How to Choose the Best Type of Wall Plaster

Brief 

There are many different types of plaster, each with their own pros and cons — here we take a look at the main options for your internal walls.

Insight

If you are in the final stages of a self build or renovation project then it is highly likely that you will be thinking about the different types of plaster on offer.

Plastering walls is a job that is usually best left to the professionals but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your research when it comes to which type of plaster will be best for your home. Some will be more suited to certain types of property than others and it really does pay to get it right.

As well as checking that the type of plaster you are using is suitable for the type of house you have, it is also interesting to note that some plaster types are better than others for particular wall structures and applications. Here, we take a look at the types of plaster you are most likely to across and explain which works best where.

lIme Plaster vs Gypsum Plaster

Before getting into the many different types of plaster on offer, it is important to take a quick look at the differences between more traditional plasters and the modern mixes that are commonly used today.

Lime plaster is made up of a mixture of lime, sand and water, often with added fibres such as animal hair to strengthen the mix and to ensure a good bind with the walls. It has been used for thousands of years and, unlike many modern cement plasters, is breathable.

For this reason, it is highly suitable for period properties where it can help prevent damp issues and condensation.

Gypsum plaster, on the other hand, is now the most commonly used type of plaster. It is made with partially or completely dehydrated gypsum and is often combined with hardeners.