Gypsum Board or Plaster: What to Choose?

Plaster: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Method

Today, fewer people choose wall plastering, following trends from the West: because not everyone can plaster walls by themselves, and it takes quite a lot of time to do it. However, gypsum board can be quickly assembled even by beginners.

Photo 1 — Plastering with Guides

However, the construction community in the country stands by its position: plaster is a more durable and reliable coating for walls. For example, kitchen cabinets, bulky shelves, or heavy framed pictures can be easily mounted on properly plastered walls. Additionally, when plastering, wires with single insulation are allowed, while only double insulation and corrugated sleeves are permitted for gypsum board. Perhaps the most important advantage of this tried-and-true method is that it does not consume precious centimeters of room area. It is less greedy than any gypsum board structure.

However, serious surface misalignments cannot be quickly and economically fixed with plaster. It may take about 7 bags of plaster and three weeks to level problematic surfaces in a typical apartment room. If you have sufficient funds and don't rush to finish the renovation, plastering is a correct choice.

Photo 2 — Plastering: Choice for Those Who Care About Results, Not Speed

Another issue with plastering walls is finding a good master. Quality work costs a lot, and there are always plenty of people who want to make a living from ignorance of the process details.

IMPORTANT! Some construction companies offer to pay as low as $4/m² for work “under the trowel,” without specifying the length of the tool. An experienced master will only work with a 1.5-meter rule for the same price: of course, the second option is more reasonable for any customer.

An ideally plastered surface among masters is called “under a bill” and the saying came not by chance: on a sample surface after work, the gap between the rule and the wall should be minimal, just enough for a currency bill to pass through.

Cost of Professional Surface Plastering

This work cannot cost less than $20/m². Moreover, the surface must then be spackled, which costs at least $3/m².

There are several other significant drawbacks: plaster may flake or crack over time, cleaning after plastering can take several days, and the renovation itself may last more than two weeks. There are a few more “may” factors related to plastering that don’t benefit the method. However, it remains more acceptable for those who care about results, not speed.

External Corner (Plastering, Leveling): VIDEO

Gypsum Board: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Method

Is it worth paying extra for plastering or can you save money on everything and choose gypsum board for leveling walls and ceilings?

The advantage of gypsum board is the speed and simplicity of installation: detailed guides on installing Gypsum Board explain the process from beginning to end, breaking it down so that any attentive homeowner can assemble a gypsum board structure. Additionally, by installing a metal frame, you can lay insulation and electrical conduits between the gypsum board sheets and the wall without cutting grooves in the walls. Unlike plaster, Gypsum Board is less sensitive to temperature conditions on site: Gypsum Board can be installed even at +5°C. This method is less messy than plastering.

Installing Gypsum Board Angles (Internal Corner): VIDEO

The advantage of gypsum board is also that additional outlets can be installed in Gypsum Board without damaging the finish. Gypsum board does not crack or flake over time, but it is very sensitive to mechanical damage. A bookshelf can only be mounted on such a wall with very long screws.

Gypsum Board Corner: VIDEO

Other disadvantages of gypsum board include significant space consumption during installation (some structures can reach 10 cm in thickness!), lower strength, and sensitivity to moisture. Walls covered with gypsum board “do not breathe,” and the plaster may start to smell, making the air in the room stale.

Cost of Installing Gypsum Board Panels

Regarding cost, installing gypsum board panels costs approximately $5/m². Plus, additional expenses for finishing the gypsum board and splicing the sheets (more details – in the video below).

Plastering Gypsum Board: VIDEO

Walls made of Gypsum Board

Faux wall made of Gypsum Board