Plaster walls, often found in historic homes, offer a classic aesthetic that can be appealing and challenging. Although drywall has become a popular wall-covering choice since the mid-20th century, plaster remains a distinctive option.
However, like any material, it has its pros and cons.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Plaster walls, common in older homes, offer durability, fire resistance, and excellent soundproofing. They also allow for intricate design details. However, they have drawbacks, such as difficult repairs, higher costs, and weak Wi-Fi signals.
While plaster is stronger and more aesthetically versatile than drywall, it’s prone to cracking and harder to install or maintain. Choosing between plaster and drywall depends on your budget, design needs, and maintenance preferences.
What Is A Plaster Wall?
Plaster is a material that hardens when mixed with water into a durable surface. It’s typically applied in layers over a lath structure, which may be made of wood, metal, or modern materials.
Traditionally, plaster was the preferred finish for walls and ceilings before drywall became the norm. A plaster wall is created by applying wet plaster to a surface, which then sets into a solid finish.
Historically, it was applied in multiple coats: a scratch coat, a brown coat, and a final finish coat. While gypsum-based plaster is commonly used today, lime plaster was prevalent in the past.
The plaster walls in many older homes built before the 1940s often combine lime, sand, and water.
The Benefits Of Plaster Walls
Plaster offers several advantages that appeal to both homeowners and builders. Understanding these benefits can help determine whether to maintain, repair, or replace plaster walls.
1. Durability
Plaster walls are known for their strength. Once dried, plaster forms a hard surface that is more resistant to knocks and dents than drywall.
This makes it ideal for high-traffic areas where damage is more likely to occur. Furthermore, its solid structure makes it less prone to the everyday wear and tear that drywall might experience.
2. Fire Resistance
One of plaster’s primary benefits is its natural fire resistance. The material doesn’t ignite easily and can help slow fire spread.
Lime-based plaster, in particular, offers this protection by preventing flames from spreading as quickly as they would with drywall, making it a safer choice for homes.
3. Soundproofing
Plaster walls provide better sound insulation than drywall. Their density and solid structure create an effective sound barrier, making them ideal for rooms where noise reduction is important.
Musicians and sound engineers often prefer plaster for its acoustic properties.
4. Energy Efficiency
Thicker plaster walls offer better thermal insulation than standard drywall. Plaster creates a more substantial barrier against temperature fluctuations, helping to keep homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
This can lead to savings on energy bills over time.
5. Aesthetic Versatility
Plaster provides a unique look that drywall cannot achieve. It can be shaped, moulded, and textured to fit any design style, from classic to modern.
Victorian homes, for example, often feature intricate plaster mouldings and decorative details that add character to a space.
Plaster’s flexibility makes it a preferred choice for custom finishes and ornate detailing.
The Drawbacks Of Plaster Walls
Despite its many benefits, plaster has disadvantages that must be considered before use.
1. Difficult Repairs
One major downside of plaster walls is how challenging they are to repair. When cracks or damage occur, it’s not as simple as patching drywall.
Large-scale damage often requires the help of a professional plasterer, which can be time-consuming and costly. While DIY methods can repair small cracks, they may not blend perfectly with the original plaster.
2. Wi-Fi And Signal Issues
Plaster walls, especially those reinforced with metal lath, can interfere with wireless signals. Homes with plaster walls often need more Wi-Fi and phone reception, which can be frustrating in today’s tech-driven world.
A mesh Wi-Fi system may be necessary in older homes to improve coverage.
3. Cost
The cost of plastering is significantly higher than installing drywall. This is due to the labour-intensive process and the expertise required.
While drywall can be installed relatively quickly, plaster takes more time to apply and cure, adding to the labour cost and overall project timeline.
4. Prone To Cracking
Over time, plaster walls can develop cracks, especially in homes where foundations shift or areas of high traffic. While the plaster is durable, its brittleness can lead to cracking, requiring constant maintenance and repair.
The cracks may be more prominent and frequent in homes with older plaster, particularly if the structure settles.
5. Hard To Hang Items
Another area for improvement with plaster walls is the need for help hanging items like pictures, shelves, or TVs.
Plaster’s hardness makes it resistant to nails or screws, often requiring special tools or techniques, such as using anchors or drilling pilot holes to ensure the wall isn’t damaged during installation.
How Plaster Walls Compare To Drywall?
It’s important to compare plaster walls to the more modern alternative—drywall—so you can make informed decisions about your space.
1. Strength
As mentioned earlier, plaster walls are much stronger than drywall. Drywall is more susceptible to damage from knocks or sharp objects, making it less durable in busy areas.
However, it’s easier and cheaper to repair if damage occurs.
2. Ease Of Installation
Drywall is much quicker and simpler to install compared to plaster. The process can take weeks with plaster, as multiple layers need to be applied and allowed to dry.
In contrast, drywall can be installed in a matter of days, and the process involves less mess.
3. Cost Comparison
Drywall is considerably cheaper than plaster in terms of materials and labour, which is a significant factor for budget-conscious homeowners.
The cost of hiring a professional plasterer can be prohibitive, especially for large projects or renovations.
4. Aesthetics
While drywall is functional, it lacks the decorative potential of plaster. Plaster is the superior choice for creating intricate designs or adding architectural details.
Drywall is flat and straightforward, though you can enhance it with paint or wallpaper.
Maintaining And Repairing Plaster Walls
If you have plaster walls, regular maintenance is necessary to ensure they remain in good condition. Small cracks can be fixed using DIY methods, such as plaster patch kits.
However, it’s best to consult a professional for larger cracks or sections of loose plaster. Monitoring moisture levels in the home can also help prevent the plaster from deteriorating, as excess humidity can cause it to weaken over time.
For homes with older plaster walls, it’s important to check for signs of serious damage, such as large cracks or plaster pulling away from the lath. If you notice these issues, addressing them sooner rather than later can prevent further damage.
Conclusion
Plaster walls offer a range of benefits, from durability and fire resistance to superior soundproofing and aesthetic flexibility. However, they also come with challenges, such as difficulty in repair, cost, and signal interference.
For those living in older homes with existing plaster walls, it may be more cost-effective to maintain them rather than replace them with drywall. Considering plastering for new projects, weigh the pros and cons carefully.
While plaster can create a beautiful and durable finish, you should be prepared for the associated costs and maintenance needs. Ultimately, whether plaster or drywall is the right choice will depend on your budget, design preferences, and your home’s specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plaster Walls
Is plaster walls better than drywall?
For one thing, plaster is a more durable finish than drywall, even high-level drywall finishes. In addition, plaster outperforms drywall in a number of key areas, including insulation, soundproofing, and fireproofing. One additional point in plaster’s favor is that mold can’t grow in plaster.
Why did they stop using plaster walls?
When drywall panels came on the scene in the 1950s, they soon replaced lath and plaster as a quicker, easier-to-install option. Lath and plaster construction is definitely an old-school technique, but it has a few surprising benefits compared to drywall.
What are the defects in plastering?
Plastering often has issues like blistering, cracking, efflorescence, flaking, peeling, popping, softness, and uneven surfaces. As soon as these plastering flaws are spotted, they must be fixed.
What is the ideal temperature for plastering?
Ventilation, temperature, and humidity levels must all be considered to guarantee productive work environments. Plaster should be applied at temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit) and relative humidity that corresponds to normal drying conditions.
How can plastering defects be prevented?
Preventative measures include selecting appropriate materials, following standard construction procedures, and properly preparing and cleaning the wall surface. Plasterwork is less likely to delaminate when the wall surface is clean and properly prepared for the plaster’s application.
