Plastering Terminology

Adhesion - the strength of bond between 2 coats of plaster

or a background.

Aggregate -the part of a mix which will not set.

Arris -a sharp edged external angle.

Background - the base to which plaster is applied.

Bay - the area of wall, ceiling or floor completed in 1

operation.

Binder – the part of a mix that sets and binds the aggregate

together.

Bond – the strength of a plastering material to a

background due to mechanical key.

Bonding Agent – a substance applied to a smooth surface

(concrete) to improve adhesion.

Dubbing out - the filling out of hollows on a background.

Dry-lining – Plasterboarding walls instead of traditional

plastering.

Darby – used for straightening work.

Devilling – scratching the straightening coat with a nail

float to provide a key.

Dot – small pieces of wood which are bedded and levelled

and used as guides for forming screeds.

Fat – the fine residue on a plasterer’s trowel when

trowelling out.

Feather edge – a rule used for ruling internal angles.

Grounds – timber rods fixed to the brickwork to give

thickness of plaster.

Hacking – the roughening of a brick background to provide

a key.

Mechanical key – openings or grooves in a background into

which plaster will pass.

Plasticizer – an additive used to increase the workability of

a mix.

Screed – a narrow band of plaster used to rule off.

E.M.L.- expanded metal lathing.

D.P.M.- damp proof membrane.

P.P.E. – Personnel Protective Equipment