Plaster has been a preferred wall finish for centuries before drywall became the norm. Even today, many older homes feature plaster walls due to their durability and distinctive appearance. Although drywall is more common now, plaster is still unique in the renovation and building industries. It’s essential to understand the benefits and drawbacks of using plaster, especially when considering its application in new or restored homes.
A skilled plasterer typically applies plaster using tools like a hawk and trowel. Historically, plaster was applied in three coats: the scratch coat, brown coat, and finish coat.
When done properly, these layers create a solid and durable surface. Traditionally, plaster was applied over wood lath nailed to studs, but modern techniques often use metal or hard backing boards.
Now, let’s analyse the advantages and disadvantages of using plaster as a wall finish.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Plaster is a durable and versatile wall finish. It was commonly used before drywall became standard. Its benefits include solid, thicker walls, ease of cleaning, aesthetic appeal, and fire/sound resistance.
Plaster is great for custom homes and architectural details but can be expensive, hard to install, difficult to repair, and challenging to paint due to its porous nature. While plaster offers timeless elegance and strength, it requires skilled application and can be costly compared to drywall. Different types, like cement, gypsum, and water-resistant plaster, suit various applications, from interiors to high-heat areas.
Advantages Of Using Plaster
1. Plaster Creates Solid, Durable Walls
One of the plaster’s standout benefits is its durability. Applying it correctly results in a solid, thick surface that can withstand wear and tear over time. Because plaster bonds strongly to its substrate, it’s less prone to dings and dents than drywall. Additionally, plaster’s dense nature can benefit soundproofing if applied in sufficient thickness.
2. Easy To Clean And Maintain
Plaster walls are known for their low maintenance. Thanks to their solid and smooth surface, plaster walls are easy to clean without causing damage. This is a significant advantage for areas of the home that may see frequent use or mess, such as kitchens or entryways.
3. Aesthetic Appeal
Plaster is an excellent choice to create a more refined or historical look in your home. Plaster has been used for centuries and can add a touch of elegance to any space. Whether restoring an older home or trying to capture a vintage feel, plaster can provide a unique, textured finish that’s difficult to replicate with drywall.
4. Fire And Sound Resistance
Plaster’s density provides durability and some degree of fire resistance. In historic homes, lime plaster—when properly carbonated—acts as a barrier that slows the spread of fire compared to modern materials like drywall. Additionally, the layers of plaster and the spaces between the wall substrates can help absorb sound, making plaster walls quieter than their drywall counterparts.
5. Versatility In Design
Plaster is highly versatile and can be used for various architectural elements, such as cornices, ceiling domes, and decorative mouldings. It can be moulded into nearly any shape, making it a popular choice for those looking to add unique decorative features to their home.
Disadvantages Of Using Plaster
1. Difficult To Paint
One of the most significant challenges of plaster walls is their porous surface, making painting time-consuming. It may take more than two coats of paint to achieve the desired finish, especially if you paint over an older plaster surface. The material’s porous nature means that paint may absorb unevenly, requiring extra care during application.
2. Installation Requires Skill
Installing plaster is a highly specialised skill that takes years to master. While most contractors can install drywall, plaster requires a professional plasterer who understands how to apply the material in layers properly. Plaster installation can be slower and more expensive than drywall installation. Additionally, plaster needs a suitable substrate, such as wood or metal lath, which adds to the complexity of installation.
3. Hard To Repair
While plaster is durable, it can be difficult and expensive to repair if damaged. Cracks, chips, or holes in plaster walls often require large sections to be removed and replaced. Repairing plaster also requires finding a skilled professional who can match the texture and finish of the existing plaster, which may be particularly challenging in older homes.
4. Higher Cost
Plaster installation is generally more expensive than drywall due to the specialised skills and time required. Even though plaster offers long-term durability, the upfront costs can be a deterrent for some homeowners. While some plaster options, like veneer plaster, may be less costly, they are often more expensive than traditional drywall.
Types Of Plaster
Plaster comes in various types, each suited for different applications. Here are a few common types used in homes today:
- Cement Plaster: A mixture of sand, Portland cement, and water, cement plaster is commonly used for interior and exterior masonry surfaces.
- Clay Plaster: Often used for its eco-friendly properties, clay plaster is applied in two coats and is ideal for walls that need a natural finish.
- Gypsum Plaster: Known as “plaster of Paris,” gypsum plaster is widely used for finishing coats. It sets quickly and is often used in modern applications.
- Mud Plaster: A traditional form of plastering used in some cultures, mud plaster involves using natural clay materials.
- Lime Plaster: Made from lime and sand, this plaster is common in older homes and provides a durable, long-lasting finish.
- Stucco Plaster: Often used for decorative elements, stucco is applied in three layers and can be used for interior and exterior finishes.
- Heat-Resistant Plaster: This plaster can withstand temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius and is used in areas that experience high temperatures, such as fireplaces.
- Water-Resistant Plaster: For damp environments, water-resistant plaster is formulated with additives like alum and soft sap to prevent moisture from damaging the walls.
- Composite Plasters: These plasters combine cement, lime, pozzolana, and sand in various ratios and can be applied in single or multiple coats.
- Specialty Plasters: Designed for unique applications, such as water-proofing or limited drainage, specialty plasters are custom-formulated to meet specific needs.
Plaster Usage
Given the various types of plaster and its unique properties, it can be used in a wide range of building applications. Some common uses for plaster include:
Interior Walls Of Custom Homes:
- Plaster is often used in high-end custom homes where durability and aesthetic appeal are a priority.
Architectural Details:
- Plaster is ideal for adding architectural details like cornices, ceiling domes, and archways.
Public Buildings And Institutions:
- Due to its long-lasting nature, plaster is often used in buildings like universities, churches, and government institutions, where longevity is essential.
Specialty Retail Environments:
- Plaster can create a luxurious and unique atmosphere in retail spaces that require a high level of detail, such as fashion boutiques or jewellery stores
Conclusion
Plaster remains a timeless material with many modern uses. However, its installation may be more complex and costly than drywall’s; its durability, aesthetic appeal, and versatility make it worthwhile for those looking to create a distinctive, long-lasting finish. Whether used in residential or commercial applications, plaster offers a range of benefits that contribute to a building’s beauty and longevity.
FAQs About Plaster
Is Plaster Better Than Drywall?
Plaster is, by nature, a more durable finish than drywall, even high-level drywall finishes. In addition, plaster outperforms drywall in several key areas, including insulation, soundproofing, and fireproofing. Another point in plaster’s favour is that mould can’t grow in plaster by nature.
Can I Put Plaster Over Drywall?
Plaster veneer may also be applied to ordinary drywall or over existing walls. However, this requires “gluing” the existing wall surface by painting on a special adhesive compound and applying a thin “base coat” plaster layer.
Which Is Cheaper Plaster Or Drywall?
You can readily cut holes in drywall to make in-wall repairs, and holes are easy to fix. Drywall is cheaper to install than plaster, and hanging things on drywall is easier.
How Can You Tell The Difference Between Drywall And Plaster?
Take a pushpin and press it on the wall using your thumb. If the pin pokes into the wall easily, that’s drywall. If it doesn’t, that’s plaster. A pushpin can penetrate drywall easily because it’s softer than plaster.
Are Plaster Walls Stronger Than Drywalls?
Plaster is harder and more brittle than drywall. Whereas with drywall, it’s possible to push thumbtacks into the wall to hang up posters, but you likely couldn’t pierce a plaster wall with the flimsy point of a tack. More importantly, you run the risk of chipping or cracking the plaster.
