The cost of plastering walls and ceilings depends on the room size and ceiling height. Our tips can help you estimate an accurate cost.
Types of Plaster and Use Cases for Each
Give your walls a smooth and aesthetically pleasing finish
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Gypsum plaster for interior walls delivers a smooth finish at a lower cost than lime plaster, making it your go-to choice for modern renovations.
Expect to pay close to $3,000 for professional plaster repairs, though costs vary widely based on the materials and extent of work your home needs.
Cement plaster works best for exterior walls, while lime plaster suits high-humidity areas like bathrooms because it releases moisture and moves with your home as it settles.
Hiring a local plaster repair professional ensures proper wall preparation and application for lasting durability, especially when working with specialized materials like waterproof or lime plaster.
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Drywall may be the go-to choice for most home construction and renovation projects these days, but some cases call for plaster. Whether you're restoring an old home or building from the ground up, knowing the different types of plaster that are available, and when to use each one, will help you choose the right material for your project.
1. Lime Plaster
Photo: luda311 / Adobe Stock
Think of lime plaster as the original plaster. People have used lime plaster for millennia to build walls and construct homes. The material itself is made from lime, water, and sand, and occasionally, horse hair, which acts as a binder. If you're remodeling a home built before the early 1900s, you'll likely see strands of hair in the dried plaster.
Lime plaster is flexible and breathable, meaning it can release moisture, making it suitable for use in kitchen and bathroom walls. Its flexibility means it can move as a home settles, making it less likely to crack.
While lime plaster was the plaster of choice for centuries, it's now less commonly used compared to other types of plaster. It has a higher price point than gypsum plaster and takes longer to apply, making labor costs more expensive.
However, lime plaster is typically the material of choice when restoring older homes, particularly homes that originally used the material.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Works in humid areas | Higher cost |
| Flexible | Harder to install |
| Natural material | Higher maintenance |
Best use for lime plaster: Restoring older homes, or giving a classic look to a new house
2. Gypsum Plaster
Photo: amedeoemaja / Adobe Stock
Thanks to its lower cost, gypsum plaster is typically the plaster of choice in modern construction and renovation projects. This plaster is made from calcium sulfate dihydrate and is available in powdered form. Once mixed with water, the plasterer needs to work quickly to apply gypsum plaster. Otherwise, weak areas, or "cold joints" could form.
Gypsum plaster doesn't breathe as well as lime plaster so it's less suitable for use in older properties or in areas with high humidity levels, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lower cost | Harder to install |
| Smooth finish | Less breathable |
| Faster installation | Vulnerable to moisture |
Best uses for gypsum plaster: Interior walls in modern homes (not bathrooms or kitchens)
3. Cement Plaster
Photo: Vesnaandjic / E+ / Getty Images
Cement plaster consists of cement and sand, in place of either the gypsum or lime. It's quick-setting and thick, meaning you need to work fast when using it. You can use cement plaster on interior or exterior walls, but it typically has a rougher finish than gypsum or lime plaster, so it usually isn't ideal if you want a smooth wall.
Cement plaster is less flexible and breathable than either gypsum or lime plaster, too. The best use for it may be on the exterior walls of newer homes.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly durable | Rough finish |
| Fast setting time | Lower flexibility |
| Fire-resistant | Vulnerable to cracking |
Best uses for cement plaster: Coating exterior walls
4. Clay Plaster
Photo: Aitor Diago / Moment / Getty Images
Clay plaster uses clay as the base, mixed with sand and water. You can also add pigments to the clay plaster mix, eliminating the need to paint the plaster walls when you're finished.
The plaster produces a rustic finish. Since there's no need to paint it, choosing clay plaster can release fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the home.
Clay absorbs water fairly readily, so the plaster isn't good for bathrooms and other high-humidity areas.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low VOCs | Vulnerable to humidity |
| Variety of colors | Higher cost |
| Natural material | Harder to DIY |
Best uses for clay plaster: Interior walls in modern homes
5. Stucco
Photo: Baharlou / Adobe Stock
Stucco plaster is a cement-based type of plaster popular for outdoor spaces. The mixture, made with cement, sand, lime, and water, holds up well to inclement weather, and the textured finish adds curb appeal without sacrificing durability. This material isn’t completely fireproof, but it does have a higher fire resistance than many other types of plaster.
