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Plastering

15 articles

British Gypsum Thistle Plasters: Which Product for Which Substrate, Setting Times and Mixing Ratios

Thistle plaster products: HardWall for masonry backgrounds, Browning for absorbent substrates, MultiFinish for all backgrounds as skim, Board Finish for plasterboard, BondIt bonding agent, setting times 30–90min
Dot and Dab Plasterboard: When to Use It and Common Mistakes

Dot and dab plasterboard installation: dab spacing, perimeter bonding, services void, common mistakes and cold bridging risks
Dry Lining Walls: Timber Frame, Metal Stud & Dot-and-Dab — When to Use Each

Dry lining: timber stud at 400/600mm centres, metal stud C-section deflection head, dot-and-dab 50mm dab minimum, PIR laminate boards for insulation, 25mm services void requirement
External Render Types: Sand & Cement, Monocouche, Silicone & Lime

External render comparison: sand and cement, monocouche, silicone, lime render — suitability, coats, and weather resistance
External Wall Crack Repair: Lime Mortar for Pre-1919 Buildings, Structural Injection and Movement Joints

External wall repair and render: RICS crack categories 0–5 (>5mm = engineer), NHL 2/3.5/5 for pre-1919 buildings, epoxy injection for stable structural cracks, sand/cement only for modern buildings
How Do You Apply Bonding Coat Plaster? Mixing, Thickness, and Common Faults

Thistle Bonding Coat application: 12mm max coat, mixing ratios, suction control, keying, setting time management, common faults (blowing, cracking, pulling away)
How Do You Make Good Plaster Patch Repairs That Match the Surrounding Surface?

Blown plaster identification, bonding coat on masonry vs PVA on existing plaster, multi-coat repairs, feathering, scrim over cracks, painting over new plaster (mist coat)
How Is Plaster Coving Installed? Step-by-Step for Gypsum and Polyurethane Coving

Gypsum vs PU coving: adhesive types, mitre cutting techniques, corner treatment, sizes (100–150mm), fixing to artex, common sizes and profiles
How to Skim Coat a Wall: Two-Coat Plastering Method

Two-coat skim plastering method: browning coat, finishing coat, mixing ratios, timing, and common failure causes
Plastering Beads: Stop Beads, Angle Beads, Arch Beads — Types & Fixing Methods

Plastering beads: galvanised stop bead at floor/ceiling junctions, angle bead on external corners (SS in wet areas), arch bead for curved reveals, fixing with dabs and continuous mist coat, PVC-u in swimming pools only
Sand & Cement Render: Mix Ratios, Scratch Coat Technique & Drying Times

Sand and cement render: mix ratios by substrate (1:3 masonry to 1:6 background), scratch coat technique, drying time 7–10 days before top coat, movement joints at 3m internal and 6m external, NHL lime alternatives
What Is a Parge Coat and When Is It Required Under Building Regulations?

Parge coat for Approved Document F airtightness and Part E acoustic sealing: 10mm neat sand/cement over blockwork in party walls, cavity sealing at eaves
When Should Lime Plaster Be Used and How Is It Applied?

NHL 2/3.5/5 vs non-hydraulic lime, three-coat work for pre-1919 buildings, hair reinforcement, carbonation curing, incompatibility with gypsum, BS EN 459
Which Plasterboard Do I Need? Standard, Moisture, Fire & Acoustic Boards

Plasterboard selection guide: standard, moisture-resistant, fire-resistant (Type F), acoustic, and thermal boards with applications
Which Plasterboard Provides the Best Acoustic Performance and How Is It Fixed?

Gyproc SoundBloc vs standard board, Rw+Ctr ratings, Approved Document E targets (45dB), independent wall systems, resilient bars, flanking transmission, Robust Details