Plaster offers advantages

Font Size:

By Rosemary Friedmann | SCRIPPS HOWARD | Saturday, December 3, 2005 10:58 PM CST | () comments

So what’s the big deal about plastered walls as opposed to sheetrock or drywall as it is most often called?

Well, plastering has many positive attributes. For one, it is a better sound barrier between rooms than drywall. The denseness of plaster prevents sound from penetrating and passing through while drywall has more of a loose, almost condensed, powder between the sheets that hold it together, allowing some air and therefore sound waves to pass through.

Another benefit is plaster’s durability. Plastered walls can withstand more abuse. In one test, for example, sheetrock was stroked ten times with a wire brush before visible scratches were produced on the wall. Plaster withstood 30 strokes before it showed any signs of marring. Have you tried putting your fist through drywall? Easy, unless, of course, you hit a stud. Try putting your fist through plaster. Not so easy.

Plastered walls also age more gracefully. Like leather, these walls seem to grow more attractive with age. Drywall often shows age lines at the seams. After a while, with years of humidity, air conditioning and heat being absorbed by the drywall, the seams tend to open a bit and even some nails may pop out. Not that this is any major catastrophe; these minor problems can be fixed. But there are no seams in plastered walls. So, by its nature, the seam problem doesn’t exist.

There’s a special “upgraded” look to plaster as well. Whether the finish is smooth or coated, plaster has a rich, finished look to it, the kind you find in old mansions or historic homes.

Specialty painting, stenciling and painted murals also come out much better on plastered walls than on sheetrock because the quality and feel of plaster is that much better.

So why are most homes finished in sheetrock? Because it is much quicker to apply and cheaper to buy. Most contractors agree that plastering walls will cost almost twice as much as drywall. Also, sheetrock doesn’t take a great deal of special talent to install. As a matter-of-fact, sheetrock is a great do-it-yourselfer type of wall finish. Another reason the price for plaster is higher is that special skill is required and the job is more time consuming than drywall.

So if you have the time, money and inclination, plastering is the way to go. If not, join the rest of us and put up that good old drywall.