Plastering evolved while tastes and architectural movements cycled rapidly in the 20th Century. From Art Deco to Arts and Crafts and Asian inspired interiors, plastering played a role in many of these genres. Beaux Arts spaces included plaster cornices, moldings and medallions/rosettes with a rich and opulent aesthetic. Movie Palaces during the Golden Age of Hollywood (1914-1940) had plaster ornamentation cast right on the stage and installed with scaffolding from the orchestra pit. They were often inspired by European opera houses with exuberant decoration.
All-gypsum plasters became popular in the late 19th – early 20th centuries due to a very quick setting time, fire resistance and light weight. It is a strong, easily molded material that displays a crispness of design and elevates the look of a space to something spectacular. It is applied only indoors and cannot be used in very wet situations.
Acrylic plaster, a finishing layer that is a mix of plaster and acrylic color, that leaves texture and color on the surface. This includes application on concrete, wood and plaster interior surfaces with a faster application and less coats.
In the 1980’s, making panels for ceiling grid became a popular decorative ceiling solution because they provided access to utilities in the plenum. The panels / tiles are a mixture of gypsum and chopped glass or fiberglass (for strength). Each 2’ x 2’ panel is produced in a factory, then easily distributed on a commercial scale to construction sites.
The most recent advance in the technique and application of gypsum is drywall, emerged around 1916 by the United States Gypsum Corp, or USG. Also known as plasterboard or wallboard, it consists of two paperboards that sandwich gypsum. It became popularized during the baby boom of 1946-1960, during which 21 million new homes were built. While much faster and cheaper to install than plaster, with no drying time, drywall does have drawbacks. It is less fire-resistant and lacks the “Old World” character that some desire in interior design.
