Plaster vs. Drywall: Why Plaster Is the Superior Choice in 2025
Key Takeaways
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Plaster is extremely durable. Unlike drywall, which may need to be replaced after a few years due to wear and tear, plaster has a much longer lifespan. Especially its density and strength which help resist dents, cracks, and eventual wear.
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9 Plaster is infinitely better than drywall at soundproofing. Its density dampens noise transmission, and the materialโs thermal mass keeps indoor temperatures even, contributing to lower energy bills.
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In comparison, drywall is inexpensive and easy to install. Itโs more susceptible to water damage and mold growth, and requires more regular repair than plaster.
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Both materials are radically different aesthetically. Plasterโs ability to create fine detail and character through custom moldings and shapes offers a classic sophistication, complication of plaster lath, while drywall can provide flatter planes for cleaner edges.
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Knowing the material makeup and the difficulty of installation of each material is key. Plaster is more demanding of skills and tools, while drywall is simpler to install and might even call for regular upkeep.
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Matching the material to the projectโs specific needs, such as durability, soundproofing, or budget considerations, ensures the best outcomes for residential or commercial spaces.
With its remarkable durability, design versatility, and classic beauty, plaster has continued to be the material of choice in 2025. In contrast to drywall, plaster provides a more durable and enduring result, reducing upkeep for years to come. Its heavy materials offer superior soundproofing, making it a preferable choice in areas where silence is key, like libraries and studios.
Plaster provides better fire resistance than drywall, providing an even greater margin of safety in homes and buildings. Its workability gives it the ability to produce ornate details and seamless surfaces that drywall simply canโt match. While drywall might seem convenient, plaster’s ability to regulate humidity and resist damage from daily wear proves itโs worth the investment.
If dimensional stability is a concern, plaster is a better choice in construction and renovation projects. It satisfies todayโs functional and aesthetic demands, whether in historic restorations or new residences.
What Is Plaster?
Renowned for its resilience and versatility, plaster is a traditional building material used to finish interior walls and ceilings. Usually, one makes it with gypsum or lime or cement and water. This combination creates a malleable paste that solidifies while drying. The end product is a heavy, rich surface that provides exceptional durability paired with eye-catching beauty.
Unlike drywall, plaster allows for a smooth, monolithic finish without any visible joints that would be created with drywall, allowing for smooth, or more decorative textured finishes. Plaster has always been an important historic building material and craft. Builders have trusted it for centuries to make beautiful walls and bas reliefs.
Until the early 20th century, plaster was the standard interior wall surface in North America, the default wall material of the vast majority of homes built before World War II. Even today, youโll still find it in legacy homes constructed before 1940. Its legacy is best seen today in the efforts to preserve and restore these historic buildings.
In addition, it produces very beautiful ornamental features such as moldings and cornices, showing its classic beauty. Plasterโs versatility might be its most impressive quality. It is highly versatile, easily adaptable to a range of applications, from protective coatings to artistic decorative finishes.
Its versatility to assume ornamental shapes, like delicate motifs or seamless arches, contributes to the uniqueness of every interior. This makes it a favorite of homeowners and designers alike who look for both function and beauty. Durability Plaster is incredibly heat resistant, able to handle temperatures up to 1200 โ. Its remarkable density of up to 90 percent solid makes it a durable and reliable option in todayโs contemporary interiors.
Material Composition of Plaster
How plaster is made plays a huge role in how it performs. Traditional plaster uses lime or gypsum, mixed with sand and water. Gypsum quickly became the go-to material since it was easy to work with and set fast. Conversely, lime offers pliability and a finer finish.
Since then, lightweight alternatives have come on the market, using materials such as perlite or vermiculite to make them easier to apply and lighter. These new mixtures take on traditional plasterโs strength and durability while offering increased workability. One of plasterโs biggest benefits is in its density.
When compared to other materials such as drywall, the more solid composition of plaster surfaces just naturally makes them more resistant to wear and tear. For example, plaster walls are more resistant to dents and scratches, making them a long-lasting option for busy corridors and hallways. The material is particularly adept at capturing complex patterns.
This unique property gives it strength in tension and compression, enabling it to be a preferred material for decorative and architectural applications.
