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Drywall can get wet and dry out without sustaining permanent damage, but only if the water damage is minor. If you have a small leak and are quick to correct the issue and set up blower fans and dehumidifiers, your drywall should dry out. If the leak is persistent, the drywall becomes totally waterlogged, or mold begins forming on the drywall, you should remove and replace it.

Both plaster and drywall are durable wall finishes, but they differ significantly in installation, cost, performance, and aesthetics.

Installation & Cost: Drywall installation is faster and more affordable, typically costing $1.50 to $3 per square foot. It uses premade sheets, making it a more accessible DIY project. Plastering is a labor-intensive craft that requires specialized skills, pushing costs to $2 to $10 per square foot. It involves applying a wet paste over a lath framework.

Durability & Performance: Plaster is generally more durable, longer-lasting, and provides superior soundproofing. It is also a better insulator, which can help reduce energy costs. Drywall is easier to remove for future renovations.

Aesthetics: Drywall provides a smooth, uniform surface ready for paint or texture. Plaster offers a high-end, naturally textured look that can hide imperfections and is often preferred for achieving a classic or historic aesthetic.

Which is better? The choice depends on your priorities. Drywall is ideal for those prioritizing a lower upfront cost, faster installation, and DIY potential. Plaster is the better option for a higher-end project where durability, soundproofing, and a unique, premium finish are more important than the initial cost.

It’s always better to follow proven drywall repair tips and fix the seams that look bad. However, if you simply want to make them less noticeable until you have time to fix them, you can use paint. A darker color of paint makes bad drywall tape seams less noticeable than light-colored paint. Matte paint hides bad seams better than glossy paint does, too.

If you already have plaster walls and ceilings, adding new plaster costs $2 to $10 per square foot. For an average-sized room, that would come out to $1,200 to $10,000. However, the cost to replace plaster with drywall is higher—running between $720 and $1,250 for a 10-by-8-foot wall or ceiling (not including drywall finishing).