Which is better drywall or plaster walls. Rough wall finishing: drywall or plaster? Performance characteristics of plaster and drywall

Construction of a new house or renovation of an old one, renovation of an apartment or restoration of damaged walls invariably lead to the need to start repairs. Decades ago construction works aligning the walls would be reduced to plastering them. Today, this option has a worthy competitor - drywall. This is where the dilemma arises: which is better - drywall or plaster?

There is no definite answer to this question. In each specific case, the owner will have to decide for himself what to buy. The choice will become obvious only after reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of each building material.

What is drywall?

This material was invented in late XIX century in America. But then he did not receive wide distribution. Over time, choosing which is better - drywall or plaster, everything more people began to give preference to drywall. From the middle of the next century, its use spread throughout the world, and it also appeared in the USSR.

Drywall is construction material... It consists of two sheets of cardboard and an inner layer of hardened gypsum dough between them. Used plasterboard for the ceiling, for interior cladding walls and to create interior partitions... Not suitable for outdoor work and for rooms with high humidity. Of course, you can level the walls with drywall, but after a few years appearance these walls will deteriorate. The repair will have to be repeated after a maximum of 6-8 years.

Manufacturers release sheets drywall three major standard sizes... The width is one - 1200 millimeters, and the length can be 2, 2.5 or 3 meters. The thickness of the sheet comes in two sizes: 9.5 or 12.5 millimeters.

Responding to consumer requests, manufacturers have launched production of three types drywall: standard gypsum plasterboard (GKL), waterproof gypsum board (GKLV) and fire-resistant drywall (GKLO).

Waterproof sheets are distinguished by the addition of special anti-fungal substances to the gypsum core. Gypsum in fire resistant sheets is reinforced with clay and fiberglass reinforcement. Due to the fire-resistant properties of these materials, the drywall sheet withstands open fire within an hour, without spreading it and smoke. The buyer can distinguish the types of drywall by the color of the sheets: if it is gray, then it is ordinary drywall, green marking indicates waterproof material, and pink indicates fire resistance.

What is plaster?

For a long time, the alignment of walls and ceilings was carried out with plaster. This building mixture used for interior decoration or outside walls as well as ceiling. Plaster also means the hardened layer resulting from its application to the walls. Three are usually distinguished:

1. Plain - used to level the surface of walls and protect them from negative impact environment... It is possible to process walls both indoors and outdoors.
2. Special - provides by adding certain components different characteristics: heat-saving, sound-insulating, X-ray shielding, adro-insulating.
3. Decorative - at the final stage of finishing walls or ceilings, it gives an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the surface. There are colored, silk, Venetian, stone and others.

Ordinary plaster can have a different composition: lime, gypsum or cement-sand mixture.

Lime mortar is a mass of lime and sand in a ratio of 1: 4. You can add cement for strength. Environmentally friendly mixture is quickly applied, used for outdoor use. Cement-sand mass in a ratio of 1: 4 can be applied to external and inner sides walls. With this solution, it will be possible to level out large flaws, the plaster layer does not collapse for several decades. it is applied for internal works... The coating turns out to be even and white, suitable for finishing in any form: wallpaper, painting, tiles.

Advantages of drywall

In order to determine which is better - drywall or plaster, you need to find out about the pros and cons of each type of finishing materials. Drywall has a number of advantages that plaster does not reach:

1. All finishing work with drywall is accompanied by a minimum of dirt, since the material is dry and does not require moisture.
2. Aligning the walls with this material does not require special skills, it is carried out quickly. It is not difficult to use drywall for the ceiling.
3. GKL sheathing provides sound insulation from external extraneous noise. The use of special fire-resistant drywall provides fire prevention.
4. The ability of drywall to absorb excess moisture allows the walls to "breathe".
5. An empty space is created between the sheathing sheet and the wall, which can be used to good use. There you can hide communications or fill with insulation.
6. Drywall sheets bend well. This allows from of this material to design original design on walls and ceilings.

Disadvantages of drywall

Like any material, it has drawbacks. The disadvantages include:

• reducing the usable space inside the room, because the sheets are attached to the crate;
• upholstery of walls with plasterboard is only part of the finishing work: you still need to putty the seams and apply finishing material;
• drywall walls cannot hold a heavy shelf or cabinet hung on them; for this, additional elements must be laid under the sheet.

