Venetian plaster for your walls

Venetian plaster, also known as Venetian stucco, is a polished plaster finish for walls. Choosing it means choosing a material and a plasterer to apply it. This page covers both, and what they mean for an older house.

Ask what the plaster is made from

Ask the plasterer what the plaster is made from, and whether it is based on lime. The answer can make a difference on an older wall.

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) says the word "lime" refers to quicklime or slaked lime. It says lime was widely used as the binder for mortars, plasters, renders and washes before the middle of the 19th century. Lime-based products harden by absorbing carbon dioxide, turning back into calcium carbonate.

Older walls

SPAB says lime-based materials let structures breathe and move gently, and it calls those essential properties with old buildings. It says alternatives such as Portland cement, gypsum plaster and plastic paints have shortcomings of their own and "can seriously harm historic fabric".

SPAB generally advocates repair materials that match those used originally. Its lime page explains the different kinds of lime and where each one is used.

Listed buildings

Under section 7 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, works to alter a listed building in any manner which would affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest need listed building consent from the council. Ask your council before any work starts on a listed building. Citizens Advice notes that you might need more than one kind of permission or approval before work on your home begins.

Hiring a plasterer

TrustMark describes itself as "the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme that covers work a consumer chooses to have carried out in or around their home". It suggests checking that a tradesperson is registered with it for the specific trade you need.

Citizens Advice suggests getting written quotes from at least 3 different traders before choosing one. It says a quote is a fixed price, while an estimate is a rough guess. Some traders charge for quotes, so it suggests asking about this first. Check that you and the trader have insurance, it says. Before you tell the trader you would like them to do the work, it advises getting a written contract before you tell the trader you would like them to do the work.

If the work is poor

Section 49 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says the trader must perform a service "with reasonable care and skill". Citizens Advice explains what you can ask for when a trader hasn't done the work well, and gives the words to use. It suggests gathering paperwork, taking photos and noting dates before you raise the problem.

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