Plaster and Lathe: A Classic Pittsburgh Ceiling

When Shelby looked up at the ceilings in her North Versailles home, she saw more than just cracks and loose sections. She saw plaster and lathe that had been failing for years, getting worse with each season. The front bedrooms and living room all had damage that couldn’t be patched anymore—the old plaster needed to go.

The challenge wasn’t just removing the failing plaster. It was doing it carefully in a home with new hardwood floors, shimming everything perfectly so the existing trim would still line up, and maintaining ceiling height throughout the conversion.

The Project: Our team removed all the old plaster and lathe from two bedrooms and patched the living room wall near the fireplace. We installed new drywall throughout, carefully shimming it to align with the original trim work so nothing looked off. The entire process was done with floor protection, negative pressure containment, and air scrubbers to keep dust under control. Every surface was finished to a smooth, paint-ready finish, and the new hardwood floors stayed pristine throughout the demolition and installation.

The Loft Difference: The meticulous care paid off. “It went great—there was nothing that could have been done different,” Shelby shared. “It was smooth from beginning to end. It’s such a big change—a great one!”

The Result: Two bedrooms and a living room with fresh, solid drywall ceilings and walls that will last for decades. No more worrying about failing plaster, no lost ceiling height, and trim that lines up perfectly. The transformation turned damaged, aging rooms into clean, modern spaces ready for a fresh coat of paint.

At Loft Drywall & Plaster, we specialize in plaster-to-drywall conversions that respect your home’s existing features. From protecting new floors to preserving trim alignment, we handle the details that make the difference.