Advantages of plaster

It is not for nothing that plaster is called the old, proven way of leveling walls and ceilings. It can compete with the apparent merits of drywall when choosing a material: which is better - drywall or plaster? The material remains in demand for so long, because the advantages of plastered walls cannot be overlooked.

1. Durability is the main advantage of plaster. The work carried out in compliance with all technologies allows you to forget about problems with irregularities for at least thirty years. Wallpaper, painting, whitewash will have to be updated more often.
2. The wall, leveled with plaster, is strong, shock-resistant, reliable.
3. It can withstand almost any load: furniture, electrical equipment or a painting in a heavy antique frame.
4. Keeps the same area of ​​the room without reducing it by a few centimeters on each side.
5. Electricians are allowed to use single insulation wires on plastered walls.

Material disadvantages

The plaster is good, but it is not without its drawbacks:

• Plastering the walls is carried out with the addition of water, therefore it is accompanied by great amount mud.
• Plastering is not quick. It takes time to apply the material, then it dries. And only then can you start finishing. This may take three weeks, or even more.
• Accepting the completed work from the plasterer, the customer can easily overlook the flaws. A non-professional is often unable to check the correctness of the technology compliance. There are many builders who want to carry out plastering work. At the same time, the price depends on the level of skill and responsibility of the specialist.

Room decoration using drywall

Plaster well and reliably hides irregularities on the walls. Drywall is capable of more - it can transform the space. When plastering, a box is obtained with an ideal smooth walls... Drywall design knows no boundaries. The most common options are: two- or three-level ceilings, room zoning, creating arches or columns. You can transform any room, from the bedroom to the hallway. Interesting ideas offer masters for decorating a bedroom, nursery, living room.

Cost of plaster and drywall

Comparison of the price of drywall and composite components for plaster shows a significant cheapness of the second material by almost two times. But you need to prepare a mixture from the starting materials, and then apply it to the wall. The drywall is ready to use and the sheet looks great. It is not difficult to lift and carry it, it is lightweight.

It is not difficult to calculate the required number of drywall sheets. It is enough to measure the area of ​​walls and ceilings in each room. Miscalculate with the right amount plaster can even be a master. Much depends on the condition of the walls. If they are in a deplorable state, then you will have to increase the consumption of materials. Hence, when asked what is cheaper - drywall or plaster, we can confidently answer that the second material is more affordable.

Remuneration for specialists

The cost of wall cladding with plasterboard and plastering is about the same. There is another problem here: to find good master... It, of course, will cost more, but the game is worth the candle.

There is construction firms demanding for the price of which is quite high - up to $ 4 for processing one square meter... The length of the tool is not specified. An experienced plasterer for that kind of money will only work with a one and a half meter trowel. The customer must understand that this option is preferable for him. The work of a highly qualified professional will cost much more: from $ 20 per square meter.

It is much cheaper to align walls or ceilings with drywall. So, on average, the installation of drywall (price per sq. M.) - about $ 5. Additional expenses will be required for smoothing the joints of the sheets, for facing drywall. It's still cheaper than plastering.

Comparison of these prices unequivocally gives an answer to the question of which is more profitable - plaster or drywall. Plaster will be cheaper.

Making a choice

Plaster and drywall have common features... Let's consider which ones. It is not for nothing that drywall is called He is able to level the walls without unnecessary difficulties. Both types of finishing materials are made from environmentally friendly components. Therefore, they are harmless.

If you compare the speed of work, then the undisputed leader will be drywall. Moreover, you can work with it already at +5 degrees. For plaster you need a warmer temperature regime... When comparing service lives, the lead will remain behind the plaster. A small disclaimer: if the procedure for its application was carried out correctly.

For a quick completion of the repair, it is better to choose the installation of drywall. Price per sq. m will also be lower, which is important. Preference should be given to drywall, if you need to hide engineering Communication or large flaws in the walls. Additional insulation is also possible when installing this material.

Plastering is preferable in the country, since there is no constant heating in winter. The small plasterboard room will become even smaller. Plaster will save the area from shrinking. And, of course, for rooms with heavy objects on the walls, this material is a safe bet.

Conclusion

These are the conclusions. The decision about what is right for you - wall decoration with plaster or drywall, take on your own. Successful renovation!

A rare redevelopment does without the construction of new partitions, unless you decide to make a studio and only break down the old walls. New walls can be erected from piece materials such as bricks, slabs and blocks of various compositions - we have already talked about them in the article "". Or use sheet materials... There are three most popular ones today, and we are ready to tell you about all their pros, cons and features so that you can choose the best one.

