Taking a drive around Shreveport you would surely have to be
amazed at some of the elegant and beautiful homes that date back to
another era, an era when grand and magnificent structures stood out
majestically. Today, there are still many homes that seemed to have
taken a page from that time period with the rich and noble
architectural
designs that are as breathtaking today as they were over a hundred
years ago.
In recent times there has been a resurgence in the number of homes that
are being built with plaster
walls and ceilings
as opposed to
drywall
(sheetrock is actually a trade name). After World War II drywall
became the choice of most architects, builders, and interior decorators
for residential structures. Drywall
seemed to have been the perfect
solution for interior walls and ceiling finishes. It was quick to
install and it was far less cheaper to purchase; keeping the
cost of
buying a new home low and affordable for many Americans. By
1960 plaster
walls and ceilings had almost
completely disappeared when
it came to building homes, and quite a large percentage of commercial
buildings were being built with drywall as their interior finish;
plaster had taken a back
seat to drywall when it came to installing interior wall finishes in
most homes and an increasing number of commercial buildings as well.
However, over the past few decades there has been a resurgence in the
number of homes and commercial buildings that are using plaster as
their interior wall and ceiling finish. All across the nation
architects, builders, and designers are incorporating plaster as their
building material for interior walls and ceilings' finish. The
popularity of plaster has steadily increased over the years and it's
showing no signs of slowing down.
Plaster in all it's historical grandeur is making a full and complete
comeback today. Many high end homes are being built exclusively with
plaster walls and ceilings, and in many cases plaster ornamental trim
as well. Plaster
is regal and has a rich and noble history that can't
be duplicated by any other interior wall/ceiling finish. There is no
other interior wall/ceiling finish that comes remotely close to the
elegance and stateliness of plaster walls and ceilings handsomely done
and tastefully decorated. No other.
But over time plaster in all its grandeur and nobility has some
shortcomings that indeed must be addressed at some point in time. You
see, one of the main characteristics of plaster is that it is
"inelastic" thereby creating cracks, stress lines, mapping lines,
crevices, and in extreme cases of neglect "craters" where large chunks
of plaster has fallen to the floor. The weight of plaster walls and
especially plaster ceilings can be quite significant and over time
these same walls/ceilings left improperly maintained can fall into a
state of disrepair, and of course at that point gravity begins to take
control pulling the already failed plaster to the floor. It can really
become a very dangerous situation and someone who happens to be in the
way of the falling plaster could suffer horrific injuries or even
worse. That's why it is so important to keep your beautiful plaster
walls/ceilings well maintained and looking great year in and year out.
When it comes time for maintenance and repair on your plaster walls
and/or ceilings you should look for a plaster repair contractor that
has the experience and the expertise to repair your damaged walls and
ceilings and keep them looking great from one year to the next. It
doesn't take a lot to keep your plaster walls/ceilings looking great
once they have been properly repaired and maintained, but when they are
left in a state of disrepair too long the problems can increase
exponentially and of course so will the price for repairs.
Heading off these types of problems can be solved easily at a
reasonable cost if all repairs are done in a timely manner and major
damaged to your plaster walls and ceilings are avoided because of
prudence. I recommend homeowners do not attempt to do serious plaster
repair work; as a matter fact, I would rather superficial plaster
repairs be done by a plaster repair contractor as well. Why? Because
quality plaster work is not something that an untrained individual can
do; professional looking repairs take time and practice to
produce and in my
opinion it helps to have a little talent for this type of work as
well.
When hiring a professional plaster
repair
contractor just be sure to
keep in mind that there is a fundamental difference between a plasterer
and a plaster repair contractor. A Plasterer installs plaster on walls
and ceilings and in some cases ornamental trim. A plasterer usually
goes
through some type of apprentice training that last from three to five
years in most cases; however, even though a plasterer receives
extensive
training in installing plaster hardly any training is given in
repairing damaged existing plaster.
This in fact is almost a different craft in and of itself. Repairing
old
and/or damaged plaster requires the use of a number of skills that
transcends several trades such as drywall finishing and drywall
repairs; plaster installation, and in many cases carpentry repair
(installing wood laths) and interior painting too.
Your plaster repair contractor should be just as handy using drywall
taping and finishing knives as
well as a finishing trowel and
hawk. And
keep in mind a plaster repair contractor must incorporate using drywall
tape (both fiberglass and paper)into his repair work. Without using
drywall tape practically all cracks, stress lines and mapping lines
will reappear without warning, but if these same cracks and hairlines
are thoroughly taped, bedded, and floated out with the right plaster
repair product then you can be sure the repairs will last a long
time.
In conclusion, when selecting a plaster repair contractor be sure to
ask as many questions as you need to ask to get a better understanding
of what he/she plans to do to repair your plaster walls/ceilings.
Always ask for references and if possible, ask to see photos of the
work he/she has done. I recommend that you should do a background check
on all prospective candidates just to be on the safe side (and that
includes me too) and get a written estimate of the price of labor and
materials as well as a time frame the work will be done in.
Be sure and take your time when searching out a good quality plaster
repair contractor and remember to always get everything in writing that
will stand in court if such a case may arise. So good luck and I wish
you the best.
| American
Painting and Pressure Cleaning, Inc. |
American
Painting and
Pressure Cleaning, Inc. (318)
746-1810 or
(318) 677-9055 for all
your drywall/sheetrock repair projects. We also offer carpentry
repairs; kitchen
cabinets staining and varnishing;
kitchen cabinets painting; exterior
(doors and shutters) staining and varnishing; deck restoration and
rejuvenation;
drywall (sheetrock) finishing; drywall (sheetrock) installation;
drywall (sheetrock) texturing; drywall (sheetrock) repairs; popcorn
ceiling removal; plaster restoration and plaster repairs; historic home
restoration and repairs plus flooring.
We are also interior residential
(house) painters as well as exterior residential (house) painters and
so much more. For almost thirty years we have been providing homeowners
and commercial property owners with quality craftsmanship along with
down home friendly service.Serving Shreveport, Bossier City, Minden,
and surrounding areas. And in Minden you can contact us at (318) 371-1005.
Thanks, Donald
Thomas/owner |
|
| American
Painting and
Pressure Cleaning, Inc.
also proudly serves the following areas: Keithville, Stonewall,
Frierson, Mansfield, Vivian, Blanchard, Plain Dealing, Benton,
Springhill, Stonewall, Sarepta, Cotton Valley, Cullen, Shongaloo,
Haynesville,
Homer, Lisbon, Athens, Arcadia, Ringgold,
Grambling, Gibsland, Ruston, Dubberly,
Doyline, Heflin, Haughton, and Monroe La. |
|
|
For almost three
decades American
Painting and Pressure Cleaning,
Inc. has been providing
homeowners and commercial property
owners with quality service that's backed with fine craftsmanship. |
|
American Painting
and Pressure Cleaning, Inc.
"Where
Quality Is Not An Option"
Call (318)
746-1810 or (318) 677-9055
|
plaster
restoration and repairs
drywall/sheetrock
repair
interior/exterior
painting
carpentry
repairs
staining
and
varnishing
flooring
(ceramic tile, marble, engineered wood, porcelain, travertine, and
laminate) installation
deck
restoration
countertops
and
backsplashes |
 |
|
