Drywall and plaster are the two most common materials used for finishing a wall, but what is the difference between them, and which one is right for you? When remodeling a building, you need to know which wall finish works best for you. In this article, we will look at the differences between drywall and plaster and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
What Is Drywall?
Drywall — which is also known as gypsum board, sheetrock, wallboard, or cement board — is gypsum plaster is pressed between two layers of heavy paper. Drywall comes in sheets that are easy to trim and fit around any corner, doorway, window, or electrical outlet. A benefit of drywall is how easy it is to add insulation, making drywall a great choice in any climate.
Most new construction projects use drywall to cover insulation and wall studs. It can easily be soundproofed and customized to meet the aesthetics of any home or business.
What Is Plaster?
Plaster is a paste typically made of gypsum, lime, or cement, and used for interior walls and ceilings for centuries. If a building was constructed before the 1950s, the interior walls and ceilings are most likely made of plaster. Plaster is applied wet, allowed to dry, and layered to create different thicknesses. Once plaster dries, it can be sanded and painted.
Drywall vs Plaster: Differences Between Materials
Before you decide if you would rather use drywall or plaster for your building’s project, let’s take a look at some of the biggest differences between the materials.
Which is cheaper to install?
Drywall is usually more affordable to install versus plaster. This is because it is much faster to install drywall in sheets than plaster in layers so labor costs are typically lower than the installation costs of plaster.
Which is faster to install?
Sheets of drywall come pre-cut, making it significantly easier to install. Plaster is a little more difficult to install since it has to be installed wet. You also must wait three to five days after installation for the plaster to dry.
Which is more durable?
Drywall has an open cavity behind it where insulation can be added to the wall. This makes drywall less dense than plaster, which means it might be more susceptible to damage than a plaster wall. However, if you plan to hang things on your walls to decorate them, drywall is definitely the best wall finish to go with.
Plaster is much denser and harder than drywall, which makes it more durable. This durability makes it difficult to hang pictures or other artwork. Aside from the density, plaster is prone to cracking and chipping if you drive nails into it, and it is extremely difficult to use push pins on plaster at all. As a building settles over time, plaster is likely to begin cracking.
Is drywall or plaster better insulated?
Drywall is installed with insulation in mind. Insulation fills the empty space behind the drywall. The right insulation can help lower a building’s heating and cooling costs.
It is difficult to add insulation to plaster. You would need to have the structure retrofittted by a professional to allow you to add insulation to a plaster wall, and there is the potential of causing damage if you try to DIY it.
Which wall finish is better for soundproofing?
Plaster is a denser material than drywall, and it does not have hollow places behind it, so it has better soundproofing qualities. However, you can easily add soundproofing acoustical panels to your drywall walls, making it soundproof. These panels come in beautiful designs that are completely customized to meet the needs of your business.
Which is more fire resistant?
Both drywall and plaster have gypsum in them, which has a high water content, making it hard to burn. However, drywall can lose some of its structural integrity a little faster than plaster will if it does not contain non-combustible glass fibers to help boost its fire resistance.
Is drywall or plaster easier to repair?
Drywall might be less durable than plaster, but it is significantly easier to repair, whether you have a small hole or need an entire section replaced. Plaster is much more difficult to repair than drywall. If you need to make plumbing or electrical repairs to the inside of the walls in your building, plaster is significantly more difficult to cut into than drywall. Plaster walls could potentially slow down other construction projects so bear this in mind when choosing your wall material.
Which one is energy efficient?
Drywall is the most energy-efficient wall finish for a building. High-quality drywall can reduce the overall energy required to keep a building at its desired temperature.
Does either material impede Wi-Fi signals?
Yes! Since plaster is much thicker than drywall, it could make it harder for Wi-Fi signals to penetrate the walls and give coverage to the entire building. If you have a bigger building and need Wi-Fi to reach the entire area, consider drywall instead of plaster to prevent Wi-Fi dead zones.
Which has the best finish?
Drywall has a smooth finish, but you can have texture added to it if you want a textured look. Plaster typically has a rougher texture to it, which adds authenticity to a historic home or one that is designed to look older. Drywall’s finish is more customizable than plaster is and it’s easier to decorate.
Let’s Get Started!
Whether you are more interested in using drywall or plaster for your interior wall finish, the Magnum Drywall team has you covered! Contact Magnum Drywall today to start planning your interior project!