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Historic plaster is a high-quality building material that should, when feasible, be repaired rather than replaced.
When plaster has cracks or holes, or is pulling away from its lath, a historic architect can specify the most appropriate technique for a seamless repair.
When large areas are intact but pulling away from the lath, an experienced contractor can apply plaster washers to re-adhere them.
Deteriorated decorative surfaces, such as plaster mural walls, require a more sensitive approach.
In these delicate circumstances, a historic architect may specify injections of a special adhesive, an approach that will least disturb the historic surface.
The repair of decorative plasterwork, such as that shown above, should only be entrusted to an experienced contractor specializing in such work.
These craftspeople use special molds of intact historic fabric to re-create missing pieces.
Treanor Architects prepared detailed construction documents for the repair of decorative and flat plaster at the Kansas Statehouse (see photos below) – and for
the repair of a painted plaster mural wall at the Pink House (below). |
