Planning for patching 18x18 inch hole in a plaster and lath ceiling
Right now I am looking at two approaches for patching an 18x18 inch hole in our 2nd floor hallway ceiling.
* run a couple of 2x4s across the gap, then screw the hatch to the 2x4s. Then I can fill in the gap around the patch. I may need a mesh (metal lath), but the gap may be small enough to just take plaster or mud.
* buy replacement lath and nail across the gap, then add plaster. This would be like the hatch was never there. There are three coats of plaster, held to dry by plywood and a 2 x 4 tight with the floor. I really like this, if I would be successful mixing the plaster and setting up the lath strips.
What I have decided not to do (for now): put up dry wall, finish the edges and match the overall to the rest of the ceiling. There is really no reason to do that with the hatch material.
I have downloaded a National Parks Service article about repairing lath and plaster. There is also:
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/462-how-to-rebuild-a-wall-with-three-coat-plaster/
Plaster can come in a bucket (perhaps need to mix) for $15. There may be other approaches to mixing plaster or a different kind of plaster for the veneer.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/DAP-8-lb-Plaster-of-Paris/1002997942
The lath is also fairly cheap, around $13 for 6 feet. Use as a backing material for plaster, or in lattice and trellis work. Each strip is 1.5-in wide and .25 inches thick.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Severe-Weather-Common-1-4-in-x-1-1-2-in-x-6-ft-Actual-0-195-in-x-1-5-in-x-6-ft-10-Count-Western-Red-Cedar-Lath/50297297
* run a couple of 2x4s across the gap, then screw the hatch to the 2x4s. Then I can fill in the gap around the patch. I may need a mesh (metal lath), but the gap may be small enough to just take plaster or mud.
* buy replacement lath and nail across the gap, then add plaster. This would be like the hatch was never there. There are three coats of plaster, held to dry by plywood and a 2 x 4 tight with the floor. I really like this, if I would be successful mixing the plaster and setting up the lath strips.
What I have decided not to do (for now): put up dry wall, finish the edges and match the overall to the rest of the ceiling. There is really no reason to do that with the hatch material.
I have downloaded a National Parks Service article about repairing lath and plaster. There is also:
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/462-how-to-rebuild-a-wall-with-three-coat-plaster/
Plaster can come in a bucket (perhaps need to mix) for $15. There may be other approaches to mixing plaster or a different kind of plaster for the veneer.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/DAP-8-lb-Plaster-of-Paris/1002997942
The lath is also fairly cheap, around $13 for 6 feet. Use as a backing material for plaster, or in lattice and trellis work. Each strip is 1.5-in wide and .25 inches thick.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Severe-Weather-Common-1-4-in-x-1-1-2-in-x-6-ft-Actual-0-195-in-x-1-5-in-x-6-ft-10-Count-Western-Red-Cedar-Lath/50297297