Why Drywall Is Superior to Plaster

If you have had plaster walls in the past, you must have heard contractors or other people telling you to preserve it. Most older houses tend to have plaster walls, including some of the most intricate details that we have ever seen. These high-quality, handmade finishes tend to give the house a personality of its own – making each house unique in its own way.

However, many modern contractors are now encouraging homeowners to switch to drywall. The important question here is whether you should preserve the plaster or replace it with more superior material.

What are Plaster Walls?

Plaster is truly an ancient material. While the material has varied in composition over time, it still includes a large amount of plaster of Paris or gypsum. Plaster walls are often made by hand and provide a very hard finish that tends to last almost forever. The only enemy of plaster walls is water leaking through the drainage system, or cracks in the walls due to impact.

Having plaster walls does not mean flat white walls of hard material. Instead, plaster walls actually include some of the most intricate and detailed architectural plasterwork that goes on top of the walls and ceilings. Some of the most popular choices including crown moldings, medallions, scrollwork, or even some floral decorations on the vestibule walls.

The reason why plaster walls are still popular is due to their cultural heritage value. Having plaster walls in ancient times was indicative of social status – the more intricate your plasterwork walls were, the more superior you were in society.

Is Drywall Replacing Plaster?

Over the years, the popularity of plaster walls has diminished. Drywall is a new type of wall covering that became popular in the early 1900s, and it still remains a close competitor of the ancient plaster walls.

As opposed to plaster, which was made solely by gypsum, drywall is a combination of materials including plaster, fiber, and gypsum. Instead of being an intricate form of wall covering that needs to be applied by hand, drywall usually comes in large sheets which can be applied directly to the walls. Not only does this make the process quicker, but also avoids the hassle of applying plaster with hand.

Why Drywall is Better Than Plaster

Since more and more people are now replacing plaster walls with drywall, there must be a reason why drywall is better. Here are a few reasons why drywall is better than plaster walls:

1. Easy Installation

To install drywall, all you need is a drywall knife and a drill machine. It takes away all the hassle of plaster walls by being a very simple DIY project that almost anyone can complete. Drywall installation in Orange County involves taping and mudding which can be a complicated process, but still not nearly as complicated as plasterwork.

2. Ability to Hang Things

If you have had plaster walls in the past, you would know that it is almost impossible to hang anything on the walls without cracking the plaster. Once you crack your plaster, you will have to get it replaced immediately to prevent further damage or bacterial growth in your walls. Drywall takes away all of this hassle since it is incredibly easy to hang things on drywall. All you need are drywall anchors, and you can effortlessly start hanging your paintings and pictures on the wall.

3. Cost Efficient

Compared to other types of wall covering, drywall is inexpensive. Since the drywall comes in large sheet sizes, you will only need a handful of them to cover all of the walls in your house. The best part about having drywall is that you can make it as expensive as you want to. While a basic drywall will not cost much, you can choose to add a wallpaper or paint to it to make your house look fancier while keeping the cost low.

4. Change is Easy

Instead of having to tear down your house entirely for a renovation if you have plastic walls, drywall tends to make changes very easy. It is a simple process to take these walls down and put them back up at your convenience. With drywall, remodeling projects can be planned without a single worry.

5. Easy Repair

To repair a large area of drywall, all you need to do is cut the damaged piece of drywall, clear it out and flatten it, and install the new drywall. Remember to be very careful with your measurements because it can save you time and trouble. If you have ever tried repairing plaster walls, the process is too lengthy and intricate to even be considered by a regular homeowner. Drywall repair in Orange County means mudding drywall is an important part of the process.