What is the difference between veneer, skim coat and conventional plaster?
Skim-coat involves one to three coats. We usually do a minimum of two coats. The plaster goes on top of sheetrock or blueboard (sheetrock covered with special paper.) Read more about veneer plaster in Fine Home Building magazine. Conventional plaster goes over wood or wire lath. It is typically a three coat process. It may be used for curved surfaces, or for older institutional buildings. Some contractors use less expensive veneer single-coat plasters that go on quickly, but are more likely to crack or blister.