1. Plasterboard walls - GKL

A gypsum plasterboard is a sheet of gypsum wrapped thick paper, measuring 1200x2500x12.5 mm and weighing 29 kg. Sometimes it is thinner - 9 mm wide, but this option is very fragile. It is mounted like this: first, a frame is formed from metal profile, then plasterboard sheets are sewn onto the frame in two overlapping layers on all sides. The final wall thickness will depend on the width of the used metal profile 50/65/75/100 and you will get 100/115/125/150 mm, respectively. GKL sheathe not only walls, but also ceilings.

A waterproof gypsum plasterboard (GKLV) of green color is also on sale, but it is conditionally waterproof: with constant ingress of water, such sheets will swell, even if they are covered with tiles on top. It is better not to use it at all in "wet" rooms.

GKL cost: RUB 250-350 / piece GKLV will be more expensive.

Pros:

• Inside the frame, which is sheathed with gypsum board, it is convenient to lay communications.
• Easy installation.
• If you mount the frame over the floor screed, the plasterboard wall can be disassembled and re-erected as needed.
• Very lightweight material, gives very little load on the floors.

Minuses:

• 1 m² of plasterboard wall holds no more than 20 kg facing material... That is, the tiles will withstand normally, but porcelain stoneware is no longer a fact. When overloaded, the finish will soon fall off along with the cardboard layer, exposing the gypsum.
• On one butterfly dowel (the tip of which opens after screwing in) in plasterboard wall an object weighing no more than 10 kg will hold, and no more than 4 on the ceiling (under the curtain rod you will have to make a cutout or lay a beam on the ceiling). If you want to hang something heavier, you need to know in advance exactly where, and lay a beam or profile there.
• Very poor soundproofing.
• Low strength - impact dents remain.
• Use with great care in wet areas.

2. What is better than drywall: Gypsum fiber sheet (GVL)

GVL also consists of gypsum, but reinforced with various environmental additives. The assortment includes PC sheets - with a straight edge, they are intended for walls, and FC - an edge with a notch (for the floor). It also exists in the range of GVLV (waterproof gypsum fiber sheet): it does not differ in color in any way, only it has a seal with the designation of moisture resistance.

Dimensions of gypsum fiber sheet 2500 x 1200 x 10 / 12.5 mm, weight 36/42 kg. More often, a thickness of 10 mm is used for interior partitions. Metal frame sheathed GVL sheets in one layer, unlike GCR. To improve sound insulation, you can make two layers, but then it is better to combine: one layer from gypsum fiber board, the other from gypsum board.

The thickness of the final single-layer GVL partition 10 mm: 70/85/95/120 mm depending on the width of the selected profile.

Price: RUB 450-500 / piece The final wall turns out to be approximately the same in cost for gypsum board and gypsum plasterboard, since gypsum board is mounted in two layers, and gypsum plasterboard in one.

Pros:

• On a butterfly dowel, it already withstands up to 20 kg on the wall and up to 8 kg on the ceiling, which is twice as high as that of the gypsum board.
• Non-flammable material, can be used in saunas.
• Good water resistance, can be used in the bathroom; even a frame for a bathtub or sink can be made from GVLV.
• Well processed to create complex shapes: arches, bulges, concavities.
• Inside the frame, which is sheathed with GVL, it is convenient to lay communications.
• Easy installation.
• The wall is flat and does not require additional leveling.
• If you mount the frame over the floor screed, the gypsum fiber wall can be disassembled and re-erected as needed.

Minuses:

• Sound insulation is better than that of gypsum board, but not much. It can be improved by mounting the material in two layers.
• For items heavier than 20 kg, you will still have to make additional wall reinforcement at the hanging point.

3. Another alternative: Cement particle board (DSP)

DSP is the golden mean between wood and stone in terms of their properties. Made from cement, wood fibers and liquid glass(stationery glue). There are plates for interior decoration and for the front (FTsSP). The size of one slab: 2700 x 1250 mm or 3200 x 1250 mm, and the thickness to choose from is 8/10/12/16/20/24/36 mm. For interior partitions, widths of 10 and 12 mm are most often used, the weight of slabs of this width is 46 and 54 kg, respectively. It is better to choose the widest frame - metal or wooden. The final wall width will be about 12 cm.

Price: RUB 800-900 per slab 2700 x 1250 x 10 mm.

