John Rouse wrote in message ...

By "double walls" do you mean a one-brick wall (i.e. nine inches thick)
or a cavity wall - unusual in a Victorian house.

Myth alert. There are lots of Victorians with cavity walls. Half inch
cavity was a popular standard. The cavity was to reduce dampness, not
for insulation, so half inch was all that was needed. There are lots
of solid wall Vics, but also many cavity wall ones too.

There is also ratbond brickwork, which was a 4" cavity type of wall
used in Vic times. The bricks were used on their sides to reduce brick
count, and in a specific pattern which gives a bridged 4" cavity
construction.


Learn to plaster. Its much easier with lime plaster than with gypsum as
you have several hours to push it around before it goes off. Put battens
on the wall, and level up to them with a straight edge, then skim the
following day with a finishing coat.

Ah, should beginners try lime rather than gypsum?


Regards, NT