Many homeowners and builders often wonder why drywall is so popular for walls and ceilings instead of traditional plaster. Drywall is valued because it is quicker to install, less expensive, and simpler to repair with a drywall repair kit than old plaster methods. These benefits make it a practical choice for both new homes and renovations.
Drywall also saves money on labour since it requires less skill and effort to put up, making it ideal for a wide range of projects. While plaster has its strengths, the convenience and cost-effectiveness of drywall are hard to ignore.
People looking to finish a room or repair their interior walls often find that drywall not only gets the job done faster, but also allows more flexibility if changes are needed. This gives homeowners and builders more control over their projects, ensuring a smoother process from start to finish.
Key Advantages of Drywall Over Traditional Plastering
Drywall offers practical benefits that make it a popular choice for modern construction and remodelling. It stands out for its speed, cost-effectiveness, consistent results, and lower labour demands compared to plaster.
Faster Installation Process
Drywall sheets are manufactured in standard sizes, which allows for quick and easy installation on walls and ceilings. The sheets are simply cut to size, screwed to frames, and joints are taped and finished. This process is much faster than traditional plastering, which requires multiple coats and long drying times between each layer.
It is common for an entire room to be drywalled in a single day, whereas plastering can take several days or even weeks to fully complete the same space. With drywall, minimal drying time is needed—typically just for the finishing compound—reducing delays in project schedules. Contractors can move on to painting and finishing much sooner, helping projects stay on track.
Greater Cost Efficiency
Drywall is usually much cheaper to buy and install than plaster. Material costs for gypsum board are lower, and the process requires fewer tools and less specialist skill. In contrast, plastering involves skilled tradespeople, more supplies, and extensive preparation, all of which increase costs.
Homeowners and builders often choose drywall because it fits within tight budgets without sacrificing a basic, clean finish.
Improved Consistency and Finish
Drywall provides a flat, even surface that is ready for paint or wallpaper almost as soon as it’s installed. Because the panels are manufactured to consistent standards, there is little variation in thickness or texture. Joints and screw holes are concealed with joint compound, resulting in a smooth appearance.
While plaster can achieve more intricate textures and finishes in skilled hands, it is more difficult to match or repair. Drywall, on the other hand, gives a uniform look throughout a building, making it easier to achieve a consistent visual result. Repairs to drywall are also simpler and less noticeable.
Reduced Labour Requirements
Fitting drywall requires less manual effort and fewer specialist skills compared to plastering. Smaller teams can quickly attach panels with basic tools, and the process does not call for the same level of precision as traditional plaster application. There is also less physical strain, as drywall sheets can be lifted into position and secured without extensive mixing or trowelling.
Because the job is less labour-intensive, builders can make faster progress and move workers on to other projects sooner. This is particularly important in larger developments or time-sensitive renovations, where efficient use of labour helps keep schedules and budgets under control.
Practical Benefits in Modern Construction
Drywall provides several significant advantages when used in today’s buildings. It is well known for its fire safety, sound dampening, and ability to help keep indoor spaces comfortable year-round.
Enhanced Fire Resistance
Drywall panels are made mainly of gypsum, a material with natural fire-resistant properties. Gypsum contains water that, when heated by fire, is slowly released as steam. This helps slow the spread of flames. Many building codes now require fire-rated drywall in areas like corridors, stairwells, and between flats.
There are several types of fire-rated drywall, such as Type X and Type C, which are used to meet stricter safety standards. Their layered construction can add between 30 to 60 minutes of fire resistance, giving people more time to leave safely.
Drywall’s ease of installation also ensures builders can quickly repair or upgrade walls if additional fire safety is required. This makes it a practical choice for both new builds and renovations.
Superior Sound Insulation
Modern drywall systems are designed to reduce unwanted sound between rooms. Soundproof drywall uses thicker boards, special cores, and can be paired with insulation or resilient channels to block more noise. This construction makes it easier to achieve a quiet living or working environment, especially in flats, hotels, and offices.
A typical single layer of standard 12.5 mm drywall can achieve a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating of 35, while specially engineered boards can exceed an STC rating of 50. By contrast, traditional plaster may develop cracks that can let sound pass through more easily.
Drywall can be used with a variety of insulation materials, making targeted soundproofing simple and effective in multi-family or commercial properties.
Improved Energy Efficiency
Drywall has a strong effect on a building’s thermal performance. It acts as an added barrier that helps control the transfer of heat or cold between rooms and the outside. When installed with insulation, drywall helps maintain steady indoor temperatures, leading to lower heating and cooling costs over time.
Builders often use cavity walls with drywall and mineral wool or fibreglass insulation in areas requiring better energy savings. This system traps air and reduces heat loss, making rooms more comfortable in winter and cooler in summer.
Drywall’s smooth surface also allows for tight seals around fixtures and windows, reducing draughts and further boosting a home’s energy efficiency.
Flexibility and Long-Term Maintenance
Drywall stands out for its ease of maintenance and the ability to adapt to future needs. Repairs and changes are more straightforward, making drywall a practical choice for both homeowners and professionals.
Easier Repair and Upgrades
Drywall allows for quicker and simpler repairs than traditional plaster. Small holes and dents can often be patched with basic tools and minimal materials. Most repairs require only joint compound, a putty knife, and some sanding. This process is far less time-consuming than fixing plaster, which often means mixing materials and waiting for them to cure.
When electrical or plumbing changes are needed, drywall can be cut and then patched easily. Homeowners or workers do not usually need specialised skills for standard repairs. The lower cost for fixing and upgrading drywall leads to less disruption and fewer labour expenses.
Drywall is highly adaptable when it comes to layout or style changes. It is much easier to add or move walls, doors, or fixtures in homes finished with drywall. Contractors can remove sections and create new openings without having to deal with heavy, brittle plaster.
Changing the look or layout of a room is also less costly and less intrusive. Designs such as built-in shelves and alcoves can be added with less mess. Modern tools and drywall boards can achieve angled, curved, or specialty shapes, giving owners more choice in redecorating and remodelling.
When compared to plaster, drywall provides a practical balance of flexibility and function for people who plan to improve or update their spaces over time.