Pros:

• The assortment includes DSP with volumetric decorative pattern imitating brick, stone, wood, etc. Such DSPs are more expensive, but do not require finishing.
• Moisture resistant material, can be used in bathrooms even with a direct hit of water.
• Non-flammable - can be used in saunas, baths and around fireplaces and stoves.
• Does not rot, very durable.
• Many other elements can be made from DSP, besides walls: use as a top layer for leveling subfloors, make window sills, steps.
• On a butterfly dowel, it can hold up to 50 kg.
• The partitions are durable, but easy to groove.
• Easy to assemble, except that because of the weight it is more convenient to do it together.
• Good soundproofing.

You have built a house, or decided to make major repairs in an old dwelling, and do not know what to do with the ceiling and walls: drywall or plaster, which is better?

This situation is familiar to many. Most people are interested in more than just the price of basic Supplies, but also the complexity of the work, as well as the ability to do it yourself.

Task decorative design the interior, at the same time, does not stand aside either. We suggest discussing with us which is better: plaster or drywall on the walls.

If we compare which is more profitable: drywall or plaster, considering these materials exclusively as ways of leveling surfaces, then the main selection criterion is their cost, timing and technological complexity of work.

So:

• The screed is classic version preparation of walls and ceilings for painting or wallpapering. Whoever says anything, it is not at all easy to do a high-quality alignment in a wet way, without having certain skills and knowledge. Even the most detailed instructions does not replace practice, and mistakes, as, indeed, in any other business, are fraught with financial costs.
• Fifteen years ago, the plastering process was more complicated due to the fact that the solution had to be composed of separate components. This was done only by professionals, since home-grown specialists did not always succeed in making the solution correctly, especially by hand.
• They kneaded it "by eye", not every batch produced the same amount of ingredients, and as a result, the screed pretty soon began to peel off from the base and crumble in places. Repairs in the house had to be done often, and no one was particularly surprised at this.
• Today the situation has changed dramatically. With the appearance of dry plaster mixes prefabricated, the process of renovating the premises has been greatly simplified. There is no longer the need to purchase each ingredient separately, since the base and finishing compositions have already been assembled. You just need to add water, and how much, the manufacturer also thought for us.

• Modern mixtures for leveling surfaces are clearly focused on certain operating conditions of the coating and have specified physical and mechanical characteristics. In addition to the binder and mineral filler, polymer resins are added to them, which endow solutions with unusual qualities.
• No drywall can compare with the strength of cement-polymer and gypsum-polymer screeds - and this is a fact. For this reason, for example, industrial premises almost never sheathed, but plastered. The only difference is that for plastering works they do not use factory mixtures, but prepare solutions at on-site painting stations. Moreover, builders have their own recipes.
• The purpose of the room matters. Let's say walls of corridors, halls and lobbies public buildings, where there is a large traffic of visitors, most often they are also plastered. If they are sheathed, then not with drywall, but with gypsum vinyl or wood-polymer panels.

• They eliminate the need for finishing decorative finishing, but the cost of such a covering, as you know, is far from the budget. Plastering and painting the walls in this case is much cheaper. In addition, for the walls of public institutions, completely different requirements are imposed on the strength of the coating.
• There is a possibility of mechanical impact: furniture, equipment, appliances are worn around the building. The wall can be touched, and drywall is easy enough to break through, since in addition to the cardboard shell, the sheets are not protected by anything. What can we say about production workshops! For such premises, plasterboard wall cladding is unprofitable.
• The reason for this is the large height of the premises, the solid dimensions and weight of the gypsum board, which is simply inconvenient to mount at a height of 5-6 m. Plastering and painting works at such facilities are fully mechanized, which makes it possible for a small team to quickly plaster and paint walls and ceilings.

Speaking about leveling in a "wet" way, one cannot but recall that there is also decorative plaster, which gives opportunities for such a design that cannot always be done on drywall. The cost of decorative plastering is higher, this is natural. But not everyone thinks the same way: this finishing option is interesting for those who consider the main criterion for choosing not economy, but the aesthetics of the interior.

Using drywall instead of plaster: pros and cons

If the walls of a room require durable coating, instead of drywall for cladding, you can use GVL (gypsum fiber sheets). Due to the internal reinforcement with asbestos fiber, they have sufficient strength. That is why they are used for the device internal partitions, working niches, built-in wardrobes.

