Drywall or plaster – which is better?

When it comes to wall finishing, homeowners frequently struggle with the decision of whether to use plaster or drywall. While each option has advantages of its own, it is important to weigh the disadvantages of each as well.

Drywall is a popular option for many modern homes because of its affordability and ease of installation. Some contend that it lacks the character and longevity of conventional plaster, though.

Conversely, plaster provides a sturdy, classic finish that many people find appealing. However, compared to drywall, plaster application can be more expensive and time-consuming.

Thus, which is more appropriate for your project? We’ll go over the main distinctions between plaster and drywall in this post to assist you in making a wise choice.

Types of plaster

For interior work, there are two kinds of mixtures available:

1. For leveling the work surface: eliminating voids, potholes, cracks.
2. Finishing (decorative plaster): to create a decorative coating.

Other kinds of mixtures exist that contain extra elements intended to enhance the coating’s functionality, like:

1. Acrylic.
2. Silicone.
3. Silicate.
4. Polymer.

Based on the kind of binder, mixtures are graded. Let’s review them quickly and ascertain their goal.

Mineral composition based on cement

In terms of cement-sand composition, this is the most widely used combination. It is appropriate for any building’s interior wall decoration. Since it is sold in powder form, adding water is required during preparation. Making the composition at home is simple.

Gypsum plaster

For the final stage and rough finishing of walls, a gypsum-based material is utilized.

Kindly take note! Gypsum mixture is used to finish rooms that don’t get a lot of moisture.

When combined with specific moisture-resistant additives, the cost is excessively high.

Plaster made on the basis of polymeric materials

There is no need to dilute this ready-made mixture with water because it has high strength indicators. A variety of colored acrylic mixture is meant for decorative applications. Compared to the acrylic mixture we are considering, regular plaster is less expensive.

Silicate plaster

The foundation of the mixture is potassium glass. It works just as well on prepared walls as it does on untreated ones.

Unique quality: breathes well, letting air flow through. As a result, it is unlikely that moisture will collect beneath silicate plaster.

The walls are primed before using this material is applied.

Silicone plaster

Silicone resins are used in the product’s construction. The lifespan of this kind of plaster is quite long. high degree of vaporpermeability and water resistance. It is possible to apply the material on different surfaces. You are not required to prepare the walls in this instance. The product has an extremely high price. It is most frequently used for exterior work, such as finishing facades.

Plaster comes in a variety of application characteristics in addition to the types mentioned above.

A short while ago, ready-made mortar could be applied in modern construction with the use of specialized machinery.

Previously, a spatula, trowel, and trowel were used to apply the mixture to the wall.

You must realize that using an automated process is beneficial when processing a large area or productivity is critical.

For instance, the mixture is automatically applied to 10 m2 on average every 60 minutes. Up to 20 years may pass during the composition’s service life. Ceilings as well as walls can be treated with these solutions.

Decorative plasters

There are many different working mixtures in this group, which is broken down into subspecies. Their intended purpose is what ties them all together the most. They are meant to be used to complete tasks. The item is offered ready to use. They are expensive, but there are less expensive mixtures available in powder form.

Colored plaster for decoration

The product’s foundation is acrylic resin, to which quartz sand and a specific shade of dye are added. offered for sale in a plastic container as a ready-made mixture. They are typically used to adorn door and/or window openings. One benefit of using a decoration solution is that it eliminates the need for additional finishing work. One could argue that their expensive price is a drawback.

Stone plaster

Indeed, it does exist. It includes natural stones, marble chips, small-fraction malachite, and granite in addition to the standard ingredients. Columns and arches can be processed with this material. Let’s face it, those who adore the vintage look will be drawn to the stone variation.

Terrazite mixture

Utilized to make a covering for synthetic stone. Special consideration and meticulous planning are needed for this work. The ingredients of the plaster in question are cement, mica, and slaked lime. Stone chips and quartz sand are used as filler.

Feature: The work surface needs to be moistened before applying the solution. For this, a standard sponge or a spray bottle will work.

Sgraffito

This particular variety creates a relief coating with various patterns upon drying. There are usually six layers of the material applied. Every layer is a different color. The coating is partially removed as the last step, as depicted in the figure.

Venetian plaster

This particular kind of finishing material mimics the appearance of real marble. We will state up front that this is a labor-intensive process that costs money and calls for specific skills. Three layers is the minimum. While we are aware of instances where the technology has been used in eight layers, the maximum is not stated. Granite or marble chips are a part of the mixture. We have written a lengthy article specifically about this content.

You can learn more about Venetian plaster’s characteristics and application technology by clicking the link.

Intermediate result

You have the option of using traditional plaster or plasterboard to cover the walls, whichever is less expensive. The types of materials used for plastering were discussed in this section.

We believe that options are now available.

Types of plasterboard

There are various types of finishing materials made of gypsum plasterboard.

1. Standard.
2. Moisture-resistant material.
3. Fire-resistant product.

It is evident that every finishing plasterboard material has unique properties and is intended to carry out particular functions.

