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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.

You should stagger drywall sheets to help prevent cracking. The joints between drywall sheets are the weak spots, so if you install drywall with seams aligned, you’ll create weak lines that run across the length of the wall and extend from floor to ceiling. But when you stagger drywall, the solid sections of panels will support the joints. This can prevent seams from cracking or separating due to fluctuating temperature and humidity, vibrations from movement inside the home, and gravity.

If your home’s foundation shifts slightly over time, any seams in the drywall represent the weakest point in the wall, leading to cracks. If your home has significant changes in temperature and humidity, this can cause the drywall to swell and contract slightly, causing a crack at the weak point of the seam. If your drywall installer did a poor job securing the panels to the wall studs, this could cause a weak layout and cracks in the seams.

You should leave a gap between drywall sheets because they naturally expand and contract along with the building framing as temperature and humidity change. Most pro drywall installers leave a gap of about ⅛ inch between drywall sheets, allowing the sheets to expand, contract, and shift without cracking or becoming damaged. If you don’t leave enough gaps between slabs, the edges will press against each other when they expand, and the pressure can cause visible cracks.