Bare brick exterior solid kitchen wall - what's the correct way to plaster this?

[Deleted User]

I've got a kitchen wall which is an external solid wall of an Edwardian terraced house and it's stripped down to it's bare bricks and I'm wanting to know the correct way to coat this with plaster as I've heard different methods of approach
Is it right that dot and dabbing ordinary plasterboard on this brick wall would be completely the wrong thing to do?

neilmcl

If it's a solid external wall then you want to be thinking of a lime based plaster.

[Deleted User]

neilmcl said:

If it's a solid external wall then you want to be thinking of a lime based plaster.

Yes it's a solid external wall made of brick. I've heard mention about a lime based plaster but what about using certain types of plasterboard? I'm trying to get independent advice before discussing it in depth with the plasterer who has already mentioned that it can be done with special plasterboard the name of which I'm not completely sure - I think he said just waterproof plasterboard

stuart45

Probably meant moisture resistant plasterboard. I personally would want it lime plastered. Have what you want, it's your kitchen.
Dot and dab is easier for the plasterer, especially if he's not experienced with lime.

[Deleted User]

stuart45 said:

Probably meant moisture resistant plasterboard. I personally would want it lime plastered. Have what you want, it's your kitchen.
Dot and dab is easier for the plasterer, especially if he's not experienced with lime.

Yes I think you're right in that he did say "moisture resistant plasterboard". If he were to use moisture resistant plasterboard would that be incorrect? I don't mind not using lime plaster but not if it's completely the incorrect way to plaster the wall

floppydisk1

Lime plaster is the best option but by far the most expensive. Moisture resistant boars is not ideal but more than acceptable finish and cost somewhere in region of 1/3   to 1/2 of a lime plaster finish.  What is  completely incorrect way and many  " plasterers " my suggest  based on price - is to put gypsum based bonding coat and skim it over - as that is  the only finish that most young plasterers are familiar with today....

FreeBear

A solid brick wall, I'd be looking at insulating it before putting any plaster on. Cork or wood fibre skimmed with a lime plaster would be just the job - Not cheap, and will cause problems if you are thinking of putting wall units up.

The real problem with using plasterboard & gypsum plasters is that the stuff turns to mush very quickly if there is damp in the wall. A solid brick wall doesn't have a cavity to limit the ingress of penetrating damp - If the outside has been rendered in cement, then issues with damp are exacerbated.

[Deleted User]

floppydisk1 said:

What is  completely incorrect way and many  " plasterers " my suggest  based on price - is to put gypsum based bonding coat and skim it over - as that is  the only finish that most young plasterers are familiar with today....

When you say gypsum based bonding coat is this without using standard plasterboard and putting "the gypsum based bonding coat" straight on to the bricks?

How satisfactory is it to line the solid brick kitchen wall with moisture resistant plasterboard straight on to the wall as someone mentioned?

If you created any type of space between the plaster board and the wall would that make it more difficult to hang kitchen cupboards onto it?

WustyRex

Wycamol Isotherm felt DPC is the latest, best option. 
4mm thick, can be plastered over and offers breathable, damp proof insulation barrier without losing switches, window frames architraves and room size. 

FreeBear

WustyRex said: Wycamol Isotherm felt DPC is the latest, best option. 
4mm thick, can be plastered over and offers breathable, damp proof insulation barrier without losing switches, window frames architraves and room size. 

So good that they don't even bother to put any specs on their web site.

In the absence of any data, 4mm of polyester blanket is going to give a minimal thermal improvement. If you are going to spend money on insulating a wall, you may as well do a proper job and use proven materials.

[Deleted User]

WustyRex said:

Wycamol Isotherm felt DPC is the latest, best option. 
4mm thick, can be plastered over and offers breathable, damp proof insulation barrier without losing switches, window frames architraves and room size. 

Thanks for the information WustyRex

FreeBear said:

So good that they don't even bother to put any specs on their web site.

In the absence of any data, 4mm of polyester blanket is going to give a minimal thermal improvement. If you are going to spend money on insulating a wall, you may as well do a proper job and use proven materials.

I generally would prefer a system that's been tried and tested over time even if it's not necessarily the original method of lime plaster although I'm not saying I wouldn't use lime plaster.