Choosing the right material for interior walls is essential when building or renovating a home. Both drywall and plaster are commonly used for this purpose, but each has unique characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. Understanding these differences can help homeowners and builders make informed decisions based on their budget, desired appearance, and project-specific requirements.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Drywall and plaster are two popular materials for interior walls, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Drywall is affordable, quick to install, easier to repair, and provides good insulation, making it the preferred choice for most modern homes.
While more expensive and time-consuming to install, plaster offers superior durability, soundproofing, and a high-end aesthetic. Plaster is better for custom finishes and curved surfaces, but drywall is more energy-efficient and easier for DIY repairs. Your choice depends on budget, style, and specific project needs.
Defining Drywall And Plaster
Drywall
Drywall, also known as gypsum board or plasterboard, has been widely used since the mid-20th century. It consists of a gypsum core sandwiched between two layers of paper. Drywall is popular for its ease of installation, affordability, and adaptability. It’s available in various thicknesses and types, including moisture-resistant and fire-rated varieties.
Plaster
Plaster is a more traditional wall finish used for thousands of years. In the past, plaster was typically made from lime, sand, water, and animal hair. Today, most plaster is gypsum-based, allowing quicker drying times than traditional lime plasters. Plaster is applied in layers over a base material known as lath, made of wood, metal, or plasterboard. This multi-layer process creates a denser, more durable finish compared to drywall.
Drywall vs. Plaster: Key Differences
Both drywall and plaster have their strengths, but they serve different needs in home construction. Let’s explore the key differences in more detail.
1. Installation Process
Plastering involves applying multiple layers of plaster onto a lath base, which is labour-intensive and requires a high level of skill. The process is more time-consuming, as each layer must dry before the next is applied. Due to the complexity of this method, plastering typically requires specialised tradespeople, making it a more expensive option.
Drywall installation, on the other hand, is much simpler and faster. Large sheets of drywall are cut to fit the dimensions of the walls, secured to studs, and then finished with tape and joint compound. Once the joints are sanded smooth, the wall is ready for painting. As a result, drywall is often preferred in modern construction because it saves time and labour costs.
2. Cost Comparison
One of the main reasons homeowners and builders choose drywall over plaster is cost. Drywall is significantly cheaper to install due to the quicker installation process and lower labour costs. Plaster, while more durable, often comes with a higher price tag because of the specialised skill and time required for proper application. On average, plastering costs can be three times higher than drywall installation.
3. Durability And Maintenance
Plaster walls tend to be more durable than drywall. The multi-layer application makes plaster more resistant to impact and wear, giving it a longer lifespan. However, plaster can be prone to cracking, especially if the building settles or shifts. These cracks can be more challenging to repair than the dents and dings commonly affecting drywall.
The drywall is easier to repair. Small holes or scratches can be patched with joint compound, and even larger repairs are relatively simple. However, drywall is more susceptible to damage from moisture and structural movement. In humid environments, drywall can develop mould or water damage, though water-resistant varieties are available for bathrooms and kitchens.
4. Soundproofing And Insulation
Due to its density, plaster has superior soundproofing qualities. This makes it a good choice for homes or buildings where noise reduction is important, such as between rooms or shared walls. However, plaster provides a different level of thermal insulation than modern drywall, especially when combined with advanced insulation materials.
Drywall offers better insulation options due to its ability to accommodate different types of insulation behind the walls. This makes drywall a more energy-efficient choice, particularly for new builds or renovations where energy savings are a priority. While drywall does not block sound as effectively as plaster, adding extra layers or using soundproof drywall can help improve sound insulation.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Drywall And Plaster
Advantages Of Drywall
Drywall has become the standard material for modern home interiors. Some of its key advantages include:
- Quick Installation: Drywall can be installed quickly, which reduces labour costs.
- Affordability: The cost of both materials and installation is significantly lower than plaster.
- Easy to Repair: Homeowners can often repair drywall, reducing maintenance costs.
- Energy Efficiency: When combined with insulation, drywall offers good thermal performance.
- Versatile Finishes: Drywall provides a smooth surface that is easy to paint or texture.
Disadvantages Of Drywall
Despite its widespread use, drywall does have some drawbacks:
- Lower Durability: Drywall is more prone to damage from impact or moisture than plaster.
- Poor Soundproofing: Although soundproof options are available, standard drywall and plaster don’t block sound.
- Susceptible to Water Damage: Drywall can absorb moisture and develop mould in humid environments.
Advantages Of Plaster
Plaster offers a range of benefits that make it an attractive choice for certain projects:
- Durability: Plaster is more resistant to wear and tear, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Plaster provides a high-end, luxury finish that can be customised with textures or smooth surfaces.
- Superior Soundproofing: The density of plaster makes it excellent for reducing noise transmission.
- Ideal for Curved Surfaces: Plaster is more flexible than drywall when creating rounded or textured surfaces.
Disadvantages Of Plaster
However, plaster does come with a few significant disadvantages:
- Higher Cost: The specialised skill required for plastering leads to higher labour costs.
- Longer Installation Time: The multi-layer process takes significantly longer than drywall.
- Cracking: Plaster can develop cracks over time, especially if the structure shifts or settles.
Choosing Between Plaster And Drywall
When deciding between plaster and drywall, consider the following factors:
- Budget: Drywall is the more cost-effective option, both in terms of materials and labour.
- Durability: Plaster is more damage-resistant, but drywall is easier and cheaper to repair.
- Soundproofing: Plaster may be a better choice if noise reduction is a priority.
- Insulation: Drywall combined with modern insulation is the best energy-efficient option.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Plaster provides a more customisable, high-end finish, ideal for historical renovations or premium homes.
Conclusion
Both plaster and drywall have their place in modern construction. Drywall is an affordable, practical solution for most new builds and renovations, offering easy installation, repair, and good insulation. On the other hand, plaster provides a unique, high-end finish with superior durability and soundproofing, making it an excellent choice for older homes, custom projects, or areas requiring extra toughness.
Ultimately, the choice between plaster and drywall depends on the project’s specific needs, including budget, aesthetic preferences, and functional requirements. Whatever your choice, understanding the benefits and limitations of each material can help ensure your home is both beautiful and practical.
FAQs About Drywall & Plaster
What Is The Difference In Plaster And Drywall?
Drywall is made of a softer material called gypsum, which doesn’t crack. Sheets of it are nailed into the wooden studs when finishing the interior of a house. Plaster, on the other hand, dries much harder than drywall and is more labour-intensive and expensive.
Is My Wall Plaster Or Drywall?
You have drywall if you see uniform, rectangle sheets with brown paper backing. If you see thin strips of wood with hardened white material in the gaps between the wood strips, it’s a plaster wall. Check your attic to see the backside of any interior walls or ceilings.
Can You Use Drywall Over Plaster?
If the walls in your house are ugly or dull because the plaster is past its prime or not to your taste, you can cover the plaster with drywall. It’s as simple as just putting the drywall sheets over old plaster. Using some sheets, you can cover up old imperfections without causing a lot of complications.
How Do I Know If My Wall Is 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.
Why 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.
