Walls plaster

Lath and Plaster

Lath and plaster is a traditional wall or ceiling construction in which plaster is applied over narrow timber strips fixed to a supporting frame.

The wet plaster presses between the laths and hardens into keys that hold the finish in place. This construction is common in older buildings and behaves differently from modern plasterboard.

Many Edinburgh tenements and townhouses contain lath and plaster ceilings or partitions. Cracks, hollow areas or sagging may result from failed plaster keys, moisture, movement or past alterations; the cause needs checking before deciding on repair or replacement.

Renovation work can disturb the laths, the void behind them and adjoining decorative details. Retaining sound original material may be possible, while badly detached plaster requires a suitable repair plan. Its age alone does not tell you whether a ceiling is safe or beyond repair.

Property types

Commonly found in

Tenement Georgian Townhouse Victorian Villa Georgian Flat Converted Flat

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