Choosing between wet and dry plaster

Plastering is an old procedure that has been around for thousands of years, it was used in Egyptian tombs as well as by the Roman Empire. However, the techniques have changed since then, and when you're going to finish your wall or ceiling, it has little to do with the Roman Empire. Today, there are essentially two different techniques to choose from, both with their own pros and cons. If you are currently deciding on whether to use dry plaster or wet plaster, there are a few things you can consider before making the choice.

Wet plaster

Wet plaster is the method used in the days of old. Today, there are different materials to choose from; the most popular being gypsum or cement. There is little separating these two, except that gypsum might be a bit more common for indoor projects. However, both methods are finished off with an outer layer of gypsum. The price is about the same for all types of wet plaster, except for the increasingly popular options for "natural" plaster. Green options with natural ingredients like lime or clay are being used by those who want their plaster to be more environmentally friendly. However, these options tend to cost a little bit more.

Dry lining

Dry lining is a method that uses already finished boards of plaster. The boards are then stuck to the block work on the backside with either adhesives or with screws. Using adhesives will create a small space between the inner and the outer wall. Dry lining is, as wet plaster, usually finished off with a layer of gypsum, but it can also be taped. To tape the walls, you tape over any screw holes made in the process, sand them and then put paint over the plaster. This is a quick and easy procedure that you can do on your own.

Pros and cons

The most prominent advantage of wet plaster over dry lining is that it has better insulating abilities. It can make the room a lot more soundproof than dry plaster can. Wet plaster also has a finish that is a bit glossier and therefore easier to perform paintwork on. Dry plaster, however, is a far quicker procedure than wet plaster, as the wet plaster has to dry completely before anything else can be done to it. In unfavourable conditions, the drying process can take up to 4 weeks. The main advantage that dry plaster has over wet plaster is that it's far less likely to crack. Wet plaster might crack in the drying process and make you spend more money on rehiring the plasterer to fix the cracks. Generally, if time and money is really tight, then dry plaster might be a better option for you. If soundproofing and a certain look are more important, then go with the wet plaster.

For more information, contact a professional service like JDP Interior Linings.