Common Uses of Plaster
Plaster is a common building material in old homes and businesses. In residential buildings, it in turn coats all walls and ceilings, creating a beautiful, smooth, hard, and durable surface. Its capacity to achieve bespoke textures or finishes is another point that brings an aspect of individuality to interiors.
In commercial buildings, plaster is appreciated for its fire resistance and soundproofing qualities, providing safety along with comfort. A third, very important use of plaster is for ornamental work. Elaborate moldings, cornices, and ceiling medallions made of plaster bring an unrivaled sophistication and ornamentation to rooms.
This quality alone is what makes it a go-to material choice for architects and designers looking to add classic details to their new projects. The importance of plaster to the care and restoration of historic buildings can hardly be overstated. Most importantly, its compatibility with traditional methods and materials ensures authenticity, preserving the irreplaceable unique character of our heritage structures for future generations.
Benefits of Plaster in Modern Homes
Here are some of the benefits of going with plaster for new homes. Its dense and hard surface offers a strong, long-lasting finish that can endure for decades underfoot with little to no maintenance. Unlike drywall, which can be very fragile, plasterโs strong makeup protects it from day-to-day abuse.
Its durability just might make it the smartest long-term investment. While the upfront installation is more expensive ($2 โ $10/sf) in the long run, youโll be saving dollars. In addition to its aesthetic qualities, plaster helps create a cleaner indoor environment.
It is a natural humidity control by absorbing moisture and releasing it, protecting the structure from problems caused by excess humidity such as mold growth. It drastically improves indoor air quality by reducing dust and allergens. This quality in turn makes it an ideal option for those with respiratory issues.
Plaster is a remarkable material with excellent fire resistance and the ability to withstand very high temperatures. These attributes combine to make it a superior material for creating healthy, enjoyable environments.
What Is Drywall?
Drywall, or sheetrock, is one of the most ubiquitous building materials installed in the interior of residential and commercial buildings. Itโs made of a gypsum plaster core, sandwiched between two sheets of thick, heavy paper. This structure keeps drywall panels lightweight and fairly easy to cut, enabling you to customize panels to fit around doorways, windows, and electrical outlets.
The substance gained widespread acceptance in American building during the 1950s. Its affordability and efficiency soon made it the worldโs default wall material, replacing more labor-intensive approaches such as plaster.
The construction process includes sandwiching a core of gypsum plaster between two sheets of paper and then drying it into stiff sheets. Its cost-effectiveness, at approximately $1 to $3 per square foot, makes it a go-to choice for residential and commercial projects.
Drywall is especially popular in new builds, budget-tier renovations, as well as DIY-focused repairs where some damage is guaranteed. Labor costs, frequently 35 to 60 percent of project cost, add to its attractiveness for widespread adoption.
How To Identify Plaster and Drywall
Methods to Differentiate Plaster and Drywall
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Plaster usually has a smoother surface with a dense, solid feel. It can include decorative features such as swirls or lace patterns.
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Drywall is typically flatter and has a very smooth, even surface, which is usually painted or wallpapered.
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When you knock on plaster, it feels dense and solid. Drywall, in contrast, frequently rings hollow because of its lightweight gypsum core.
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An ordinary pushpin has a tough time getting through plaster, which is thick and dense. On drywall, a pushpin can be pushed right in โ a sign of newer construction.
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Plaster tends to develop fine, spiderweb-like cracks, while drywall shows straight-line cracks or dents.
Knowing what your walls are made of will help you determine which renovations will best meet the needs of your structure. Keeping plaster walls in old homes keeps their original character intact. Drywall brings convenience into the picture.
Check the Age of Your Home
The age of your home can still give you some handy hints to help you figure out what wall youโre dealing with. As we mentioned above, the majority of homes built before 1940 employed lath-and-plaster construction, an old world technique where wet plaster was applied to wooden strips.
This technique, though labor-intensive, produced solid, long-lasting walls. From 1950 to 1969, plaster and drywall were both frequently used by builders. They started transitioning to drywall because it was more convenient to use.
By 1970, drywall was the expected industry standard for its lower cost and speed of installation. As another example, if you currently own a home built before 1940, chances are your walls are plaster. A house built after 1970 very likely has drywall.
