Removing plaster and installing Sheetrock over lath: Most homeowners would prefer to remove the plaster first and install the drywall Drywall is a panel made of calcium sulfate dihydrate, with or without additives, typically extruded between thick sheets of facer and backer paper, used in the construction of interior walls and ceilings. The plaster is mixed with fiber, plasticizer, foaming agent, and various additives …Drywall
Can you install drywall over lath walls?
With plaster and lath walls, there’s always a springy feel to the wall. Damage marks appear as cracks and bumps in the plaster especially if the lath was poorly installed. The good news is that you can repair your damaged lath easily with drywall panels. But, can you install drywall over lath?
Can you repair damaged lath and plaster walls?
With plaster and lath walls, there’s always a springy feel to the wall. Damage marks appear as cracks and bumps in the plaster especially if the lath was poorly installed. The good news is that you can repair your damaged lath easily with drywall panels.
Can you put drywall over plaster walls?
While this is the cheapest and easiest way to upgrade a plaster wall to drywall, it’s a low-efficiency method if you’re looking to add insulation. Still, you can add new wiring when hanging drywall sheets over plaster by cutting through the base of the plaster.
How do you break up drywall without damaging it?
Snap a chalk line on the drywall panel, and hold a straight edge on the chalk line when cutting with a utility knife through the paper facing. Score only the face of the panel, then turn the panel on its side and "bump" the backside of the panel so it breaks cleanly along the scored line.
Can you put drywall on top of lath?
You can install drywall panels over your lath and plaster wall if it looks worn out or if there are unsightly cracks on the plaster due to settling. Drywall is a cheaper option for repairing and covering wear marks and cracks that occur when plaster settles, or even when lath cracks or is poorly installed.
Can you skim over lath and plaster?
Unless it is of particular merit, taking down a lath and plaster ceiling is often the best way. You can board over it, but you should be aware that there is a lot of weight in these ceilings and the plaster can be up to an inch thick. You really don't want to be underneath it if a chunk of that comes down.
Should I replace lath and plaster with drywall?
Since plaster is considered a higher quality material than drywall anyway, it should not be replaced with drywall in most situations. The one exception is if you're pulling down the walls to replace the plumbing and electrical systems anyway. In that case, it makes sense to replace with drywall.
Can you board over lath?
To be done properly the lath and plaster ceiling really needs to be pulled down and re-boarded directly on to the ceiling joists with 12.5mm plasterboards. You must however make sure the artex on the ceiling does not have any asbestos in it as pre 1980 may very well be artex that used asbestos.
When did they stop using plaster and lath?
The lath and plaster technique was generally used to finish interior walls and ceilings from the 1700s to the early-to-mid 1900s before it was superseded by modern gypsum plaster and plasterboard.
Are lath and plaster walls load bearing?
A stud or partition wall, built with either plasterboard, or lath and plaster, is rarely constructed as a load-bearing structure. There are however exceptions to this – a stud wall may still help strengthen the structure of a building even though it may not technically be load-bearing (particularly in older homes).
Do you have to remove lath before drywall?
The best—but messiest—way to update to drywall is to completely demolish the old walls, tear out the lath and plaster all the way down to the studs, and update the wiring and insulation before installing new drywall panels.
Does lath provide structural support?
The lath DOES provide additional, unnecessary structural support to your wall.
Can you drywall over old plaster walls?
If your walls in your house are ugly or dull because of plaster that is past its prime or not to your taste, you can cover the plaster with drywall. It's as simple as just putting the drywall sheets right over old plaster. By using some sheets you can cover up old imperfections without a lot of complications.
How long do lath and plaster ceilings last?
The lifespan of lath and plaster can extend across several centuries, if the property it is applied to is well-kept and maintained. However, the finish may require some repair work in this time to keep it in its ideal condition.
Can you dot and dab over lath and plaster?
If the old plaster is weakened, then your dot and dab will also be weak. This could easily result in the boards pulling the old plaster from the wall. Just remember to make the surface as secure as possible by removing any loose plaster, then you can dot and dab over.
How do you insulate old lath and plaster walls?
Applying insulation onto lath and plaster walls If it's not possible to insulate behind original lath and plaster walls, one option is to apply a thin layer of insulation onto the existing wall linings. New, high-performing aerogel products may be the most suitable option.
How do you remove plaster from a lath?
How to Remove Lath and PlasterRemove the plaster with a hammer and stout trowel. Work in front of yourself by tapping the plasterwork to break it up. ... Clear debris away at this stage. ... Remove the laths with a pickaxe. ... Finally, remove the nails that were holding the laths up.
How do you plaster on lath?
