Services •
Products • History of Plaster
Services
Limestone plaster is a coating developed in Europe in the 1960s for
restoration of historic stone structures. Today's products are a fully integrated
and color coordinated system of natural limestone. This material can be hand
textured and finished, unlike pre-cast concrete. Like hand-carved stone, this
product will develop a patina with age. Limestone plaster products are easily
maintained by wetting the surface and washing with a neutral ph detergent
solution and scrubbing brush.
Venetian plaster is unique, elegant and distinctive European finish that
tempts to be touched. It is maintenance free not needing replacement for 15 to
20 years. The finish will not fade, gets more distinctive with age and is mold
and mildew resistant.
Venetian plaster is a high-end alternative to ordinary paint, faux
finishes or wall covering and should not be mistaken for ordinary plaster or
joint compound. Venetian Plaster is a lime putty and finely ground limestone and
marble dust mix which is applied as thin as paint layer after layer.
Products
Interior finish techniques that have been mastered by DPI include
traditional three coat systems, thin coat systems over blue board in addition to
ornamental plaster and custom castings, Venetian plaster and limestone plaster
finishes.
Exterior finishes mastered by our team include limestone coating.
Limestone coating was developed in Europe in the 1960s and was originally
conceived for the restoration of historic stone structures. Today's limestone
coating is fully integrated and color coordinated.
Damonte Plastering is an authorized applicator of ArcusStone© Coatings.
Plastering is one
of the earliest of crafts. Plasterwork was utilized in building and construction
more than 4,000 years ago. Egyptian pharaohs plastered surfaces in their palaces
and within their ancient pyramids, which may still be seen to this day.
Ironically, the principal tools used by the ancient
plasterer are practically identical to those used by the modern-day plasterer.
The Egyptians also used plaster material made from calcined gypsum, much like
the plaster of Paris used today. They also introduced plastering on lath to
strengthen their work. The Egyptians used hair to give added strength.
Plaster was also used by the ancient Greeks 500 years
before Christ's birth. The word "plaster" came from the Greek language, meaning
"to daub on."
The use of plasters provided builders with a durable,
long-lasting material to create smooth surfaces, as well as the ability to
decorate wall surfaces. Later, lime and sand were mixed together to create a
mortar to cover reed lathing for walls and ceilings. The lime also provided an
outstanding means of antiseptic for ancient peoples.
It was learned long ago that plaster offers protection
against fire. The 13th-century King in London also recognized the value of
plaster and ordered all buildings to have plastered walls as an added means of
fire protection. Those houses that didn't meet his specifications of plastered
walls were ordered to be destroyed.
During the Renaissance period of the 14th through 16th
centuries, Italian art and architectural styles began developing and spread
throughout other countries. Plaster work began to fulfill the needs of
architects and builders. The Baroque style of gaudily and ornate-carved figures
covered ceilings and walls. Then the Rococo style of great ornamentation
followed and peaked in France in the 18th century. Because this style was
overpowering, it soon became subdued. Then came the light repeated ornament
patterns. English plasterers perfected this style during the 18th and 19th
centuries. During this time of developing plasterwork, plasterers used sand and
lime as mortar to finish walls and ceilings.
Early in the 20th century, plaster of Paris, a derivative
of gypsum, gradually replaced lime as the binding agent for sand in mortar. The
plaster of Paris mortar had a shorter set rate (drying time). This allowed
plasterers the ability to build up layers as the drying time required hours—not
days or weeks as did the lime and sand mortar.
During the first half of the 20th century, new plastering
materials were developed which increased the demand for plasterers. These
materials also enabled the plasterer to increase the numbers of materials he
worked with.
The plastering trade and tradesmen evolved to provide all
phases of work including finishing walls and ceilings, floors, then finishing
concrete road pavement, sidewalks and such. As the work increased, a natural
subdivision in the trade occurred. Lathers did nothing but apply wood lath,
other plasterers became involved with laying concrete. These tradesmen became
known as cement masons. Therefore, initial plasterers separated into three
grouped specialties, plasterers, lathers, and cement masons.
Four divisions in the plastering trade evolved. These
divisions are plasterer, architectural sculptor, modeler, and caster.