Plastering to a wooden chimney breast 'baton'

[MartinJB]

Hi,

I have an Edwardian house that is currently being renovated.

As you would expect the corners of the chimney breasts are rounded, with a rounded wooden baton making the curve.

Can anyone tell me the best way to plaster up to these.... my builder is just dying to whack a square skim bead on them... ugh!

Thanks,
Martin.

 

[BMcD]

the wooden baton is the bead and doesn't get plastered over, it gets plastered up to. It's a cheaper way of forming a durable external angle than using Keenes cement a classD plaster also known as gypsum cement.

 

[Nigel Watts]

I have a similar problem. My 1840 house has wooden battens on the chimney breast corners just as you describe, but square not round. Unfortunately they are slightly below the level of the finished plaster - perhaps they have shrunk over the years. I tried plastering on top with a skim of lime putty plaster of pairis mix but it is too fragile and doesnt stick properly to the wood. I am thinking of resorting to a modern cellulose filler such as polyfilla, which I think may adhere better. Any ideas? I will be papering over the top.

 

[Nemesis]

I think Polyfilla is a good idea in that case - it sticks, and it can be sanded down to shape.

 

[Gervase]

You can also gauge a fine lime plaster with gypsum to take a finish coat up to a bead.

 

[Moo]

How did they do those round beads? We have one that goes round an arch.

 

[Penners]

I am thinking of resorting to a modern cellulose filler such as polyfilla, which I think may adhere better. Any ideas? I will be papering over the top.

If you're going to have to use a modern, impermeable material anyway, perhaps you could include some PVA in a plaster mix, and prime the substrate with some PVA.

 

[Penners]

How did they do those round beads? We have one that goes round an arch.

I can only think that it must have been moulded in sections, Moo. If you look carefully, can you see any joints in it?

 

[Nemesis]

I don't think, Penners, a small smear of Polyfilla to feather in the edges will really make much difference to the building and it's breathability!

 

[Penners]

I don't think, Penners, a small smear of Polyfilla to feather in the edges will really make much difference to the building and it's breathability!

Precisely. Which is why I suggested the PVA admixture.

Do keep up - or has the home-brew started to kick in?