The thickness of lath and plaster walls provides improved insulation and soundproofing compared to drywall, but it also increases the cost of the project and the amount of space taken up by the walls. Thicker drywall options available, but still not as thick as lath and plaster walls. In comparison, standard drywall has a thickness of 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch. Lath and plaster walls are typically thicker than drywall walls.Ī typical lath and plaster wall may have a total thickness of 1-1.5 inches, including the wooden lath and multiple coats of plaster. Lath and plaster costs 25-50% more than drywall, but varies based on project size, labor costs, and materials. Lath and plaster is pricier due to labor-intensive installation and higher material costs, including wood lath and several plaster coats.ĭrywall is quicker and easier to install, which reduces labor costs, and its materials are less expensive. Lath and plaster is generally more expensive than drywall. Lath and Plaster vs Drywall Cost Comparison Cost Comparison The process of installing drywall is quicker and less labor-intensive than lath and plaster, and it is a cost-effective alternative for new construction projects.ĭrywall is smooth and easy to paint, but lacks natural appearance and acoustic qualities of lath and plaster. The panels are cut to size, attached to wooden studs or joists, and then finished with joint compound and paint. It consists of a gypsum core sandwiched between two sheets of heavy paper. What Is a Drywalls?ĭrywall, also known as gypsum board, is a common building material used to construct interior walls and ceilings. However, the installation process is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and the walls can be more sensitive to moisture than modern drywall. This walls are often used in older homes or homes with unique architectural features to preserve the original character and appearance of the space. The final finish can be sanded smooth and painted or left as is, providing a natural, textured appearance. The plaster hardens as it dries, forming a solid surface. It consists of thin wooden strips (lath) attached to a wooden frame and then coated with several layers of wet plaster. This can save you a significant amount of money on your heating bills.8.3 What is the best plaster for old houses? What Is a Lath and Plaster?Ī lath and plaster wall is an older construction method used to build interior walls and ceilings. Whereas drywall requires cutting at the bottom to make room for a skirting board, and may not necessarily reach the top of the wall perfectly, a wet render can reach everywhere and ensure that the thermal envelope of the room/building is fully intact. The thermal envelope of the house (ie, how well draught proved your house is) can be seriously altered by choosing either drywall or wet plaster. While this can be very effective, it will limit the space inside the room something that should be fully considered before committing to it.Īll of that said, there is one other factor in regards to keeping your house warm that is affected by your choice of plaster. One advantage that should be noted in regard to insulation,however, is the opportunity to install insulation behind drywall. The composition of the wall itself is much more important (ie, cavity or solid wall).

There are high quality clay plaster options and special insulated plasterboards on the market, but when you’re looking at standard plasterboard drywall and traditional wet render, there’s not all that much variance. With regard to the materials themselves, there’s not a huge amount that separates the two in terms of insulation values. The necessary skill of the tradesman and the time it takes them to do the work makes wet plastering a significantly more expensive option.ĭrywall vs wet plaster: Which is better insulating? The wet plaster must then to left to dry before the next coat can go on, meaning another day of labour. With traditional wet plastering, however, each layer must be applied by a skilled tradesman, taking several times longer thanjust whacking up some drywall. A wall plastered in this way can be boarded up and plastered over in a matter of days, possibly even hours. When using drywall, the labour is minimal.

Plaster walls vs drywall