#Plastering lath and plaster walls how to#

Thus, the thickness of plaster can be somewhat inconsistent since it is applied by hand. Plaster is applied “wet” by hand troweling, often in multiple layers over a wood or metal lath, or gypsum lath boards. It’s a material that is generally durable and resilient to moisture, which is why it used to be popular in Florida homes. It’s literally a rock, making for quieter and “cooler” feeling spaces. Plaster is also harder and more time-consuming to install and repair.

You may also notice that plaster walls are more susceptible to cracking from building settlement or thermal expansion/contraction. The short answer is that plaster is literally harder than drywall.

#Plastering lath and plaster walls how to#

Learning how to spot plaster versus drywall is pretty straightforward. RELATED: IS YOUR SUBPANEL WIRED WRONG? LET’S TALK ABOUT IMPROPER SUBPANEL BONDING Plaster vs Drywall You won’t be so lucky if you have plaster walls. Plus, there are plenty of drywall contractors you can call to help you out.

Most new homes these days are made with drywall, and you can easily find supplies at your local hardware supply store. If you have an older home, or are considering purchasing one, you might need to learn how to handle plaster walls.ĭrywall, on the other hand, is easier to deal with and probably more familiar to you. While inspecting homes across the Central Florida area, we run into various versions of this question all of the time: What’s the difference between plaster walls/ceilings and drywall?