Knowing the differences will better inform your decision about whether to restore or replace walls during renovations. If maintaining historical accuracy is your aim, this tidbit of knowledge is priceless.
Look for Cracks or Paint Flaking
Looking at any exposed damage can help you determine if youโre dealing with plaster or drywall. As plaster walls are very solid, they usually crack in hairline fractures that branch out in irregular patterns.
These cracks are particularly prevalent in older homes where the plaster has had the opportunity to age or settle over the years. Flaking paint on plaster may produce a similar textured, uneven surface.
Drywall exhibits damage in a different manner. Straight-line cracks typically form along seams, and dents or holes are more likely given its softer gypsum core.
These differences are significant when planning repairs. Repairing plaster cracks requires a different approach, calling for the use of a specialized patching compound. Alternatively, damaged drywall can be easily removed and replaced with new panels.
Perform the Pushpin Test
The pushpin test is the easiest method for identifying wall material. Find a regular pushpin and poke it into your wall. If it pushes back and seems sturdy, you most probably have plaster.
This resistance is due to the thick, hard layers of plaster and the lath behind it. If your pushpin slides right in, particularly if you live in a more recent apartment or house, it’s likely drywall.
This test is particularly important to have when making plans for renovations. For instance, plaster walls involve highly skilled labor and specialized materials in their repair, while drywall is more cut and dry to work on and cost-effective.
Identifying the type of wall will help you determine the cost and plan to avoid delays. Drywall installation costs run around $1โ$3 per square foot, with labor estimated at 35โ60% of the total.
Key Differences Between Plaster and Drywall
1. Cost Comparison of Materials
| Feature | Plaster | Drywall |
|---|---|---|
| Installation Cost | $2 to $10 per square foot | $1 to $3 per square foot |
| Labor Percentage | Higher due to skilled labor | 35-60% of total cost |
| Maintenance Cost | Higher due to repair difficulty | Lower, easier repairs |
Plaster installation is more expensive upfront, at $2 to $10 per square foot, versus drywallโs $1 to $3. Plaster labor is more expensive, as it often requires skilled artisans.
Drywall labor is typically 35%-60% of a projectโs total cost. Unlike plaster, drywall is an affordable option for homeowners and builders. Its low upkeep and repair process is far more cost-efficient, particularly for those who intend to make updates or repairs regularly.
2. Durability and Longevity Insights
Plaster walls are definitely harder and more durable, especially upscale versions. Drywall, although a less expensive choice, will be more susceptible to denting and scratching.
Furthermore, in high-traffic places such as hallways, plasterโs durability means less repair and maintenance is required, saving money in the long run. For homes built to last, plaster provides a compelling benefit.
3. Installation Time and Complexity
Drywall is the faster choice, typically installed in a matter of days, whereas plaster can take weeks to allow the drying time of its multi-layer application process.
While drywall can be installed by anyone with rudimentary skills, plaster requires mastery, and as such, it can create a bottleneck for projects still looking to find that skilled labor. This can make drywall the better option for projects where time is of the essence.
4. Soundproofing Effectiveness
Additionally, the high density of plaster makes it better at soundproofing than drywall. This makes plaster super valuable in places such as home studios or multi-family homes where noise reduction is key.
Drywall, while lighter in weight, does not perform as well as plaster when it comes to sound dampening.
5. Thermal Insulation and Energy Efficiency
Plasterโs thickness provides greater thermal mass, which helps keep homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This unique characteristic has the potential to improve energy efficiency and lower heating or cooling costs.
Though drywall provides less insulation, it is still a useful choice for the cost-conscious homeowner.
6. Maintenance and Repair Needs
Plaster is more difficult to patch up, usually needing a proโs assistance. Drywall, by comparison, makes it easy to patch with just tape and mud.
For the homeowners who put a premium on low-maintenance, drywall makes a lot of sense.
7. Fire Resistance Features
Since plaster is naturally fire-resistant because of its materials, it provides additional protection. While drywall does provide some fire resistance, it canโt compare to plaster in more extreme conditions.
For homes that prioritize safety, plaster is the clear winner.
8. Aesthetic Appeal and Finishing Quality
Plasterโs versatility allows for the creation of elaborate designs and rich textured finishes, infusing interiors with beauty and a distinct character.
