Usually, the type of backer board that is used is colloquially called “blue board”, which is a more textured version of regular drywall. Nowadays it’s usually applied over gypsum board, aka drywall. Structalite is a base coat of gypsum-based plaster that is commonly used.

The USG brand comes recommended by sensitive folks and can be found at hardware stores like Home Depot.ĭrywall compound like USG Easy Sand 20, are also gypsum-based and are similar to gypsum plaster. Plaster of Paris is a gypsum plaster that is usually tolerable for the chemically sensitive as it’s a very simple non-toxic product. Though a final layer of gypsum plaster is often used with cement base layers. Gypsum plaster is more expensive than cement mortar plaster (cement and sand mixes) for the same thickness. It is more finicky and less expensive than slaked lime plaster. What You Need to Know About Gypsum Plaster Upon purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Wood or metal lathe used to be common in old homes, but now moisture-absorbing board known as “blue board” has mostly replaced lathe. I will also look at non-toxic backers for plaster. Plaster is generally a healthy material no matter the base mineral, but those who are chemically sensitive will want to know which additives each type contains to choose the non-toxic options.Įarly versions of many plasters used to contain asbestos fibers, so we want to avoid another mishap like that. This article will look at the chemical composition of plasters and where you can use each type. Clay plaster in conventional wood-framed homes was replaced by lime and then by gypsum plaster. They are still used in some buildings, most commonly in natural buildings, like in adobe or cob homes. The most common types of plasters have a base of gypsum, lime, cement, or clay.Ĭlay plasters are not very common anymore since they lack tensile and compressive strength. Plaster usually means a material used to coat interior walls while “render” more often refers to external coatings even if it’s the same material. Stucco is another word for an exterior wall coating.

Emergency Housing for Chemical and Mold Sensitivity.

How I Recovered from Chemical Sensitivities.How “High Performance” can Help Prevent Mold.

Plaster weld alternative