Manhattan Construction Finishing Work NYC

Skim Coating Introduction Extensive plaster reconstruction is common in many older buildings. The underlying coat is often 40-75 years old . Often because an original plaster mix had a large percentage of sand and less gypsum there can be a large amount of crumbling.    This crumbling plaster must be removed.    Surface binder products are applied to fill the voids.    White coats of gauging plaster will bring the level to it’s final plane.    Cracks in any plaster surface must be dug out and repaired under the surface.Basics    Skim coating is the method used to make the walls and ceiling flat, level and plumb.    Apartments are never completely squared with walls flat or level and corners are not 90% angles.    Sometimes close but never acceptable for a High-End renovation.    Contractors select a point where a straight line will fall at the base board and the crown molding.    Contractors work off the high points of the walls and low points of the ceilings.    Often contractors use the molding lines as a gauge to where the wall and ceiling level should be.    By skim coating or gauge plastering contractors can bring walls, ceilings and corners close to level and smooth.    Contractors usually Install new corners on all the beams and columns to the molding level.    Use a contractor that does exceptional plaster work including repairing, leveling and skim coating.Woodwork, Trim, Moldings, Doors    Wood changes in temperature and humidity.   Contractors use various methods to minimize the movement and prevent cracking.   Painted moldings and other painted wood items are sealed and primed.    Materials such as wood and plaster have a flexible joint between them. This helps with deter the affects of humidification.A Few Ceramics and Tiles Point    Common types of stone used in construction are travertine, limestone, sandstone, granite, marble, and slate.    Property owners and their designers should check the slab material selected. There is a huge range of ceramic tile choices.    When installing tiles and ceramics the setting bed is very important.Wood Flooring    In pre-war buildings, the floor material is over a sub-floor which is over a cinder filled space.    Post-war buildings usually have a concrete slab under the wood floor.    Most buildings have some type of tongue and groove wood flooring. Either herringbone or long strip installation.    Floor material moves with humidity so board lengths are usually less than 20″ long.    Sometimes sanding and refinishing are enough.    There is color differences between boards depending on the age of the wood and the grain pattern.    If the floor is in very good condition it can be lightly sanded and a new coat of finish applied.    If the floor condition is poor the wood will be sanded and then stained.    If the floor color is to be changed the wood will be sanded and then stained.A few Exterior points    Many luxury buildings come under the authority of the New York City Landmarks Commission.    Exteriors are protected and regulated.    Window replacement requires buildings to have nearly the exact dimensions and characteristics.    Courtyards or windows on unprotected sides of the building may have some leeway in configuration.