Solid Plaster or Plasterboard Which One is Better?

Whether you’re building or renovating your house, you’ll need to consider what type of material you’ll be using to line your interior walls. Two of the most common types of wall lining are plasterboard and solid plaster. These two materials are often used interchangeably but in fact are two different materials that require different installation processes and have their own unique advantages and disadvantages.

Choosing between the two could be a little bit challenging as many factors which will need to be taken into consideration. In this post we’ll compare the two to help you make a smart informed decision. Let’s check them out!

What is solid plaster

Solid plaster also known as wet plastering or simply plaster, is the traditional method of plastering which has been in practise for thousands of years! It involves adding several layers of wet plaster over an interior wall or ceiling. Many of older homes have solid plaster walls.

Solid plaster Pros

Here are some of the benefits of plastering:

• Solid plaster provides a high-end finish which can provide a smooth finish or a textured stucco like finish
• Plaster can easily be applied to any surface whether it be flat, or curved. This makes it the choice option for curved ceilings or walls
• It’s extremely durable
• Mold resistant
• Great soundproof qualities

Solid plaster Cons

Here are some of the downsides of solid plastering:

• More expensive installation costs because solid plastering is a specialized skill that takes years to develop it’s also quite labour intensive. You’ll find that many plastering contractors do not perform solid plastering.
• Repairing plaster is more time consuming and therefore more expensive
• Painting cannot be completed until it’s completely dry which can take up to four weeks
• Harder to hand picture frames or shelving on plaster walls
• Not DIY friendly

What is plasterboard

Plasterboard, also known as drywall, gypsum board or gyprock, is a sheet of plaster set between two thick sheets of paper creating a panel. These panel are fixed to the timber frame of the wall and then jointing compound is applied over the joints and screw or nail holes to create a smooth seamless finish.

Plasterboard Pros

• Cheaper material cost and labour costs
• Quicker to install compared to solid plastering
• Can be painted over after a couple of days
• Many different plasterboard products available which means they can be soundproof, fireproof, moisture proof, impact resistant among other desirable properties
• Easy to repair when damages occur
• Easy to hang shelving and picture frames
• DIY installation is possible

Plasterboard Cons

• Difficult to impossible to use on curved surfaces
• Not a durable as plaster
• If incorrectly installed joints can be visible

Conclusion

There are a few situations when solid plastering would be the preferred option such as on curved walls and ceilings or when a textured finish is desired, however, plasterboard is generally the preferred option for the majority of cases in modern home construction and renovation. This is due to the much cheaper installation costs in addition to the length of time required from start (bare timber wall frame) wall to finish (freshly painted wall).