6:1420:01How to Lath and Plaster - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEarlier. The scratch coat would have gone on maybe about five or ten mil proud of the lass.MoreEarlier. The scratch coat would have gone on maybe about five or ten mil proud of the lass. Obviously quite a lot of that scratch coat was squeezed through the laughs to form the plaster keys.
How do you repair plaster lath and drywall?
Pry off the loose plaster with a painter's tool; clean up the debris. Set the drywall patch against the wall and secure it with 1 ¼-inch drywall screws. Cover the seams around the patch with adhesive-backed nylon joint tape. Apply a thin coat of joint compound to the taped seams and to screw heads.
What is Overboarding a ceiling?
The simple solution is we just overboard it. This involves fixing a new plasterboard ceiling over the existing ceiling. If ceiling is too badly damaged and beyond repair completely remove the old ceiling and dispose Supply and fit a new plasterboard ceiling to the joists then Plaster the new ceiling.
sheetrock over lath, or replacing lath - a quandary
So as part of the dining room project I have removed the split lath to gain access to the stud bays. Now I am just about ready to add the vapor barrier and put up sheetrock. But now I have a quandary.
Re: sheetrock over lath, or replacing lath - a quandary
oooh I like that osb idea, especially as an owner of very irregular studs. Not sure i will need to go that far with this project but I will certainly add it to my notebook.
Re: sheetrock over lath, or replacing lath - a quandary
your trim in that room is missing , how about downstairs? Id' be more concerned with matching what is in the rest of the house now. you could remove the lath and do 5/8 gyproc. if there is a difference between the hieght of the fnished wall and the door frame you can add a strip to the backside of the trim to close the gap.
Re: sheetrock over lath, or replacing lath - a quandary
I think I have decided to sheetrock over the remaining lath. The exterior walls where the lath has been removed to insulate I will rebuild out to the lath depth using some of the original lath, just for consistency. But I cant bring myself to remove this beautiful and historic piece of split lath work.
Re: sheetrock over lath, or replacing lath - a quandary
oldtimecarpenter wrote: While tempting, there is no reason to keep the lath. It just makes the job more complicated. <snipped>
How far apart should drywall be?
Push the first panel tightly against the ceiling and align both ends over the centers of wall studs. In most homes, even older ones, wall studs sit 16 inches apart. A few, however, feature studs that are 24 inches apart. A standard 4-by-8 drywall panel will fit either spacing. Advertisement.
Can you put drywall over lath?
The downside of installing drywall over lath is that you can’t access the stud spaces, so you can’t add insulation or new wiring. If you remove the laths, you can install drywall directly to the studs, but you’ll have to adapt the door frames by either inserting small strips of wood between the trim and the new drywall, or replacing the old door frames with new standard frames.
Can you attach drywall to lath?
You can attach drywall directly to lath. Before builders started using drywall panels to construct smooth interior walls, the standard method of wall construction involved applying plaster over wood laths.
Do you have to leave lath in when installing drywall?
The benefit of leaving the lath in place is that when you install the drywall panels, they will probably come close to the thickness of the old plaster, so you won’t have to adapt doorjambs and window casings to fit.
How deep should junction boxes be?
One other consideration, junction boxes for outlets and switches are standardized for installing on studs with drywall, so you'll have an easier time replacing them at the 1/2" depth if you're down to the studs.
Can imperfections be seen through drywall?
Any imperfections in the wall will be easily visible through the drywall. It will form waves that conform to the surface behind it. When laying out walls in a new build, we make sure every stud has the bow or cup facing the same direction to minimize this.
Can drywall be twisted?
When laying out walls in a new build, we make sure every stud has the bow or cup facing the same direction to minimize this. And any stud that is too badly twisted is re-purposed (usually for shorter cripples under windows).
Do studs need to be flat?
They can be out of level by a bit, but flat is important. If this reveals lots of bulges or cups in the wall, flatten it while it's exposed. If you find it's not flat and pull the lath, you may still find the studs are not flat.
Do you need to attach drywall to studs?
You will need to attach the drywall to the studs as you won't get a lot of holding power from the lath. Because they didn't use much dimensional materials back then, I'd be a little concerned that the studs won't fall every 4', 8' or 12' and you want all your joints to be secure. What you intend to do will work.
Does drywall lath work?
I suppose it would work. Is the lath fairly straight? You will need to attach the drywall to the studs as you won't get a lot of holding power from the lath. Because they didn't use much dimensional materials back then, I'd be a little concerned that the studs won't fall every 4', 8' or 12' and you want all your joints to be secure.
Can you use 4x8 drywall with studs?
All the studs line up for use with 4x8 drywall. The ceiling was strapped at some point but they put in those ugly interlocking tiles. So drywalling should be easy.
