Before, the most popular type of interior wall finishing was plaster. However, when drywall became commonly available, things have changed. You might assume that plasters today can only be found in old houses or historic properties. Well, you are wrong. Nowadays, this old material still provides a lot of advantages for modern applications. If you are building or remodeling a house, it is still worth checking both the pros and cons of Hastings plastering.
Pros:
1.) Durability
Compared to drywall, a plaster coating produces a more durable and stronger wall finish if mixed and applied properly. Strong bonds are developed in the mixture by the chemical reaction that happens whenever water evaporates out of the mixture of the plaster. In almost every case, plaster is more resistant to dents and knocks. In addition to that, the backing or lath that that is utilized underneath the plaster also influences its durability. Tough backing boards or modern metal lath are much sturdier compared to the historical homes’ thin wooden lath strips.
2.) Deters Fire and Absorbs Noise
If you go inside a room fitted with contemporary drywall and a room fitted with lath and plaster, you will certainly notice the differences between the noise levels. The reason for this is that plaster can absorb noise due to its irregular shapes. Furthermore, lime plaster is much denser than drywall.
In addition to that, it is also known that traditional plaster material deters fire. The reason for this is that compared to drywall, carbonated lime will spread fire slower. In addition to that, there’s less air or space between the ceiling or wall layers. This allows less oxygen to work with the fire.
3.) Installation
When sanded and cut, drywall creates a lot of specks of dust. Since the joint compound needs to dry before the installer adds another coat, drywall finishing takes a lot of time. It usually, takes several days.
On the other hand, plaster does not create any dust aside from the tiny amount released whenever water is added to the powder. Furthermore, you don’t have to sand plaster. Installing a plaster wall also takes a lot less time compared to drywall, and it creates less mess. Thus, you will have fewer things to clean up when you opt to install a plaster for your wall.
Cons:
1.) Hard to Repair
Repairing the issue is hard when plaster crumbles or cracks due to a strong blow or shifting foundations. The repairman must scrape or cut the damaged plaster without damaging the surrounding wall material. You may have to replace the backing or lath if the damage is serious. In addition to that, as plaster ages, it also slightly changes color. Thus, if you do not paint the whole wall after fixing it, new patches will certainly stand out over time.
2.) Expense
Drywall tends to be much more affordable compared to plastering, regardless of the additional labor of hanging and finishing it. Because of their specialized skills, workers who specialize in applying plaster charge more.
Recent Comments