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Although they have similar applications, spackle and joint compound are not the same. Their primary differences lie in their composition, consistency, and ideal use cases.

Spackle is composed of gypsum and binding agents, making it thicker than joint compound. It dries quickly and is easy to sand, which makes it ideal for small wall repair projects like filling nail holes or patching minor damage.

Joint compound, also known as drywall mud, consists of limestone and gypsum. It is primarily used for large-scale projects, such as taping and finishing the seams on newly installed drywall. It tends to shrink more than spackle and can be more difficult to spread.

While both products can be used to fill small depressions and cracks, spackle cannot replace joint compound for taping and mudding new drywall. Conversely, you can often use joint compound for small patching jobs typically done with spackle.

You can usually tell if you have plaster or drywall by touch (plaster is harder, colder, and smoother than drywall) or by tapping on it (drywall sounds hollow, plaster does not). If you still cannot tell, peek under an outlet cover and check the cut edges. The rough edges show the composition of the wall. You will see either drywall (two paper sheets sandwiching gypsum material) or only plaster material (no paper sheets).

Some textures are easier than others to DIY, but the short answer is yes, you can absolutely texture walls yourself. You’ll need certain materials, like a trowel or paint sprayer, but the most important things you’ll need are patience and time. DIYing wall texture can save money and be a fun, messy project, but homeowners need to know that adding texture to a wall isn’t a quick project. 

You can drywall an unheated garage because the material handles cold temperatures perfectly well. There are no risks or downsides to installing drywall in a garage that is not heated, and the material stands up to moisture and other elements quite well. Drywall will protect your unheated garage's electric wires and cables and add fire protection. However, for effective bonding, you should install drywall at a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.