When it comes to finishing a wall, your two best options are to have it plastered or drywalled. If you haven’t heard of them yet, plastering and drywalling are the two most popular wall finishing methods that contractors most often recommend. Even in home remodeling or renovation, both have been widely recommended.
These two wall finishing methods have distinct characteristics that can be either a benefit or a disadvantage. So, how do you choose between plaster and drywall? Continue reading to learn more about their distinguishing characteristics, so you’ll know exactly which type would better suit your preferences.
Material Make-Up
You should begin by learning about their material components. Plaster is a pasty substance that hardens after drying and is made of lime or gypsum, water, and sand. It is widely used as a finishing coat for walls, ceilings, and partitions in ancient items. Drywall, on the other hand, is primarily composed of gypsum sheets screwed or nailed into studs in a wall or ceiling. It is also known as wallboard. Such composition allows you to easily hang paintings and posters with pins and thumbtacks.
Quality
Because plaster has a more durable finish, most people prefer it over drywall. Even with a high level of drywall finish, plaster is superior in terms of durability because plaster does not allow mold to grow. With drywalls, a small crack can cause molds to grow and spread. Plaster also adds a high-end look to the wall, thereby adding elegance and aesthetics. Nonetheless, this does not mean that drywall is inferior to plaster.
Labor
Choosing plaster requires skilled and talented plasterers. This is because plaster is more labor-intensive than drywall. Which is why, finishing a wall with plaster takes quite longer. During World War II, there was a labor shortage, so the demand for drywall increased to meet the housing demand. Plastering is not for everyone because it is time-consuming and delicate. Drywall, on the other hand, is less complicated and easier to install, and it takes less time to complete.
Cost
Plaster is more expensive than drywall. Aside from the time required for labor, the materials are also expensive. If you want a job well done, you should also hire skilled plasterers. On a regular scale, plaster is three times more expensive than drywall. So, if you want plaster, make sure you have a reliable contractor.
Maintenance
Plaster and drywall both require upkeep to maintain their appearance. However, drywall is less difficult to maintain than plaster. It is also less expensive than maintaining the plaster finish. Remember that if you have a plaster finished wall, you will need to hire skilled plasterers to repair and maintain it. Unlike other wall finishing types, plaster cannot be done through do-it-yourself methods.
Sound-Proofing
Since plaster is denser than drywall, it blocks sound transmission effectively. Plaster does a better sound-proofing job because of its material composition. So, when you think of obtaining more privacy, plaster is a much better choice.
Insulation
Drywall is more thermally efficient than plaster. The drywall installation process allows for multiple layers of insulation to be installed in order for the modern insulation system to function properly. Better insulation also means lower energy bills.
Only Choose the Best!
Whether it’s plaster or drywall, expertise and professionalism are highly- needed to deliver quality work. Good thing that Quality Preferred Painting embodies both of these qualities. Our company serves the entire Boston community, Hingham, MA, and the rest of South Shore area. For over 30 years, we have been providing high-quality painting services to the South Shore community. Part of our legacy is the respect and commitment we give to each home renovation project that is entrusted to us.
At Quality Preferred Painting, we do much more than just paint. We provide a wide range of services that are designed to transform your home and business into a whole new and beautiful space. Our services include plastering, residential and commercial painting, power washing, carpentry, wallpapering, and more!
If you are ever in need of any type of painting services, give us a call at 781-356-2050. From a simple paint job to replacing damaged wood, we can handle it all.
