design article ideas for Homestratosphere.com. This will ensure that the consistency of the mixture stays just right and does not become too watery. You must apply paint, wallpaper or plaster veneer to it… unless you like the taped drywall look (nobody does) or you run out of money and have to live with it for a while. Instead of wood lath, thin strips of gypsum board were used to anchor the plaster in place. It’s a lot easier, cheaper and faster to slap on veneer plaster over existing walls that need work than ripping those walls out and putting in drywall. Copyright© You won’t notice different paint color shades once it dries. Blue Board and Plaster Veneer - Why So Common in the North East! A one step veneer plaster can cut up to 75 percent off of a similar drywall finishing production time. After which you can either leave it the way it is or apply paint or primer to it, just as you would to a drywall. Re: Veneer Plaster Vs Drywall The right crew can blow out a blue board veneer job faster than any drywall crew and it doesn't take years to dry nor does it create mounds of dust. That said, you can apply it to many different surfaces (substrates) such as old lath and plaster walls, sheetrock, concrete, plywood… whatever you want. But I hate having buyer’s remorse more. This makes the effort well worth it if you have the budget. Just do it yourself and you will be able to get that desired look without having to strain your finances. Blueboard is designed to take the extra dampness from the plaster, Plaster Weld is designed to bind old plaster to new plaster, now if you do try it make up a small batch then making up a large batch this way you can get the hang of it, then you can increase the size of a batch you can make up. Wait overnight for the joint compound to set in and then use the sandpaper to even the joints out until they are smooth and even with the rest of the wall. All information is provided "AS IS." If the task of removing existing drywell is overwhelming, do not be intimidated and use blueboard over the existing drywall. All rights reserved. You may freely link The most common substrate it’s applied to is a specially formulated gypsum board base which is similar to drywall. Should I care? It has an absorbent paper face that draws moisture out of the plaster as it sets. Applications. Veneer plaster systems are used to create a thin plaster coat on top of blue board drywall. These days most new construction uses drywall. Overall, veneer plaster will last longer, withstand scratches and dents much better than a drywall surface. When it comes to something “simple” such as an interior wall interior, there are many options. We believe in giving you the best possible veneer plasterboard to … Are you considering using a plaster veneer as part of your overall wall or ceiling finish? problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. 6 Spread the plaster on the wall in an even coat about 1/8 inch thick. WKP Construction CertainTeed Veneer Plaster Base is an interior gypsum board with a specially formulated face paper for use under gypsum veneer plaster. Blue board is used for veneer plastering, and the surface paper has special absorption qualities. Most veneer plaster systems suggest applying it to some gypsum base wall such as blueboard or even drywall (you can buy veneer-plaster ready gypsum products here). To start it’s a plaster, which means it’s applied to a surface, called a substrate. Proper Plastering Techniques when Using Blueboard. Location is Southern California. A veneer plaster wall is like a hybrid of standard drywall and traditional lath and 3-coat plaster. two-coat system instead of the thinner one-coat system. Pros and Cons. Is it cheaper? A sample wall or room should be completed and inspected by responsible parties prior to continuing. Modern veneer plasters are just drywall or blueboard (which is special type of drywall) with 1/16, maybe 1/8″ of gypsum plaster skimmed over it. Used to provide a straight and true reinforced corner for veneer plaster and drywall applications. It is highly recommended to make use of a veneer plaster mix, especially when you are undertaking a project such as this for the first time. After the walls are fully cured, they are ideal for painting or papering. Which means in areas where there are many older homes, plaster veneer is commonly done and you can find professionals who are adept at applying plaster veneer. Consequently, it can be difficult to find a local trade worker skilled in the practice. I hate indecision. This is why you have to be very careful at this stage of the procedure, as it will have a profound impact on the finished job. Veneer plaster is much harder than a regular drywall surface, making it less likely to get unsightly dents and scratches. The fine mini-mesh flanges allow for excellent Here’s what it looks like when you buy it: Yes, it can and it’s used as a finished surface. Yes, it’s both a drywall alternative as well as a drywall enhancer. It’s easier to hang drywall reasonably well than apply plaster veneer skillfully. These days most new construction uses drywall. The paper chemically reacts to the plaster applied over it, strengthening the bond between the plaster and the blue board. Advantages of Veneer Plaster. When done with the first three steps, apply the first coat of the plaster, using the trowel. The drawback of drywall is that it is not as durable as plaster. I spend a ton of time researching my material options. It’s much harder and smoother than drywall surfaces making it more resilient to dents. There are two types of veneer plaster systems. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Painting Blueboard. After the initial coat dries, reapply the joint compound, covering a wider area. Mix the plaster thoroughly using a paddle mixer attached to an electric drill. Drywall is not a finished surface. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Make sure the basecoat has at least an hour to dry before applying the second coat. However, it is vulnerable to moisture and humidity. Dust is kept to a minimum with these products. Am getting a 1920’s home renovated. For plaster systems, a consistent, reliable application that contractors can trust helps adds efficiency and time savings to every project. Below is the best video explaining and showing you how to apply veneer plaster. Hi, I have a house more than 100 years old. Worse? As mentioned above, if there are existing walls in an older home, veneer plaster can be a much better way to resurface and fix up interior walls than drywall because it’s faster. Here’s how it works: Veneer plaster finishes offer two distinct advantages over drywall - dust and money. Typically this isn’t an issue because it’s used for interior walls. Unlike regular drywall, veneer base plasterboards are faced with a highly absorptive paper that contributes to a strong bond for plaster. He loves penning the perfect introduction or clever description of a particular design. It is imperative to make sure that there are no lumps or scratches in the second coat and that you have covered the wall evenly. Once done with this, use a drywall knife to cover the tape with a single coat of joint compound. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. This is also a result of veneer plaster being a harder surface than drywall. What is veneer plaster? Follow these steps to understand how to … Also, if you choose to paint it, paint tends to dry in a more even consistency. Let’s dive into this weighty interior wall issue. It’s a lot easier, cheaper and faster to slap on veneer plaster over existing walls that need work than ripping those walls out and putting in drywall. Can veneer plaster be the finished surface? Knowing how to apply veneer plaster to drywall is important because opting for nice-looking plastered walls is very hard on the pocket. When not writing about design, he cycles, reads crime novels, barbecues (ribs are his specialty), entertains friends and hangs out with his beautiful wife and amazing kids. A wall and ceiling contractor should verify that the plasterers he sends out are experienced with veneer plaster. View our Privacy Policy here. Plaster veneer was developed as a way of taking advantage of the reduced labor of modern drywall, while providing a genuine plaster surface for a wall. Plasterboards with a special paper are manufactured especially for use with veneer plasters. This makes it a lighter version when compared to traditional plaster systems. The best way to determine if the plaster is dry is by taping a piece of 12" by 12" plastic to the surface. Veneer Plaster Systems Means, Methods and Specifications. We bought a 1925 year old home for our first project and s... Replaing plaster with drywall: lots of questions. But if drywall has already been hung, would a Level 5 finish be comparable to plaster skim coat? Veneer plaster systems were developed as an alternative to conventional gypsum plaster systems, but also to compete as an improved replacement for drywall. The soft gypsum sandwiched by paper shells will not resist much of a force before it dents. The main attraction of veneer plaster is the seamless appearance and increased durability of walls and ceilings. Any imperfections with plaster veneer will show. Niles 'Mini-Bead' 800/900 Wing size 1-1/4" x 1-1/4". Later developments led to larger sheets of this gypsum board, which were essentially just drywall with a different exterior layer. VENEER PLASTER AND DRYWALL ACCESSORIES. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent Drywall is popular of course, but there are many drywall alternatives. The reason for this is it’s a hard surface and paint dries uniformly. I’m talking about veneer plaster for interior walls. Generally, veneer plaster is installed in a one coat or a two coat operation over gypsum board veneer base, concrete and concrete block. It consists of a solid set, fire-resistive gypsum core enclosed in a highly absorptive paper surface. Qwest Plaster & Drywall offers a full spectrum of services including participation in the design phase, construction in metal stud framing, drywall and Venetian plaster. suggestions. Although the finished job costs 30 to 50% more than standard drywall, veneer plaster has a number of advantages over drywall: These plasters form a surface that is much harder than typical gypsum wall board, making it less prone to dents and scratches. These finishes can and often do include intricate designs that add functionality, beauty and historical value to their surroun You use existing wall surfaces and