When it comes to home improvements, there are always plenty of decisions to be made. Hard floor or carpet? Fibreglass or foam insulation? Paint or wallpaper? The list goes on.
Relining a wall brings about just one more choice – wet plaster or plasterboard? We’ve decided to take a look at this age-old battle to see if there really is a clear winner, or the choice comes down to your personal preference.
So if you’re looking to renovate your home, repair damage or just reline an old wall, chances are you’ll want to know which product is better for your needs. As established plastering and drylining specialists, our team are always on hand to help – but let’s take more of a detailed look at the two options in isolation.
Plaster
Generally the preferred option for masonry professionals in the UK, a traditional plaster finish can give your walls and ceilings a uniquely smooth result that plasterboard just can’t compete with. Not only does wet plaster give an exceptional finish, but it’s also known to be incredibly durable and resistant to degradation over time.
Choosing wet plaster also gives the added advantage of limitless restrictions – regardless of the size, shape or fiddly details like window bays or door frames, you can plaster any area given the right level of application and skill. We’d also throw in here that wet plaster provides a better airtight seal than plasterboard, meaning your room is better prepared to retain warmth and restrict water ingress from external sources.
Now you’re probably thinking ‘wet plaster is the winner’ – but there are some downsides to choosing this plastering method.
The biggest of these is the skill and craftsmanship it takes to apply wet plaster efficiently, which is why good plasterers train to hone their skills for many years as apprentices prior to working independently. Attempting to plaster a wall or room yourself is definitely not recommended – without the necessary experience, you’re almost certain to end up with an uneven finish and cracks when the plaster has dried.
Wet plaster is a fantastic option if you have money to invest and time on your side – if not, let’s take a look at the alternative.
Plasterboard – Drywall
If you’re looking for an effective finish to a wall, but just don’t have the time to get men on-site or wait for the plaster to dry, plasterboard is a fantastic alternative to the traditional wet plastering method.
Ready-made boards that you attach to your wall – plasterboard is as literal as it sounds. Simply measure up your wall or room, order the appropriate number of boards and that’s it. The only task left for you is to secure the boards to your wall, fill in the joints and screw holes with jointing compound to leave a single, smooth finish – we recommend 4T or Wondertex to do this. Thanks to their construction, plasterboard rarely cracks as the plaster is already dry and installing it is far easier than tackling wet plaster without prior experience.
The most challenging aspect will likely be the task of taping the joints of the drywall together, with jointing compound and tape, which again you’ll need the appropriate tools and materials to complete successfully – you’ll want a taping knife in a few sizes to make this step easier.
It’s fair to say plasterboard is definitely the more convenient of the two options, but if you’re looking for that uniquely smooth finish only wet plaster can bring, you’re going to need to pay more and wait longer. If your wall or room is unusually shaped, your hand may be forced when it comes to this choice, but it’s likely that installing plasterboard here would take longer anyway – cutting unique shapes with a jab saw, fastening them to a unusually-shaped wall and then filling in the joints and screw holes with jointing compound using a taping knife is only for the very brave.
Remember you’ll have to wait for this to dry and then hand sand the access off before to leave a smooth finish.
Summary
In summary, both types of plaster product have clear benefits. If you have the time and money to invest in a higher quality finish, wet plaster is almost certainly the preferable option. It brings a more durable, smoother finish with no joins between boards or screw holes to manually fill with drywall compound.
Plasterboard, on the other hand, is more time and money efficient – you can simply cut and install the boards, fill in the joints & screw holes and you’ll have your wall and ceilings relined in no time!
Still unsure which type of plastering option is best for you? Get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to help.