Drywall vs. Plaster: Choose the Right Material for Your Project!
Are you starting a construction project for a new house? Or, are you remodeling your entire home? Whatever your project is, you must have quality wall coverings. For that reason, we’ll talk about drywall vs. plaster in this blog!
Choosing the right building material for your wall coverings may not seem like an important detail for you. But, it’s the complete opposite. This is a crucial detail because it will affect your budget and time frame of the project.
Also, it will determine how your walls will look. So, make sure to read carefully to know if you should choose drywall or plaster to cover your walls and ceilings!
Which One is Better? Drywall or Plaster?
Before we discuss the differences between each building material, we must talk about what each of them is.
Firstly, drywall is a material made of gypsum. It is mixed with water and then it is pressed flat between two sheets of paper. After it is dried, it is cut in large panels of about 4 x 8 feet.
Plastering is a much different process. It involves nailing lengths of wood or metal, called lath, to the wall studs. After that, several coats of plaster are applied.
You will likely find plaster work on homes from before World War II. Nowadays, it’s more common to use drywall.
When it comes to drywall vs. plaster, there are some things to keep in mind. Drywall is easier to install and repair than plaster, and it is better at insulation. Plaster, however, provides a higher-end finish and is better at soundproofing.
Keep reading to learn more differences about each one and to choose the right one for your project!
Which One is Easier to Install?
If you’re looking to cover your walls by yourself, then we definitely don’t recommend plaster. This is because plaster is a more labor-intensive job. It requires proper skills and knowledge to complete the job. Drywall, on the other hand, is a much easier task to complete on your own.
For plaster installation, you would have to hire a skilled plasterer. This is because it is a high-maintenance material and involves more steps to complete. In other words, it is not a DIY project. While standard drywall is easier to install, we would still recommend getting help from a professional.
Traditional plaster, or wet plaster, is a high maintenance material because its various layers create a durable finish. These layers provide a sound barrier and airtightness that don’t compare to anything that drywall offers.
So, in the end, plaster is a more labor-intensive job because of the skills and steps required. It’s up to you if you want to hand drywall on your own or hire someone to add coats of plaster to your interior walls.
Do You Want Better Insulation?
One of the reasons why homeowners prefer drywall instead of plaster is because of insulation. Having an insulated home means that your house is slightly more energy-efficient. As a result, you end up paying less for energy bills.
If you want to insulate your home, then you would have to hang drywall. The advantage that drywall has is that you can install insulation behind it. With lath and plaster, this is much difficult to do.
It is possible to have some sort of insulation with a plaster wall, but it will be much more challenging to do. If doing plaster work is labor-intensive, then adding insulation is even worse. For that reason, we recommend standard drywall if you want insulation.
Since drywall is easier to install than lath and plaster, the process of installing the insulation layers behind it is easier as well. If you have original plaster walls, then you can also retrofit them with insulation.
This is a process some homeowners opt for if they want insulation but have plaster walls. But, we should advise you that it is still a difficult job to do. Also, the results will not be as good as if you had insulation with drywall.
Even though wet plaster is not a great choice for insulation, it is better for soundproofing your interior walls. Since plaster is harder and denser, it creates a sound barrier. So, it’s your decision if you want insulated walls and ceilings or soundproofed interior plaster.
Does Plaster Look Better than Drywall?
Do you want a more high-end look for your walls? Then you would have to plaster them! With plaster, you can achieve many wall finishes. So, it would be easier for you to achieve the vision that you have for your living space.
When you hire a skilled plasterer, you can tell them that you want a stucco appearance or a smoother finish. This is because plaster is more versatile than drywall. If you have drywall in your house and want to give it an upgrade, then you can plaster your walls.
Can You Do DIY Repairs?
We mentioned before that installing drywall is easier than plaster. This also means that repair projects are easier. In other words, you can DIY your drywall repairs! With just the right tools, you can make your wall look as if nothing happened.
You may be thinking that repairing a small plaster problem cannot be that difficult. But, we still recommend you hire a professional to do the job.
You can encounter plumbing or electrical problems that only an expert should handle. So, no matter what kind of repair your plaster needs, it is better that you leave it in the hands of professionals.
Now that you’ve read through our drywall vs. plaster blog, you’re ready to decide which wall covering is best for your project. As we’ve been mentioning above, it all depends on what your needs are. Also, you should consider the look that you want for your walls.
Whichever wall covering you choose, just make sure that you have the assistance of a professional. They can give you their opinion on which material is better for you. After that, you’re ready to start your project and cover your walls!