Re-plastering: Board or Traditional Wet - Which is best?

[Richb78uk]

Hi,
I've trawled the forums for info on this and most seem quite old, so need some advice on current thinking.

I am refitting our kitchen (1960s Red brick house with cavity walls insulated, wooden suspended floors) and most of the plaster is loose or will fall off with the old tiles, so plan to take it back to the brick.

If money and time isn't a consideration - which is the best method of plastering, dot and dab boarding and skim or traditional wet plaster and skim. Not planning on doing it myself though will get a pro in!

I personally despite being young like the traditional method as you don't get the hollow sound that feels so flimsy in modern houses and read the dot and dab method can lead to more drafts but just want to be fully informed before making a decision.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I agree, tradition method, basecoat and skim.
Dot'n'Dab has it's place but will loose you a little space and fixing to traditionally plaster walls is easier and securer.

 

[Richard C]

I agree with PBD, D&D has its uses but traditional base coat & skim is far superior & much stronger; more expensive though! You can minimise the “hollow” sound to a certain extend by boarding close but the walls have to be flat & in good condition for this to work.

Let it dry out thoroughly before you tile it though (4 weeks) & visit the Tiling Forum for advice to avoid making common mistakes.

 

[^woody^]

If you are partial to regularly going around tapping boarded walls to check the flimsiness, then you might want to also go around feeling plastered walls to check the coldness.

Otherwise just sitting at the breakfast bar, you won't even know the difference

Unless you are going back to completely bare and flat walls, then the obvious choice would be to just float and skim them. Boarding is only really useful for speed, or on new build of completely bare and flat walls with no cut outs to mess with. Boards are also good for plasterers who can't plaster