Let’s investigate their traits and ascertain why they exist.

Standard GKL

The most popular product, ideal as a facing material for building projects and room repairs.

Moisture-resistant GKLV

The product has a unique formula that works to effectively fight fungus. Moisture cannot penetrate the material. Bathrooms, kitchens, and technical rooms are treated with it.

Fire-resistant GKLO

Fire resistance is the product’s primary feature. It can be applied to any type of building, but it is most commonly used to finish buildings with stricter fire safety regulations. The material’s resistance to fire is enhanced by the reinforcing additive included in the composition, which also serves as passive fire protection.

Advantages of plasterboard over plaster

It is up to you whether to plaster the walls or cover them with plasterboard, but you must be aware of the benefits of the material you select.

1. By choosing plasterboard as a working material, your room will not be as dirty during the renovation process as when treating the walls with a mixture. The work is carried out exclusively dry.
2. The work process moves faster, therefore, time and effort are saved.
3. It is easier to hide large unevenness of the walls with plasterboard.
4. The material in question acts as an additional protection against the penetration of extraneous sounds and retains heat longer.
5. You can give the necessary shape by pre-wetting it.
6. The material is easy to process, opening up new possibilities for the imagination of designers.
7. You can create different shapes from it, as shown in the figure below.

Although the choice is still yours, you shouldn’t be wondering now that you are aware of the benefits whether to level the walls with plasterboard or putty.

Disadvantages of plasterboard

Having demonstrated the benefits of drywall, it would be incorrect to keep quiet about its current drawbacks.

1. When deciding on the material, plaster or drywall, you should understand that the sheets can reduce the area of ​​the room by 50-100 mm on each side.
2. After installing the plasterboard sheets, it is necessary to perform final plastering.
3. The material is fragile, breaks easily, so you need to work with it very carefully.
4. After some time, a crack may appear at the junction of the sheets.

How should the walls be finished, and which is better? It’s a rhetorical question: plaster the walls or sheathe them in plasterboard. Consider using a working mixture if you value the evenness of the room’s walls and/or the working area.

When plaster is preferable to plasterboard

You can only choose between plaster and plasterboard after learning about the benefits, drawbacks, and pros of plaster. Among the favorable attributes are the following:

1. The mixture, after drying, becomes very strong.
2. Plaster is also better suited in rooms where it is necessary to hang cabinets and/or shelves. This could be a bathroom or a kitchen.
3. The material is not subject to rotting and serves for a long time.

In the interest of objectivity, let us now ascertain the plaster mixture’s drawbacks.

The decision between plaster and drywall is influenced by a number of variables, including installation ease, cost, and desired finish. Since drywall installs more quickly and at a lower cost, it’s perfect for hurried renovations. Conversely, plaster provides a more robust, long-lasting finish and is more appropriate for intricate designs or historic home restoration. Determining which option is best for your project can be aided by knowing its advantages and disadvantages.

Disadvantages of plaster

1. The disadvantages include the need for a certain amount of experience, which will help to perform the work efficiently.
2. Involving specialists will automatically entail an increase in your budget expenses.
3. The process is associated with constant garbage, since this is "wet" work.
4. Plastering is a process that requires applying the mixture in several layers, that is, the process is labor-intensive, requiring patience and endurance.

Choose now whether to use plaster instead of drywall or the other way around.

Drywall or plaster – what to use?

Let’s see how much less expensive it is to level the walls using plaster or drywall. The use of skilled professionals in plastering will result in additional expenses. You can’t always complete the task at hand flawlessly on your own. In addition, if the walls in the room are uneven. This implies that you will need to use multiple mortar layers in order to level them. Over time, a layer that is too thick may just peel off.

However, plasterboard is an expensive process to use. Additionally, you will need to finish the work surfaces in any case. As a result, roughly equal amounts of money are spent on the acquisition of this or that material with the assistance of specialists.

Criteria	Drywall	Plaster
Cost	Generally more expensive due to material and labor	More affordable, especially for smaller areas
Ease of Installation	Quick to install, less messy	Requires more skill, can be messy
Finish	Very smooth and even	Can achieve a smoother finish with skilled application
Durability	Prone to dents and holes	More durable and impact-resistant
Flexibility	Limited in creating curves and shapes	More versatile for custom designs

The decision you make between plaster and drywall will rely on your individual requirements and tastes. Drywall is perfect for contemporary building and renovation projects because it can be installed more quickly and cleanly. Because of its portability and ease of use, labor expenses and time can be reduced.

Plaster, on the other hand, offers a more conventional and long-lasting finish that can give a room personality and charm. In comparison to drywall, it also provides superior fire resistance and sound insulation. Plastering, however, requires more skill and time to complete.

The choice ultimately boils down to your priorities. Drywall might be a better choice if speed and convenience are important to you. However, plaster might be worth the extra work if you want a high-quality, long-lasting finish.

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