If you're repainting older plaster, take the extra prep time to make the effort worthwhile. Use patching plaster to smooth cracks and imperfections in the plaster before you paint. If there's an angle that's in bad shape, use corner bead to form a crisp new profile under your new paint.

The lost art of Victorian plaster details is making a comeback - in a new form. Modern manufacturers are finding ways to reproduce cornice moldings, friezes, corbels, brackets, rosettes, and ceiling medallions, using lightweight polymers. Less prone to damage than plaster, polymer details are flexible, paintable, easy to ship, and they come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

For a rich wall treatment that's truly unique, find out more about marmorino plaster. Developed in 16th-century venice as a lightweight alternative to marble, this mix of marble dust and plaster with custom pigments requires two coats, a waxy finish, and lots of elbow grease, but the results can be spectacular.

Chris Borovka from US Gypsum joins Bob explain about patching with plaster. The first job entails patching over an existing door opening. They've put some Imperial Gypsum base up to the existing door frame and patched the existing hole with diamond veneer base coat. Next they put pressure sensitive fiber tape, P-Tape, over it and bonded the entire existing surface. The use USG Plaster Bonder Pink as a bonding agent - it rewettens and re-emulsifies - and put the base coat of plaster over that. Where the wall meets the ceiling, they apply pressure-sensitive tape to the existing surface and butt it in while applying the first coat of base coat. The first coat provides a nice even scratch coat. The second coat should be applied while the first coat is still fully wet and serves to take out some the bad dips and dives and the trowel marks from the first coat leaving a nice smooth finish. The next day you they'll put the finish coat over it. Where the insulators drilled holes into the original walls, the plasters put the Plaster Bonder Pink around the inside of the hole and fill it in with the base coat. They've meshed over the top of that for extra security and then bonded over the whole surface. On the blue board, it's a different type of installation. Shreve applies one-coat over the joints to reinforce them and fill in the undulation that's left from the two end tapes from the butt joints. That sets up for about an hour and then it's ready for finish coat.

Create new usable space in your home! We dry wet basements... dry enough for finishing! from Basement Systems Inc.

…Project! Searching for the right contractor for your job can be an overwhelming…
…Experts makes it easy to find the right contractor at the right price. Get FREE Estimates…
…suits you best. Talk to a qualified contractor today! 800.472.1216 More about…

…sure to interview more than one contractor before you hire. Compare estimates…
…references, and check to be sure the contractor s license is current. After…
…storm, it can be hard to find a contractor who will repair your home right…

…ad an indication of the quality of a contractor's work. Your best bet is a reality…
…potential rip-offs. A less than reputable contractor: solicits door-to-door; …
…that you borrow money from a lender the contractor knows. If you're not careful, you…

…house. If you're considering hiring a contractor, you'll want to find someone you…
…signs that you may want to avoid the contractor you're considering. 1.) Few…
…former work samples that demonstrate the contractor s work quality. Your potential hire…

…ask us: How can I find a reputable contractor to work on my home? First, be sure that your contractor is licensed and insured before any work…
…and check references of other work the contractor has done. Ask for proof of insurance…