What is the Difference Between Drywall and Plaster in Your Home?

Nov 4

The method and the building materials used to build ceilings and walls have been in a state of change since the time homeowners have built homes. But, there are certain materials that have been through the ages and are still the primary stays for ceiling and wall construction in the present: drywall and plaster. While their names are frequently used interchangeably, they are two different building materials that have their own history as well as compositions and uses. They share a common objective: to make solid, seamless interior ceilings and walls.

What is a plaster?

man finishing drywall Plaster is a mud-like substance that is commonly used for construction of ceilings and walls. It's a powder composed of the mineral compound Gypsum. It can be created using clay, lime or cement. When it is mixed with water, the plaster creates an extremely thick, wet-looking paste that aids in strengthening and smooth the surface of a wall. Plaster can also be used to create architectural features like Crown mouldings, ceiling ornaments and quadrants, that frames features such as windows and doors.

The first documented plasterwork dates back to 7000 B.C., when ancient Egyptians utilized plaster to cover the insides of homes and tombs. Prior to World War II, most wall construction employed plaster. Builders would nail lath -- thin board that was tightly spaced to wall studs. They then covered using layers of plaster in order to create an even, solid wall. But the lath and plaster method was not efficient as it required lots of lumber and a long time for the heavy, wet the plaster to set. In World War II, lumber and labor shortages caused builders to adopt the wall with drywall.

Nowadays, drywall has passed plaster as the standard for ceilings and walls. Each year, over 20 billion square feet of wallboard are made within North America, according to the Gypsum Association. It is used to finish walls, but the lath is now replaced by the drywall.

What is the term "drywall?

Drywall- also referred to Sheetrock Wallboard, the plasterboard or gypsum boards is an gypsum-based plaster panel that is sandwiched between two sheets paper. Its size ranges between 1/4" and 3/4".

There are four kinds of drywall:

Standard drywall. The affordable drywall is available in a range of sizes, and is commonly used in homes for residential use.
A drywall that is mold-resistant.
This drywall comes with a fiberglass coating (not the paper) to ward off mildew and mold. In the US it is often used in areas of humid conditions, such as the West and the East Coast or the South.
Drywall that is moisture-resistant.
This type is ideal for humid spaces such as laundry rooms and bathrooms.
The drywall is fire-proof.
Made with non-combustible fibers the drywall that is fire-resistant is required by certain building codes, especially in commercial properties such as hotels.

Drywall is reasonably priced and simple to put up. It's also very durable and will last for an average of 40 years.

How to put up plaster

Today, the majority of home interiors which use plaster are constructed using a drywall base (rather as lath) followed by coating with plaster. This blends the effectiveness of drywall and the artisanal look of plaster.

For the application of a plaster finish is a huge amount of time and perseverance. These are the steps to follow:

Paint the drywall.
The drywall is coated with the small amount of Polyvinyl Acetate, or PVA glue will seal pores of the drywall, ensuring that the plaster is adhered with the wall in a consistent layer. The thin layer helps to prevent the drywall from losing water from the plaster which could cause it to crack.
Mix and mix the plaster. The first layer of plaster must be solid and easily spreadable. With a hand-tool like a drywall knife mix the plaster with water until it is smooth.

Apply a coating of plaster.
Once it is dry and the PVA glue is dry then apply a coat of it on the wall. Similar to mudding for drywall, plasterwork involves using the hand-tools like pans and knives (or trowels and hawks). The surface of the drywall should be completely covered, with no any excess.
Allow the plaster to dry.
It should take between 20 and 30 minutes before applying the second coat. The second coat is supposed to be less dense than the first because adding water will thin the mixture. After the second coat has dried, you can apply a second coat, if needed. After the plaster has completely dried then use a motorized sander or sandpaper for smoothing the surface.

How do I install drywall?

Installing drywall is the process of installing drywall panels in order to make walls and ceilings that are solid.

For putting up the drywall panels:

Check the ceiling and walls.
Utilize a tape measure to determine the height and width Then multiply width by length to get the how much amount of square. Drywall sizes are available in 4 x 8-footpanels, 4 x 10-foot and 12 foot panels that measure 4 feet. To determine how many panels you'll require split the total square footage by the square footage of the drywall panel. For example, four 8-foot panels will are able to cover the area of 32 square feet. If your area covers 800 sq. feet then divide it by 32 to make 25 panels.
Cut and put the drywall panels in.

It's unlikely that every panel of drywall will be perfectly positioned in the room, which is why it's common to cut and join the panels. Drywall is cut using either a saw for drywall or a scoring knife. Scoring knives are ideal for smaller pieces, whereas drywall saws work best for larger pieces.
The drywall should be hung.
When the drywall is placed in the frame of wood nail it to the frame using the screwdriver. It's crucial to keep the screws at least 3/8 inches from the edges of the panelto ensure that the drywall remains securely fixed.

Who to call in Rock Hill, SC?

Need drywall repair or drywall service in Rock Hill, SC? Check out Rock Hill Drywall Repair, a locally owned renovation service in York County. They offer drywall repair, sheetrock patching, ceiling repair, popcorn ceiling removal, trim repair, and interior/exterior painting.

Rock Hill Drywall Repair
803-877-6671

What is the Difference Between Drywall and Plaster in Your Home?

What is the term "drywall?

Standard drywall. The affordable drywall is available in a range of sizes, and is commonly used in homes for residential use.

A drywall that is mold-resistant.

Drywall that is moisture-resistant.

The drywall is fire-proof.

How to put up plaster

Paint the drywall.

Apply a coating of plaster.

Allow the plaster to dry.

How do I install drywall?

Check the ceiling and walls.

Cut and put the drywall panels in.

The drywall should be hung.

Who to call in Rock Hill, SC?