How are Plaster Cornices Installed?

Blog |November 8th, 2018

Cornices, also known as “coving”, are a wonderful way to add a touch of elegance to interior aesthetics, and help to give a more “finished” look to balustrades and ceilings. Most modern cornices are made out of polymer material and come pre-moulded. The bulk of these can be easily installed with a little effort and the right tools.

However, the problem with polymer cornices is that they eventually chip and crack, especially in areas where there is high humidity or heat. Plaster cornices are an excellent alternative. Cheap, readily available, and aesthetically superior to polymer ones, they are low-maintenance options that were once the prime choice for builders since ancient times.

Installing plaster cornices can be a wonderful weekend project that can be done by almost anyone with a little know-how and the right tools for the job. However, it is highly advised to have professional plaster installers do it to ensure the best results.

Here is what is needed to install plaster cornices:

• Step One – Choose a cornice.

Installation begins after choosing the right type of plaster cornice for your home or business. There is a near-unlimited variety of plaster cornices available in the market today, and they can even be made to reproduce any existing or pre-existing cornices. Depending on what you like or need, moulded cornices can be made out of foam, which you can install and later cover with several coats of quick drying plaster, or you can purchase pre-moulded cornices that are made entirely of plaster.

• Step Two – Cutting the cornices.

Pre-moulded cornices, whether in foam form or in the full-plaster variety, come in a single uncut length which can be custom cut to fit the angles of a room. Plaster, while tough, is easily cut with the aid of a band-saw. This makes it possible for plaster cornices to be fitted to exacting specifications with relative ease.

• Step Three – Setting the cornices in place.

Cornices can easily be set in place with the help of cornice cement. This specialized adhesive is a blend of acrylic that bonds with plaster, gypsum, and cement and allows for a thorough join that doesn’t crack or chip.

• Step Four – Finish the joins.

In some cases, ample cement may be required where the joins of a cornice meet. This is often found in angular areas on walls. Standard grade sand-paper, or simply wiping off excess cornice cement after application should correct this problem to ensure a flawlessly looking cornices all throughout.

An excellent resource for pre-moulded plaster cornices, for residential and commercial buildings, is at Hopkins Plaster Studio Melbourne – specialists in custom architectural plaster mouldings.

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