These days, the different types of plaster available can be quite overwhelming.

Back in the day, though, there was originally only one – mud!

Many dwellings were constructed of just twigs, branches and reeds. The mud was essential to quite literally stick everything together. Funnily enough, the slang term for plaster in America is still ‘mud’.

Evidence of the first proper type of plaster comes from around 7,500 BC. Inhabitants of Jordan used a lime based plaster for the interior walls and floors of their homes.

The style known as Venetian plastering originated in the 14th century, but not in Venice. The method of recreating marble effects with plaster was actually developed in Bavaria, using marble dust, pigments and glue with gypsum plaster. A whole new industry was created and there are still specialist Venetian plasterers using the original techniques even to this day.

By the 19th century a major change was occurring. Lime, which can take literally weeks to dry, was phased out as gypsum became more refined. Now, it was possible for a building to be plastered efficiently in a matter of hours rather than days.

Of course, there is much talk of new technology and robots replacing people on the construction sites of the near future. In my opinion, though, you won’t ever be able to replace a good plasterer.