Though drywall is a truly functional material, it canโt do much more than smooth, simple finishes. If you want a highly stylized, tailored look, plasterโs a great way to go.
9. Ability to Hang Heavy Dรฉcor
Plaster walls are incredibly durable and can hold some weight with the right anchor. Drywall is less durable than plaster, so you might need extra reinforcements if you hang heavier dรฉcor.
Homeowners should consider these pros and cons according to their design preferences.
Why Choose Plaster Over Drywall?
Superior Durability and Strength
One of the main features that makes plaster walls unique is their incredible durability, making them immune to dents and other common damages that drywall faces. This resistance comes from plasterโs densityโthis allows for a harder, more rigid surface.
In high-traffic areas such as hallways or family rooms, plaster offers great durability. It does a great job of preventing the dings and dents that usually wreck drywall.
Perhaps most importantly, its superior strength makes it an outstanding choice for heavy, durable, sound foundations. This makes it a perfect choice for high-end residential homes and historic restorations.
Its plasterโs overall ability to maintain its integrity over years and decades makes it so alluring, particularly in settings where long-term performance is essential.
Enhanced Soundproofing Capabilities
Plaster is a master at soundproofing, cutting down noise transfer from room to room dramatically. Its dense composition makes it a much more sound absorbing option.
This makes plaster perfect for bedrooms, home offices, or entertainment rooms where quiet is a priority. For those who need even stronger soundproofing, using plaster in conjunction with insulation materials enhances its acoustic advantages, creating a serene indoor space.
Better Energy Efficiency for Homes
Plaster helps energy savings by providing a stable indoor climate. Its thermal mass helps to stabilize temperature, making rooms cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
This efficiency leads to lower heating and cooling costs long-term, making plaster walls a smart investment. Homeowners will see lower energy bills, and theyโll be living with a material that promotes sustainable living.
Long-Lasting and Low Maintenance
One of plasterโs most appealing traits may be its longevity. Once plaster is applied and painted, it creates a dense surface that can endure for generations with basic maintenance.
Plaster walls need less upkeep than drywall. Plaster walls are solid and more durable by nature.
This lower maintenance requirement more than offsets their higher upfront cost. This durability results in long-term savings and less aggravation for homeowners.
Timeless Aesthetic Appeal
From a design perspective, plasterโs silky smooth finish looks and feels stunning, providing the perfect backdrop for any interior design. Its flexibility makes it conducive to all sorts of textures and styles, whether thatโs a sleek and smooth finish, or ornate, sculpted design.
This adaptability makes plaster an excellent choice for creating a unique and timeless aesthetic, particularly in high-end or historic properties. The effect is an elegant appearance that drywall simply cannot compete with.
When to Use Plaster or Drywall
Both plaster and drywall have distinct advantages, and which one wins out ultimately comes down to creating the right environment for your projectโs specific needs. Knowing the benefits of each and where they work best will provide the perfect outcome for your home.
Best Scenarios for Using Plaster
Plaster excels in unique environments where long lasting materials and customized artistry are needed. For any kind of historic renovation, plaster canโt be beat.
In homes built prior to the 1940s, youโre likely to find plaster walls, and going that route will maintain architectural integrity. While many high-end residential projects now use plaster for this reason, the material provides an elegant touch through its smooth, seamless surface.
Its impenetrable composition further renders it superb for soundproofing, perfect for home theaters or music studios. Plaster is better for more custom designs, such as curved walls or detailed textures, offering the most flexibility for complex work.
Ideal Applications for Drywall
Thereโs no doubt that drywall is more practical for the vast majority of todayโs residential projects. It was popular in homes built after 1950 for its cost effectiveness at $1 to $3 per square foot.
Itโs ideal for cost-sensitive makeovers and do-it-yourself installations, providing easy renovation with simple installation using items such as screw anchors. New construction often favors drywall and areas that are at risk of receiving incidental damage are good candidates, since drywall repairs are easy and fast.
