should I cut a 'window' through my interior plaster wall?
groundhog_forest
18 years ago
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aprilwhirlwind
18 years agobrickeyee
18 years agoRelated Discussions
Should I skim coat the old plaster or put on new drywall?
Comments (40)"I don't think you can get a nice finish coat directly on top of the bonding agent. At least I had a difficult time, although perhaps a pro would know how. For me, everything slid around too much while you were trying to work it smooth." Sounds like you are not leaving enough material on the wall, possibly using too much water in the mix, and did not allow the bonding agent to dry enough. The layer is about 1/16 to 1.8 inch thick. The mix for skim coating should be about like peanut butter in consistency. This allows it to be pushed out easily but has enough body to be workable. Bonding agents need to set up to tacky before applying the plaster. The water in the plaster will help it soften again and grab. Use of drywall knives also makes covering large areas even more of a chore than it needs to be. A plasterer's trowel makes short work of covering large areas and produces a smooth finish. It takes some practice to barealy raise the leading edge to obtain a good finish. The trowels with the tiny (3/4 inch diameter) handle are not as good as ones with a decent (~1.5 inch) grip diameter....See MoreHelp! Should I change my windows?
Comments (9)LOL! Laxsupermom, I'm in L.A. so dead of winter isn't usually too hard on the herbs once they're well established. :) Thanks so much for the "love, love, love" since I've been time-shocked for months and missed them elsewhere. It's very reassuring! In fact, in looking at why I don't need the greenhouse window, I'm realizing it's not because I need it for the winter thing, or even for the beauty thing, and it's not even the light thing (though I'm reassured that there won't be less light). It's the LOVE thing I want!! If I do this I want to love my windows as much as I love the newish french doors on the studio, rather than, eh, it's a window. Raenjapan, I hadn't thought of doing the greenhouse window at counter level. Interesting idea! It could be very cool. I don't know if it's possible. This one might be only standard sizes. But I'll check. Rhome, Good point! I don't know if the shape and placement of the old windows would bother me, but the yucky oldness might! Thanks for pointing that out. And the kitchen has looked like crap with stuff being packed piled everywhere for so long I forgot how pretty it will be. :) With the slider right there I don't really need the pass through window and counter, especially since the penninsula is turning into an island so there won't be the walking around it, but it'll sure make entertaining out back easier. Rosie, thanks for the straight answer! Part of my problem with the decision has been that I am the designer. My contractor--one of the guys wanting this--has a design background and has contributed some excellent and important ideas, and I daresay the cabinet maker will contribute some more (different one than the also excellent guy who said to change the windows). Mostly, the design is mine however, with a lot of input, help and encouragement from the folks here....See MoreHow should I layout my kitchen? Need suggestions...no window.
Comments (4)I'm running out now, but I wanted to quickly show you what LRy511 did in her kitchen. I'm also building from a modified Don Gardner plan and I'm changing my kitchen to an L-shape with an island. I had the sink on the island first but struggled with the openness so I moved it to a wall where it would be blocked by the island a bit from the great room. Here's a draft of my plan to give you an idea. Without seeing your plan, I doubt you need a door from the kitchen to the dining room. Can you easily cut through the foyer to get there? My current kitchen/breakfast nook/family room is almost identical to the one in the original plan. My kitchen seems dark, but that is because there are only 4 can lights and 2 pendant lights over the peninsula. Make sure you have plenty of can lights and under cabinet lighting and you'll be fine. I think you're wise not to have the 2-story living room. You'll still get plenty of light from all those windows on the back. BTW, my current house plan is very similar to the one you are proposing, except we don't have the first floor master. In our plan the stairs go off the the bottom left corner of the family room and take up the space you have as a hall between the LR and FR. That opens up the foyer a lot. It's something you might consider if you can find another doorway to the master. Of course it might not work with your second-floor layout, but I thought I'd mention it....See MorePlastered walls, what should I do if rough in some spots?
Comments (13)good point Jan. yes, are we talking about actual plaster or about drywall that has had skim coat or 'joint compound' applied? An actual old school plaster is not the same as drywall compound. And you shouldn't be doing anything to 'fix' it. if it's regular drywall and skim coat, and you paid someone to do it, then they should be responsible for smoothing it out to where it's all flat and plumb. And normally they apply the primer coat. however, if you have to do it, and it's really drywall compound, then yes, get a 'drywall sand paper' and go to town. (make sure you wipe up all the dust from everywhere before you paint)...See Moretsmith7
15 years agotryinbrian
15 years agoPipersville_Carol
15 years ago
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