So:

• Firstly, this material is more expensive than GCR. Secondly, it is not advisable to sheathe every room. Let's take the same corridors: they are already quite narrow, and after plating they become even smaller. So plastering the walls is the most logical option for them.
• As for living quarters of a small area, there is the same problem: the installation of gypsum plasterboard on the frame (see Plasterboard cladding based on the frame: the nuances of finishing) takes up space of at least 5 cm at each wall, which is very clearly visible in the photo below ... The advantages of frame cladding are that it allows you to level the surface where the differences are more than 5 cm.

• For plaster, this is the maximum possible thickness, and the plane of the plasterboard cladding can be leveled using straight hangers. It is important that the installation of gypsum board on the frame allows you to insulate the room, which is especially important for private houses.

Here you must decide for yourself what is more important: extra centimeters of space, or insulation - it's good that in a private house it can be done outside.

• Drywall can, of course, be mounted adhesive method, but the walls must be sufficiently flat for this. This method of alignment is used more often when preparing walls for wallpapering, as it reduces the number of technological operations. It is enough to close up the joints between the sheets, and the roll coating can be glued.
• But for painting, drywall needs to be putty and sanded over the entire area. What is the point then to glue it, when you can putty the base base - especially if it is already even. In general, deciding for yourself what is better: drywall, or plaster, you need to be guided, first of all, by logic.

• When it comes to ceilings, the criteria are completely different. If we talk about their options finishing, then plastered ceilings have fewer possibilities. Their design is mainly based on color combinations, which is quite acceptable for living quarters, entertainment and childcare facilities.
• This is not always the case for public institutions. But drywall for ceiling design gives a lot of advantages: in addition to color, form can participate in it. With the help of drywall, you can change beyond recognition not only the configuration of the ceiling, but also the space of the room as a whole.
• Decorative niches, arches, curly partitions, built-in cabinet furniture and multilevel ceilings- all this is the merit of drywall. Height office space by standards are higher than in residential buildings, therefore, fit into their interiors suspended ceiling you can always.
• This makes it possible not only to diversify the interior design as a whole, but to organize quality lighting, ventilation and sound insulation. In the example above, we see this approach to finishing the lobby of an administrative building: there is plaster on the walls, and the ceiling is a two-level plasterboard.

• In houses and apartments plasterboard ceilings play the same role, but design opportunities, thanks to different options lighting and finishing, much more. By the way, it is the ceilings that are most often difficult to align due to significant differences between two adjacent floors. Using drywall, the disadvantages of the base ceiling can not only be hidden, but played up with a suspended structure.

If the height of the room does not allow the installation of a false ceiling, base surface you can simply hem with plasterboard in one level, which will make it possible to insulate or soundproof it. Many people immediately have a question: "What is cheaper - to level the walls with plasterboard or plaster?" We will try to answer it in the next chapter.

Cost of materials and work

So, we are interested in what will be the difference in the cost of leveling surfaces if the work is done "dry" and "wet" methods. Drywall or plaster, which is cheaper?

Let's count together, using the example of a standard bedroom in brick house, with preparation for painting. With a room size of 3m * 4m * 2.5m, the area of ​​its walls will be 35m2.

We cover with plasterboard

Plastering walls

So:

• To get a true picture, we took the market value of materials from one manufacturer as a basis. It's just approximate calculation... If the screed on the walls is not so thick, less material will be consumed, respectively, the cost of the "wet" leveling will decrease.
• As for the plasterboard sheathing, we counted more cheap option: on wooden crate... On the metal frame it will cost more, and the cost of work is slightly higher.

Thus, we can confidently answer the question "Which is more profitable: drywall or plaster", that the economic costs for both methods of alignment are approximately the same. We think that the video in this article will convince you of this.

You can save money only if you do the work yourself. We wish you to succeed!

Everyone knows that the pledge quality repair there will be a perfectly flat and beautiful surface of the ceiling, because this is the object that catches the eye first of all when entering the room. From good alignment the entire appearance of the room will depend on the ceiling, since uneven surface will distort the lighting, create the effect of poor-quality repairs, and also make the room uncomfortable. It's no secret that drywall is a material that not only perfectly levels, but also insulates and also soundproof the room, but plaster is still relevant and popular. What is the reason for this? This will be discussed in this article, where the advantages and disadvantages of each of the finishing materials will be described in detail, as well as in which cases this or that option is better suited. So what better plaster or drywall?

What is this article about

What is plaster and what is it like?

