J B Wardell Plastering

19/05/2026

04/05/2026

One of the hardest trades, hands down…

14/03/2026

Finally got the sign writing on the van, big thanks to Cotswold Labels 👍👍👍 what do YOU think ?

17/12/2025

Sir Henry Cooper and his twin brother, George (who boxed as Jim Cooper), both worked as plasterers early in their lives.
Here are the key details about his plastering background:
* Job Source: After leaving school in 1949, their trainer at the Eltham Amateur Boxing Club helped them get a job with a plastering firm.
* Physical Conditioning: The physical nature of the plastering work was beneficial for their boxing training, as it helped to make them fitter and stronger.
* Return to the Trade: After their two years of National Service in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, both Henry and George returned to work as plasterers for their old boss while they continued to train for their professional boxing careers.
* Brother's Career: Henry's twin brother, George, eventually retired from the ring and returned to plastering.
This history cemented Cooper's image as an archetypal working-class hero in Britain.
Would you like to hear more about another boxer who worked as a plasterer, such as Alan Minter?

20/11/2025

20/11/2025

17/11/2025

Sleep and breath plaster

02/09/2025

🤣🤣

28/08/2025

Traditional plastering is a centuries-old technique for finishing walls and ceilings by hand, using a material typically composed of lime, sand, and water, sometimes with fibers like horsehair for strength. This plaster is applied in multiple coats, usually a rough scratch coat, a leveling brown coat, and a smooth finish coat, to create a durable, breathable surface that can be applied directly to masonry or onto timber laths. This method is particularly suited for historic buildings due to the flexibility and breathability of lime plaster, which helps to manage moisture and prevent damage to porous building materials.

Key Characteristics
Materials:
Primarily lime, sand, and water, with optional organic fibers such as horsehair.
Application:
Applied by hand using tools like trowels and hawks.
Breathability:
Lime plaster is vapor-permeable, allowing buildings to "breathe" and moisture to escape, which is crucial for the longevity of traditional building fabrics.
Flexibility:
The inherent flexibility of lime plaster helps it accommodate movement in timber-framed structures without cracking.
Process (Three-Coat System)
1. Scratch Coat:
The thickest, first layer applied to the surface (like timber laths), which is intentionally left rough with grooves and scratches to create a strong base for the next coat.
2. Brown Coat:
Applied over the scratch coat, this layer is smoother but still textured, serving to level the wall and create a solid, uniform base for the final coat.
3. Finish Coat:
The final, thinnest, and smoothest layer, providing the desired surface finish.
Common Applications
Historic Restoration:
Ideal for older buildings that require materials to match their original character and function.
Timber-Framed Buildings:
The flexibility of lime plaster is essential for buildings with a lot of background movement, like drying green oak.
Direct to Masonry:
Can be applied directly onto masonry walls.

28/08/2025

Lath and plaster is a traditional technique for finishing interior walls and ceilings, used from the 18th to mid-20th centuries, in which thin strips of wood (laths) are nailed to joists and covered with multiple layers of plaster to create a durable, smooth surface. The plaster is forced through the gaps between the laths to form keys, which lock the plaster to the wall for a mechanically strong bond. It was largely replaced by drywall (plasterboard) but is still found in older buildings and is occasionally used for specialist restoration work.

How it works
Laths: Thin strips of timber (laths) are nailed horizontally to the timber studs of a wall frame or to the ceiling joists.
Spacing: The laths are spaced approximately 5-10mm apart to create gaps.
Plaster Application: Multiple coats of plaster are applied.
Keys: During the application of the first layer (a "render" or "scratch" coat), some plaster is squeezed through the gaps between the laths. As it sets, it forms a mechanically strong "key" that grips the lath structure.
Finishing Layers: Subsequent layers, called the "floating" and "setting" coats, build up the surface to provide a smooth, finished wall.
Materials: The plaster was typically a lime-based mix, often with added sand and horsehair for reinforcement and workability.
Why it's different from modern drywall
Construction:
Lath and plaster involves a timber sub-structure with a hand-applied plaster finish. Drywall uses prefabricated panels of gypsum board that are then skimmed with plaster.
Durability and Soundproofing:
The layered nature of lath and plaster creates a thick, dense, and very durable wall with excellent soundproofing qualities, according to The Spruce.
Breathability:
Traditional lime plaster is more breathable than modern plaster, allowing moisture to pass through the wall more readily.
Modern Use
Lath and plaster is generally not used in new construction.
It is still common in period properties, where it may require repairs due to damage from water, fire, or general wear and tear.