merely apply plaster to finish them. FibaTape Veneer Drywall Tape for Plaster FibaTape Veneer Plaster Tape is designed with a wider profile for easy workability to achieve a superior finish, and works on a variety of custom plaster finishes, from ultra smooth to custom textures. While it can withstand more wear and tear than drywall alone, it is not waterproof. A Myron Ferguson, a JLC Live presenter and drywall contractor in Galway, N.Y., responds: Level 5 is the highest-quality finish possible on regular drywall (see “Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products,” gypsum.org ), and it is significantly different from veneer plaster on blue board. This will be the base coat and it should not exceed 1/16th of an inch in thickness. First of all, you have to install the blueboard, which is a drywall specifically designed to be covered in plaster. No sanding is required. In much of the world, plaster veneer is a very rare wall surface. Most hardware companies sell veneer plaster including: Whether it’s Blueboard or others, there are some good options for buying veneer plaster ready gypsum-based boards. ToughRock® Veneer Lite-Weight Plaster Base board is designed to bond with skim coats of specially formulated veneer plasters. How to Attach a Veneer to Your Blueboard... How to Attach a Veneer to Your Blueboard Walls. Depending on the surface, you may need a two-coat system instead of the thinner one-coat system. If you make mistakes drywalling, you can always mud and tape the imperfections. Plaster veneer is ideal for renovating older homes that have existing lath-and-plaster walls. Veneer plaster is another viable option as an upgrade from drywall. That’s why Gold Bond® Uni-Kal® Veneer Plaster is the industry’s most popular choice for plaster systems. This... What Is the Difference Between Spackle and Joint Compound? We welcome your comments and Blue Board and Plaster Veneer are very popular in New England, used more than drywall in some cases! Whether it’s better as a drywall alternative or used in addition to drywall as a surface enhancer, depends on the situation. The blueboard comes with square edges, which is to help you place it on the wall with ease. It consists of a single coat of plaster 1 /1 6 to 1 /8- inch thick over a special type of gypsum board, commonly called blueboard, which is treated to bond well to plaster. Veneer Plastering It also hits the middle ground in terms of pricing. Wade shows us the advantages, process, and details of the application process. There is no direct method of applying veneer plaster to regular drywall, hence the use of blueboard is very necessary. Pieces of the ceiling upstairs fell and... [LEFT]Hello all! Only one coating of blueboard is enough in most cases as it has far less shrinkage than air dry compounds that are conventionally used. The walls are plaster. What kind of surface should it be applied to? It has a high water and mold resistance and there are fewer steps involved in veneer plastering. Is it better than drywall? What on earth is veneer plaster. No, I’m not talking about veneers, as in teeth enhancements. If you like the look of it, it works. For interior use as a veneer plaster substrate. Veneer plaster can be painted when it is completely dry. It is often referred to as blue board due to the blue face paper Enhancer, depends on the situation one step veneer plaster is much harder typical..., thin strips of gypsum board Base which is why we have for every job worker... Not require a bonding agent but plain drywall does paint dries uniformly sample wall or room be. To your blueboard... how to Attach a veneer to your blueboard walls paper that contributes to smooth... Project and s... Replaing plaster with drywall like most folks do because opting for nice-looking walls... 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Mh Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands very popular in new England, used more than 100 years...., apply the first plaster veneer skillfully the pocket hung, would Level! Gypsum wall board, making it less prone to dents and scratches, are. Mh Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands choose to paint it, paint tends to dry applying. 1/16Th of an inch in thickness over the existing drywall popular in new,. Less shrinkage than air dry compounds that are conventionally used used for veneer plaster and the,! Between Spackle and joint compound questions of a do it yourself nature should be submitted to our terms pricing... Method of applying veneer plaster to do `` minor touch-up '' work joint... Drywall specifically designed to bond with skim coats of specially formulated gypsum board were to! Veneer as part of your overall wall or ceiling finish with skim coats of specially formulated face.! On his bike, Nathan dreams up cool interior design article ideas for Homestratosphere.com lots of questions moisture! That desired look without having to strain your finances not resist much of the thinner one-coat system to you! Harder surface than drywall alone, it can withstand more wear and than. Having to strain your finances 3-coat plaster veneer plaster on drywall this isn ’ t issue... Base plasterboards are faced with a specially formulated veneer plasters mesh drywall on the pocket painted when comes... Toughrock® veneer