Plasterers

A Plasterer is a tradesman who works with plaster, such as forming a layer

of plaster on an interior wall or plaster decorative moldings on ceilings or walls.

The process of creating plasterwork, called

plastering, has been used in building

construction for centuries.

History

Plasterwork is one of the most ancient of

handicrafts employed in connection with

building operations, the earliest evidence

showing that the dwellings of primitive

man were erected in a simple fashion with

sticks and plastered with mud. Soon

a more lasting and sightly material was

found and employed to take the place of

mud or slime, and that perfection in the

compounding of plastering materials was approached at a very remote period is

made evident by the fact that some of the earliest plastering which has remained

undisturbed excels in its scientific composition that which we use at the present day.

The pyramids in Egypt contain plasterwork executed at least four thousand years

ago, probably much earlier, and yet existing, hard and durable, at the pres

ent time.

From recent discoveries it has been ascertained that the principal tools of the

plasterer of that time were practically identical in design, s

hape and purpose with

those used to day. For their finest work the Egyptians used a plaster made from

calcined gypsum just like plaster of Paris of the present time, and their methods

of plastering on reeds resemble in every way our lath, plaster, float and set work.

Hair was introduced to strengthen the stuff, and the whole finished som

ewhat under

an inch thick. Very early in the history of Greek architecture we find the use of plaster

of a fine white lime stucco, such has been found at Mycenae. The art had reached

perfection in Greece more than five centuries before Christ, and plaster was

frequently used to cover temples externally and internally, in some cases even where

the building was of marble. It formed a splendid ground fo

r decorative painting, which

at this period of Grecian history had reached a very high degree of beauty.

Tools and Materials

In the more common operations of plastering, comparatively few tools and few materials

are required, but the workman efficient in all branches of the craft will possess a very

large variety of implements. The materials of the workman are laths, lath nails, lime,

sand, hair, plaster of Paris, and a variety of cements, together with various ingredients

to form coloring washes, et cetera.

oozing through Wood laths are narrow strips

Laths

Lath seen from the back with brown coat

of some straight-grained wood, generally

Baltic or American fir, in lengths of from two

to four or five feet to suit the distances at

which the timbers of a floor or partition are

set. Laths are about an inch Lathing-wide,

and are made in three thicknesses; single

(1/8 to 3/16 inch thick), lath and a half (1/4

inch thick), and double (3/8-1/2 inch thick).

The thicker laths should be used in ceilings, to stand the extra strain, and the thinner

variety in vertical work such as partitions, except where the latter will be subjected to

rough usage, in which case thicker laths become necessary. Laths are usually nailed

with a space of about 3/8 of an inch between them to form a key for the plaster. Laths

were formerly all made by hand. A large quantity, however, are now made by machinery

and are known as sawn laths, those made by hand being called rent or riven laths. Rent

laths give the best results, as they split in a line with the grain of the wood, and

are

stronger and not so liable to twist as machine-made laths, some of the fibers of which

are usually cut in the process of sawing.Laths must be nailed so as to break joint in

bays three or four feet wide with ends butted one against the other.

Lime

The lime principally used for internal plastering is that calcined from chalk, oyster shells

or other nearly pure limestone, and is known as fat, pure, chalk or rich lime. Hydraulic

limes are also used by the plasterer, chiefly for external work. Perfect slaking of the

calcined lime before being used is very important as, if used in a partially slaked condition,

it will "blow" when in position and blister the work. Lime should therefore be run as soon as

the building is begun, and at least three weeks should elapse between the operation of

running the lime and its use. Due to time constraints Hydrated Lime mixed with plaster

is normally used for modern construction. Slaking is not required if more time is allowed

for finishing the surface after application which is a common practice where a quality

finish is required, however in the housing industry it is often run for three days, the time

it takes to prepare an average house for plastering, to achieve a lower quality cost

effective finish.

Hair

Hair is used in plaster as a binding medium, and gives tenacity to the material. Ox-hair,

which is sold in three qualities, is the kind usually specified; but horsehair, which is shorter,

is sometimes substituted in its stead or mixed with the ox-hair in the lower qualities. Good

hair should be long, strong, and free from grease and dirt, and before use must be well

beaten to separate the lumps. In America, goats' hair is frequently used, though it is not

so strong as ox-hair. The quantity used in good work is one pound of hair to two or three

cubic feet of coarse stuff.

Methods

For fine plasterer's sand-work, special sands, not hitherto referred to, are used, such as

silver sand or fine foundry sand, which is used when a light color and fine texture are

required. In medical centres one part Barium is added to two parts cement and five of

sand where the walls need to block X-rays. When coating or rendering concrete s

urfaces

a "splash" coat of one part cement to one of sand in liquid form is either thrown with a trowel

or sprayed on the surface. This not only provides a better key for the render but prevents

the porous concrete from sucking the water from it. For external work Portland cement is

undoubtedly the best material on account of its strength, durability, and weather resisting

External properties. If the plaster coat needs to be particularly strong and resistant to

cracking, such as the walls of a squash court, Sizing is mixed with the plaster before

application to increase both the surface bond strength and flexibility. The first coat of

render is from 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick, and is mixed, dependant on the surface to be

covered, in the proportions of from one part of cement to two of sand to one part to six of

sand. A _ shovel of Lime is often added to make the mix more pliable.