Plaster is a material that is widely used in construction and repair activities to create perfectly flat and smooth surfaces of walls and ceilings, as well as to prepare them for subsequent decorative finishing... It contains gypsum or cement, lime, as well as various special additional substances that enrich the material, make it resistant to moisture, mold, fungi and other adverse environmental influences.

Types of plaster:

1. Ordinary plaster - this type is designed specifically for finishing interior or exterior surfaces. She possesses democratic price, while not whimsical to use. It is preferred by both professionals and novices in the repair business. Ordinary plaster is versatile and the most popular because it has excellent soundproofing and drainage properties.
2. Decorative plaster is a newer and more perfect version of the usual one. In addition to standard components, it contains elements such as coloring pigments, nylon fibers, acrylic resins and others; it is very beautiful and practical. Moreover, such plaster is versatile and environmentally friendly, creating the right microclimate in the room. It should be noted that high-quality decorative material able to last for more than one decade with regular cleaning and maintenance. Over time, it does not fade and does not collect dust, and in the event of a fire, it does not burn.
3. Water and non-water plaster - the second option is a material that contains polyurethanes and epoxy resins, which are used as finishing components for interior work, to make the surface more textured.

Advantages and disadvantages of plaster

The advantages include the following:

• after quality plastering, the surfaces of the walls and ceiling are able to maintain their presentable appearance for a long time, they can last 30 or more years without additional repairs;
• the price of the material is very democratic, if someone asks what is cheaper than drywall or plaster, then we can easily say that plaster costs about half the price of finishing analogs, while, as for finishing works, they will also cost less, as at least 20% than the installation of gypsum board, especially if the work is carried out independently;
• plaster allows you not only to level the walls well, but also to make them stronger and more reliable, and if you try especially well, they will turn out to be impact-resistant;
• surface after plastering great for creating additional decor, for example, for installing heavy and bulky elements such as furniture or appliances, drywall, in this case, loses a lot, because it is not able to withstand strong physical exercise, for this it will have to be additionally strengthened, this means spending additional funds and time.

With all the advantages, the material has its disadvantages:

• the use of plaster is not complete without "wet" work, while the installation of gypsum plasterboards is dry enough, therefore, beginners, wondering which plaster or drywall is better, prefer drywall, fearing not to cope, since an incorrectly diluted material can ruin the entire surface repair;
• working with plaster takes a lot of time, especially if a beginner takes on the work, and the work surface is not of sufficient quality. Drywall, unlike plaster, is less whimsical in installation, therefore, in some cases, experts advise using it, especially if the repair needs to be completed as much as possible short time without special skills and knowledge in the field of installation and repair;
• the unevenness of the walls greatly affects the plaster, since very rough surfaces will require much more source material, which will greatly increase the cost of the entire repair. Drywall in this case is more advantageous, since the complexity of working with it does not depend on the quality of the surface;
• without professional titles and titles, it will be much more difficult to determine whether any technological aspects of the application of the plaster have been violated.

This video describes in detail the process of leveling walls with plaster:

What is drywall and what is it like?

Drywall is a material that is the main analogue of plaster, it is made of gypsum, which is finished on both sides with cardboard. With its help, both walls and ceilings can be finished, they become perfectly flat and smooth, prepared for further decorative finishing.

Plasterboard is well suited for rooms with normal humidity levels, without strong temperature changes. But, if the humidity in the room is increased, for example, in the bathroom, in the kitchen or the bath, then this is not a reason to abandon the plasterboard finish, because now there is a moisture-resistant analogue of conventional plasterboard sheets. It will look very beautiful and noble, while not deteriorating from exposure to moisture, and also not covered with mold and fungi, which will allow it to serve for a long time.

Advantages and disadvantages of drywall

Plasterboard sheets are very widespread during installation not only in Russia, but also in countries North America and Europe, because:

• now drywall instead of plaster is used more often due to the fact that it involves the conduct of exclusively "dry" work, which greatly facilitates the entire installation process;
• many are wondering what better drywall or plaster, when it comes to sound insulation or thermal insulation of a room, the answer is simple - drywall definitely wins;
• drywall sheets tend to "breathe" - this is due to the fact that the material constantly absorbs excess moisture and later gives it back, this property allows the drywall to maintain an optimal microclimate in the room;
• the material is flexible and elastic enough, therefore it is suitable not only for cladding, but also for creating decorated structures different forms from smooth lines to any geometric shapes;
• working with drywall takes much less time, and also requires less effort, skills and knowledge;
• plasterboard structures imply additional insulation premises (if necessary), it is very much in demand in cold climatic zones.

