Fibrous plaster explained
Fibrous plaster is cast plaster of Paris reinforced with hessian and timber laths. Here is where it came from, why Victorian theatres loved it and how it differs...
By Gregory TireCraft and materials
The Flare Journal
Craft, materials and know-how
How plaster is made, the language of ornament, and how to choose the right piece for your room.
13 articles to read
Lime plaster vs gypsum plaster
Lime and gypsum plaster look similar when dry but behave very differently. Here is how each sets, why it matters in old houses and when each one is...
By Gregory TireCraft and materials
How to measure for an overdoor pediment
An overdoor pediment only looks right if it fits the door frame and the room. Here is what to measure, how much overhang to allow and how to...
By Gregory TireCraft and materials
Light switch surrounds and fingerplates: a short history
Fingerplates protected Victorian doors from grubby hands. Switch surrounds do the same job for the wall around a light switch. Here is how they developed and how to...
By Gregory TireCraft and materials
Choosing a plaster wall light
A plaster wall light comes down to three choices: how it is powered, how big it should be and where it goes. Here is how to decide, including...
By Gregory TireCraft and materials
How to fit a plaster ceiling rose
A practical guide to fitting a plaster ceiling rose: preparation, safe isolation, fixing into the joists and a clean finish.
By Gregory TireCraft and materials
Plaster vs polyurethane ceiling roses and mouldings: an honest comparison
Plaster, polyurethane and polystyrene each have a place. Here is how they compare on detail, weight, painting, authenticity and cost.
By Gregory TireCraft and materials
How a plaster piece is cast, from design to finished ornament
From a drawing to a master model, a flexible mould and a pour of liquid gypsum: the general process behind a cast plaster piece.
By Gregory TireCraft and materials
Repairing cracked or damaged plaster cornice and ceiling roses
How to tell a cosmetic crack from a serious one, how to fill and rebuild damaged cornice, and when a specialist is the right call.
By Gregory TireCraft and materials
How to clean and care for plaster décor
Plaster lasts for generations with very little care. The rules are simple: dust gently, keep raw plaster dry and seal it with paint.
By Gregory TireCraft and materials
A short history of plaster: from ancient lime to plaster of Paris
Plaster is one of the oldest building materials in the world. Where it comes from and how decorative plasterwork developed.
By Gregory TireCraft and materials
Cornice, coving or moulding? A plain-English glossary of plaster terms
Egg and dart, dentils, acanthus and anthemion: the language of plasterwork, explained simply.
By Gregory TireCraft and materials
What size ceiling rose do I need? A simple guide to proportion
Too small looks lost, too large looks heavy. Simple rules of thumb for getting the proportion right.
By Gregory TireCraft and materials
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