Questionarre for plasterers and paintersˇ

1. How old are you (tick one)?

a) 20-27 ( ) b)28-36 ( )

c) 37-48 ( ) d) 49-60 ( )

2. How many years you have been in this profession?

a) Below 1yr ( ) b) 2-5 ( )

c) 5-10 ( ) d) 10< ( )

3. Did you had any health problems after coming to this field?

a) yes ( ) b) no ( )

4. If yes, please tell us something about it.

___________________________________________________________

________________________

5. What problems do you face while plastering/painting?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

6. What kind of garments do you wear from currently available plastering/painting suits?

a) Top and trouser ( ) b) Bib/ sleeveless overall ( )

c) Shorts and waistcoat ( ) d) jackets and trousers ( )

7. What safety measures are already there in these garments?

a) Knee padding and elbow padding ( ) b) antibacterial fabrics ( )

c) Dry fit/waterproof ( ) d) fireproof ( )

e) Anything else _______________________________

8. What colors are they available in?

a) Bright colors( ) b) dull hues ( )

c) Earthy colors( ) d) dull shades ( )

9. Do you feel that the garments available in the market are boring in terms of fashion and protection?

a) Yes( ) b) no( )

10. If yes? Please comment what innovations can be put into the market.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

11. What do you do to remove the stains of plaster/paints from the garments?

12. Are the garments available in the market affordable?

a) yes ( ) b) no ( )

13. What is the maximum you could spend on a highly protective plastering/painting gear(in GBP)?

a) <30,>

c) 60-90, PD+AB+TG+WP ( ) d) 100-150, PD+ AB+ TG+ TR+ WP ( )

PD- padding at necessary areas, WP- weather proof, AB- antibacterial at important areas, TG- transformer garments, TR- tear resistance

14. What do earn app. Per annum?

a) 15000- 17000 ( ) b) 17001-20000 ( )

c) 20001-24000 ( ) d) 25000-30000 ( )

e) 30,000< ( )

15. Please describe your family?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________

name:

ˇ

Reseach analysis and Conclusionˇ

( This analysis is based on survey and vast web sources)

* The average salary of the plasterers/painters working 8 hours a

day, 250 days a year on an hourly basis is £16.94. The average

salary per year is £33,886.

* The major age group of these skilled workers is from 28-48 years.

* They are generally fit.

* In the garments most of them wear available overalls, jackets

and trousers

.

* The current available garments( like blaklader.com) are providing

padding and some waterproofing. A lot has to be discovered in

the market.

* The garments are available in earthy or dull hues but are quite

liked by the plasterers/painters. But more than 80%of them wish

to see some new technicalities. They would like to have protection

as well as water proofing and some solution to sweat inside.

* 70% agree that the garments available are quite affordable.

* If they get protection, weather proofing, Anti-bacterial finish,

tear resistance etc in under 100 pounds, more than 90% are

ready to buy them.

* Most of the people i met had small children or in teens. So,

they are worried about their family health and are ready to take

precautions.

Work wear for Plasterers/painters (500 words)

My research was initialized when i went through a visual, while sitting

and having food at a resturaunt. I saw a plasterer in torn clothes and plaster

all around his clothes who seemed to come directly from work, with his son

having a burger. I started sketching a story board of the visual to brainstorm

my thoughts on the living of the plasterers. While i was confused about the

hygiene, problems of the person, i researched on the online salary survey

websites so that i could clear one fact that the plasterers/painters are paid

less. The fact i found which i later confirmed by my survey too was that these

proffessionals are paid between 22000 to 40000 GBP, which was not less

at all.So this focussed my mind towards the question, is that because

of unavailabilty of the right clothing in the market? This brought my mind

towards the huge gap in the plasterer/painter cloting market worldwide

which could be filled by designing ultra technical, user friendly and economic

wear for this market.

Continuing with my primary research on the plasterers/painters life,

understanding their work, their needs in terms of cloting, the clothing available,

their mind sets, the income, family etc. In the process i even went through

archtectural books like Building Construction Illustrated by Francis D.K. And

Buliding Construction Metric by W.B. McKay. To learn how the plastering is

done, what are tools and materials used, through what dangers do the

plasterers have to work?

The conclusion cleared that the plasterers/painters can spend some

where between 90-140 pound for a garment which is really durableand long

lasting, sweat soaking and water proof from out, even weather proof and

makes them feels comfortable wearing it.

I started to examine problem areas and that are needed to be changed.

I am currentlu using three kinds of Digital finishing in my garments as the

plot requires here. These are Hydrophobic/hydrophillic finish to have water

proofing and breathablity, controlled release for releasing accident saver drug

on temperature change and finally the antibacterial finish to sabe from

bacteria. The creases and abrassion are saved by cutting smaller and

ergonomic panels. The Transformation is added in form of plastic covering

to save from dirt. The final collection has also considered the latest trends in

color and cuts to make the garments fashionable. The collection is totally

wearable and has great selebility aspects.

Technology neededˇ

* Anti Static/Anti bacterial materials

to prevent the bacteria to enter the person’s body through dirt and

construction surroundings+ save from unneccessary static charges.

* Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic

to soak all the sweat from the body while doing this labor job and

resist all the water from plaster and surroundings. The water resistance

makes it easy to clean the outer shell.

* Controlled Release

to excrete perfume to avoid the smell of the sweat and if possible to

burn medicine if burnt which can be done with change of temperature.

* Ergonomics+ Padding for safety and tear

protection

Some design Developements