Rob Knight

Rob Knight is the business development manager at Variance Specialty Finishes/Parex. He brings over 35 years of experience in the commercial and residential markets with a wealth of stucco, EIFS and specialty finishing materials experience.

Renewed Relevance

Why Architects Are Falling Back in Love with Plaster

A centuries-old wall finish is emerging as one of construction's fastest-growing premium materials

Rob Knight

May 13, 2026

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Decorative plasters are moving into the mainstream, driven by luxury demand, sustainability, and global construction growth. For contractors, success hinges on mastering application techniques, material selection, and substrate prep as textured, high-performance finishes reshape expectations for modern wall systems.

Renewed Relevance

Resurfacing the Market: Interior Decorative Plaster Industry Performance in 2025

Decorative plaster finishes are rapidly gaining popularity for their aesthetic appeal, installation efficiency, and performance benefits across commercial and high-end residential projects.

Rob Knight

August 14, 2025

One Comment

Decorative plaster finishes are rapidly gaining popularity for their aesthetic appeal, installation efficiency, and performance benefits across commercial and high-end residential projects.

A commercial meeting area in mostly brown tones

The Pro’s Guide to Interior Plaster Finishes

Application techniques for Venetian, clay, gypsum, acrylic and Tadelakt plasters

Rob Knight

May 5, 2025

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Not all plasters are created equal—this guide explores material profiles, surface prep, and top tricks for flawless application.

Mica Plaster with Three Different Venetian Plasters in Design

Decorative Plasters Market Study

How prevalent are decorative plasters in the United States?

Rob Knight

August 13, 2024

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How prevalent are decorative plasters in the United States?

Decorative and Functional Plasters

Rob Knight

December 12, 2022

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Differences between plaster types.

Decorative Plaster and Faux Finishing: A Market Study

HOW THE EVOLUTION OF DECORATIVE PLASTER AND FAUX FINISHING HAS MADE THE FUTURE OF THESE TWO CRAFTS OPPORTUNITY FILLED.

Rob Knight

December 4, 2020

One Comment

Decorative plaster and faux finishing embody a tremendously wide range of products and application techniques for decorating wall and ceiling surfaces. Worldwide, these two crafts are gaining in popularity with impressive growth statistics.

Rob Knight Susan Foster-Goodman

November 1, 2013

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From B.C. to today, plaster’s natural, high performance characteristics render it still a wall cladding of choice.

Credits 1 AIA LU/HSW; 0.1 ICC CEU

This course will explore the pivotal role architects and lighting design play in creating safer, more sustainable spaces. Learn how to avoid common lighting mistakes and make informed decisions that create the best visual environment for occupants.

Rob Knight

ARTICLES

Why Architects Are Falling Back in Love with Plaster

Resurfacing the Market: Interior Decorative Plaster Industry Performance in 2025

The Pro’s Guide to Interior Plaster Finishes

Decorative Plasters Market Study

Decorative and Functional Plasters

Decorative Plaster and Faux Finishing: A Market Study

The Power of Plaster

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