Blueboard and Veneer Plaster Offer Old-Style Look

Schedule HelperVeneer plaster application is typically a one-day operation. Plastering immediately follows the joint treatment, and a second (if needed) plaster coat is applied over the first after a brief period. In remodeling, this convenience becomes apparent. There's no three-day disruption for the occupants of the home; and because there's no sanding, there is no irritating and messy dust.

A typical drywall job takes three or four days: One day to hang the boards and apply a first coat of joint compound, which then has to dry; a second day to sand the first coat and apply a second coat (which also has to dry); then a third day to sand again, and, for a quality job, an extra day for a third coat of joint compound.

Cost ConsiderationsConvenience and quality increase the cost of a veneer plaster installation. Veneer plaster, including blueboard and plaster, can run anywhere from 20 to 30 percent more than a drywall installation. In addition, choosing a one-coat or two-coat veneer system can affect the final cost, reflecting the greater skill needed to apply veneer plaster. In some regions, prices for veneer plaster are becoming more competitive with drywall, due to the savings of two days on the job schedule and the avoided cleanup costs