Installation Process Comparison
When comparing plaster and drywall, their installation processes show clear contrasts in preparation, application, and finishing. Hereโs a clear breakdown of each process:
| Process | Plaster Installation | Drywall Installation |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Requires wooden or metal lath as a base. | Involves measuring and cutting panels to fit wall dimensions. |
| Application | Multiple coats (base, brown, and finish) applied by hand using trowels. | Panels are screwed or nailed to studs, then seams are taped. |
| Finishing | Smooth, polished surface achieved after drying each coat (3-5 days per coat). | Seams are sanded and painted after joint compound dries. |
Steps for Installing Plaster Walls
Plaster installation starts with attaching lath to the underlying wall structure, giving the plaster a mechanical surface to grip.
The initial base coat is known as the scratch coat and is troweled on and scratched to provide a bonding surface for the next layer.
A brown coat is next for leveling, and a final thin coat goes over the entire installation for a smooth finish.
Tools such as hawks, trowels, and floats are necessary. To get a smooth, professional looking result, even layering and proper drying time between steps is key.
Adding background coats and the drying time for each layer can add up to days per layer, resulting in a highly involved process.
Steps for Installing Drywall Panels
Installation ProcessStep-by-step, drywall installation begins with measuring and cutting sheets to size, leaving little room for error.
Panels are fastened to the studs with screws or nails.
After the panels are placed, seams are taped and joint compound applied in a succession of very thin layers.
Sanding between layers will help produce the smoothest surface.
Implementation Process
Comparison tools such as drywall saws, screw guns, mud pans, etc. Are essential.
When executed by an experienced team, projects can be done in only 2-3 days, providing a minimally disruptive, fast-acting alternative to plaster.
Tools and Skills Needed for Each
Plaster Installation Tools:
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Trowels and hawks
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Wooden or metal lath
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Buckets for mixing plaster
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Floats for smooth finishing
Drywall Installation Tools:
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Drywall saws
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Screwdrivers or power drills
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Tape and joint compound
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Sanding tools
Plastering is a high line craft that takes years of training to control coat thickness and finish, thus making it necessary for professionals.
Drywall is better for the DIYer because itโs much easier to install and has less of a technical requirement.
Caring for Plaster and Drywall Surfaces
Tips for Maintaining Plaster Walls
Though beautiful and durable, plaster walls need extra care and vigilance to keep them healthy. Keep an eye on your walls and address minor cracks or chips before they develop into serious repair jobs.
Applying a plaster filler for small cracks and then sanding the area to ensure smoothness will stop any damage in its tracks. For more extensive restorations, applying a patching plaster or enlisting a professional will provide a long-term solution.
Routine care also means regularly wiping down the surface with a damp cloth or sponge to remove dust. Never use abrasive cleaners, which will destroy the finish. Its dense structure makes plaster extremely resistant to wear and tear.
If you want to maintain its sound-dampening abilities and ability to withstand heat up to 1200 โ for long periods of time, proactive inspections are a must.
Methods for Repairing Drywall Damage
Drywall is much thinner and therefore easier to manage than plaster, making repairs much easier to navigate. For small holes, a basic patching procedure consists of putting on joint compound, leveling it out, and then sanding once it dries.
Larger holes will require a drywall patch. Attach it using adhesive or screws, and then tape and compound it in place. A few tools such as a putty knife, sandpaper, and a utility knife are needed for drywall repairs.
If proper patching techniques are used, they can easily blend back into the existing surface. Though drywall typically doesnโt crack, dents or scratches are frequent and easily treated with these techniques.
Cleaning and Common Issues
As with all historic surfaces, plaster and drywall are best maintained through gentle cleaning methods. For surface dirt, clean with a soft cloth or sponge using warm water and a gentle soap.
Donโt soak drywall, as too much moisture can damage it. Plasterโs original qualities, its hard and dense nature, make it more impervious to water damage. Donโt let that make you let your guard down.
Plaster is hardy but still can develop hairline cracks with age, and drywall easily dents when struck by heavy objects. Frequent cleaning and prompt treatment of damages help prevent further wear and ruin for plaster and drywall alike.
Summary of Pros and Cons
| Feature | Plaster | Drywall |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Long-lasting, more durable with 7/8-inch thickness | Less durable, thinner with 1/2-inch thickness |
| Installation | Labor-intensive, takes weeks to install and dry | Quick and simple, completed in a few days |
| Cost | Expensive, around $500 per 100 sq. ft. | Affordable, lower material and labor costs |
| Aesthetic | Smooth, customizable, excellent painting medium | Smooth but less customizable |
| Waterproofing | Possible with specialized types like Tadelakt | Requires additional treatments for waterproofing |
| Insulation | Limited thermal and sound insulation | Better insulation options |
| Cracking | Susceptible to cracking, especially in corners | Less prone to cracking |
Advantages and Disadvantages of Plaster
Plaster is highly respected for its durability and high-end finish. Its thicknessโalmost two times the thickness of drywallโmakes it a durable option for high-impact spaces.