At a large number plasterboard sheets have advantages and disadvantages:

• it is not recommended to use it if the room has low ceilings, because the gypsum board tends to "eat up" the space due to its volume and frame method fasteners;
• during installation, the material cannot be left without finishing, which will require additional materials and time costs;
• ordinary drywall sheets will not survive a flood or other serious wetting, it will strongly bend and even dry it will not return to old form, while it will not withstand strong objects and decorations, for this it will have to be strengthened in advance, which will take a lot of time.

What is better plaster or drywall?

To answer the question posed, you need to figure out for what situations, what material is most effective. Drywall is usually used if assembly work must be completed as soon as possible, this is due to the fact that it does not need to be applied in several layers, like plaster and wait for it to dry completely, which can take a whole day. After installation, gypsum plasterboards can be immediately finished and decorated, while they perfectly hide all communications, such as ventilation, telephone wires, and so on, without implying a replacement for the conceived design solution.

There are times when, from unfavorable climatic conditions or improper wall decoration, they become of poor quality and poorly prepared for the next stage of finishing, in such a situation it is better to use drywall, because it is not picky about the quality of the walls, plaster is clearly losing here. It is also worth noting that this is the only option that is compatible with additional sound insulation and thermal insulation, because the structure is very well adapted to this.

Drywall is very practical if the design of the room requires precisely painting the walls or ceiling, because it turns out to be perfectly smooth without microcracks and scratches (unlike plaster), which the paint will immediately emphasize and make it more obvious.

As for the cases when the use of plaster will become a more advantageous option, then these include cases when the finished room is exposed to serious temperature changes, for example, it is not heated for a long time in the cold season.

Also, plaster is irreplaceable when it comes to finishing. small spaces with a low ceiling, it not only does not "steal" extra centimeters, but is also universal finishing material, it simultaneously evens out the surface and decorates it, this is very important if the country style or Provence is chosen. Plaster will do well if it is supposed to place sufficiently large decor items on the walls in the room. From all of the above, the conclusion follows, when asked which plaster or drywall is better, the answer cannot be obvious, it all depends on the specific conditions, be it the quality of the walls, the qualifications of the master or the area of ​​the room.

During the renovation, each of us faced curves and uneven ceilings and walls. Such "charms" are always found in apartment buildings... Today there are several ways to level the walls: drywall or plaster. And the question of which of them is better has not been resolved so far.

I must say that both materials, drywall and plaster, remain in demand today.

It would seem, what is there to choose? Today everything in the house, including the walls and ceiling, is sheathed with plasterboard. But it was not so, because today plaster is also actively used to level the walls. Consider the pros and cons of each of these finishing materials.

Still relevant

Plastering

Plaster today, in the presence of such a material as drywall, should have already been covered with cobwebs. But no, it still hasn't lost its value. Let's take a closer look at what allows it to stay afloat for so long.
Plaster is a special building mixture. It is usually used for leveling walls. In addition, it is also used as a material that gives the walls a uniform color. The plaster fills well all the irregularities and defects of the walls, leveling their surface. That is why plaster is one of the most demanded building materials to this day.

Today on the construction market you can find the following types of plasters:

Monolithic plaster

• ordinary. They are often universal. They are used for both external and internal work;
• narrow profile. Better suited for narrowly targeted actions, for example - leveling a wall;
• special. Possess protective properties... They can be used to protect against fire, X-rays, etc .;
• decorative. Accordingly, they are better suited for wall decoration. They have a different structure and color.

In addition to this classification, plaster can be divided according to the method of application:

Certain types of mortar can be used for finishing.
V modern renovation for wall decoration are more often used cement-sand mixture... But also limestone or gypsum mix... At the same time, the gypsum mixture is considered more environmentally friendly. Therefore, it is better to choose it if there are small children in the house.
Correct work with putty will allow you to perfectly level the walls and make them outwardly presentable. This finish will give the walls a great sound and sound absorption capacity. In addition, plaster has a number of other advantages.

