Internal linings: modifications

One of the challenges of villa renovation is to incorporate plasterboard linings without removing the interior skirtings and architraves.

Common modifications

Wall linings

Original match lining and scrim has often been lined over or removed and replaced by plasterboard linings. However, even today, a few villas still have scrim and paper linings.

The most common lining renovation was to reline with plasterboard over match lining – the walls were not usually insulated in the process. 

The depth of architrave edges allowed new linings to butt up to architraves while still allowing a ⅖–⅗” (10–15 mm) quirk (Figure 1(a)).

Where match lining (including architraves and skirtings) was removed, a ⅖” (9 mm) timber fillet would be fitted to door and window jambs to allow for lining thickness (Figure 1(b)).

Plasterboard linings were often fixed horizontally to allow the tapered edge to meet the thinner edge of the skirting (Figure 1(c)) or a small timber bead could be fitted to allow sheet lining to finish against a bead (Figure 1(d)).

Linings applied over scrim could also be hardboard, particularly in service areas, or softboard

TG&V timber linings were often overlaid with hardboard with half round trim to joins.

Bathrooms could be plasterboard lined or lined with laminate finished hardboard.

Ceilings

Many original timber ceilings remain, and in a number of cases, they have been hidden by a new lower-framed ceiling lined with softboard (sheet or tiles), fibrous plaster or plasterboard.

The original ceiling roses installed to provide ventilation for gas lamps have often been removed, although replicas are available.

Service areas

In service areas, TG&V boarding was often lined over with hardboard (which became available in the 1930s) with half-round cover battens to joints and tempered to bath and laundry areas.

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Incorporating hard lining during renovation

One of the difficulties with villa renovation is incorporating hard lining without having to remove interior skirtings and architraves. Figure 1 gives some options.

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Non imperial dimensions

Skirtings, architraves and other mouldings are not made in imperial dimensions, making it difficult to get an exact match for original mouldings. There are several ways to deal with this. Read More.