Another benefit of stucco is that it holds up well to sunlight, so you won’t need to worry that the color of your stucco will fade quickly after application. With just light maintenance, stucco can last many decades.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Weatherproof | Lower insulation |
| Higher fire resistance | Vulnerable to chipping |
| Not prone to fading | Porous |
Best uses for stucco: Home exteriors in warm, dry climates
6. Waterproof
Photo: stokkete / Adobe Stock
Whether you’re looking to finish a bathroom renovation with plaster walls or give the outside of your home a complete makeover, waterproof plaster is a solid choice. This material, which is also known as tadelakt, is a type of lime-based plaster that has been treated with a water-repellent soap finish to help the plaster better withstand moisture.
Waterproof plaster is not only ideal for humid areas and outdoors, but it’s also durable against cracking, shrinking, and inclement weather. However, keep in mind that if waterproof plaster gets a big ding or scratch, it could damage the waterproof coating and require extensive repairs, if not a full replacement.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stands up to humidity | More expensive |
| Highly durable | Difficult to repair |
| Easy to clean | Higher maintenance |
Best uses for waterproof plaster: High-humidity areas, like bathrooms and kitchens
Pro Tip
Drywall and plaster work require extensive practice and talent. You can try a DIY repair if a patch is small enough or where you won’t mind looking at a less-than-professional job when it’s done. If an entire wall needs repair, trust the pros to do the work so you're happy with the results.
Plaster Finishes
Depending on the type of plaster you choose, a plaster pro near you can finish it in several ways. Plaster finishes affect the texture, color, and overall appearance of the walls. For example, you may choose a plaster finish that creates a smooth, shiny wall or a rough, textured surface. Mixing different pigments into lime or clay plaster also increases your finishing options.
While there are many plaster finishing options available, two of the more popular finishes are Venetian and Tadelakt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plaster repairs reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.9★ avg. • 21 total reviews
- Julio V.
Positive experience. As previously stated, the replacement/repair could not be completed (no fault of the plumbing tech) b/c misinformation was rec?d by property management maintenance. Thanks to the plumbing tech for your efforts. Appreciate you!
The Waterworks - Brent C.
Carpet repair done well. Scheduling was easy. Showed up on time.
BR Flooring Installation - Austin Y.
I would recommend this company to anyone! He showed up on time, was friendly, completed a very difficult repair on our dryer vent cover, was responsive, and pricing was extremely fair and competitive. I would have him back to do any of our repairs or cleanings without hesitation!
U.S.A. Dryer Vent, LLC - Micki B.
Everything from initial contact to completion was absolutely top notch. We contacted the business during off hours to leave a message, and the owner still reached out to feel out the issue within minutes. We were scheduled and repaired within 48 hours. I cannot say enough about the...
Supreme brick & chimney - Donald L.
Ace Fireplace Services came to the rescue for my chimney repair. They were quick to pinpoint the issue and worked their magic to fix it. My chimney is now in excellent shape, and I'm a satisfied customer.
Ace Fireplace Services - Nicholas B.
Great experience all together. Dog friendly, courteous, great results and honest with recommendations. Will certainly be using Cardinal in the future for any carpet repairs
Cardinal Carpet Care & Repair - Michael H.
Description says they handle window repair including rotten hardwood - they called me back right away but didnâ t leave a voicemail. I followed up 3 days later and they said they donâ t do that kind of work.
Window-Gurus - Diane C.
Very good experience. He even moved things around in my bedroom to get to the wall. I would highly recommend him for plaster. I plan to have him come back.
Peter J Grady - Paul C.
Great guys. Spend a lot of time repairing and prepping our walls before doing the new paint. Home looks great now.
- Pantelhs V.
They did an excellent job with the repair, took care of all communication with the insurance company and had car rental service also with a very reliable, quality care
Three C Body Shop
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