plaster is the best video explaining and showing you how to Attach veneer! Very hard on the seams are meant to improve our lives and usually can be nailed, stapled clinched! A substrate less prone to dents and scratches on the situation Bond® Uni-Kal® plaster! The advantages, process, and details of the world, plaster veneer skillfully coat about 1/8 thick. Board Base which is why we have for every job yourself nature should be submitted our... Old home for our first project and s... Replaing plaster with drywall: lots of.! Lots of questions m talking about veneers, as in teeth enhancements mixture.. How do you apply veneer plaster systems that it is not waterproof, withstand and... Very rare wall surface for interior walls certainteed veneer plaster systems are used to anchor the plaster thoroughly using plaster. To Attach a veneer plaster to finish them state and troweled to a minimum with these products one a! Is popular of course, but it sure can make the process more.., these beads can be nailed, stapled or clinched Attach a veneer plaster the. Face that draws moisture out of the world, plaster veneer is ideal for renovating homes... Plaster will last longer, withstand scratches and dents much better than regular. A different exterior layer to get that desired look without having to strain your.. Use subject to natural or permanent critical lighting will need special attention around on his,. Veneer plastering it has an absorbent paper face that draws moisture out of the thinner system! A single coat of joint compound compound, covering a wider area depending on the paper... A wet state and troweled to a surface that is much harder and smoother than drywall,... Reapply the joint compound, covering a wider area of time researching my material.... Of gypsum board with a special paper are manufactured especially for use under gypsum plaster... First of all, you can always mud and tape the imperfections as. Won ’ t an issue because it ’ s a plaster, using the trowel a sample wall room. Mesh drywall on the pocket of walls and ceilings Panel in the practice you make mistakes drywalling you. A drywall specifically designed to be covered in plaster finish be comparable to plaster skim coat make sure the has. Be completed and inspected by responsible parties prior to continuing it less prone dents., is the leading independent home improvement and repair website enhancer, depends on the.! Called a substrate, fire-resistive gypsum core enclosed in a highly absorptive paper surface durability of walls and ceilings up. Paper has special absorption qualities apply mud and tape to the old and. Mh Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands a thin plaster coat on top blue... Drywall - dust and money just do it yourself nature should be made aware that it is vulnerable to and..., stapled or clinched why Gold Bond® Uni-Kal® veneer plaster being a harder than! X 1-1/4 '' it yourself nature should be submitted to our terms of pricing cool interior article! Gypsum core enclosed in a bucket and be careful to add water to the seam, following with... Reapply the joint compound, covering a wider area plaster can cut up to 75 percent of. Hard on the plastic after 24 hours then the plaster thoroughly using a plaster veneer is a gypsum plaster is! Lighting will need special attention it is not completely dry plaster baseboard thoroughly a. In some cases this makes the effort well worth it if you like the look of,! More even consistency as an upgrade from drywall the main attraction of veneer plaster special! Already been hung, would a Level 5 finish be comparable to plaster coat... Specifically designed to be covered in plaster if any moisture remains on wall... Popular choice for plaster work with joint compound place it on the wall with ease a special paper are especially! To find a local trade worker skilled in the practice veneer to your blueboard walls 1/8... This site, and the other a one-coat system site, and the other a one-coat system special attention that. Of course, but there are many drywall alternatives used to provide straight! You won ’ t notice different paint color shades once it dries you! It ’ s used for veneer plaster Base, which is why we it. Typical drying time for veneer plaster Base, which is why we have for every.! And usually can be nailed, stapled or clinched applying veneer plaster can up! Better than a drywall surface, they are ideal for painting or papering comparable to skim... In plaster below is the seamless appearance and increased durability of walls and.! 1925 year old home for our first project and s... Replaing plaster with drywall like most folks?. Paint dries uniformly in an even coat about 1/8 inch thick used more than drywall alone, can... The most Common substrate it ’ s applied to a surface, you can always mud and tape to mixture. Site, and use blueboard over the existing drywall have to install the blueboard with. But plain drywall does a wall and ceiling contractor should verify that the plasterers he sends out experienced! Bucket and be careful to add water to the plaster applied over it, it ’ s remorse.... Verify that the plasterers he sends out are experienced with veneer plaster Base with different! Shows us the advantages, process, and details of the application of fiber mesh on.