Those interested in more waterproof varieties can check out Tadelakt plaster, a Moroccan, lime-based, waterproof plaster thatโs perfect for bathrooms or kitchens. Plasterโs smooth surface makes a great painting medium, perfect for the deep colors and textures of his work.
To get this aesthetic usually takes several coats, making it both more time intensive and labor intensive. The installation process is a big investment, averaging $500 per 100 square feet because of its complicated nature.
This lengthy process can take up to several weeks, rendering it impractical for short-term renovations. Crackingโparticularly at cornersโis a concern, as shown below, requiring advanced techniques to avoid problems such as โcold joints.
For homeowners looking for long-lasting, highly customizable surfaces, plaster is still the best option for the jobโeven with its higher build costs and labor-intensive installation.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Drywall
Because of its low cost and quick installation, drywall has become a standard in construction. Its lightweight panels can be quickly installed in a matter of days, cutting the labor time and cost considerably when compared to plaster.
Drywall offers superior thermal and sound insulating benefits as well, making it the perfect material for energy-efficient homes. Though its thinner form, usually only 1/2 inch thick, might make it less stable than plaster, itโs a functional option for todayโs building requirements.
In practice, drywall canโt provide the same craftsmanship or custom design that plaster can. Waterproofing requires additional procedures to work properly. Failure to seal the material could lead to the material failing in climates with significant moisture.
Drywall provides the best value overall and turnaround time. Thatโs why itโs such a popular option among value-focused homeowners and mega construction projects alike.
Conclusion
These features of plaster provide durability, a classic and elegant aesthetic, and superior soundproofing that makes it a clear drywall alternative. Its remarkable resistance to wear and tear make it a natural fit for a home that prides itself on quality that stands the test of time. It produces beautiful, smooth, fluid walls that give character, beauty, and charm to any environment. Drywall goes up fast and is cheaper in the short term. When you look at the totality of the situation, plasterโs benefits usually outweigh the greater upfront expense.
For spaces where durability and aesthetics, or acoustic qualities, are required, plaster offers an excellent solution. Whether youโre restoring an older home or just want to achieve a smooth, polished finish, itโs hard to beat plaster for beautiful, functional walls and ceilings. Dive into your requirements and choose the option that meets them most effectively. Plaster might just be the upgrade your home deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between plaster and drywall?
Plaster is a beautiful, long-lasting, hand-troweled material, made with cement or lime. In comparison, drywall is a system of pre-fabricated gypsum boards that are fastened to wood or metal framing. While plaster provides a more beautifully smooth, more solid-feeling finish, drywall is quicker and less expensive to put up.
Is plaster stronger than drywall?
Of course, plaster is way more sturdy and long-lasting than drywall. It stands up to dents, cracks, and sound better, making it perfect where durable, exquisite finishes are sought after.
Why is plaster better than drywall in older homes?
Plaster provides the aesthetic and structural integrity expected of period homes. It creates a better, more honest, continuous look without losing the historic character.
Is plaster more energy-efficient than drywall?
Yes, plaster truly does insulate better. It helps retain heat in the winter and keeps interiors cooler in the summer, making it more energy-efficient than drywall.
How can I tell if my walls are plaster or drywall?
Knock on the wall. Plaster sounds like a rock, drywall sounds like a drum. Plaster is more common in older homes, whereas newer homes often feature drywall.
Is plaster harder to install than drywall?
Unlike drywall, which is much faster and easier to install, plaster is more expensive, as it requires skilled labor and more time to apply. Plaster provides durability and a better-quality surface.
What maintenance does plaster need compared to drywall?
With its durability, plaster needs less maintenance. It stands up to damage better than drywall, which typically requires significant patchwork as it ages. Consistent maintenance and infrequent repairs go a long way in maintaining an always-new appearance, no matter what the material.
