When the staff at the German Heritage Museum in Cincinnati, OH, decided it was time to have the building’s plaster restored, they knew that they couldn’t just call upon any company to do such an important, historically accurate, not only plaster restoration  but the wood lathing as well. For this treasured building, fortunately, they didn’t have to look very far: Greg Colina, owner of Old World Plastering, a restoration and design company who specializes in this serving the Greater Cincinnati region, was more than up to the task of restoring the plaster work.

The German Heritage Museum wanted to remain true to its original architecture and materials. Therefore, it was necessary for Colina to use the older construction techniques such as wooden lath and horsehair plaster to restore, repair, and replace different parts of the building. This type of historic restoration work requires a gentle touch and the knowledge of the materials and techniques used back in that time period. Because it uses materials that are simply not as advanced in technology as those available today. The horsehair plaster in particular today would be a U.S.G. Wood Fiber Plaster and a lightweight basecoat  mixed into a technically advanced proportion that Colina has perfected in his 30 plus years of being in the business and is so strong and not near as prone to cracking. The wooden laths, which are slender strips of wood, are installed with a gap approximately 3/8" so that the plaster can be pushed through and fold over to create a "key",which contrary to some people's belief, is what actually holds the plaster to the walls and ceilings. You see, plaster doesn't actually stick to the wooden lath. It is held primarily by the keys created by the plasterer. 

Greg Colina warned owners of the museum that wooden lath IS the most unstable background a plasterer can plaster over for obvious warpage and other adverse effects of this background. However the museum's directors wanted to stay true to the historically sound preservation and decided to go with what was original. Colina is a purist at heart as well.

Colina and Old World Plastering had the experience that was necessary to allow the German Heritage Museum to continue preserving the culture and history of Germany for future visitors. For more information on how Old World Plastering can assist you with your historic preservation and statue restoration needs, call (513) 481-1122. Visit them online to see a gallery of pictures featuring Colina’s beautiful ornamental restoration work.