Plaster vs Drywall | Differences & Which To Choose

Plaster vs Drywall: The Core Difference

What Plaster Is

Traditional plaster is a wet mix (often gypsum, lime, sand, and water) that gets applied in multiple layers over lath (thin strips of wood) or sometimes masonry. 

Each coat cures and hardens into a dense, monolithic surface.

That’s why older homes can have walls that feel rock-solid. In many cases, plaster walls are over 1 inch thick once you account for the lath and the plaster coats.

What Drywall Is

Drywall is a pre-manufactured gypsum panel (also called plasterboard or Sheetrock). It’s screwed to studs, then the seams get taped and finished with joint compound. The result is a smooth wall, ready for paint or texture.

Drywall is typically 1/2 inch thick on standard walls, and commonly 5/8 inch on ceilings or for improved fire resistance.

So, Is Plaster The Same As Drywall?

No. They share gypsum in many cases, which is part of why people confuse them. But the construction method is completely different.

Plaster is built wet and layered, drywall is built dry and panel-based.

Plaster vs Drywall | Installation Process Compared

This is where the two materials really part ways.

Plaster Installation

Plaster is slow because it’s built in coats.

A typical traditional plaster system includes:

1. A base coat pressed into the lath

2. A brown coat to build thickness and strength

3. A finish coat, troweled smooth

Each stage has curing time. If you rush it, you get cracking, weak bonding, or a soft finish.

It’s also skill-dependent. A good plaster finish is craftsmanship. A bad plaster job is… memorable, and not in a good way.

Drywall Installation

Drywall installation is faster because it’s modular.

The basic flow:

1. Hang the sheets

2. Tape seams

3. Apply joint compound (often in multiple passes)

4. Sand

5. Prime

With the right materials and process, drywall repairs and finishing can be completed quickly. At Fast Patch, we often use hot mud compounds for repairs, which allows same-day progress that traditional drying compounds can’t match.

Plaster vs Drywall Cost

If you’re deciding between the two, cost is usually the first reality check.

Why Plaster Costs More

Plaster is commonly 1.5 to 3 times more expensive than drywall once labor is factored in.

Why:

• Multi-coat application

• Longer curing windows

• Skilled labor requirements

• Harder repairs and blending

Typical Cost Ranges

• Plaster installation: roughly $2 to $10 per sq ft

• Drywall install and finish: roughly $1.50 to $3.50 per sq ft

Real pricing varies by region, finish level, access, and the condition of what you’re working over.

What This Looks Like In Real-World Repair Work

Our pricing for drywall repairs starts at $399 for small repairs (under 2 ft² across up to 3 areas), and scales based on size and complexity:

• Small: $399

• Medium: $599

• Large: $899

• X-Large: $1,099 to $1,599 (typically single-day completion)

• X-Large+: $1,599+ (may require an in-person consult)

Plaster vs Drywall Pros & Cons

Here’s the clean comparison:

Plaster Pros

• Durable: resists dents and impacts better

• Long-lasting: often 100+ years with good maintenance

• Sound control: dense walls naturally reduce noise

• Fire resistance: mass and moisture content help slow heat transfer

• Seamless look: no taped joints, classic finish

Plaster Cons

• Higher cost: labor is the big driver

• Harder repairs: matching texture and blending is tricky

• Slower work: curing time makes timelines longer

• Less flexible for updates: running new wiring can be a pain

• Can crack with age: especially with settling or brittle old plaster

Drywall Pros

• Affordable: cheaper materials and faster labor

• Fast installation: ideal for remodels and modern builds

• Easy access for wiring: cut, patch, done

• Repair-friendly: straightforward patching

• Finish control: Level 4 vs Level 5 gives options

Drywall Cons

• Dents easier: less impact resistant

• Seams can show: especially under harsh lighting if finishing is rushed

• Soundproofing isn’t automatic: needs layers and insulation to compete

Durability And Lifespan: What Lasts Longer?

• Plaster: Often 100+ years

• Drywall: Commonly 30 to 50 years in average conditions

But lifespan isn’t the whole story.

Drywall can be repaired cleanly, quickly, and repeatedly. That matters if you remodel often, have rental turnover, or just live in a real home where walls take hits.

Plaster holds up longer, but when it fails or cracks in a noticeable way, repairs are harder to blend perfectly.

Plaster vs Drywall Repair: What Happens When Something Gets Damaged

This is where most homeowners end up living.

Drywall Repair

Drywall repair is usually:

1. Cut out the damaged area

2. Add backing support

3. Patch and tape

4. Mud in passes

5. Sand (with dust control)

6. Texture match if needed

It’s straightforward, and with the right process, it can be done cleanly. 

Plaster Repair

Plaster repairs usually require:

• Stabilizing loose plaster

• Reattaching or repairing lath if needed

• Layering patch material in stages

• Matching the existing finish

• Longer drying and curing

It’s not impossible. It’s just less forgiving.

In many cases, plaster repair costs 2 to 5 times more than a similar drywall repair, mostly because you’re paying for skill and time.

Soundproofing & Fire Resistance

Plaster vs Drywall Soundproofing

Plaster typically wins on soundproofing by default because it’s dense and thick.

Drywall can do well, but it usually needs help:

• Added insulation in cavities

• Resilient channels

• Acoustic drywall

• Double layers

Fire Resistance

Both plaster and drywall are considered fire-resistant, not fireproof.

Plaster often performs well because of:

• Density and mass

• Chemically bound water in gypsum (slows heat transfer)

Drywall can also perform extremely well, especially fire-rated Type X assemblies or multi-layer installations.

So the practical takeaway is: plaster is strong here, but modern drywall systems can be engineered to meet strict fire ratings, too.

Remodeling & Future Flexibility

Drywall dominates modern construction for one big reason: it plays nicely with change. 

Need to add an outlet, run a new line, move a vent, or install smart home tech? Drywall makes it easier to:

• Cut access

• Patch cleanly

• Refinish fast

Plaster is doable, but modifications often require more demolition and more skilled patching.

Plaster vs Drywall Ceiling

Ceilings are their own category because gravity is involved.

• Plaster ceilings can crack over time, and older lath systems can sag if they’ve been exposed to moisture.

• Drywall ceilings are easier to replace or rehang, especially when damage is widespread.

If your ceiling has popcorn texture, be careful. Older popcorn ceilings can contain asbestos, and testing should happen before any scraping or sanding.

Safety Notes When Working With Plaster

If you’re tearing into plaster in an older home, assume two things until proven otherwise:

1. Dust will be intense.

2. There may be lead paint or asbestos in the layers.

Test first. It’s not alarmist. It’s just smart.

Also: Opening walls can expose old wiring (including knob-and-tube) or fragile plumbing runs. Shut off power, protect the home, and don’t treat demolition like a casual weekend project.

Is Drywall Or Plaster Better? How To Choose

Neither plaster nor drywall is universally “better.” The right answer depends on what you care about.

Choose Plaster If:

• You’re restoring a historic home and want authenticity

• You value longevity and impact resistance

• You’re okay paying more for skilled work

Choose Drywall If:

• Budget and timeline matter

• You want easy repairs and updates

• You’re remodeling and expect changes later

• You want predictable finishing outcomes

If you’re still stuck, use this simple lens:

• Plaster is a premium wall system. Strong, dense, long-lasting.

• Drywall is the practical wall system. Efficient, repairable, flexible.