Advantages and disadvantages

Plastering walls

Of course, in order to figure out which material is better, you need to find out the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
The advantages of plaster include:

• high-quality plastering will save you from the further need to level the walls;

• you can work with the solution in any room, even in the bathroom;
• price. Compared to other materials, plaster is clearly much cheaper. Therefore, it will be much easier for many to choose between it and the expensive options, and the purchase itself will be more profitable. Even drywall, and that will be more expensive;
• the walls after such an alignment will be able to additional devices withstand any load. Here you can easily hang even a TV, a mirror or a huge picture on the wall;
• high wall strength. It will be extremely difficult to pierce or break through them.

It was on this wonderful note that all the advantages of plaster came to an end. Now is the time to discuss her shortcomings.
Disadvantages of the solution:

Dirt after finishing

• leveling the ceiling with it will be, to put it mildly, not very comfortable;
• the process of plastering the wall is very dirty and wet. After finishing the finishing work, you still need to wash the premises from all the dirt. The use of dry plaster can slightly fix the matter;
• plastering requires a good knowledge of construction. Therefore, a beginner in this business is unlikely to cope with the bedded task at least by four. Usually it turns out either not quite smoothly, or for a very long time.

When deciding the question "what is better to choose, drywall or plaster?", Professionals always suggest that you first assess the condition of the walls and ceiling. If the walls are very crooked, then when using plaster, you simply spend a lot of material and effort, and the end result may not work out very well. Therefore, in this situation, it is better to use drywall sheets. But if there is a slight curvature - plaster will be an excellent solution.

Versatility is the key to success

Drywall structure

So we finally got to the drywall. This modern material which is widely used in domestic finishing works... With its help, you can easily carry out the installation of the ceiling, align the walls and create structures of unimaginable complexity. It is great for decorating ceilings and walls in a bathroom, kitchen, loggia or balcony.

Note! Depending on the microclimate of the room, there are several options. drywall sheets, each of which is suitable for a specific feature of the room - for a bathroom, kitchen, living room, bedroom and sauna.

Drywall acquired such distribution due to its properties and structure.
The material consists of:

• two layers of cardboard;
• gypsum core.

Note! Depending on the core additives, the sheets can be moisture resistant or fire resistant. You can choose a type that will combine both properties.

It is possible to use drywall for the following purposes:

Plasterboard table

• alignment of walls and ceilings;
• renovation work in any room, even in the bathroom and kitchen;
• redevelopment of the apartment;
• creation of decorative or functional partitions;
• installation on the ceiling of complex multi-level structures;
• concealment of defects and irregularities in the ceiling and walls;
• assembly of furniture ideally suited to your needs.

As you can see, the area of ​​application of drywall covers a much wider range than plaster. But in order to understand the issue completely, now it is necessary to find out the strengths and weaknesses drywall.

Advantages and secrets

The obvious advantages of drywall include the following:

• the ability to sheathe the walls in the bathroom, kitchen, loggia or in any other room;
• you can align a wall of any curvature.

Note! It will cost you much less than buying plaster. In addition, it is much cheaper to make repairs in the entire apartment from drywall, especially if there are too curved walls. At the same time, they will look just gorgeous;

• easy installation, which is easily carried out by one person. It will be cheaper to do all the work yourself than to hire construction crew... However, when working on the ceiling, you will still need an assistant;

Installation of sheets

• by installing just a couple of sheets, you will completely close the walls, for example, in a bathroom or toilet;
• drywall has a certain degree of sound and heat insulation. With it, your walls, especially with additional insulation, will become much warmer;
• the ability to create complex curly structures on the ceiling;
• you can hide all pipes and communications in the bathroom, toilet or kitchen;
• you will spend very little time on a small amount of work;
• all work with drywall is available even to a beginner in the construction business.

We will dwell on the advantages, since you can talk about them for hours, and the main thing has already been written.

Reducing space

As for the shortcomings, then, sadly enough, even drywall has them. These include:

• slight decrease in space in the room. This can be especially noticeable in the bathroom and toilet;
• is necessary additional processing seams and places for screwing in screws (here, by the way, you will need the same plaster);
• the cost of the material is higher than that of plaster;
• you need to use special devices to hang a heavy chandelier, picture or TV on drywall, as the material can be deformed.

Nevertheless, if desired, all disadvantages can be minimized. The main thing is to know how!

What should you choose?

Even after so much detailed consideration the question is still quite difficult to answer. In each individual situation, the advantages of one material prevail over its disadvantages. Sometimes plaster will be more economical and practical, and sometimes drywall.
Therefore, when choosing a material, rely on the existing needs in your situation, and you will not go wrong!