Plaster vs. drywall for interior walls

Michael Power, JCM Investment Holdings Inc.
E-Mail: info@jcm-investment-holdings.com
Telephone: (800)647-0859
Website: http://www.1.jcm-investment-holdings.com

John Nicholson

Real Estate Investor · Concord, New Hampshire

2 posts
50 influence

Feb 22, 05:26 PM

It depends- in my area drywall is less than plaster. I suggest getting a quote both ways. Perhaps do this on a few projects and go with a contractor that will be consistent and trustworthy. It is very important to find contractors that you can "partner" with and build a good working relationship with. That way the price will become predictable over time with less problems for you during each project.

John Nicholson

Kyle Meyers

Residential Landlord · Indianapolis, Indiana

533 posts
7 awards
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Feb 22, 05:32 PM

I have been told by a few contractors that drywall will hold up better. Plaster tends to form cracks every few years and will need to be repaired. I have not really experienced this myself yet since I am still new to the rental biz, but if the plaster walls at my properties need continuous repairs, I will look into replacing with drywall over time.

Ed Lee

Real Estate Investor · Hattiesburg, Mississippi

219 posts
3 awards
54 influence

Feb 22, 08:32 PM

Drywall is dirt cheap and easy to repair.. Plaster has better sound absorption.

Any handyman can make basic drywall repairs. Plaster is more of art from what I've read..

Jason A.

Multi-family Investor · North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

30 posts
50 influence

Feb 23, 04:11 AM

I'd go with drywall for sure. Plastering is drywall with plaster coating over it. Why add an extra couple days of work waiting for plaster to cure. And then you are supposed to wait a couple of weeks to paint it. Keep it simple and just use drywall. Patching and painting is simple.

Matt T.

SFR Investor · CB, Iowa

Donor
Pro Basic

83 posts
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Feb 23, 06:40 AM

For a rental it is probably cheaper to repair whatever is currently there. I deal with a lot of 50-80 year old homes in my market and most have plaster. Repairs can be a pain in the neck but the time and expense (not to mention mess) associated with replacing it with drywall just isn't worth it to me. Any rooms that have to be torn out are replaced with drywall. If you are starting with bare walls I'd recommend drywall all the way.

Bienes Raices

· Orlando, Florida

2,033 posts
9 awards
62 influence

Feb 23, 07:06 AM

Thanks for the replies! Most of the houses here seem to have drywall, but every now and then I see one that's plaster.

Steve Babiak

Real Estate Investor · Audubon, Pennsylvania

4,267 posts
14 awards
91 influence

Feb 23, 01:47 PM

Originally posted by Kyle Meyers

... Plaster tends to form cracks every few years and will need to be repaired. ...

Once plaster develops a crack, the above quote becomes very true; tough to get a permanent repair done to plaster cracks. One thing to consider, in cases where the plaster has lots of damage, is to use a drywall veneer over the plaster surfaces. Baseboards, window and door trim, light fixtures, smoke alarms, thermostats, etc might need to be adjusted to accomodate the added thickness of the drywall layer if you choose to veneer - but the issues with cracks re-appearing diminish with drywall.