A Brief History of Plastering in British Buildings

Plastering is one of the oldest building trades in existence. Evidence of lime plaster has been found in structures dating back over 9,000 years. In British buildings, the evolution of plastering tells the story of changing materials, technologies, and tastes.

Lath and Plaster (pre-1945)

Before the mid-20th century, the vast majority of British homes had lath and plaster walls and ceilings. Thin strips of wood (laths) were nailed horizontally to studs and joists. Three coats of lime plaster were then applied — the first pushed through the gaps in the laths to form 'nibs' that keyed it in place, followed by scratch coat and finish coat.

Lime plaster is slow to dry, breathable, and flexible — ideal for the natural movement of traditional timber-framed buildings.

The Rise of Gypsum Plaster

After World War II, faster building programmes and the widespread adoption of cavity wall construction changed plastering practice. Gypsum-based plasters replaced lime, offering faster drying and a harder surface. Two-coat work replaced three-coat systems.

Plasterboard and Dry Lining

From the 1970s onward, plasterboard became the default for internal walls and ceilings. Plasterboard can be taped and jointed or given a skim coat of finish plaster. Modern building programmes rely almost entirely on this system.

Today

Modern plastering uses a range of systems tailored to different substrates — from lightweight finish plasters for plasterboard to specialist salt-resistant renders for damp walls. The trade continues to evolve alongside building science.