Plastering around windows

[Squire]

I am renovating a Victorian Brick cottage, just wanted to know if anyone has any tips on placing plasterboard on a wall with an existing double hung window.

Do I measure and cut out the section of plaster to fit the existing window frame. The brick wall dimensions are 3.65m(length) x 3.31m(height) and the window frame is 2.01m(h) x 1.79m(w) and is raised 69cm off the ground. Location of window is pretty much in the centre of the wall of the first bedroom.

I would also like advice from people that may have come come across another situation where the brickwork morter is a lime and sand mixture and is not holding onto bricks that well. Im affraid that if I try to check-in wiring, that I might push a brick out into the other room as one did become dislodged when I removed the old render that was falling apart. Should I check in the wiring or should I have a channel in the plastering and then stop over the top of the wiring?

[rod@plasterbrok]

First thing Squire don't stop over the wiring. It will be prone to cracking and getting the joint to look good will be difficult.

I would use 1350 wide sheets. The first sheets cut to .675 on the bottom just check in around the window. The next sheet 1350 wide up to the window and the top sheet check in around the window.

If you are sticking plaster onto bricks you can stick blocks of plaster on first to level the wall and create a 15mm cavity for wiring etc.

Have a look at this web page http://www.how2plaster.com/stickonplaster.html

If you tiried fixing battens you may loosen the bricks with a hammer drill.

Cheers.

[rmartens]

Check in wiring?
I don't understand that terminoligy. Does that mean run a conduit for the electrical wire into the wall?
Can you chase the walls with a grinder? like a trench? You can have these small wet cut grinders cut a chanel into the wall without disturbing it too much. an angle grinder with a diamond blade is a lot more dusty but if you had a vacuum attached it will reduce the dust by about 70%. Normaly on old houses the render is stronger than the mortar in the brickwork and sometimes some brick become loose and push the other side in another room.

[Squire]

Checking in the wiring is just what you thought, I was assuming that the angle grinder might be the best bet just looking for advice as to whether anyone has done this before so I can get stuck into it over the weekend and prepare the house for plastering within a fortnight.

I've never done any renovation work before, so interested to know the ins and outs before undertaking the work. I hope the planning will make things go smoother.

Thanks Rod & rmartens for all your help, big assets to this site!