While lying in a hotel room, I noticed rows of small wooden discs on the ceiling. At first, I thought they were part of an old chandelier or sound system, but I soon realized they’re a traditional repair for sagging plaster ceilings.
Before drywall, ceilings were made with lath and plaster. Thin wooden strips called lath were nailed to the frame, and plaster was applied wet. Over time, plaster dries and pulls away, causing sagging or falling pieces.
You can’t just screw the plaster back because it’s brittle. Instead, wooden discs are screwed through the plaster into the lath, spreading pressure and holding the plaster up without cracking it.
I used this fix years ago in my old home. After installing discs and painting, the ceiling stayed solid for years. It’s a simple, effective solution with a bit of charm.
If you see these discs in just one room, it might mean that area had worse damage or water leaks. They tell a story of the building’s past and care.
Some people leave the discs visible for a vintage look, others cover them. I prefer them visible—they show a practical, handmade repair.
So, those wooden discs aren’t decoration—they’re a clever, time-tested way to keep old plaster ceilings intact.
